Granite City Electric

The Story of Granite City Electric Supply Company

The history of Granite City Electric Supply Company is a true American success story. The company's founder, Nicholas V. Papani was born in 1896 in a small town on the shores of the Adriatic Sea in southern Italy. When Nick was 16 years old, he came to America not to find gold, but hopefully to find enough to eat. Like many immigrants in the early 1900's, he came through Ellis Island. He was alone, penniless and uneducated.

After a series of odd jobs, he joined the United States Army. He was a self taught musician, and was accepted to play clarinet in the Army Band during World War I. When he left the Army in 1919, he was granted a small amount of money, but more important to him, his American citizenship because of service to his adopted land. He headed to Boston's Franklin Institute and received his journeyman's and later his master electrician's license, and began wiring homes on the south shore of Boston.

"Almost immediately I realized the great need and opportunity for a local electrical supply house in the Quincy area, with the entire South Shore as its potential market," Nick Papani (pictured at the left) reminisced on the company's 25th Anniversary.

And so The Granite City Electric Supply Company, doing business as wholesalers of electrical equipment, was founded in 1922.

Nick Papani named the company after his adopted city of Quincy Massachusetts. Historic Quincy, the birthplace and home of two presidents, was called the "Granite City." Quincy granite, known for its beauty, durability and its ability to take a high polish, was shipped all over the world during the 18th and 19th century. To read more about historic Quincy and the granite industry, visit www.discoverquincy.com.

Granite City Electric's first delivery truck

Granite City Electric's first delivery truck

Nick Papani was a man of great humility, enormous integrity and deep compassion. He cared about people first. He demanded a sense of excellence and, somehow, the people around him rose to the challenges. He always said he was just a "little guy" and so he identified with those who were struggling. He understood the needs of electrical contractors and did everything he could to help them succeed. The company grew slowly and steadily and expanded its reach to Cape Cod, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard operating from its only location in Quincy.

(Pictured to the right is Granite City Electric's first delivery truck.)

In 1969, Nicholas Papani, as part of his succession plan, divested himself of the company stock and his daughter Phyllis Papani Godwin (pictured at the left) became the principal owner. As Chairman and CEO, she began a geographic expansion beginning with branches in South Yarmouth (1973), Martha's Vineyard (1983) and Plymouth (1988).

Nicholas Papani watched with pride the company's gradual expansion into southeastern Massachusetts. His failing lungs stopped functioning late in November 1984, and with them, his heart. His legacy of honesty, justice and compassion has been ingrained in the culture of the company.

In 1999, Steven Helle (pictured at the right), with many years of experience in the electrical industry, joined the company and was named President and COO. Under Steve's leadership, the company has continued its expansion into 5 New England states, serving thousands of electrical contractors, commercial and industrial customers, institutions and the general public from 24 locations and 3 distribution centers. Part of the more recent growth has been through new branches, but also through the acquisitions of JG Temple, with locations in Vermont and New Hampshire, C&I Electric (Lowell, MA), Electric Supply and Repair, Inc. (Pittsfield, MA), The Whelan Co. (Hartford, CT) and Columbia Electric Supply (Brockton, Taunton and Fall River, MA).

As a regional independent, Granite City has flourished in the age of superstores and national chains, by establishing strong relationships with its customers and constantly listening to what they say. Customer Councils are one of the many ways the company listens to its customers and enables Granite City Electric to anticipate its customers' needs and provide the products and unique services that help contractors and businesses to be successful.

In 2004 the company entered into a long term partnership with the Boston Red Sox, and today Granite City Electric is the official distributor of electrical supplies and lighting to the Red Sox and Fenway Park. "This has been a fun, energizing relationship and we are delighted to be associated with an organization as rich in history and tradition as the Boston Red Sox," said Phyllis Papani Godwin.

Granite City Electric is proud of its community relationships and its support for countless charitable organizations. Employees are encouraged to participate in helping non-profits in many ways. Employee groups have participated in and supported Habitat for Humanity, the Marie Curry Walk, and the United Way to mention a few. The company is a principle sponsor of Joshua's Run, the South Shore YMCA, and the South Shore Conservatory of Music. The company sponsors little league and Babe Ruth teams, as well as many employees coach children's sports teams. The Field of Dreams contest is another way to help young people's sports programs by the company's donation of lighting for a junior baseball or softball field.

Granite City Electric's Quincy location 1947

From Granite City Electric's humble beginnings in Quincy (MA) (pictured above Granite City Electric's Quincy location 1947) to one of the country's leading independent electrical distributors, it has stayed true to the founder's mission and values. When the company celebrated its 25^th Anniversary in 1947, Nick Papani said:

"Were I asked to name the one factor which, more than any other, is responsible for our sturdy growth and sane optimism as we face the years ahead, I should answer without hesitation, 'Always quality in merchandise and in service.'"

Granite City Electric is proud of its heritage and the employees which have made its growth possible. The written commitment and core values are not just words; they are the principles that guide all actions. There is constant and on-going employee training, not only in product and sales, but in how the company's core values affect all business actions and decisions.

COMMITMENT

Granite City Electric's dedicated team members strive to surpass its customers' expectations by providing superior service, information and products. We do what is right for our customers, employees, suppliers and the community.

CORE VALUES

At Granite City Electric the following core values guide our actions, behaviors and business decisions.

PRIDE

We are proud of Granite City's history, growth, stability and community involvement. Granite City invests in its team of dedicated employees through training and development so we may offer our customers superior service.

ACCOUNTABILITY

We are accountable for our own actions and adhere to the decisions we collectively make. We operate with urgency, innovation and passion.

INTEGRITY

We honor our commitments and we follow through with honesty and a strong moral compass.

RESPECT

We treat each other with dignity and respect. We appreciate the contributions of every individual and respect their differences.

Thank you for visiting and reading about Granite City Electric's history.