Swift Electrical Supply’s roots are in Union City, NJ, where Anthony “Mr. Swift” Sodora started a small family business that has grown and prospered through three generations. Now at four locations, the company is one of the largest independent electrical distributors serving New Jersey, New York and Connecticut and is celebrating its 80th year in business.
Swift Electrical Supply was started in 1943 by Anthony “Swift” Sodora and Frank Oertell as Oertell & Swift Electrical Supply, located in Union City, NJ. In 1953, Sodora bought out Oertell and changed the name of the company to Swift Electrical Supply. August Sodora Sr., Sodora’s son, joined the company in 1950, and the company’s current president, August “Augie” Sodora Jr., joined in 1982.
Since Swift Electrical Supply’s inception, the company has grown both its customer base and service offerings. Originally only contractor oriented, it now sells to a diverse group of customers, including electrical contractors, architects, builders, commercial property managers, local municipalities, counties, cities, townships and more.
At the heart of the Swift Electrical Supply operation is a dedicated team of people who truly want to help customers succeed — every day, whether it’s through a purchase or inquiry. “If you invest in your people, they will invest in you,” says Augie Sodora Jr. “And that’s how we have carried ourselves over the past 80 years. ‘Our Business Is Built On Service’ has been Swift’s motto for many years, but what does it really mean? How does our company really live it? The culture we’ve worked to create provides the answer. To Swift it means always trying to find ways to say ‘Yes’ to our customers’ requests. Our commitment is to make the customers know they can count on us to always give a 100% effort to fulfill their needs.
“Additionally, fairness is a big part of our culture with our customers and with our team. Treating each other, our customers and our suppliers fairly is very important. Our core values of respect, dedication, reliability, and improving are equally important. They need to start with our leaders and be driven through our organization to our associates, customers and supplier partners.”
To learn more about Swift Electrical Supply, check out its digital 80th Anniversary Brochure.