CED Builds Branch Network in Louisiana with Acquisition of Nu-Lite Electrical Wholesalers

Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED), Irving, TX, acquired Nu-Lite Electrical Wholesalers, Harahan, LA. According to information from CED, Nu-Lite’s six locations will continue to be led by Rick Corales and will become the Nu-Lite Division in the company’s Mountain Central Division. In addition to its Harahan headquarters in the suburban New Orleans metro, Nu-Lite operates branches in Hammond, Harvey, Mandeville, New Orleans and Slidell. CED had eight locations in Louisiana prior to the acquisition and will now be operating 14 branches in the state.

According to information at its web-site, Nu-Lite was founded in 1950 in New Orleans as Nu-Lite Inc.  The company was renamed Nu-Lite Electrical Wholesalers by Fred and Dottie Corales in 1955. At that time, Nu-Lite started working on major construction projects including the Harvey Tunnel. “Nu-Lite has helped build New Orleans by participating in many major construction ventures,” the company says on its website. “A couple of the first were the building of the Louisiana Superdome (1975) and the development of the Poydras Corridor, which included the Hyatt Regency Hotel, the Freeport McMoran Building, the LL&E Tower, One Shell Square and the Pan American Life Building.

“Over the years, the projects have been very diverse. One was historic -- the WWII Museum, which in 2015, was voted the third best museum in America. Some were related to sports -- the Benson Tower (named after the owners of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints);  the Saints' practice facility; and the (NBA) Pelicans' practice facility. Others dealt with the medical field -- New Orleans East Hospital, Ochsner Hospital, VA Medical Facility and University Medical Center. 
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Nu-Lite says it helped re-build New Orleans through projects such as the renovation of the Superdome, the Riverwalk Renovation, the Orleans Parish Prison, and the BW Cooper, CJ Peete, Laffite, St. Bernard and Iberville Housing Projects.