WEDCO

What WEDCO does

WEDCO Inc is a 100% employee-owned electrical products distributor headquartered in Reno, Nevada, operating four branch locations across Northern Nevada (Reno, Carson City, Fallon, Winnemucca). Founded in 1950, the company stocks over $10 million in inventory and positions itself as the largest in-stock electrical wholesaler in its region, serving residential, commercial, and industrial electrical contractors, industrial automation and MRO customers, mining operators, and utility infrastructure projects.

The company's product portfolio is anchored in Square D (Schneider Electric) residential solutions (loadcenters, circuit breakers, dual-function AFCI/GFCI breakers, whole-house surge protection, meter centers), commercial products (NQ/NF panelboards, switchboards, safety switches), and industrial automation lines (Schneider Altivar variable frequency drives, TeSys motor management, Harmony push buttons, ASCO power transfer switches, ABB irrigation drives). Complementary lines include Milwaukee Tool PACKOUT storage and Southwire contractor solutions. WEDCO is a distributor for Square D's Ready to Install (RTI) panelboard program and stocks complete sub-assemblies for same-day pickup.

WEDCO generates revenue through two streams: hardware distribution of electrical products at margins typical of electrical wholesale, and value-added professional services including VFD programming and start-up, motor control training, project management, and switchgear and lighting quotations. Pricing is quote-based rather than published, and go-to-market relies on direct counter sales at branch locations, a delivery fleet serving Northern Nevada job sites, counter-day events, and a digital resource center with vendor product content. Ownership transitioned from the Elmore family to a 100% employee-owned structure, with the multi-year buyout completing in 2025 alongside the company's 75th anniversary.

Name

WEDCO

Legal name

WEDCO Inc

Website

https://wedcoinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

WEDCO is a 100% employee-owned electrical products distributor based in Reno, Nevada, operating four branches across Northern Nevada. Founded in 1950, it stocks over $10 million in Square D, Schneider Electric, and complementary inventory to serve residential, commercial, industrial, mining, and utility contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Distribution

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)

SIC

Wholesale-Hardware & Plumbing & Heating Equipment & Supplies (5070)

akta.pro primary industry

Circuit Breakers, Disconnectors, Earthing Switches & Switchgear Components (EUADACAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical Contracting & Wiring (IMAFALAA)

Keywords

• Electrical distribution services
• Industrial automation controls
• Commercial electrical products
• Residential electrical supplies
• VFD programming services

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Electrical Products Distribution: Distribution of electrical products including circuit breakers, loadcenters, panelboards, safety switches, push buttons, and surge protection devices primarily from Square D (Schneider Electric), with complementary products from Eaton and other manufacturers
2. Professional Services: VFD programming and start-up services, motor control training, project management, switchgear quotations, and lighting quotations

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

WEDCO is Northern Nevada's leading electrical solutions distributor, supplying circuit breakers, loadcenters, panelboards, safety switches, surge protection, motor controls, VFDs, and metering equipment from Square D/Schneider Electric and other manufacturers. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, mining, and utility customers through four branch locations and provides value-added services including VFD programming and start-up, motor control training, project management, and switchgear/lighting quotations.

