Border States was founded in 1952 to serve the electrical utility industry.
In 1961, the company formed Border States Agency as a manufacturers’ representative for products sold directly to the electric, utility and industrial markets.
By the late 1970s, Border States employed 140 individuals in five branches located throughout North Dakota.
In 1984, Border States created its Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Under this plan, active employees own 100 percent of company stock.
The 1980s brought growth through branch expansions and acquisitions. By 1990, Border States employed 200 individuals in 10 branches in four states.
Throughout the 1990s Border States continued an aggressive pattern of growth and successful expansion.
Border States formed an industrial supply division in 2002 to add industrial mill supply products and integrated supply capabilities to develop an expanded product and solutions offering for our customers.
In December 2004, Border States purchased Bates & Associates, Inc., and expanded its offering to include natural gas products.
Border States purchased Nunn Electric Supply Corp., a full line provider of electrical, plumbing and data communications products, in April 2006, and formed its South Central Region with 19 additional locations.
In April 2007, Border States purchased Minnesota Electric Supply Co. and further expanded its market area in Minnesota.
In November 2008, Border States purchased Harris Electric Supply and added seven branches in Tennessee.
Today, Border States has more than 1,400 employees in 58 branches and operates in Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, Wyoming and portions of Idaho, Nebraska and Nevada. Corporate headquarters are located in Fargo, North Dakota. Border States is one of the 100 largest private Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) companies in America and one of the few ESOP companies headquartered in North Dakota. We currently provide quality products and unique services to electrical construction and maintenance, industrial automation and supply, power and natural gas utility, data communications and plumbing markets.
