I recently returned from frigid (but beautiful!) Colorado, this year’s meeting place for Affiliated Distributor (AD)’s annual meeting of the Electrical Supply Division. The independent distributor members and suppliers I meet here make it one of my favourite events of the year!

With humble beginnings nearly 40 years ago, AD is now North America’s largest marketing/buying group for construction and industrial supplies. The member-owned organization of some 800 independent distributors achieved annual sales of US$40 billion across nine industries in three countries.

Among the annual meeting’s highlights is the Spirit of Independence Awards dinner, where we celebrate the year’s cream of the crop in categories such as annual sales, marketing, community service and more.

While we extend our congratulations to all of the evening’s nominees and winners, a special heartfelt congratulations to the following Canadian nominees and champs:

Award for Canadian Member with Highest Percentage Growth:

Électrimat Ltée. Courtesy A. Capkun.

• Électrimat Ltée (WINNER)
• Robertson Electric Wholesale Ltd.
• Tradelco Inc.

Award for Canadian Member with Highest Dollar Growth:

• EB Horsman & Son
• Ideal Supply
• Robertson Electric Wholesale Ltd. (WINNER)

Award for Canadian Supplier with Highest Percentage Growth:

Hammond Power Solutions. Courtesy A. Capkun.

• Generac Power Systems Inc.
• Hammond Power Solutions (WINNER)
• Rab Design Lighting Inc.

Award for Canadian Supplier with Highest Dollar Growth:

Acuity Brands. Courtesy A. Capkun.

• Acuity Brands (WINNER)
• Electro Cables
• Priority Wire & Cable

Dan Drazilov, President, Electrical Division, Canada, AD, and Tim Rourke, President, Rittal Systems Ltd. with the Marketing leads – Caroline Ebeid of AD and Sandra Abuwalla of Rittal. Photo: Rittal Canada

Supplier of the Year for Marketing Excellence (Canada or U.S.):

• Legrand
• Leviton
• Rittal Canada (WINNER)

Congratulations also to Network 804, winner of the 2019 Conversion Cup. That network includes these Canadian members:

• Electrozad
• Gerrie Electric Wholesale Ltd.

Network 804. Courtesy A. Capkun.

Bill Weisberg was also singled out for recognition, having been with AD for 35 years. It was his father, David Weisberg, who founded the group in 1981 with 48 electrical distributors.

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Electrical Supply Division events:

• The 2020 Spring Network Meeting is scheduled for April 21-23 at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Cancun, Mexico.
• The 2020 North American Meeting is slated for September 30-October 2 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md.
• The 2021 Spring Network Meeting is being held at the Grand Hyatt Nashville, April 14-16.
• The 2021 North American Meeting is being held at the Gaylord Texan Resort (just outside Dallas), October 25-27.
• The 2022 Spring Network Meeting is being held April 26-28 at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver.