Gilman Electrical Supply holds grand opening
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Officials with Gilman Electrical Company held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony — hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce — on May 22, at their newest location in the state: 51 North St.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A GRAND OPENING celebration was held May 22 at Gilman Electrical Supply at the company’s 10th and newest location in Maine, at 15 North St. in Presque Isle. Taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce, were, from left: CACC President Stacy Shaw; CACC member Floyd Rockholt; Dustin Saucier, inside sales/customer service; Brandon Ballard, profit center supervisor; Chris Ballard, profit center manager; Goody Gilman, northeast regional manager and founder of Gilman Electric; CACC member Sherry Sullivan; Theresa Fowler, CACC executive director; and CACC member Bonnie Pack.
And grand it was, with dozens turning out for the event, including local electricians and business leaders. A steady stream of people could be seen visiting the establishment, which offers an array of products, from safety gear to tools and supplies.
The business, headquartered in Irving, Texas, has locations throughout the state.
“Goody Gilman started the company back in the ‘60s. We have 10 locations in Maine: Presque Isle, Medway, Bangor, Ellsworth, Rockland, Newport, Auburn, Biddeford, Brunswick and Portland,” said Brandon Ballard, supervisor/customer service for the Presque Isle facility.
The company has actually been at the new location, in the former Netherland Office Products/AINOP building, since earlier this winter.
“I started setting the store up near the end of December, with sales from this site beginning the second week of February,” said Ballard.
Ballard said the decision to open in Presque Isle was based on logistics.
“We chose Presque Isle because it is the hub of The County. We studied the DOT traffic patterns and picked the spot we thought would serve the customers, as well as us, the best. There hasn’t been a distributor in town since Wesco shut the doors roughly 15 years ago,” Ballard said.
The business serves a wide variety of customers, from commercial to individuals.
“Our customers include mills, hospitals, commercial facilities, contractors, as well as homeowners,” he said.
Ballard said whatever your electrical needs may be, Gilman Electrical has a wide selection of all things electrical.
“We offer anything electrical basically. We stock everything you would need to build a house, lighting, tools and gear for contractors, as well as industrial supplies. We also offer energy audits to our customers to help them save energy,” said Ballard. “We will walk through a building for them and give them a proposed plan on new lighting.”
Joining Ballard at the Presque Isle store is Dustin Saucier who serves as inside sales/customer services.
“And Kevin Caverhill, of Caribou, is an outside salesman. He works for both Medway and Presque Isle,” said Ballard.
Business hours are 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 760-0800, fax 760-0807 or e-mail bballard@gilmanpi.com.
