A History of Growth

Julius Pieper founds Pieper Electric out of the back of his van in Milwaukee, WI. A young Dick Pieper helps his dad install electrical outlets in remodeled homes.

Pieper Electric becomes an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) union contractor and National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) member.

Dick Pieper joins his father at Pieper Electric, expecting to organize the company and find a supervisor to spell his hardworking dad.

With his father’s help, Dick Pieper buys Pieper Electric with a $50,000 note. The company has about 20 men working in crews and revenue is projected to reach $250,000.

Pieper Electric introduces the “PieperMan” logo featuring an action figure decked out in a red cape, carrying a coil of electrical cable and wielding a power wand.

Pieper Electric starts its first continuing education program for electricians and a pilot education program for the customer service group. It soon expands company wide.

PPC Partners ventures outside Milwaukee for the first time to Jamesville, Wisconsin to buy Setzer Electric.

Pieper Electric has its first $1 Million year and the company also moves to larger quarters – a former piano factory on 35th Street in Milwaukee.

Pieper Electric launches its first annual campaign to go accident free. Within 3 years, all divisions are recording the number of accidents per man hours worked.

Dick Pieper takes an unconventional step and proposes that all electrical contracting firms in Milwaukee make their financial information public to achieve greater understanding of market pressures.

The leaders of the company decide to look beyond the midwest for a state where open (or merit) shops are thriving. They choose Atlanta, Georgia.

PPC began a merit shop operation in Georgia and the company opens for business as MetroPower. Meanwhile, Pieper Electric launches and expanded Automation Controls Division back in Milwaukee.

Expanding their reach, the companies of PPC Partners pursue several acquisitions.

The companies of PPC Partners finish the decade with solid financial performance. In fiscal 1988, annual sales total $26M and in 1989, the reach $34M.

The acquisition of Donovan prompts creation of MP Systems, a new PPC Partners company focused on transmission and distribution that includes Milwaukee based PieperLine and Donovan.

PPC Partners celebrates 50 years in business. By this time, Engineering News Record magazine ranks them among the top 10 electrical contractors nationally.

PPC Partners’ first stock offering is presented to all employees with one year or more of service.

Pieper Electric acquires IDAC and Badger Electric of Waukesha, Wisconsin.

The company increased its capabilities to provide systems with the acquisitions of ESS in Albany, Georgia and Systems Technologies in Merrill, Wisconsin.

PPC Partners forms ClearHorizons LLC, an alternative energy venture turning the waste from cows into electrical energy.

Pieper Electric acquires Spring City Electric.

Piper Electric acquires CAP Electric.

Pieper Electric grows again with the acquisitions of Spectrum Electric, Strand Electric, and Schultz Electric.

The people of PPC Partners Inc. celebrate 65 years in business.

MetroPower achieves 0 recordable injuries within a calendar year.

ClearHorizons facilities are sold in order to focus on the core business.

Pieper Electric acquires HiTech Controls, doubling the size of the automation group.

At the end of the year, CarolinaPower branches off into its own entity.

Richard Pieper, Sr. steps down from the board turning board leadership over to Kent Velde. His step down has truly implements the Nobel Experiment.

MetroPower acquires LeMay Electric, Inc. expanding operations in the Atlanta, Georgia market. PPC starts its ERP project, a 3 year journey towards implementation.

The first Employee Resource Group (ERG), United Women of the PPC Companies, is founded.

PPC Partners, Inc. implements usage of Global Shares’ Equity Gateway, taking employee ownership electronic and making information available to all shareholders 24/7.

MP Systems builds new headquarters in East Troy, WI.

Pieper Electric’s Green Bay and Neenah locations move to a new office in Wrightstown, WI.

The Health & Wellness Employee Resource Group (ERG), Energize, is founded.