Gilbert-McEachern Electric

What Gilbert-McEachern Electric does

Gilbert-McEachern Electric Ltd. is a privately held, family-owned industrial distributor and service provider founded in 1946 and headquartered at 106 Alice Street in Brantford, Ontario, with a second branch opened in July 2022 at 21 Jarvis Street in Cambridge following the acquisition of Rod's Electric Motor Service. The company sells electric motors, pumps, motor controls and automation components (VFDs, contactors, soft starters, overloads), gear reducers, fans, transformers, and generators sourced from national and international brands including WEG, Leeson, Marathon, Techtop, Canarm, Fasco, Armstrong, Barnes, Franklin, Grundfos, Hayward, Generac, and Sprecher+Schuh. Its service offerings include motor rewinding (AC, DC, clutches, brakes, coils, generators), servo motor diagnosis and repair, electrical and mechanical repair, pump repair, custom panel building, and specialized parts sourcing.

The underlying technology stack is electromechanical rather than digital, with proprietary capabilities centered on motor rewinding at approximately 40% of new-motor replacement cost, servo motor diagnostic expertise, and custom control panel fabrication. The business operates a sales-led B2B go-to-market targeting commercial and industrial clients across South-Western Ontario, supported by toll-free phone ordering, in-person counter sales at two branch locations, a website with educational blog content, and a modest social media presence. Revenue is generated through hardware resale across four product categories and through professional services revenue from repair, rewinding, and panel building work, with all pricing conducted on a quote basis.

The company is led by Brock McEachern (Owner/General Manager, certified electrician, joined 2016) with Mal McEachern serving as Senior Advisor (owner since 1982, with the firm since 1979). The headcount is 1-10 employees, including specialized technicians such as a certified millwright with 26 years of motor and pump repair experience. The customer base is segmented primarily into commercial and industrial businesses, with a secondary healthcare sector focus including community partnerships with the Brant Community Healthcare System. The firm has received no external institutional investment and remains entirely privately held by the McEachern family.

Name

Gilbert-McEachern Electric

Legal name

Gilbert-McEachern Electric Ltd.

Website

https://gilbertmceachern.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Gilbert-McEachern Electric is a family-owned, two-branch industrial distributor and motor/pump service provider in South-Western Ontario, founded in 1946, selling electric motors, pumps, motor controls, generators, and related equipment alongside motor rewinding, repair, and panel building services to commercial and industrial clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Electric Motor and Pump Distribution

NAICS

Motor and Generator Manufacturing (335312), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621), Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561), Power, Distribution & Specialty Transformers (3612), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Electrical Supplies Retail (Wiring, Switches, Breakers, Conduit) (CRAIADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Engine Generator & Microgrid Power Plant EPC (Diesel/Gas Recip) (EUAEAAAJ), Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)

Keywords

• Electric motor distribution
• Industrial pump sales
• Motor repair services
• Motor rewinding services
• Electrical panel building

Headquarters

HQ city

Brantford

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Electric Motor Sales: Sale of electric motors including AC, DC, metric motors, pump motors, explosion proof, farm duty, HVAC, stainless, gearmotors, and industrial motors from brands like WEG, Leeson, Marathon, Techtop, Canarm, and Fasco.
2. Pump Sales: Sale of pumps including well pumps, chemical injection, sump/sewage/grinders, circulators, water softener systems, industrial, and pool/spa pumps from brands like Armstrong, Barnes, Franklin, Grundfos, and Hayward.
3. Electric Motor Controls and Automation: Sale of motor controls including contactors, Kwic starters, VFDs, overloads, and automation accessories from brands like Sprecher + Schuh, Leeson, and WEG.
4. Transformers and Generators: Sale of transformers and generators including portable gas-powered generators and larger KVA pad-mount generators. Featured brand includes Generac.
5. Repair Services: Electrical and mechanical repair services including pump repair, motor rewinding, servo motor diagnosis and repair, and panel building.
6. Part Sourcing: Sourcing of replacement parts for electric motors, pumps, and related equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Gilbert-McEachern Electric distributes electric motors, pumps, motor controls and automation products, transformers, and generators sourced from national brands (WEG, Leeson, Marathon, Techtop, Canarm, Fasco, Armstrong, Barnes, Franklin, Grundfos, Hayward, Generac, Sprecher + Schuh). The company also provides complementary services including motor rewinding, electrical/mechanical/pump repair, panel building, servo motor diagnosis and repair, and specialized part sourcing for commercial and industrial customers.

