Sonepar Group Buys Friedman Electric

Nov. 3, 2006
Extending its reach into Pennsylvania, Sonepar USA, Philadelphia, a subsidiary of Sonepar Group, has acquired Friedman Electric Supply Co. Inc.

Extending its reach into Pennsylvania, Sonepar USA, Philadelphia, a subsidiary of Sonepar Group, has acquired Friedman Electric Supply Co. Inc.

Friedman Electric Supply Co., Exeter, Pa., is an independent distributor of electrical and lighting supplies in Pennsylvania. With approximately 270 employees and 12 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Friedman Electric was ranked the 77th largest electrical distributor on Electrical Wholesaling’s June 2006 listing.

Cooper Electric Supply, Tinton Falls, N.J., a subsidiary of Sonepar USA, has two locations in Pennsylvania in Bethlehem and Lansdowne.

Although Cooper Electric Supply and Friedman Electric both have locations in Pennsylvania, Jay Bricker, senior vice president of vendor relations for Sonepar North America, said the two companies focus on different customers segments. Cooper Electric focuses on the commercial, industrial and automation markets, while Friedman Electric’s business is geared toward the residential business. Currently, 11 of Friedman Electric’s 12 branches include lighting showrooms.

“We see them as complementing each other rather than competing with each other,” said Bricker. “It’s a great fit.”

Founded in 1940 by Jack Friedman, Friedman Electric was driven by Sid Friedman from 1950 until 1996. The company has been run by his son, Rob Friedman, since 1996. He will continue to run the business.

Rob Friedman said “I wanted to align our business with a financially strong company, which would provide new growth opportunities. I have found the Sonepar USA’s values and approach to the market are very similar to my own.”

Tony Burr, president of Sonepar USA, said “We are delighted to welcome a new family business to the group, knowing that they will uphold our key values of providing total customer satisfaction through superior service, respecting the quality of our business relationships and providing opportunities to our employees.”

The Friedman family was represented by HT Capital Advisors, New York.