Sonepar USA, Philadelphia, has for years had an eye on the West Coast. With its recent acquisition of ESSCO Wholesale Electric, Chandler, Ariz., the company now has a platform for expansion in Arizona and Southern California. The acquisition marks the first time Sonepar has had a presence in these states.

ESSCO is a full-line commercial and residential contractor supply house with locations in the metropolitan Phoenix and Tuscon markets and throughout Arizona, as well as in Orange and Riverside counties in California, and San Diego.

Founded in 1973 by Pasqua Dellisanti, the original name was Electric Surplus Sales Co. In October 1976, Don R. Tapia purchased the company and changed the name to ESSCO. Tapia will remain in his current role of CEO at ESSCO, a company spokesperson said.

“Being an established, healthy and growing business, Sonepar USA's model fits well with our culture,” said Tapia. “Sonepar USA offers the same dynamism and expanded opportunities our employees have come to expect.”

Tony Burr, president of Sonepar USA, said, “We are delighted to welcome ESSCO to our family of businesses. ESSCO not only has a great reputation for service, but the company provides an entry point for Sonepar USA to expand into Arizona and California.”

Besides its headquarters in Chandler, ESSCO has locations in Arizona in Avondale, Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu, Mesa, Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma. The company's California locations are in Anaheim, Grand Terrace, Lake Elsinore, San Diego and Thousand Palms.

Sonepar USA will now operate 253 branches in 35 states. Sonepar USA had 2007 revenue of $2.9 billion.

“This expansion of our footprint with a well-established company such as ESSCO is a great move for Sonepar USA, and a major opportunity for strengthening our position on the West Coast,” said Burr.

Sonepar has acquired several companies in the past two years. In 2007 it acquired Crawford Electric Supply Co., Dallas, and Ralph Pill Electric Supply, Boston. Its 2008 acquisitions included Hagemeyer's North American operations and the announced acquisition of ESSCO.

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