Border States
Border States is a 100% employee-owned B2B electrical and industrial distributor serving construction, manufacturing, and utility customers through branch locations, field sales, and an e-commerce platform offering 200,000+ SKUs from 400+ authorized brands.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1952
- HeadquartersFargo, United States
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Border States does
Border States is a 100% employee-owned B2B electrical and industrial distributor headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota. The company supplies construction, industrial/manufacturing, and utility customers through a combination of branch locations, field sales, and a centralized e-commerce platform that lists more than 200,000 SKUs across 17 product categories. Its product surface spans the major electrical and industrial equipment families—enclosures, wire and cable, lighting, switchgear, controls, automation, motors, and safety/PPE—sourced from more than 400 authorized premier brands including Schneider Electric, Eaton, ABB, Hubbell, and Rockwell Automation.
The business model is a traditional authorized-distributor model with three revenue mechanics: (1) catalog and project-based product sales to contractors, plant operators, and utility buyers; (2) value-added services including lighting and electrical layout design, project estimation, energy audits, thermal imaging, and supply-chain management; and (3) emerging renewable-energy and energy-efficiency solutions aligned with utility and industrial decarbonization. Authorized-distributor status with major OEMs provides access to certified product lines, warranty support, and technical resources that smaller or unauthorized competitors cannot replicate. The 100% ESOP structure aligns workforce incentives with operational discipline and long-tenured customer relationships.
Commercially, Border States differentiates through multi-channel reach—physical branches for time-sensitive jobsite fulfillment, field sales for project-level account management, and digital procurement for catalog reorders—and through embedded technical services that integrate the distributor into the customer's project workflow. The competitive set spans national full-line electrical distributors (e.g., Rexel, Sonepar, Graybar) and regional independents; Border States occupies the large regional-to-national independent tier with multi-state branch density and a digitally-enabled procurement layer.
Border States firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Border States
- Legal name
- Border States
- Website
- https://borderstates.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1952
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Border States is a 100% employee-owned B2B electrical and industrial distributor serving construction, manufacturing, and utility customers through branch locations, field sales, and an e-commerce platform offering 200,000+ SKUs from 400+ authorized brands.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Border States industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electrical and Industrial Distribution
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electrical Apparatus & Equipment, Wiring Supplies (5063)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wiring Devices & Receptacles (switches, sockets, plugs, industrial outlets, pin & sleeve) (IMAGAEAF), Office, Janitorial & Facility Supplies (B2B) (CRAEAEAE)
Keywords
Where Border States is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fargo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Border States business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Product Distribution: Revenue generated through distribution margins on electrical and industrial products sold to construction, industrial, and utility customers. Products include wire, cable, automation, controls, lighting, power distribution, safety equipment, tools, and related supplies.
- Services Revenue: Additional revenue from value-added services including back office and finances, building information modeling (BIM), equipment maintenance, manufacturing and assembly, material management services, project management, staffing and logistics services, technical assessments, training services, utility metering, and wire and cable services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Other | Account-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
Border States product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Border States is a B2B electrical and industrial distributor that distributes more than 200,000 products across 17 categories — including wire and cable, lighting, power distribution and protection, automation and control, safety, tools, conduit, and utility equipment — sourced from major manufacturers such as Schneider Electric, Eaton, ABB, Hubbell, Rockwell Automation, 3M, Milwaukee, and Southwire. The company sells to construction, industrial/manufacturing, and utility customers through a combination of company-owned branch locations, field sales representatives, and a registered-account e-commerce platform. It complements distribution with twelve value-added services including building information modeling (BIM), project management, material management, manufacturing and assembly, training, and technical assessments.
Product overview
Border States is an electrical and industrial distributor operating an e-commerce platform that offers over 200,000 products across 17 core product categories, complemented by 12 service offerings. The product portfolio is organized into major categories including Automation & Control (motor controls, PLCs, sensors, relays), Communications & DataComm (copper/fiber connectivity, networking, security), Conduit & Cable Management (conduit, fittings, cable trays, raceways), Electrical Boxes/Cabinets/Enclosures/Racks, Electrical Wiring Devices (switches, receptacles, connectors), Facility Maintenance & Operations Supplies, Fasteners & Hardware, Grounding & Wire Termination, Heating/Ventilation/Cooling, Lighting (LED fixtures, high-bay lights), Natural Gas & PVF, Power Distribution & Protection (circuit breakers, panelboards, surge arresters), Safety & Security, Signs/Labels/Identification, Tools (hand and power tools), Utility Equipment, and Wire & Cable (building wire, THHN, fiber optic). The service layer includes Back Office and Finances, BIM Services, Equipment Maintenance, Manufacturing and Assembly, Material Management, Project Management, Staffing and Logistics, Support and Advisory, Technical Assessments, Training, Utility Metering, and Wire and Cable Services. The company serves construction, industrial/manufacturing, and utility sectors with products from over 400 brands including 3M, ABB, Schneider Electric, Eaton, Hubbell, and Rockwell Automation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Automation & Control Products
- Wire & Cable Products
- Lighting Products
- Power Distribution & Protection Products
- Communications & DataComm Products
- Tools
- Safety & Security Products
- Utility Equipment
- Conduit & Cable Management Products
- Electrical Boxes, Cabinets, Enclosures & Racks
- Project Management Services
- Building Information Modeling (BIM) Services
- Material Management Services
- Manufacturing and Assembly Services
- Equipment Maintenance Services
- Staffing and Logistics Services
- Training Services
- Technical Assessments
- Utility Metering Services
- Wire and Cable Services
- E-commerce Platform Services
Companies that use Border States
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Border States technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Border States partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- 3McoreAuthorized distributor of 3M electrical, safety, and communication products including tapes, connectors, and safety equipment
- ABBcoreAuthorized distributor of ABB industrial automation, electrification, and motion products including motors, drives, and control equipment
- Schneider ElectriccoreAuthorized distributor of Schneider Electric products including Square D brand circuit protection, power distribution, and automation solutions. Features FlexSet low-voltage switchboard solutions.
