Werner Electric
Van Meter Inc. is a 100% employee-owned wholesale electrical supply distributor founded in 1928, serving industrial, commercial, and contractor customers across nine Midwestern states via 26 branches, two distribution centers, and 800+ brand partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1928
- HeadquartersCottage Grove, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Werner Electric does
Van Meter Inc. is a wholesale electrical supply distributor headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, founded in 1928 and operating as a 100% employee-owned company (ESOP) since 2005 with 850+ employee-owners. The company distributes more than 800 brands across seven product categories — industrial automation, electrical, data communications, lighting, power transmission, solar energy, and safety and cleaning — to industrial, commercial, and contractor customers across nine Midwestern states through 26 branch locations, two regional distribution centers (Cedar Rapids, IA and Cottage Grove, MN), an e-commerce storefront, and a vendor-managed inventory program.
Revenue is generated through hardware resale at wholesale B2B pricing on a quote-based model, supplemented by value-added services including MRO procurement, vendor-managed inventory, automation system design and integration, and a recently launched Smart Manufacturing Solutions consulting offering. Core supplier relationships with Rockwell Automation (authorized distributor), Eaton, Panduit, Hubbell, 3M, Southwire, Cooper Lighting, SolarEdge, Hammond, and Milwaukee Tool anchor the product portfolio, while GSA Schedule status opens federal government procurement as an additional channel.
The go-to-market is sales-led, relying on product specialists and field sales teams with Rockwell-certified training, supported by same-day delivery, drive-through pickup, on-call technical support, and a mobile ordering app. A 124,000 sq ft expansion of the Cottage Grove, Minnesota distribution center broke ground in April 2026, indicating ongoing capacity investment to support growth across existing and adjacent verticals including solar energy and Industry 4.0 advisory services.
Werner Electric firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Werner Electric
- Legal name
- Van Meter Inc.
- Website
- https://wernermn.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1928
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Van Meter Inc. is a 100% employee-owned wholesale electrical supply distributor founded in 1928, serving industrial, commercial, and contractor customers across nine Midwestern states via 26 branches, two distribution centers, and 800+ brand partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Werner Electric is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cottage Grove
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices23 records
Markets served
Werner Electric 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
- Wholesale electrical distribution: Wholesale distribution of automation, electrical, data communications, lighting, power transmission, solar energy, and safety and cleaning products to industrial, commercial, and contractor customers
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | — | Wholesale B2B pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Werner Electric product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Werner Electric (operating as Van Meter Inc.) is a wholesale electrical supply distributor that sells industrial automation, electrical, data communications, lighting, power transmission, solar energy, and safety/cleaning products from 800+ brands to industrial, commercial, and contractor customers. It operates 26 branches across nine Midwest states, holds $180 million in in-stock inventory, and offers same-day delivery, drive-through pickup, vendor managed inventory, MRO procurement, and authorized Rockwell Automation distribution and integration services.
Product overview
Van Meter Inc. is a wholesale electrical supply distributor operating as a product catalog and distribution platform for automation, electrical, data communications, lighting, power transmission, solar energy, and safety and cleaning products across 26 branches in 9 states. The company distributes more than 800 best-in-class brands with $180 million in in-stock inventory and same-day delivery capabilities. The portfolio includes Automation Products (programmable controllers, motion control, robotics, VFDs), Electrical Products (wire, cable, distribution equipment, enclosures), DataComm Products (connectivity, networking), Lighting Products (LED fixtures, indoor/outdoor lighting), Power Transmission Products (bearings, motors, gearboxes), Solar Energy Products (modules, inverters, racking), and Safety & Cleaning Products (PPE, janitorial). Services include Industrial Automation Services, Rockwell Automation authorized distribution, Vendor Managed Inventory, MRO Procurement, and Smart Manufacturing Solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Industrial Automation Products Programmable controllers, motion control systems, machine vision, robotics, safety components, sensors, variable frequency drives, mechatronics, pneumatics, and network infrastructure for manufacturing and industrial automation applications.
- Electrical Products Distribution equipment, wire and cable, conduit, enclosures, fuses, wiring devices, tools, and fastening hardware for commercial and industrial electrical installations.
- Data Communications Products Copper and fiber connectivity, cable management, network switches, racks, and security control systems for voice and data networking applications.
- Lighting Products Indoor fixtures, LED lamps, outdoor lighting, emergency lighting, connected lighting controls, ballasts, and recessed can products for commercial and industrial facilities.
- Power Transmission Products Bearings, motors, belt drives, gearboxes, conveyors, clutches, brakes, and pneumatic systems for industrial machinery.
- Safety and Cleaning Products Personal protective equipment, workwear, safety gear, janitorial supplies, cleaning products, and abrasives for industrial workplace safety and maintenance.
- Solar Energy Products Solar modules, inverters, monitoring systems, racking, combiners, and accessories for residential and commercial solar installations.
- Industrial Automation Services Expert automation services including system design, integration, programming, and support for Rockwell Automation and other industrial automation platforms.