Product overview

WEDCO is Northern Nevada's leading electrical solutions distributor and 100% employee-owned company since 1950. The company operates as a multi-location electrical distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of electrical distribution products across residential, commercial, industrial, mining, and utility markets. WEDCO's product portfolio centers on representing major manufacturers including Square D (by Schneider Electric), Schneider Electric (Altivar drives, Harmony push buttons, TeSys motor management), Milwaukee Tool (PACKOUT storage systems), Southwire (contractor solutions), and ASCO (power transfer switches). The core product lines include Square D residential solutions (loadcenters, circuit breakers, surge protection, metering equipment), commercial products (panelboards, switchboards, safety switches), and industrial automation solutions (VFDs, motor controls, push buttons). Beyond product distribution, WEDCO provides value-added services including VFD programming and start-up, motor control training, project management, switchgear quotations, and lighting quotations. The company stocks over $10 million in inventory across four locations (Reno, Fallon, Carson City, and Winnemucca) to serve contractors throughout Northern Nevada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Square D Residential Solutions Residential electrical products including QO and Homeline Dual Function Circuit Breakers (Combination Arc Fault and Ground Fault protection), Qwik-Grip Loadcenters with plug-on neutral design, Energy Center smart panel for solar/battery/generator integration, EZ Meter-Pak and MP Meter-Pak meter centers for multifamily applications. Targeted at residential electrical contractors and home builders.
• Square D Commercial Electrical Products Ready to Install (RTI) Square D panelboards (NQ 240Vac, NF 277/480Vac) with stocked interiors, boxes, trims, and covers available for same-day pickup. Includes field-installable kits such as subfeed lug kits and main breaker kits. Targeted at commercial electrical contractors.
• Square D VisiPacT Safety Switches Safety switches from Square D featuring viewing windows for visual verification, two-tone handle design, and QR codes for technical data access. Available in NEMA Type 1, 3R, 12, and 12K enclosures with ratings up to 1200A and 600Vac.
• Square D Whole House Surge Protection (HEPD80, HEPD50) Compact surge suppressors mounting directly to any loadcenter. HEPD80 offers 80kA protection with 5-year $75,000 connected equipment coverage warranty; HEPD50 offers 50kA protection with 3-year $50,000 warranty.
• Schneider Electric Industrial Automation Solutions (Altivar VFDs, TeSys, Harmony) Schneider Electric variable frequency drives (Altivar 320, Altivar 340, Altivar AT480), motor management systems (TeSys Island, TeSys Deca), soft starters, and Harmony push buttons (30mm/22mm/16mm). Targeted at industrial automation contractors, mining, utilities, and MRO facilities.
• ASCO Series 300 Power Transfer Switches Backup power transfer switches with quick connect functionality for critical power applications across commercial, industrial, and utility infrastructure projects.
• Milwaukee Tool PACKOUT Storage Systems Modular storage systems for tools and equipment offered to professional contractors through the WEDCO line card.
• Southwire Wire and Cable Products Wire and cable contractor solutions from Southwire distributed through WEDCO's Northern Nevada branches.
• ABB Irrigation Variable Frequency Drives Variable frequency drives for irrigation applications, available in-stock at WEDCO for agricultural and industrial pump applications.
• VFD Programming and Start-up Services Professional variable frequency drive programming and start-up services provided by WEDCO's technical experts for industrial automation and motor control applications.
• Motor Control Training Training services for motor control products and solutions delivered to industrial customers and contractors.
• Project Management Services Comprehensive project management support for electrical installations and automation projects across residential, commercial, and industrial markets.
• Switchgear Quotations (Square D and Eaton) Expert quotation services for Square D and Eaton switchgear to support contractor project planning and procurement.
• Lighting Quotations Professional lighting quotation services supporting commercial and residential electrical projects.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Square D (Schneider Electric)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary vendor partner offering comprehensive product line including loadcenters, panelboards, safety switches, surge protection, circuit breakers, and motor control products. WEDCO is a distributor for the Ready to Install (RTI) panelboard program and maintains extensive in-stock inventory of Square D products.
• EatoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative vendor for switchgear quotations alongside Square D products, providing comprehensive options for contractor switchgear needs.
• Schneider ElectriccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorParent company of Square D brand. WEDCO distributes Schneider Electric products including Altivar drives, soft starters, and Harmony push button product lines.
• Milwaukee ToolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOffers Milwaukee Tool PACKOUT storage solutions through the WEDCO line card.
• SouthwireminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorContractor solutions partner offering wire and cable products through WEDCO's distribution network.
• National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)minorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to resources, networking, and industry best practices for electrical distributors.
• Associated Builders and ContractorsminorOthersTrade association membership supporting the commercial construction industry and electrical contractor community.
• Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC)minorOthersTrade association membership supporting independent electrical contractors.
• Nevada Mining AssociationminorOthersState industry association supporting Nevada mining operations, aligned with WEDCO's mining customer segment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Summit Electric Supply: Summit Electric Supply is a privately held electrical distributor specializing in industrial and commercial markets. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct peer focused on industrial automation, motor controls, and contractor supply, with similar value-added service offerings like VFD programming.
• Crescent Electric Supply Company: Crescent Electric is a family-owned electrical distributor operating branches across the U.S. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct peer in electrical distribution serving contractors and industrial customers, with similar product categories (switchgear, motor controls, lighting) and value-added services.
• Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED): CED is one of the largest privately held electrical distributors in the U.S., operating hundreds of branches. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct peer — both are independent, privately-held electrical distributors focused on serving contractors and industrial customers with similar product lines (breakers, panelboards, motor controls, VFDs).
• City Electric Supply (CES): City Electric Supply is a family-owned electrical distributor with hundreds of branches across North America. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct peer in residential, commercial, and industrial electrical product distribution, with similar contractor-focused GTM and Square D/Schneider product lines.

Regional players

• Border States Electric: Border States Electric is a 100% employee-owned regional electrical distributor serving the Upper Midwest, Mountain, and Southwest U.S. It is highly comparable to WEDCO given the shared employee-owned structure, regional focus, similar customer mix (utility, contractor, industrial), and overlapping vendor partnerships.
• Werner Electric Supply: Werner Electric Supply is a regional electrical distributor serving the Upper Midwest. It is comparable to WEDCO as a similar-sized regional distributor serving contractors, industrial, and utility customers with overlapping vendor partnerships and value-added services like panelboard assembly.

Broad incumbents

• Graybar Electric Company: Graybar is a leading North American electrical, communications, and data networking distributor with employee ownership (similar to WEDCO). It is comparable as a broad-line electrical distributor serving contractors, industrial, and utility customers, with similar product categories and a similarly employee-owned structure.
• Sonepar USA: Sonepar USA is a top-tier global electrical distributor with extensive U.S. branch coverage. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct competitor in electrical product distribution serving contractors, industrial customers, and utilities, with overlapping vendor partnerships including Schneider Electric and Square D.
• Rexel USA: Rexel USA is one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States, operating hundreds of branches nationwide. It is comparable to WEDCO as a direct competitor in electrical distribution serving contractors with similar product categories (Square D, Schneider, Eaton), though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Eaton Corporation (reseller/distributor channel): Eaton is a major electrical equipment manufacturer whose products WEDCO distributes (switchgear, breakers). It is comparable as both a vendor partner and channel competitor, since Eaton's authorized distributor network overlaps with WEDCO's served markets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WEDCO