Werner Electric

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.

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

Headquarters

HQ city

Cottage Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices23 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core 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.

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rockwell AutomationcoreTechnology or IntegrationRockwell Automation authorized distributor providing Allen-Bradley automation products, ControlLogix systems, FactoryTalk software, PowerFlex drives, and related industrial automation solutions with certified training programs
• EatoncoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Eaton products including Crouse-Hinds, Cutler-Hammer, and B-Line series for electrical distribution, power management, and infrastructure solutions
• PanduitcoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Panduit connectivity and infrastructure products for data communications and electrical applications
• HubbellcoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Hubbell products including Killark, RACO, Wiegmann, and Wiring Device-Kellems for electrical and lighting applications
• 3McoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes 3M electrical and safety products including electrical tape, connectors, and personal protective equipment
• SouthwirecoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Southwire wire and cable products including building wire, portable cord, and tray cable
• Cooper Lighting SolutionscoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Cooper Lighting Solutions for commercial and industrial lighting applications
• SolarEdgecoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes SolarEdge solar inverters, optimizers, and monitoring solutions for solar energy installations
• HammondcoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Hammond enclosures and power solutions for industrial applications
• Milwaukee ToolcoreTechnology or IntegrationDistributes Milwaukee professional tools and equipment for industrial and construction applications
• General Services Administration (GSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGSA Schedule holder providing products and services to federal government customers through pre-established contract pricing
• ESOP AssociationminorOthersIndustry 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

Broad 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

• Xx.com/wernerelectric
• Facebookfacebook.com/wernermn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/werner-electric

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Werner Electric