In photo, left-to-right: Scott Leemaster, Jordan Glass, Richard Sonenklar, Ben Rosenthal, Brett Schneider, Brad Schneider and Jon Waitz.
Ewweb 807 Madisontruck Group Shot595
Ewweb 807 Madisontruck Group Shot595
Ewweb 807 Madisontruck Group Shot595
Ewweb 807 Madisontruck Group Shot595
Ewweb 807 Madisontruck Group Shot595

Michigan’s Madison Electric celebrates 100th anniversary

June 10, 2014
Over the past century, Madison Electric Co. has grown from two men operating their business out of a small industrial building in Detroit to a large corporation with eight locations, 150 employees and $80 million in annual sales. The company was founded in 1914 by brothers Morris and Max Blumberg and has remained under the leadership of their decedents ever since. It enters its second century presided over by Brett Schneider, the company’s president and the great -grandson of Morris Blumberg, marking the fourth generation of leadership. 

Madison Electric Co., Warren, Mich., one of Michigan’s largest distributors of electrical, automation, HVAC, PVF, plumbing, water management and network communication systems and components, is celebrating 100 years as a family-owned business.

 In celebration of its centennial Madison Electric plans to raise $100,000 for local charities to show its appreciation for the community that has supported the company in a century of success. The charitable organizations include Karmanos Cancer Institute, Gleaners Food Bank, Detroit Institute for Children and Michigan Freedom Center. In addition to the fundraising efforts spearheaded by family executive leadership, Madison associates will also participate in planned fundraising events and volunteer activities at the four selected charities throughout the year.

Over the past century, Madison Electric Co. has grown from two men operating their business out of a small industrial building in Detroit to a large corporation with eight locations, 150 employees and $80 million in annual sales. The company was founded in 1914 by brothers Morris and Max Blumberg and has remained under the leadership of their decedents ever since. It enters its second century presided over by Brett Schneider, the company’s president and the great -grandson of Morris Blumberg, marking the fourth generation of leadership.  

Along with Brett Schneider, the company leadership team representing the fourth generation of leadership are Brad Schneider, vice president of operations, and Jordan Glass, secretary/treasurer. The company’s third generation of family leaders include Benjamin Rosenthal, chief financial officer; Richard Sonenklar, vice president and chief information officer; Scott Leemaster, vice president and general manager; and Jon Waitz, vice president. “Every generation of leadership has made it their goal to leave the company even better than they found it,” said Benjamin Rosenthal, the company’s CFO. “It’s this mentality that drives us to try new things, invest in new technology and expand our offerings.”

Madison Electric Company’s greatest milestones have been marked by the leadership’s future-focused approach to business. Examples of this include opening branch locations to bring products closer to contractors during the post-World War II urban sprawl; forming the industrial electronics division to provide interconnected products, cable assemblies and production computers during the turn of the century; and investing early into automation, twenty years before it reached the popularity it’s gained today. To learn more about Madison Electric, visit the company's website.