Keeping Us Connected: How City Electric Supply Is Helping the Telecom Industry
[Spartanburg, SC] — At a time like this, what’s more essential than the internet? With millions of Americans working from home and many more relying on minute-to-minute updates from their state and federal government to keep them informed, a reliable wireless infrastructure is more important now than ever before.
District Manager Don Corbett knows this better than most. When essential businesses were being designated, his network of branches was asked by customers in the telecommunications industry if they’d be able to supply them in the coming weeks and months.
“Very early on, these customers that support the wireless and telecom businesses were worried about getting the material they needed to keep cell towers and other network structures running,” Corbett said. “We assured them of our essential status, and we were prepared to help them with anything on a daily basis.”
From regular everyday maintenance to the construction of new cell towers for AT&T, Verizon, and other network providers, maintaining our constant connection to wireless networks is not a simple task. A lot of towers are located in very remote areas, so keeping as many necessary materials on hand is crucial to saving time when it matters most.
“These cell towers are not in the most convenient places. Some are on sides of mountains or way out in the country on farms. Pretty much anywhere that is difficult to get to is where you can expect to find some of our customers, so they have to be prepared with very special equipment and material for any situation,” he said. “That’s where we come in.”
To help supply these customers whenever they need it, local branches like CES Gaffney in South Carolina and CES Toccoa in Georgia are stocking very specialized products. And word is getting around that City Electric Supply has the support and the materials they need.
“Telecom business is jumping toward us,” Corbett said. “Cable, distribution equipment, grounding and bonding conductors, these aren’t something that every branch keeps on hand. It’s a very specific set of products, but where we are, it’s in demand right now because so many people are working from home. Keeping specialized supplies like this stocked is crucial for our partnership with essential businesses. They need solutions fast, and we’re proud to give it to them.”
Today, a lot changes by the second, and staying alert and ready to help at a moment’s notice is part of the reason the service at City Electric Supply is second to none.
“These customers don’t just work 9 to 5. If anything happens in the middle of the night, we have to be prepared to help them out. Some have even asked us about that specifically,” he said. “This service is what makes us special. We stay ready because our customers have to. It’s a challenge, but it’s what makes us such an important partner to all types of essential businesses.”
City Electric Supply and its network of branches are no strangers to providing excellent service. Now more than ever, supplying essential businesses requires flexibility and a committed team to get the job done.
“Right now, we’re either shipping directly to our customers and their job sites, or we deliver it. Our drivers are often up at 5 a.m. to make sure everything gets delivered. We’ve had urgent orders get delivered all the way out to Tennessee from nearby branches. Being able to provide this level of service in a time like this is what being an essential supplier is all about. Our customers want to know that they can depend on us, and we’re never going to say we can’t do something for them if it’s possible.”
How We Can Help You
City Electric Supply has a network of over 500+ branches ready to help essential businesses. We provide both curbside pickup and jobsite delivery in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, and we have teams all over the U.S. ready to help in any way they can. At a time like this, we are here to support our customers with whatever they need, whenever they need it, wherever they need it to be. Find a local branch today and see what we can do to help supply your essential business.