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Founder’s Day at City Electric Supply: A legacy of relationships
Reading Time: 2 minutesEach year, City Electric Supply (CES) celebrates Founder’s Day — a time to honor Tom Mackie and the company he built. We honor where we started and we celebrate the people, culture, and values that carry us forward. In 1951, Tom Mackie saw a chance to build something in…
People & Culture
Wired lighting vs. wireless lighting: Which system is right?
Reading Time: 6 minutesAs technology evolves, so does the way facilities approach lighting. With LED growing in popularity, contractors and building owners are evaluating lighting control systems that provide greater flexibility, automation and control. According to the U.S. Department of Energy…
Industry
AI data centers are driving demand for skilled electricians
Reading Time: 3 minutesArtificial intelligence (AI) is fueling significant investment in data centers across North America. As companies expand the infrastructure needed to support AI, industry leaders are also drawing attention to another challenge: finding enough skilled electricians to help…
Industry
“Sounds pretty fun to me”: Granting Everett’s wish at CES Connect 2026
Reading Time: 3 minutesSince 1980, Make-A-Wish® has been giving sparks of strength and hope to children with critical illnesses. Through the support of volunteers, donors, and partners like City Electric Supply (CES), a wish is granted somewhere in the United States and its territories every 33…
People & Culture
The 5 O’s of common summer electrical problems
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen’s the last time you turned off that fan? Extreme heat increases the use of cooling and outdoor appliances that rely on the continuous management, distribution, and connection of electricity from various power sources. “High temperatures increase net energy costs an…
Industry
Get your football fix with the 11th season of CES Picks!
Reading Time: 4 minutesFootball season is here! Are you ready? City Electric Supply (CES) is gearing up for the 11th season of CES Picks, the free football app. Players can win big prizes, including the $10K grand prize, the NEW $1K Monthly Sweepstakes, and up to $500 in weekly cash prizes, all…
People & Culture
2026 Brighter Future Scholarship: Now accepting applications!
Reading Time: 3 minutesCity Electric Supply (CES) is giving 10 future electricians in North America $2,000 and a Milwaukee® Tool starter tool kit! Getting started in school or a new career path, like enrolling in an electrical trade program, can be financially demanding. Many students look for…
People & Culture
Developing tomorrow’s workforce: How Travis Electrical Service builds career pathways
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe current electrical workforce shortage is a challenge in the industry, with less young people entering the trades than those approaching retirement. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry will need more than 800,000 electricians over the next…
People & Culture
CES Connect 2026: A recap of our largest company event
Reading Time: 3 minutesEvery two years, City Electric Supply brings together team members, senior leadership, vendor partners, and special guests from across North America for our company conference and largest event: CES Connect. This June, more than 2,000 people gathered at the Gaylord Opryland…
People & Culture
NEW at CES: Support and supply power through data-driven digitalization with Industrial Automation Solutions (IAS)
Reading Time: 3 minutesA new value-added service for real-world industrial automation systems and controls has launched at City Electric Supply (CES)! In partnership with Siemens Digital Industries (DI), Industrial Automation Solutions (IAS) will help existing and potential customers better run…
Industry
Continuing the mission with St. Jude
Reading Time: 4 minutesFor nearly a decade, City Electric Supply (CES) District Manager Shawn Odom has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, providing essential supplies for brand-new homes to help raise money for children with cancer and other…
People & Culture
Get to know the National Solutions Division at CES: Your coast-to-coast electrical supply partner
Reading Time: 5 minutesProjects that span states, countries, or even seas come with a high level of complexity. Coordinating materials, managing timelines, and keeping communication clear across multiple locations and stakeholders requires more than standard support. That’s where the National…
Industry
5 tools that help save time and money on jobsites
Reading Time: 5 minutesQuality work starts with quality tools. For electricians, even small issues on the job can come back later as callbacks. According to the Construction Industry Institute (CII), rework makes up about five percent of total project costs and can climb as high as 20 percent. And…
Industry
5 essential electrical product categories for pool season
Reading Time: 5 minutesPool season is officially here. Whether a new pool is being installed or an existing one requires maintenance, pool electrical products are a critical component in ensuring everything goes swimmingly. Here’s a category-by-category breakdown of what to stock, what’s new, and…
Industry
Leading the (EV) charge at Athens-Clarke County Library
Reading Time: 4 minutesAt the Athens-Clarke County Library in Northeastern Georgia, local residents can not only enjoy some quiet time with their favorite books — they can also recharge their electric vehicles (EVs) faster than ever before, thanks to the support of City Electric Supply (CES) EV…
Industry
The electrical workforce shortage and the effort to help develop the next generation
Reading Time: 5 minutesEvery jobsite, building, and facility depends on skilled trades, but the workforce behind it has become harder to find. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the industry will need more than 800,000 electricians to meet demand over the next 10 years — while…
Industry
Electrical safety: Five keys to going home safe every day
Reading Time: 6 minutesIn recent years, over 5,000 non-fatal electrical injuries have resulted in days away from work in the U.S. The statistics don’t just represent non-trained professionals; the people most qualified to handle electrical systems are also the ones most exposed to their risks…
Industry
Honoring First Nations art through lighting at YVR Airport
Reading Time: 4 minutesAt Vancouver International Airport (YVR), lighting does more than illuminate a space. In the Graham Clarke Atrium, it shapes how travelers experience something deeper. The Celebrating Flight totem pole by Don Yeomans stands as a cultural and historical marker, representing…
Industry
Real results from the field: CES-One Line Service at work
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen you’re on a tight deadline, waiting weeks or months for panelboards and switchboards can stall an entire project. CES One-Line Service, offered by City Electric Supply (CES), helps contractors stay on schedule and move forward with confidence. By simplifying the…
Industry
Electrical maintenance checklist for commercial facilities before spring storm season
Reading Time: 3 minutesSpring storm season can put commercial electrical systems under serious stress. Lightning, grid disturbances, and power fluctuations can impact everything from distribution panels to sensitive building equipment. According to the National Weather Service, the United States…
Industry
Common causes of circuit breaker trips — and how to troubleshoot them
Reading Time: 6 minutesIf you’re an electrician or contractor, chances are you’ve been on a job where a breaker keeps tripping, and just resetting it isn’t solving the problem. Breaker trips aren’t random. They’re a built-in safety response to protect wiring, equipment, and people. The key is…
Industry
Smart electrical systems every electrician should understand
Reading Time: 3 minutesBeing an electrician is more than installing wire or drilling nuts, screws, and bolts. Although an essential part of day-to-day work, the modern-day electrician must also be in the know of the new and ever-evolving industry of smart electrical systems. Explore the essential…
Industry
Sending care to soldiers overseas
Reading Time: 6 minutes“People show that they care when they support others who are in need,” said CES Cares Social Impact Manager Karen Gray. City Electric Supply (CES) is committed to inspiring positive change in local communities, which includes giving back to the people who serve our country…
CEStv
Ultimate guide to electrical safety: codes, tools & tips
Reading Time: 5 minutesIt’s that time of year again! As City Electric Supply (CES) recognizes National Electrical Safety Month, we’ve created a comprehensive, living guide to serve as a “North Star” for professional contractors, team members, and customers throughout the industry. Below are…
Industry