- Rockwell Automation Authorized Distribution Authorized distribution of Rockwell Automation products with specialized expertise in ControlLogix, PowerFlex drives, FactoryTalk software, Allen-Bradley products, and certified instructor-led training.
- Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) Inventory management program where Van Meter monitors and replenishes customer on-site inventory to ensure availability and reduce stockouts.
- MRO Procurement Services Maintenance, repair, and operations procurement services providing comprehensive supply chain solutions for industrial customers.
- Smart Manufacturing Solutions Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 consulting services helping customers implement smart manufacturing technologies and processes.
Companies that use Werner Electric
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Werner Electric technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Werner Electric partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Rockwell AutomationcoreRockwell Automation authorized distributor providing Allen-Bradley automation products, ControlLogix systems, FactoryTalk software, PowerFlex drives, and related industrial automation solutions with certified training programs
- EatoncoreDistributes Eaton products including Crouse-Hinds, Cutler-Hammer, and B-Line series for electrical distribution, power management, and infrastructure solutions
- PanduitcoreDistributes Panduit connectivity and infrastructure products for data communications and electrical applications
- HubbellcoreDistributes Hubbell products including Killark, RACO, Wiegmann, and Wiring Device-Kellems for electrical and lighting applications
- 3McoreDistributes 3M electrical and safety products including electrical tape, connectors, and personal protective equipment
- SouthwirecoreDistributes Southwire wire and cable products including building wire, portable cord, and tray cable
- Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreDistributes Cooper Lighting Solutions for commercial and industrial lighting applications
- SolarEdgecoreDistributes SolarEdge solar inverters, optimizers, and monitoring solutions for solar energy installations
- HammondcoreDistributes Hammond enclosures and power solutions for industrial applications
- Milwaukee ToolcoreDistributes Milwaukee professional tools and equipment for industrial and construction applications
- General Services Administration (GSA)coreGSA Schedule holder providing products and services to federal government customers through pre-established contract pricing
- ESOP AssociationminorIndustry association supporting employee ownership; Van Meter is a 100% employee-owned company since 2005 through ESOP
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Werner Electric competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Sonepar: Global electrical distributor with multiple U.S. regional brands (including ownership of Irby and Cooper Electric). Comparable in product categories and customer segments but operates at significantly larger scale and broader footprint.
- Graybar: Large U.S. electrical, communications, and data networking distributor with a national footprint, comparable in core product categories but operating at materially larger scale and broader geographic reach.
- W.W. Grainger: Large industrial MRO distributor with broad product catalog including electrical and automation categories. Comparable in serving industrial customers with MRO procurement, but operates at much larger scale and broader product breadth.
- Rexel USA: U.S. arm of global electrical distributor Rexel Group, offering electrical, lighting, and energy solutions. Comparable in product categories but at much larger scale and geographic breadth.
Direct peers
- EECOL Electric: Industrial electrical distributor with a North American branch network, comparable to Van Meter in product breadth (electrical, automation, safety) and customer segments (industrial, contractor).
- Border States Electric: Regional electrical distributor serving the upper Midwest and surrounding states, closely comparable to Van Meter in scale, customer segments, and product breadth (electrical, automation, datacom, lighting).
- Crescent Electric Supply: Midwest-based electrical and lighting distributor with a multi-state branch network, directly comparable to Van Meter in customer mix (industrial, commercial, contractors) and product portfolio (automation, electrical, lighting).
- Elliott Electric Supply: Regional electrical distributor serving the South and Southwest, comparable in customer mix (industrial, commercial, contractors) and product breadth (electrical supplies, automation, lighting).
- McNaughton-McKay Electric: Midwest electrical distributor concentrated in the Great Lakes region, comparable in product categories (electrical, automation, datacom) and customer segments (industrial, commercial, contractors).
- French Gerleman: St. Louis-based electrical and automation distributor serving industrial and commercial customers across the Midwest, comparable to Van Meter in automation product emphasis and contractor/industrial customer mix.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Werner Electric social profiles
Digital presenceWerner Electric financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Werner Electric leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Werner Electric funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Werner Electric M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Werner Electric
What does Werner Electric do?
Werner Electric (operating as Van Meter Inc.) is a wholesale electrical supply distributor that sells industrial automation, electrical, data communications, lighting, power transmission, solar energy, and safety/cleaning products from 800+ brands to industrial, commercial, and contractor customers. It operates 26 branches across nine Midwest states, holds $180 million in in-stock inventory, and offers same-day delivery, drive-through pickup, vendor managed inventory, MRO procurement, and authorized Rockwell Automation distribution and integration services.
Is Werner Electric a public or private company?
Werner Electric is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Werner Electric founded?
Werner Electric was founded in 1928. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Werner Electric based?
Werner Electric is headquartered in Cottage Grove, United States, in the North America region.
How does Werner Electric make money?
One revenue line is on record: wholesale electrical distribution.
Who are Werner Electric's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Sonepar, Graybar, W.W. Grainger and Rexel USA. Direct peers are EECOL Electric, Border States Electric, Crescent Electric Supply, Elliott Electric Supply, McNaughton-McKay Electric and French Gerleman.
Does Werner Electric have an API?
No public API is recorded for Werner Electric.