- EatoncoreAuthorized distributor of Eaton electrical, hydraulic, and aerospace products including Crouse-Hinds, Bussmann, and Cooper Power solutions
- HubbellcoreAuthorized distributor of Hubbell wiring devices, enclosures, lighting controls, and utility solutions including Burndy connectors
- Rockwell AutomationcoreAuthorized distributor of Rockwell Automation industrial automation and control products including Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMIs, and motor controls
- Milwaukee ToolcoreAuthorized distributor of Milwaukee professional-grade power tools, hand tools, and storage solutions for electrical and construction professionals
- LegrandcoreAuthorized distributor of Legrand wiring devices, datacom solutions, and cable management products including Pass & Seymour, Wiremold, and Cablofil
- LevitoncoreAuthorized distributor of Leviton electrical wiring devices, lighting controls, and network solutions
- Acuity BrandscoreAuthorized distributor of Acuity Brands lighting including Lithonia, Holophane, American Electric Lighting, and SensorSwitch products
- nVentcoreAuthorized distributor of nVent electrical enclosures, cable management, and thermal management solutions including HOFFMAN, nVent ERICO, and Caddy products
- SouthwirecoreAuthorized distributor of Southwire wire and cable products for building wire, utility, and industrial applications
- AFLcoreAuthorized distributor of AFL fiber optic cable, connectors, and accessories for communications and utility applications
- Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreAuthorized distributor of Cooper Lighting Solutions commercial and industrial lighting products
- Encore WirecoreAuthorized distributor of Encore Wire building wire and cable products
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Border States competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Graybar: Graybar is a Fortune 500 electrical, communications, and data networking products distributor serving construction, industrial, and utility customers through a branch-based distribution model — directly comparable to Border States in product breadth, customer verticals, and distribution approach, though operating at significantly larger national scale.
- Rexel USA: Rexel USA is a major electrical distributor serving contractor, industrial, and utility customers with multi-brand distribution across lighting, automation, and power distribution — directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to Border States, with similar branch-based and e-commerce hybrid model.
- Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED): CED is one of the largest privately held electrical distributors in the US, serving commercial, industrial, and residential contractors across multiple regions — directly comparable to Border States in product categories, customer verticals, and privately-held distribution model with strong branch footprint.
- Elliott Electric Supply: Elliott Electric Supply is a regional electrical distributor serving contractor, industrial, and utility customers across multiple southern US states — directly comparable to Border States in product categories, branch-based distribution, and mid-sized regional positioning.
- Crescent Electric Supply: Crescent Electric is a Midwest-focused electrical distributor serving construction, industrial, and commercial customers — directly comparable to Border States in core product categories and regional electrical distribution, with overlapping geographic presence in the upper Midwest.
- McNaughton-McKay Electric: McNaughton-McKay is a regional electrical distributor serving industrial, contractor, and utility customers across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic — directly comparable to Border States in product breadth, customer verticals, and value-added services like project management and automation support.
- Mayer Electric: Mayer Electric Supply is a large employee-owned regional electrical distributor serving commercial, industrial, and utility customers across the southern US — directly comparable to Border States in product portfolio, employee-owned structure, and value-added services including project management and lighting layout.
- Kendall Electric: Kendall Electric is a regional electrical distributor serving industrial, contractor, and commercial customers across the Midwest — directly comparable to Border States in product categories, branch-based distribution, and focus on automation and industrial customer segments.
Broad incumbents
- WESCO International: WESCO is one of the largest electrical, communications, and utility distribution companies in North America, with a broad portfolio including the legacy Anixter network and data center solutions business — directly comparable in core electrical distribution but substantially larger and more diversified than Border States, including global footprint and adjacent MRO services.
- Sonepar North America: Sonepar operates one of the largest B-to-B electrical distribution networks globally, with a North American presence built through numerous regional banners — directly comparable to Border States in core electrical distribution but operating across broader geographies and with substantially greater scale.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Border States social profiles
Digital presenceBorder States financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Border States leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Border States funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Border States M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Border States
What does Border States do?
Border States is a B2B electrical and industrial distributor that distributes more than 200,000 products across 17 categories — including wire and cable, lighting, power distribution and protection, automation and control, safety, tools, conduit, and utility equipment — sourced from major manufacturers such as Schneider Electric, Eaton, ABB, Hubbell, Rockwell Automation, 3M, Milwaukee, and Southwire. The company sells to construction, industrial/manufacturing, and utility customers through a combination of company-owned branch locations, field sales representatives, and a registered-account e-commerce platform. It complements distribution with twelve value-added services including building information modeling (BIM), project management, material management, manufacturing and assembly, training, and technical assessments.
Is Border States a public or private company?
Border States is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Border States founded?
Border States was founded in 1952. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Border States based?
Border States is headquartered in Fargo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Border States make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Product Distribution is the primary driver. The others are services Revenue.
Who are Border States's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Graybar, Rexel USA, Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED), Elliott Electric Supply, Crescent Electric Supply, McNaughton-McKay Electric, Mayer Electric and Kendall Electric. Broad incumbents are WESCO International and Sonepar North America.
Does Border States have an API?
No public API is recorded for Border States.
What industry is Border States in?
Border States's product category is Electrical and Industrial Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAEAEAH, Automotive, Tools & Industrial Supplies (B2B), with a secondary code of IMAGAEAF, Wiring Devices & Receptacles (switches, sockets, plugs, industrial outlets, pin & sleeve). Its SIC code is 5063.