CES Tampa East: Great Location, Even Better Service

CES Tampa East is almost open, and Branch Manager Chuck Russ is already making a name for the branch in a highly competitive business park in the middle of Tampa’s four biggest highways. 

“Location, location, location. That’s the theme here,” Russ said. “Not only are we very easy to get to, but we also have six competitors in a four-mile radius. It’s amazing.”

Amazing is one way to put it. With customers already rolling in, some have asked why they opened right next to their competition. Russ usually responds with, “Why not?”

“We do things differently than what customers might expect,” he said. “We really focus on providing a high level of service and going above and beyond our customers’ expectations.”

While electrical contractors might not be familiar with the level of service CES is bringing to the east side of Tampa, they are familiar with the location just right off Highway 301 and 60.

“We’re in a very established industrial business park. Because we have competitors here, it’s a location that electrical contractors already come to,” Russ said. “A few customers stopped by to look at our facility and were just amazed at the size of the building and our inventory.”

As an electrical supplier in Tampa, it’s going to take a little bit more than location and a new building to become a successful distributor, but Russ already knows that. He’s been here before.

“I’ve been in this industry for more than 40 years. I actually came out of retirement 10 years ago for an opportunity at City Electric Supply,” he said. “Opening CES Tampa East was a no-brainer. I’m a seasoned veteran, so I know what to expect and what we need to do to help our customers.”

As for his team, they’re eager just to finally open their doors to Tampa contractors.

“We’re excited to open our store and have our customers walk in,” Russ said. “After all the hard work we’re doing to open, we’re just ready to go. My operations manager and counter reps have years of experience in this industry. They’re friendly, knowledgeable, skilled, trustworthy, and more than capable to handle anything that comes their way. I can’t wait to see what they can do.”

When customers finally do walk in, what are some of the things they can expect to see from the team at CES Tampa East?

“Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome,” Russ started. “We’ll learn their names. We’ll make sure they’re comfortable even if they’re just stepping foot into the store for the first time. We want to take that opportunity to learn their business and earn it.”

And if you ever need anything after hours, CES Tampa East will never charge you for it.

“That’s a big tool for us because some suppliers charge for after-hour help. We’ll never charge you if you need our help. We’ll just be glad you called, glad we fulfilled your order, and glad you paid the bill,” he laughed.

On top of that, electrical contractors can expect to see a professional showroom and one of the largest CES warehouses in Florida. It’s so big, they even have solar materials stocked and ready to go.   

“We average 365 days of sunshine a year,” Russ said. “We have solar customers in our area, and they usually have to go an hour from Tampa to get material. With us here, we have the space in our warehouse to stock what they need.”

And better yet, they also have the Renewable Energies Division at City Electric Supply standing behind them.

“I know some of our customers’ requirements, but having the Renewable Energies Division helping us will let us tap into huge opportunities here,” he said. “Their support is just awesome, and we can’t wait to get our name out there in this industry.”

Russ’ motivation to make their name known as one of the leading electrical suppliers in Tampa comes down to one thing: attitude. Both he and his team have a do-anything-it-takes mentality. They will work tirelessly to earn their customers’ business, whatever business that is.

“I love solving everyday challenges for our customers,” he said. “When a customer comes in, I want them to know that we can handle every order and every item on that order. I want them to say, ‘We need this, let’s call Chuck and his team’. At the end of the day, I want our customers to know that they have friends in the industry they can rely on.”

Thanks to CES Tampa East’s location, Chuck and his team will get that chance before they know it. Now all they need to do is open their doors.