Cape Electrical Supply purchases Kentucky utility products distributor

Cape Electrical Supply has acquired Electrical Sales Engineering, a utility products distributor based in Bowling Green, Ky.

The deal allows the company, headquartered at 489 Kell Farm Drive in Cape Girardeau, to expand into Indiana and additional rural markets, said Bob Garrett, vice president of sales. Founded in 1953, Cape Electrical Supply is a distributor of commercial, industrial, residential, utility and communication products.

"Adding a company with the strength of Electrical Sales Engineering to our business will make us a more well-rounded supplier," said Allen Toole, Cape Electrical Supply president. "We are very bullish about the prospects for the electrical utility industry over the next several years. Combining with Electrical Sales Engineering positions Cape Electric for growth in this segment of the electrical industry."

The acquisition increases the company's total work force to 175 employees among Cape Electrical Supply's 18 locations. In addition to Cape Girardeau, which has 35 employees, the company's Missouri locations include Hannibal, Arnold, Farmington, Poplar Bluff, Sikeston and West Plains.

The company also has offices in Jerseyville, Ill., Belleville, Ill., Carbondale, Ill., Paducah, Ky., Mayfield, Ky., Union City, Tenn., and Dyersburg, Tenn.

Garrett said talks between Toole and Electrical Sales Engineering president Bob Armstrong have been ongoing since 2004. Armstrong, who founded the company in 1961, will remain as the head of the company's Bowling Green location. Electrical Sales Engineering employs 10 workers.

"We are excited that Bob has chosen to remain on with us," Garrett said. "With 47 years of experience, he has so much wisdom and knowledge that will add to our already stellar team throughout our market in four states."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137