Scott Germann says mutual respect and reasonable understanding are key to success when working with his two sons and a daughter at Main Electric Supply Co.
“I never try to be dogmatic or absolute in my decision-making,” Germann, the company owner and chief executive, says of the family links. That goes for listening to his employees as well.
Germann received a Business Journal Family-Owned Business Award in the Large Business category on June 12 at the Irvine Marriott before nearly 400 guests.
The Santa Ana-based electrical distributor supplies a vast array of products, ranging from lighting for commercial buildings and hospitals, to switches, wiring, heating components, lubricants and even batteries with plenty in-between, according to the company’s website.
Star Wars, SoFi Stadium
The company has worked on some of the best-known local projects including the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge ride at Disneyland, SoFi stadium, Resorts World Las Vegas, expansions at John Wayne Airport and LAX, and UCI/CHOC medical center off Jamboree Road in Irvine. It also works with home builders Lennar and Pulte Homes.
Main Electric also supplies products for EV chargers, battery storage and solar power renewables.
“We sell to electrical contractors,” the CEO says. “We get involved in very large projects.”
The company also has a retail side for contractors including those that are a “one-man shop.”
While Scott Germann is the owner and CEO, son Derek is the company president.
Another son, Ryan Germann, handles pricing and vendor relations while daughter Kelsey Germann is a switchgear project manager.
Honor, Value Family Opinions
The elder Germann says he honors and values the opinions from the family’s younger generation.
He says he comes to a “reasonable understanding” when dealing with Derek.
“We both have to agree on something. I’m not going to do something if he is completely opposed to it. And he is not going to do something if I am completely opposed to it,” the CEO told the Business Journal on June 13, the day after winning the award. “Ultimately, he will respect my final decision.
“We have a lot of deep respect for each other.”
The company had just under $1.1 billion in revenue last year and “is growing again” this year, Scott Germann says.
He has a bachelor’s in communications from California State University, Fullerton, and a Master of Business Administration from Golden Gate University.
Scott joined Main Electric Supply in 1999 when it operated out of a single location in Los Angeles. In 2011, Scott acquired ownership of the company.
Today, the company has expanded into 18 locations throughout the Western U.S. 2024, making it the largest independent electrical distributor on the West Coast.
Still a Tough Market
Scott Germann emphasizes that the company is still in a “tough market” buffeted by a lot of uncertainty and reductions in the construction industry which he says is a “low-margin business.”
He said the company is becoming more regional, while “we do national work to some degree.”
The company has about 850 employees.
“People at Main have come to love Main, care about Main, and that they feel they’re on a mission.”
“We are an independent, privately held company. We know that makes us unique. So many people have sold their companies. There’s not many of us left.”
