Independent Electric Supply

What Independent Electric Supply does

Independent Electric Supply (IES) is a family-owned electrical product distributor founded in 1992 and headquartered in Somerville, Massachusetts. The company operates roughly five to eight branch, warehouse, and sales-office locations across Massachusetts and New Hampshire (including Billerica, Peabody, Manchester NH, Hudson NH, Avon, Worcester, and Portsmouth) with an owned fleet of box trucks, flat beds, and high-capacity vans that deliver same-day and next-day service within MA and NH. IES represents over 1 million SKUs across major manufacturers — ABB, Lutron, Leviton, Eaton (Cutler-Hammer), Cooper Lighting, Generac, Signify/Philips, Milwaukee Tool, Panasonic, and others — and is a member of the Affiliated Distributors (AD) buying group and NAED.

The core technology layer is the IES Buy proprietary e-commerce platform (iesbuy.com) and companion iOS/Android mobile app, which together provide account-based pricing, real-time inventory visibility across branches, barcode scanning, online ordering, and delivery tracking for registered trade customers. Beyond commodity distribution, IES monetizes a slate of value-added services: a Custom Panel Shop in Billerica (ABB panelboards 100A-1200A), Energy Solutions & Retrofits with free audits and utility rebate navigation through Eversource, managed inventory / vendor-managed inventory, wire and cable processing, material staging, jobsite boxes and carts, and a Strategic Solutions practice covering MRO, EV charging & fleet, design build, sports lighting, industrial control, and National Accounts.

IES makes money primarily by selling electrical products (wiring, lighting, switchgear, automation, tools, conduit, etc.) on account-specific pricing to construction, industrial, commercial, and municipal customers, supplemented by services revenue from panel assembly, energy retrofit project management, and inventory services. The go-to-market is sales-led with dedicated inside and outside sales representatives, supported by e-commerce and a Strategic Solutions team; the National Accounts vertical extends that motion to multi-location enterprise customers such as Bob's Discount Furniture (16 states), Ninety Nine Restaurants (61 MA restaurants), Margaritas Restaurants, and Bob's Stores. Owner-operators Dan Gray (CEO/Owner), Bruce Gray (CFO/Owner), and SVPs Jeff Cronin (Operations/Purchasing), Bob Trolander (Sales/Marketing), and Joan McNamara (Lighting) run the business.

Name

Independent Electric Supply

Legal name

Independent Electric Supply

Website

https://iesbuy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Independent Electric Supply is a family-owned, Massachusetts-based electrical products distributor serving construction, industrial, commercial, and municipal customers across MA and NH via five-plus branches, a proprietary e-commerce platform, and value-added services including custom panel assembly, energy retrofits, and managed inventory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Products Distribution

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), All Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (33599)

SIC

Wholesale-Electrical Apparatus & Equipment, Wiring Supplies (5063), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting & Electrical Supplies for Home Distribution (CRAOAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Low-Voltage Switchboards & Panelboards (LV distribution panels, MCCs, switchboards) (IMAGAEAA), Grid Interconnection, Power Quality & Electrical Infrastructure Service (Transformers, Switchgear) (TLAKAMAM)

Keywords

• Electrical distribution
• Electrical products
• Lighting solutions
• Wire and cable
• Switchgear distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Somerville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electrical Product Distribution: Sale of electrical products including wiring, lighting, switchgear, automation products, and related equipment. Products sold to commercial, industrial, and municipal customers through branch locations and e-commerce.
2. Custom Panel Shop Assembly: Custom panel assembly services with ABB panelboards ranging from 100A-1200A with next-day delivery for Massachusetts and New Hampshire markets.
3. Inventory Management Services: Managed inventory programs including vendor-managed inventory, real-time reports, and inventory back-up services focused on reducing costs for customers' bottom line.
4. Wire and Cable Processing: Wire cutting, paralleling steel reels, color feeder services, and project tracking for contractors to save time, increase productivity, and reduce waste.
5. Energy Solutions and Retrofits: FREE comprehensive energy audits, LED technology solutions, utility rebate navigation, and project management for energy efficiency improvements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Independent Electric Supply distributes more than 1 million SKUs of electrical products (wiring devices, lighting, switchgear, automation, conduit, tools, wire and cable, HVAC) sourced from manufacturers such as ABB, Lutron, Leviton, Eaton, Cooper Lighting, and Milwaukee Tool to construction, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers across New England. The company layers value-added services on top of product distribution, including custom ABB panelboard assembly (100A-1200A) in Billerica, MA, LED retrofit and energy-audit services with utility rebate navigation, managed inventory and vendor-managed inventory programs, wire cutting and paralleling, jobsite material staging, and National Account program management for multi-site customers.

