Founded December 9, 1908
The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) was founded on December 9, 1908 as the Electric Supply Jobbers Association (ESJA), headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The first goal of this new organization was to establish the electrical distributor as an essential force in the electrical industry and the economy.
As the industry evolved, so did the association. In June 1928, we changed our name to the National Electrical Wholesalers Association (NEWA) and moved our headquarters to New York City. Twenty-one years later, we became the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED). In 1997, NAED relocated from Wilton, Connecticut to St. Louis, Missouri.
Later, the NAED Education & Research Foundation was established to offer industry-specific education and training programs. Since its inception, we’ve expanded research and benchmarking. Reports now cover a variety of topics – from energy management to strategic technology and operations – enabling members to identify trends and insights from the larger economy to a broader perspective for the industry.
To improve the long-term competitive advantage of leaders and workers, the Foundation has also launched online training courses like the Electrical Products Education Course (EPEC), and events where professionals can expand their skills while learning about new solutions that provide value to their organization.
Thanks to the support and involvement of its members, NAED has become the dominant source of networking for the nation's distributors and their affiliates. It continues to be a central hub of information and learning, providing the only meetings attended by the entire electrical community.
Moving into the future, NAED has switched its focus from fostering relationships between manufacturers and distributors to helping distributors cultivate a customer-centric business approach.
As the future unfolds, NAED will continue to educate and empower those looking to invest in their business and professional growth.
