What Potter Electric does

Potter Electric Inc. is a privately held, family-operated distributor of marine electrical supplies founded in 1978 and headquartered at 1343 Wilson Avenue, National City, California (San Diego area). The company stocks 5,000+ SKUs across 40+ manufacturer lines — including Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Appleton, and Crouse-Hinds — covering circuit breakers, connectors, controllers, starters, distribution fuse boxes, Mil-Spec incandescent lighting, shipboard lanterns, military terminal boards, cable-hanger systems, and stuffing tubes. A meaningful share of inventory is Mil-Spec compliant, meeting US Navy specifications such as Mil-F-16377 for naval vessel applications.

The company sells primarily to leading shipyards servicing US Navy vessels, submarines, and US Coast Guard ships, as well as to oil rigs, cruise ships, and commercial marine operators. Potter Electric holds ITAR and EAR99 export certifications that permit international shipment of military-grade components for current and former US Navy vessels, aircraft, and vehicles — a credential that defines its addressable customer set. Operations are run from a single warehouse facility with 11-50 employees, supported by phone and email sales channels and a quote-based pricing model (no public pricing). Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, with 100+ loyal repeat customers and 50+ vendor relationships cited as the foundation of repeat business.

The business model is straightforward industrial distribution: buy from manufacturers, stock inventory in a single West Coast warehouse, and resell at markup on a one-time transactional basis with no disclosed subscription, recurring, or contract structures. Marketing is minimal — limited to a company website, contact form, and direct sales outreach — with no presence in digital advertising, content marketing, or social media. The company's value proposition rests on immediate availability of hard-to-find parts (avoiding long manufacturer lead times), Mil-Spec compliance expertise, and certified export capability, rather than on technology differentiation.

Name

Potter Electric

Legal name

Potter Electric Inc.

Website

https://potter-electric.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Potter Electric is a privately held marine electrical supplies distributor founded in 1978, headquartered in National City, CA, stocking 5,000+ Mil-Spec compliant components for US Navy, Coast Guard, shipyards, oil rigs, and cruise ships under ITAR/EAR99 export certification.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Electrical Supplies Distribution

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (3353), Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (3359), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593)

SIC

Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electric Lighting & Wiring Equipment (3640)

akta.pro primary industry

Integrated Marine Electrical Systems & Switchboards (IMAJAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Parts, Accessories & Maintenance Supplies Retail (CRAMAIAB), Marine Electrical Installation, Commissioning & Field Services (IMAJAJAL)

Keywords

• Marine electrical supplies
• Shipyard electrical components
• Mil-Spec marine parts
• Naval electrical distribution
• Industrial marine connectors

Headquarters

HQ city

National City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Marine Electrical Supplies Distribution: Revenue generated through direct sales of marine electrical supplies including circuit breakers, connectors, controllers, starters, lighting equipment, switches, and Mil-Spec compliant components. Sales are one-time transactions with repeat business from loyal customer base.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Potter Electric is a distributor of marine electrical supplies operating since 1978, stocking 5,000+ products in its National City, CA warehouse. The company sells circuit breakers, connectors, controllers, starters, Mil-Spec lighting, terminal boards, cable-hanger systems, stuffing tubes, and related electrical components to shipyards, oil rigs, cruise ships, and US Navy/Coast Guard vessels. It emphasizes immediate availability of hard-to-find parts and holds ITAR/EAR99 certification for worldwide export of military marine components.

Product overview

Potter Electric is a marine electrical supplies distributor offering a unified portfolio of products and services for the marine, military, and industrial sectors. The core offering consists of electrical components including circuit breakers, connectors, controllers, and starters, complemented by a comprehensive range of lighting products (floodlights, incandescent lighting, shipboard lanterns, and US Navy mil-spec lighting), switchgear (toggle and rotary switches, terminal boxes, standard navy enclosures), and specialized hardware (military terminal boards, cable-hanger systems, stuffing tubes and packing). The company serves shipyards, oil rigs, cruise ships, US Navy vessels, and US Coast Guard ships, with ITAR/EAR99 export certification enabling global distribution of military marine parts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circuit Breakers
• Connectors and Receptacles
• Controllers and Starters
• Military Terminal Boards
• Cable-Hanger Systems
• Mil-Spec Stuffing Tubes and Packing
• Floodlights and Lighting Equipment
• Incandescent Lighting
• Shipboard Lanterns
• US Navy Mil-Spec Lighting
• Toggle and Rotary Switches
• Terminal Boxes and Distribution Fuse Boxes
• Dimmers, Panels and Transformer Boxes
• Jet Aircraft Servicing Cable Assemblies
• Loudspeakers and I/C Equipment
• Contact Makers and Indicator Lights
• Standard Navy Enclosures

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 100+ loyal customers with repeat business built over 47+ years
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Multiple Manufacturers (50+ vendors)coreTechnology or IntegrationPotter Electric maintains relationships with 50+ loyal vendors and multiple manufacturers including Cooper Crouse-Hinds, Appleton, and Crouse-Hinds (over 40 more). These manufacturer partnerships enable the company to stock diverse product lines including circuit breakers, connectors, controllers, starters, and Mil-Spec compliant components for marine applications.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• West Marine: West Marine is the largest specialty retailer of boating supplies and marine hardware in North America. It overlaps with Potter Electric in marine electrical product categories but operates a much broader consumer- and prosumer-focused retail model rather than Mil-Spec distribution.
• WESCO International: WESCO is a global electrical, communications, and utility distribution leader serving industrial, government, and maritime markets. It overlaps with Potter Electric in Mil-Spec electrical distribution and is a potential acquirer or major competitor as it expands specialty marine capabilities.
• W.W. Grainger: Grainger is a major industrial MRO distributor with a deep catalog of electrical components including Mil-Spec items. It competes with Potter Electric for non-marine-specialty electrical purchases and is a structural threat as it expands digital procurement capabilities.

Direct peers

• Jamestown Distributors: Jamestown Distributors is a marine supply distributor selling electrical, hardware, and maintenance products primarily to boatbuilders and marine trade customers. Comparable in product categories (marine electrical, fasteners, supplies) and B2B customer profile.
• Imtra Corporation: Imtra is a North American distributor of marine electrical, lighting, and propulsion products serving commercial and leisure marine markets. It directly overlaps with Potter Electric's marine electrical distribution model and target customers (shipyards, vessel operators).
• Fisheries Supply Company: Fisheries Supply is a multi-generation marine supply distributor based in Seattle serving commercial fishing, commercial marine, and shipyard customers on the West Coast. Comparable to Potter Electric in customer base, product breadth, and West Coast marine focus.
• Defender Industries: Defender is a long-established mail-order and online marine supply distributor offering marine electrical, hardware, and maintenance products. Comparable to Potter Electric in product categories and customer overlap, with a more developed e-commerce channel.

Emerging players

• Blue Sea Systems: Blue Sea Systems designs and manufactures marine electrical products including circuit breakers, panels, and battery management. As a manufacturer, it is a partial competitor and supplier overlap — products of this type sit inside Potter Electric's distribution catalog.
• Ancor Marine Electrical Products: Ancor, a brand under Power Products, manufactures marine-grade electrical wiring, connectors, and components. Comparable through shared product categories; some Ancor-style products are part of Potter Electric's distribution inventory.

Others

• Attwood Marine (a Brunswick brand): Attwood, part of Brunswick Corporation's marine business, manufactures marine electrical accessories, lighting, and hardware sold through marine distributors. Adjacent to Potter Electric as a manufacturer whose products flow through similar distribution channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/potter-electric-inc-

Compliance3 records

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 Potter Electric