CES Stafford: No Project We Can’t Handle
“There’s no project we can’t handle.”
A confident position from City Electric Supply Stafford Branch Manager Israel Flores, and not unfounded.
Landing the Project
The CES Stafford branch recently landed one of their biggest projects yet — a 60,000-square-foot church. Why did the customer choose them for the job?
“If my customer needed something,” said Flores, “I’d put it in my own truck and take it myself if I had to.”
It’s that kind of service that sets CES apart, according to Flores. And as impressive as it sounds, it’s not an empty promise — it’s just how they do business. And they’ve had plenty of opportunities to prove it.
Overcoming Challenges
“It’s been an interesting project, constantly moving, constantly delivering. Our customer will call me on a Saturday or Sunday night saying he needs something at 8 a.m., and we’ll come in here, pack it up, and get it to the job site on time,” he said. “We really pride ourselves in our customer service.”
One time, the branch got a phone call at 4:50 p.m. on a Friday that they needed eight transformers, 14 panels, and pipe, which added up to two full truckloads of material by the next morning. What did they do? They loaded up the trucks and drove the three hours to the site.
It’s this kind of dedication, two years into the CES/customer relationship, that keeps this particular customer coming back.
“He understands. He knows our value,” explained Flores. “Dealing with CES, he knows what he’s getting, and it’s a huge comfort to him. It’s as simple as treating contractors the way they need to be treated. They’re number one. Treat them that way and you won’t have any issues.”
Teamwork
Another important way to avoid issues that Flores has learned in his 25 years of industry experience? Have an outstanding team behind you.
“The whole team is just great. Everyone on my team has a sky-is-the-limit mentality,” praised Flores. “I work for them. They’re the ones who make the wheels turn, they’re the ones who keep this branch going, and I couldn’t be more impressed by them.”
One story in particular from this project stood out to Flores as a testament to his team’s undying energy and commitment to going the extra mile.
“My driver, George! He had to make the long haul every time to make a delivery, and he made a lot of sacrifices. It has not been easy. Just last Saturday, on the way up there, he had a blowout. He had to pull over and get roadside assistance for not one but two tires. On a Saturday!” said Flores. “But he didn’t give up, he didn’t just sit there. He jumped back in the truck and said, ‘Whatever I need to do, I’ll do it.’ He was back on the road within an hour.”
The Future for CES Stafford
According to Flores, all members of his team are tremendous in their positions, and he couldn’t ask for anything more.
But he is excited to see what they can take on together in the future.
“We have so many opportunities ahead of us. We have jobs in the books, and the list grows every day,” said Flores. “We’re so grateful. Projects like this help tremendously. They make us even more prepared for the next big thing.”
And prepared they are.
“We know how to handle changes. We know how to make quick fixes. Problem, solution, move on. We learn from every job we work on, and that’s the key to success — learning from every challenge,” said Flores. “It’s made us strong.”
Like he said before, there’s no project his team can’t handle.
“What also helps is that there are so many CES branches and they’re all helping each other. My customer particularly likes that no matter where he goes, there’s a City Electric Supply right around the corner,” laughed Flores. “I have people ask me, ‘Do you have a store in San Antonio?’ I say, ‘I have many — what part of San Antonio are you in?’”
With 500+ partnering branches around the country, an unbeatable team, and the kind of dedication that leads a Branch Manager to be ready to load up his own personal truck at any time, we’re not worried about the future of CES Stafford. We’re excited about it.