0 CART
items in your cartto quote Checkout
Ooops no items were found.
Try something else.
Ok
Loading…
Hero Banner Image

Granite City Electric Supply:
A Century of Powering Progress

Granite City Electric Supply has been the leading independent electrical supply distributor in the New England region for over 100 years, and now in Albany, New York. Serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, along with homeowners, we've thrived amidst superstores and online giants by prioritizing strong customer relationships and service innovation.

What Makes Us Who We Are

Regional Inspiration

With 31 branches and our exclusive GCE Night Train® overnight delivery services, we serve Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, and Albany, New York, as the largest regional independent electrical supply company in New England.

Customer-centric Approach

Our success lies in listening to our customers, establishing enduring partnerships, and providing superior customer service. Our commitment to core values such as RESPECT, INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, and PRIDE guides our actions.

Family, Community and Sustainability

Beyond business, we're dedicated to community philanthropy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and environmental sustainability. We believe in making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Red Sox Partner Relationship

Since 2004, Granite City Electric has been the official supplier of electrical supplies to the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park. Our family ties to this partnership run deep, from lighting the way to a milestone World Series in 2004, to our dedication to Jimmy Fund/Dana Farber initiatives, we are woven into the fabric of Red Sox Nation – just check-out our sign in Right Field!

Boston Red Sox Logo

The History of Granite City Electric Supply:
A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Regional Inspiration

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 stipend of money, but more important to him, he received his American citizenship in return for his 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 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 1923.

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.

In 1969, Nicholas Papani, as part of his succession plan, divested himself of the company stock, and his daughter Phyllis Papani Godwin became the principal owner. Nicholas Papani watched the company's gradual expansion into southeastern Massachusetts with pride. 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.

Phyllis Papani Godwin developed and guided the next phase of growth for Granite City Electric Supply as Chairman and CEO, beginning a geographic expansion with branches in South Yarmouth (1973), Martha's Vineyard (1983) and Plymouth (1988). Along the way, Phylliss was recognized for the groundbreaking work she accomplished leading a woman owned business is the male dominated electrical supplies industry.

In 1999, Steven Helle joined the company and was named President and COO, bringing over 20 years of experience in the electrical industry. Under Steve's leadership, the company continued to expand into NH, VT and CT, 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), and The Whelan Co. (Hartford, CT).

In 2004 the company entered into a long-term partnership with the Boston Red Sox, continuing through 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.

Within the past 15 years, additional acquisitions include Columbia Electric Supply (Brockton, Taunton and Fall River, MA), Major Electric (Pawtucket RI, Norwich and Groton, CT) and Baynes Electrical Supply (Wareham, Nantucket, Marthas Vineyard), providing expanded New England coverage with 31 retail branch locations and 3 distribution centers that now serve thousands of electrical contractors, commercial and industrial customers, institutions, and the general public in 5 New England states plus Albany, New York.

Granite City Electric is proud of its heritage and the employees which have made its growth possible. We are continuing to move forward into our future with a focus on developing stronger relationships with our loyal customers!

Read Granite City Electric's Full History Hide Full History

Nick Papani Nick Papani
Phyllis Papani Phyllis Papani Godwin
Steve Helle Steven Helle

Our Core Values

Respect

We foster a culture of inclusivity, open communication, and empathy. Every individual's perspective, experience, and contribution are valued.

Integrity

We take ownership of our actions and outcomes, meeting commitments and learning from both successes and challenges. Clear expectations and responsibility drive our work culture.

Accountability

Beyond business, we're dedicated to community philanthropy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and environmental sustainability. We believe in making a positive impact on the communities we serve.

Pride

Our employees take deep pride in their work, the quality of our products and services, and the positive contributions we make to communities. This pride fuels our dedication to excellence.

Meet Our Leadership

Steve Helle Headshot

Steve Helle

President

Adrian Grundy Headshot

Cori Hornbeck

Chief Financial Officer

Adrian Grundy Headshot

Adrian Grundy

Chief Operating Officer

Steve Constantino Headshot

Steve Constantino

VP of Human Resources

Thomas Tate Headshot

Thomas Tate

VP of Marketing & Business Development

Steve Argyle Headshot

Steve Argyle

VP of Branch Sales

Chris Baynes Headshot

Chris Baynes

VP Commercial Sales

Mark Evans Headshot

Mark Evans

VP Strategic Pricing

View All Leadership

Hide Leadership

Part 1 - The Past

Phyllis Papani Godwin in Her Own Words

Phyllis Speaks

Phyllis Papani Godwin speaks about our company history and the legacy her father created as a young man in a new country with only hard work and a vision in this three part series (part one above). She speaks on how she became a trail blazer for women in business and what the future holds for Granite City Electric Supply.

Part 2 - The Present

Part 3 - The Future

More From Phyllis Papani

In this four part series, Phyllis Papani Godwin, at the age of 96, shares her insights on how she took over the business from her father and led the successful growth of Granite City Electric Supply, as a women business owner in a predominantly male run industry.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

View All Videos

Hide Videos

Proud Members Of

IMARK Logo NAED Logo MECA Logo
SEARCH ×