Border States

Electrical and Industrial Distributionborderstates.com

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

Electrical products distribution
Industrial supply distribution
Utility equipment supply
Construction materials distribution
Wire and cable distribution

Where Border States is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

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 offering

Core 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 profile

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Border States technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Border States partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

3McoreOthersAuthorized distributor of 3M electrical, safety, and communication products including tapes, connectors, and safety equipment
ABBcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of ABB industrial automation, electrification, and motion products including motors, drives, and control equipment
Schneider ElectriccoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Schneider Electric products including Square D brand circuit protection, power distribution, and automation solutions. Features FlexSet low-voltage switchboard solutions.
EatoncoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Eaton electrical, hydraulic, and aerospace products including Crouse-Hinds, Bussmann, and Cooper Power solutions
HubbellcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Hubbell wiring devices, enclosures, lighting controls, and utility solutions including Burndy connectors
Rockwell AutomationcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Rockwell Automation industrial automation and control products including Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMIs, and motor controls
Milwaukee ToolcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Milwaukee professional-grade power tools, hand tools, and storage solutions for electrical and construction professionals
LegrandcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Legrand wiring devices, datacom solutions, and cable management products including Pass & Seymour, Wiremold, and Cablofil
LevitoncoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Leviton electrical wiring devices, lighting controls, and network solutions
Acuity BrandscoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Acuity Brands lighting including Lithonia, Holophane, American Electric Lighting, and SensorSwitch products
nVentcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of nVent electrical enclosures, cable management, and thermal management solutions including HOFFMAN, nVent ERICO, and Caddy products
SouthwirecoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Southwire wire and cable products for building wire, utility, and industrial applications
AFLcoreOthersAuthorized distributor of AFL fiber optic cable, connectors, and accessories for communications and utility applications
Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Cooper Lighting Solutions commercial and industrial lighting products
Encore WirecoreOthersAuthorized distributor of Encore Wire building wire and cable products

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Border States competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct 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 financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Border States leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Border States funding detail

Funding detail

Funding 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 investment

M&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?

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.