How Does the CES Marine Division Work with CES Branches?
Long voyages. Massive vessels. Global trade routes. Navigating relationships with port authorities. Working with onboard engineers. Sourcing highly specialized, foreign-made tools for heavy machinery. To a marine supplier that knows the industry, this is just an average work day.
While our branches supply local contractors, commercial developments, renewable installations, and more, the CES Marine Division has spent the last 35 years supplying the maritime shipping industry with anything and everything from ship spares and shipboard consumables to specialized tools. But besides being completely committed to the marine industry, what else is different between our branches and the CES Marine Division, and how do they work together? Let’s find out.
Our partnerships extend across our entire branch network.
While most branches work locally within and around their communities, the CES Marine Division uses our entire branch network to serve ports, vessels, and terminals from coast to coast. Although every CES branch stocks items that fit the needs of their local customers, the CES Marine Division has to have access to a wide selection of inventory to fulfill their customers’ everyday requirements.
“Every branch has specific electrical shelf stock that their customers need,” said Marine Division Branch Manager George Spinnler. “Because of these partnerships with coastal branches, we can cast a wide net when it comes to electrical inventory.”
By using the support of our local branch network all across the U.S., the CES Marine Division can complete orders with the inventory that’s readily available at our branches for fast customer support.
“These branch partnerships are an integral part of what we do and how we operate,” he said. “They allow us to work with all of the leading manufacturers and vendors that are popular in our branches and in the marine industry. Not to mention, it lets us provide some of the fastest quoting times in the industry. That reduced downtime is a gamechanger.”
Our inventory extends beyond our branches.
Today, more than 80% of global trade is transported via maritime shipping. That includes food, energy, raw materials, and pretty much anything that’s manufactured overseas. But when those vessels, port cities, cruise lines, and terminals need marine supplies, they need a supplier that can provide a wide selection of inventory that’s as varied as the goods they transport.
“When dealing with consumable orders, we are supplying a variety of items not common to the typical branch inventory,” said Spinnler. “This includes towels, sheets, mops, safety articles, cleaning solutions, paint, brushes, rollers, and much more! While we are well versed in sourcing these items, it takes time. Each requisition changes from month to month depending on the vessel.”
This makes it almost impossible to maintain and stock inventory like a regular branch, but it does allow the CES Marine Division to stay flexible to meet changing demands with access to a full-service inventory that extends beyond electrical supplies.
Zero inventory means more time serving you.
Local branch support isn’t just a statement, it’s how we operate. Because we partner with branches near you to fulfill orders quickly, we can remain flexible for whatever a ship schedule demands without keeping inventory on-hand. We routinely turn quotes around in 24 hours, earning the status of a go-to emergency supplier for the biggest customers in the marine industry.
Not made in the USA? That’s okay.
The CES Marine Division is an expert at sourcing highly specialized parts. Because most vessels and terminal machinery are foreign-made, customers need a supplier that can find these parts to support repairs and maintenance.
“On the terminal side of things, the machinery is usually not domestic-made equipment,” Spinnler said. “The same goes for foreign flag vessels. If something breaks and they’re portside in the U.S., they need a supplier that can find a specific part, and it’s usually only available overseas. Fortunately for us, our global branch network makes it possible to source just about anything.”
All orders have a ship complete requirement.
Imagine if everything in this industry came with a guarantee. With the CES Marine Division, it does.
“All of our orders have a ship complete requirement,” Spinnler said. “Whatever we’re providing, we partner with a CES branch in that ship’s port of call. It lets us consolidate all of the orders, and then ship to location.”
This partnership with our branches is certainly a unique one. Although the CES Marine Division is located in New Jersey, this allows customers to feel confident and secure in the service we provide, especially with a local CES branch right next to them in the busiest port cities, like Charleston, Savannah, Tampa, Miami, and others.
“Even though we operate differently from our branches, they’re crucial to our success in this industry. It’s a companywide effort, and it lets us take the service we provide to the next level, not just as a marine supplier, but as a leading distributor in the U.S.”
How the CES Marine Division Can Help You
Nearly four decades in the maritime supply industry. That’s how long the CES Marine Division has been building relationships with customers from coast to coast, and port to port. No one understands better than us the competitive nature of the commercial and offshore shipping industries — less downtime, less waste, fewer incomplete orders. You deserve one of the most dependable, reliable, and trusted marine suppliers working at your side. With 500+ branches nationwide and 1000+ locations globally, we’re able to work hand-in-hand with our branch network and meet you at your next port — wherever that may be.
For a dedicated marine supplier, contact us directly at 732-515-3004, or reach out to us at Marine.Sales@CityElectricSupply.com.
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