History

A Family Business is born

In June of 1960 founder William "Bill" Dies found himself unemployed after losing his job as superintendent/estimator for an electrical contracting firm.  However, Bill and wife Netta were not devastated.   They knew he could find work as a journeyman or look for a position similar to the one he had.

But contracting was in Bill's blood.  His father was a general contractor, and his brothers were all contractors (in plastering and carpentry).  So Bill and Netta started a new company.  And on June 12, 1960 Dies Electric was born.

With nine children (5 boys and 4 girls) and a large house with a mortgage to match, money was a start-up problem.  Bill went to the local suppliers before opening the shop and enlisted their financial help.  That first summer Bill worked during the day with oldest son, Ken, by his side.  At night you could find him at the families dinning room table estimating projects.  When the fall brought both the return of Ken to his senior year of high school and some winning bids, Dies Electric signed an agreement with the local union.

Life around the Dies household changed very quickly.  Netta began to take an active part in the business.  She not only had to manage the large family, but also the growing business.  The family basement was remodeled into an office.  This arrangement contributed directly to the company's current "family" nature.

Because the office was located in the basement, Bill and Netta could devote a great deal of time to the business and not lose that close contact with their children.  Bill could work late-night hours while  Netta could manage the business and still be there when the kids needed her.  The children would often play in the basement, which allowed them to retain that close contact with their parents.  And, by association, the children could learn about the electrical contracting business.

One by one the children began to pitch in.  Ken went to work for his father one year after graduation.  Fran, who is the oldest daughter, began working alongside her mom answering the phones and assisting with the office work.  John, the second-oldest son, applied for the apprenticeship program, working for an electrical supply house and controls panel supplier while waiting for acceptance. 

It soon became evident that without any overt planning, Bill Dies' family was becoming a valuable asset to his company.

As each son grew older they each took their turn during the summer months driving truck for the company.  Bob, son number three, continued to deliver materials to the job sites even after graduation while he awaited acceptance into the apprenticeship program.  And over time David and Steve, sons four and five, expressed interest in joining the business.  David began his apprenticeship after graduating from high school.  Steve entered college after a very successful high school wrestling career.  However, after one year he decided he wanted to be an electrician and was later enrolled in the apprenticeship program.

By the nature of the apprenticeship program John, Bob, Dave and Steve all spent their apprenticeship years working for other companies, bringing invaluable experience back to Dies Electric with them.  While Ken has worked for the family business all along, he has gained knowledge through on-the-job training and many industry related training courses.

Daughter Tina went to college and pursued a degree in accounting, hoping that someday she could also contribute to the family business.

As the children began to marry and start families of their own the large house was soon very empty.  Meanwhile, the company was outgrowing the basement office.  Dies Electric had purchased a large Akron building, using two-thirds of it for warehouse space while leasing out the front portion of the building.  The leased space became very attractive for the company's permanent headquarters.  As they had always done, the family began working as a team to convert the space into a modern, energy-efficient office.

In 1987 founder Bill Dies passed away.  However, the family tradition carries on.  Bill instilled in his children a great sense of loyalty and family values.  And with these traits the family has continued to work together and keep the business going.  Ken is currently the companies president overseeing the operation of the company.  Fran went on to nursing school and has pursued a career as a critical care nurse.  John coordinates the jobs in progress and also serves as the vice-president.  Daughter Peg joined the company in 1984 and after receiving an associate degree in accounting works with Tina to handle the day to day office responsibilities.  Tina received her degree in accounting in 1981 and works as the in house accountant and treasurer.  Bob, David, and Steve all work as journeyman electricians managing projects.  The often unrecognized family member daughter Carol, pursued a career in banking.  Dave LeBeau, the company estimator, is also related through marriage to a Dies cousin.

With thirty grandchildren and 18 great grand children waiting in the wings, the next generation of Dies' have begun to join the company.  Fran's son Dave recently completed his apprenticeship and has joined the business as a journeyman electrician.  While Ken and Bob's sons, Mike and Bob, Jr., have worked on the dirt crew.  Along the way other nieces and nephews also have worked during summer breaks from college.  Bob Jr. recently left the company to begin his electrical apprenticeship and hopes to return when his training is complete.     And so the family tradition continues!