Border States Buys UtiliCor for Foothold in Tennessee Valley Authority Utility Market

Border States Electric (BSE), Fargo, N.D., is spreading its utility expertise in the Tennessee market with an agreement to purchase The UtiliCor Corp., with locations in Jackson and Nashville, Tenn. The transaction closed July 29. UtiliCor is a distributor of electrical and communications products exclusively serving the needs of the utility market of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Arkansas and the bootheel of Missouri since 2002.

UtiliCor will continue to operate under the UtiliCor name as a division of BSE in much the same way BSE has kept the name of Harris Electric Supply, a Tennessee full-line electrical distributor BSE acquired in 2007. With the addition of UtiliCor’s two locations, BSE now has eight branches in the Tennessee market.

Adding UtiliCor’s capabilities and its relationships with the TVA and other area utilities brings BSE both sector and geographic benefits, according to Tom Nelson, corporate communications director for Border States. “We are known for service excellence and UtiliCor is a great addition to that tradition and will both complement our extensive utility market presence and provide us with other opportunities in the region,” he said.

From UtiliCor’s perspective the combination with employee-owned Border States was compelling for a number of reasons. “We have similar cultures and the same focus on customer service and solutions — this is a natural fit,” said Joel Wright, president of UtiliCor. “Border States Electric brings resources and expertise to UtiliCor that will enhance our value to our customers and supplier partners.”

“This is a powerful connection for our customers,” Tammy Miller, CEO of BSE, said. “BSE has delivered innovative products and supply chain solutions for more than 60 years. Joining forces with UtiliCor will strengthen our position in the utility market and complement our Harris Electric division in Tennessee.”

UtiliCor once had a division working as an importer and manufacturer’s rep for a number of utility product lines, but UtiliCor separated its rep and import operations into a separate company before the acquisition, said Nelson. Border States similarly serves as a rep for several utility lines, but BSE acquired just UtiliCor’s distribution assets, said Nelson.