Product overview

Gilbert-McEachern Electric is an electrical and mechanical products distributor and service provider serving South-Western Ontario since 1946. The company operates as a single unified offering combining product distribution with comprehensive repair and service capabilities. Their core product portfolio spans four main categories: Electric Motor Controls and Automation (including VFDs, contactors, soft starters, and overloads from Sprecher+Schuh, Leeson, and WEG), Electric Motors (encompassing NEMA and metric frame motors from brands like WEG, Techtop, Marathon, Leeson, Canarm, and Fasco for industrial, agricultural, explosion-proof, and specialized applications), Pumps (featuring products from Armstrong, Barnes, Berkley, Franklin, Grundfos, Hayward, and others for water supply, sewage, circulation, industrial, and pool/spa applications), and Transformers and Generators (Generac generators and various transformer products). Complementary services include motor rewinding, part sourcing, panel building, electrical/mechanical/pump repair, and servo motor diagnosis and repair. The company maintains two locations in Brantford and Cambridge, Ontario, and acquired Rod's Electric Motor Service in 2022.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Electric Motors
• Pumps
• Electric Motor Controls and Automation
• Transformers and Generators
• Motor Rewinding Services
• Electrical and Mechanical Repair Services
• Panel Building Services
• Servo Motor Diagnosis and Repair Services
• Part Sourcing Services

Quantifiable outcome

• Motor rewinding costs approximately 40% of new motor price
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Rod's Electric Motor ServicecoreOthers · 1 January 2022Gilbert-McEachern Electric acquired Rod's Electric Motor Service in July 2022, opening their second location at 21 Jarvis St in Cambridge, ON. Zygmunt Czernecki and Stan Zelazko joined the GME team from this acquisition, bringing their knowledge of the customer base.
• Abcott Construction Ltd.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocally owned construction company contracted for facility renovations in 2021. Abcott Construction completed improvements including new parking lot, accessible entrance, welcome desk, loading dock, larger shop area, and additional rooms to improve service capacity.
• Brant Community Healthcare SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term community partner. Gilbert-McEachern has a five-year planned giving commitment supporting the healthcare system. The company raised $2000 at their 2022 Charity BBQ & Tradeshow for the Brant Community Healthcare System.
• Brant United WayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual contributor to Brant United Way to assist with funding community agencies.
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brantford & DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMal McEachern is a former Big Brother and the company consistently sponsors the 'Bowl for Kids' Sake' event.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Acklands-Grainger: Canada's largest industrial distribution business (a Grainger subsidiary), offering motors, pumps, controls, and MRO supplies across the country. Comparable in product breadth (electric motors, pumps, controls) but operates at national scale with catalog and digital ordering versus Gilbert-McEachern's regional counter-sales model.
• Rexel Canada: Major Canadian electrical distributor carrying motors, transformers, controls, and automation products. Overlaps with Gilbert-McEachern on motor controls, transformers, and electrical supplies, but operates nationally with a much larger branch network and digital ordering capabilities.
• Wajax Industrial Components: Canadian industrial distributor and service provider with branches across the country, carrying electric motors, power transmission, pumps, and related MRO products. Competes for the same commercial/industrial customers in Ontario but at a much larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• Kaman Industrial Technologies: Industrial distribution and engineered products business carrying motors, pumps, power transmission, and MRO supplies across North America. Comparable product categories to Gilbert-McEachern with broader scale and integration capabilities.
• Guillevin International: Canadian electrical and industrial distribution chain with strong Ontario presence. Overlaps on motors, motor controls, transformers, and electrical supplies for industrial customers, though typically serves larger contractors and OEMs rather than small commercial accounts.
• Motion Canada (Motion Industries): Large industrial parts distributor (a Genuine Parts Company subsidiary) operating in Canada, specializing in bearings, power transmission, motors, pumps, and industrial repair services. Direct overlap on motors, pumps, and gear reducers, with broader geographic and service footprint.

Others

• TECO-Westinghouse: Manufacturer of electric motors, generators, and controls. Indirectly comparable as one of the upstream suppliers whose products Gilbert-McEachern resells and services; also competes for service work on installed motors from other manufacturers.
• Weston Forest: Canadian distributor (Ontario-based) primarily serving building materials and forestry products. Adjacent only insofar as it represents the broader Ontario industrial distribution landscape that competes for the same commercial/industrial customer wallet.

Regional players

• Border States Electric: US-based employee-owned electrical distributor with strong upper-Midwest presence, serving utility, commercial, and industrial customers. Comparable model of counter sales and project supply of motors, controls, transformers, though US-focused with no Ontario overlap.
• E.B. Horsman & Son: Western Canada-focused electrical and industrial distributor (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan). Similar business model of regional counter sales and project supply to industrial customers, though geographically non-overlapping with Gilbert-McEachern's Ontario base.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Gilbert-McEachernElectric
• Facebookfacebook.com/search/top?q=gilbert-mceachern%20electric%20limited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/gilbert-mceachern-electric-ltd-
• Xx.com/gme_electric

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Gilbert-McEachern Electric