Needham is one of the nation's largest and fastest growing wholesale electrical distribution companies. Needham ranks in the top 2% of distributors—in the industry's "Top 200" list of more than 4,000 electrical distributors—and is experiencing dramatic year-over-year revenue growth. Needham headquarters are in Canton, Massachusetts, with multiple wholesale locations serving customers in New England in addition to sales offices nation-wide. Needhams multiple divisions meet the electrical supply needs of contractors and builders; the lighting and electrical requirements of leading national retailers, hotels, automotive companies, supermarkets and restaurant franchises; commercial, institutional and residential property managers; the technical needs of OEMs; and the lighting and electrical needs of home-owners.
New England Roots, Serving Customers Worldwide
Needham was founded in 1958 as a family-owned wholesale electrical distribution company serving commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare institutions in New England. This business grew steadily for 40 years, through dependable, on-time delivery of quality electrical and lighting supplies.
In 1990, the company entered a new, more aggressive growth phase, developing a more extensive regional wholesale business and a new National Accounts business, reaching its present size through organic growth and acquisition.
Today, Needham has added new wholesale locations, expanded its product line to be one of the most complete in the industry, with more than 800 lamp SKUs, all types of fixtues, and electrical components and systems, including power walls, integrated switchboards and generators for its customers.
New England Roots, Serving Customers Worldwide
Needham was founded in 1958 as a family-owned wholesale electrical distribution company serving commercial, industrial, educational and healthcare institutions in New England. This business grew steadily for 40 years, through dependable, on-time delivery of quality electrical and lighting supplies.
In 1990, the company entered a new, more aggressive growth phase, developing a more extensive regional wholesale business and a new National Accounts business, reaching its present size through organic growth and acquisition.
Today, Needham has added new wholesale locations, expanded its product line to be one of the most complete in the industry, with more than 800 lamp SKUs, all types of fixtues, and electrical components and systems, including power walls, integrated switchboards and generators for its customers.
At the same time, the fast-growing Needham National Accounts division has offices in Massachsetts, California, Arizona, and New Hampshire, and supports rollouts and remodels in all 50 states.
A 60,000 square foot warehouse and Central Distribution Center serves the company's 24 locations throughout New England.
People are the Needham Advantage
As the second generation manager of the private, family-owned business, Needham's CEO, Joe Cincotta, knows first-hand that quality of service is the only eal way to differentiate the company and its offerings in the electrical wholesale distribution industry.
"There isn't a product that we carry that our customers couldn't buy elsewhere," he says. "It's the people we hire, their experience and commitment, their ability to work together, that makes the difference. Nine times out of ten it's the quality of the service that our people deliver that wins and keeps the business. This is not me talking—it's what our customers say."
To hone this competitive edge, Needham invests in hiring, rewarding and promoting the best people—and in their continuing development as individuals and as a team. The company is recognized for the quality of the business and technical training it offers to both its associates and its customers.
In addition to the knowledge and dedication of its people and in the long-term relationships they have developed with customers, Needham works hard to keep its small company, can-do culture, even as it grows. Associates at all levels are trusted with the authority to make decisions to meet customer needs and solve customer issues, quickly, without the overhead of a bureaucratic approval processes.
Continuing to Grow, While Staying "Small"
"The rapid rate of growth that we have been experiencing is the result of a long-term internal growth strategy," says Joe Cincotta. "Needham will continue to develop its businesses and strategically pursue new business ventures and acquisitions to further enhance our breadth of services and products to our customers."
As in the past, the personnel and company culture of potential acquisitions remains a primary consideration. "We believe Needham's biggest strength is the quality of our people and their teamwork and commitment to getting the job done for the customer," says Cincotta. "We remain committed to providing a quality and rewarding work environment for our people that encourages initiative and personal dedication to the customer, and we will continue to be a private, family-owned business to maintain that advantage."