Sonepar Pledges $500K to NAED to Advance Education and Training

By Randy Reid

Sonepar, a leading electrical distributor, has recently pledged a $500,000 donation to the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) Education and Research Foundation (NERF). The donation will go towards advancing education and training for the electrical industry. The donation is part of a larger initiative that involves a multi-year project to support the complete supply chain by taking cost out of the system while ultimately better serving customers.

Andy Waring, Central Region President of Sonepar USA, discussed the decision to support NERF in a recent interview with LM&M. Waring elaborated that the electrical industry is under pressure to be more efficient and find ways to reduce costs while adding value. He emphasized that Sonepar wants to support the initiative and participate as it unfolds, with teams coming together to execute the project.

LM&M asked how helping with education can reduce costs in the chain. Waring responded by saying that it is about looking at the supply chain from end to end and figuring out how to digitalize the business even more. By providing links where real-time information about inventory and logistics is available, there are opportunities to take costs out of the system.

LM&M also asked Waring about the role of electrical distributors and how that role is evolving. Waring agreed that the role of distributors is constantly evolving, and Sonepar aims to think beyond just the product side of things. The company is providing significant services to the end user, much more than in the past, and is becoming more specialized as well. By adding more solutions than the traditional product, Sonepar is focused on promoting service on the solution side, not just the product.

LM&M then asked how Sonepar and NAED can help the lighting maintenance contractor. Waring explained that Sonepar is providing technology and service solutions, including logistics services and technical expertise and specialists on different products. Sonepar is also providing certification training for lighting specialists, with a career path for young professionals who can benefit from internal certification in the lighting area.

Waring explained that the program has three modules, and the first class had over 30 participants, with the second class expected to have 40 participants. The program is both online and in-person, with mentors assigned to help those going through the training. Sonepar is constantly recruiting at various universities across the nation and has a program that hires 40 to 50 college graduates a year. Many of them have been recognized by tED magazine over the years as part of their “30 under 35” awards, aimed at identifying upand-coming talent.

Sonepar's donation to NERF is a significant contribution to the advancement of education and training within the electrical industry. The donation is not just a financial contribution, but a commitment by Sonepar to be actively involved in the advancement of the industry. ■