Product overview

Independent Electric Supply is a family-owned electrical distributor established in 1992, serving New England through five locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The company operates the IES Buy e-commerce platform—a proprietary online ordering system enabling customers to browse over 1 million SKUs, check pricing and availability at all locations, and place orders. The core offering combines a comprehensive electrical products catalog (including distribution equipment, wiring devices, lighting fixtures, tools, and wire/cable) with value-added services: Custom Panel Shop (ABB panelboards 100A-1200A), Energy Solutions & Retrofits (LED technology with free audits), Strategic Solutions (MRO, EV charging, design build), Inventory Management, Jobsite Boxes and Carts, Lighting Retrofits, Logistics Capability (same-day delivery, warehouse staging), Material Staging, National Accounts, Switchgear Solutions (ABB), Customer Training, and Wire and Cable Management with color feeder services. A free Mobile App extends the platform to iOS and Android devices. The company represents major manufacturers including ABB, Lutron, Legrand, Leviton, Milwaukee Tool, SATCO, and others, serving construction, industrial, commercial, municipal, and residential markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce energy cost through LED technology and energy audits
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• ABBcoreTechnology or IntegrationABB is the primary manufacturer for Independent Electric Supply's Custom Panel Shop in Billerica, MA. The shop features ABB panelboards ranging from 100A-1200A with next-day delivery capability. IES offers full line of ABB switchgear solutions including switchboards, panel boards, transformers, and motor control for Massachusetts and New Hampshire markets.
• LutronmajorTechnology or IntegrationLutron is featured prominently in current promotions (July 2026) along with Panasonic. IES highlights Lutron's smart lighting and control solutions including Caseta, RadioRA, and Maestro product lines. Strategic partnership for lighting and controls retrofit solutions.
• PanasonicmajorTechnology or IntegrationJoint promotion with Lutron (July 2026) featuring Panasonic ventilation and fan products. IES offers comprehensive Panasonic product line including WhisperFit fans, ceiling mount fans, and WhisperGreen Select.
• Affiliated Distributors (AD)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIES is a member of AD (Affiliated Distributors), a major electrical distribution buying group. AD is a national association supporting independent distributors with purchasing power and industry resources.
• National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED)minorOthersIES maintains membership in NAED, the trade association for electrical distribution industry supporting education, networking, and best practices.
• Cooper LightingmajorTechnology or IntegrationCooper Lighting is a key manufacturer partner for commercial lighting solutions. Featured in video library for product training and included in product catalog for lighting fixtures and controls.
• LevitonmajorTechnology or IntegrationLeviton is a major manufacturer partner for wiring devices, dimmers, and residential/commercial lighting controls. Prominent brand in product catalog with extensive product lines including Decora and SmartlockPro.
• Eaton (Cutler-Hammer)majorTechnology or IntegrationEaton (including Cutler-Hammer brand) is a key manufacturer partner providing circuit breakers, panelboards, motor control, and power distribution equipment. Featured in custom panel shop and national accounts solutions.
• National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)minorOthersIES maintains industry links with NECA, supporting the relationship between electrical distributors and contractors in the New England market.
• GeneracmajorTechnology or IntegrationGenerac is a key manufacturer partner for power generation solutions including generators. Featured in Strategic Solutions for EV Charging & Fleet Solutions and in National Accounts services.
• EversourcemajorOthersEversource is the utility partner for MA and NH Commercial Upstream Lighting Initiative programs. IES navigates utility incentives and rebates through Eversource programs for customer energy efficiency projects.
• Signify (Philips Lighting)majorTechnology or IntegrationSignify (formerly Philips Lighting) is a manufacturer partner for commercial and industrial lighting solutions. Included in Strategic Solutions for sports lighting and campus standards.
• Milwaukee ToolmajorTechnology or IntegrationMilwaukee Tool is a key manufacturer partner for hand tools and power tools. Featured in video library for product training and prominently displayed in product catalog.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rexel USA: Rexel is a global electrical distribution leader with substantial US operations serving commercial, industrial, and residential markets. It competes directly with IES on the same product categories, customer segments, and value-added services, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Wesco International: Wesco is a major Fortune 500 distributor of electrical, communications, and utility products. It competes with IES in commercial and industrial electrical distribution and offers overlapping manufacturer partnerships and services, but operates at much larger scale across broader geographies.
• Graybar: Graybar is one of the largest electrical, communications, and data networking product distributors in North America, with hundreds of locations across the US. It is comparable to IES as a major full-line electrical distributor serving commercial, industrial, and contractor customers with similar product categories and value-added services.
• Sonepar USA: Sonepar is a global independent family-owned electrical distributor operating throughout the US via regional brands. It mirrors IES's family-owned structure and electrical distribution focus, but with dramatically larger scale, broader geographic footprint, and deeper manufacturer relationships.

Direct peers

• City Electric Supply: City Electric Supply is a US-based independent electrical distributor with hundreds of branch locations across the country. It is one of the closest direct comparables to IES in operating model — independent, multi-branch electrical distribution serving contractor and commercial customers — but with a national footprint and larger scale.
• Revere Electric Supply: Revere Electric is an independent electrical distributor serving the Midwest. Like IES, it combines full-line electrical product distribution with services such as lighting retrofits, energy solutions, and contractor-focused support.
• Border States Electric: Border States Electric is an employee-owned independent electrical distributor serving the Upper Midwest, West, and South. Like IES, it combines branch-based distribution with value-added services such as lighting retrofits, energy solutions, and project management for commercial and industrial customers.
• Crescent Electric Supply: Crescent Electric is a US independent electrical distributor with branches across multiple states. It shares IES's customer segments (contractors, industrial, commercial), manufacturer partnerships, and emphasis on value-added services like lighting design and energy audits.
• Kendall Electric: Kendall Electric is an independent electrical distributor serving Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and surrounding states through branch locations. It is comparable to IES as a regional independent offering similar product categories, contractor focus, and value-added services including lighting and controls.

Others

• Affiliated Distributors (AD): AD is a buying and marketing group for independent distributors across multiple trades including electrical, in which IES holds membership. AD is comparable to IES not as a competitor but as an enabling ecosystem participant that provides procurement scale, supplier relationships, and best practices to IES and its independent peers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTa1OqnpGeZO8VdLIHidokQ/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/iesbuy1992
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/independent-electric-supply-ies
• Instagraminstagram.com/ies_buy
• Xx.com/iesbuy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Independent Electric Supply