HARRIS ELECTRIC: From small family business to local institution

A solid foundation, a good reputation, and the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the market. And over the course of 75 years, much has changed.

Harris Electric, based out of Lloydminister, Alberta, celebrates 75 years of business in 2023. The company is also one of the longest standing members of the ECAA. Started by Ron Harris Sr. in 1948, Harris Electric primarily focussed on television, radio, and electronics repair. Ron Sr. was later joined by his brother Alf and together they grew the company over the following decades wiring many of the homes and farmsteads in the area and expanding to provide electrical installation services for the majority of Lloydminster’s commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, and oilfield industrial projects.

“The brothers spent over three decades building the foundation that had a big impact in and around the market focussing on commercial type applications and agriculture,” says Ken Howrie, one of the current owners of Harris Electric. As business expanded, so too did the family involvement with both Ron Sr.’s and Alf’s children eventually joining the business. “With each generational evolution, strengths of new ownership could build on the strengths of the previous ownership and evolve to fit the market at that time from 1948 to 1968, right up to 1998.”

Howrie had been a supply partner to the company for over 20 years when Gordon Harris, the last member of family to own Harris Electric, decided to retire. Partnering with Ashley Hope, a co-owner of an industrial electrical contracting company with offices across

Alberta, the two developed a plan to purchase the company.

“Gordon had asked if I would be interested in buying the company, so we had some conversations which led to more conversations, and eventually Ashley and I created a solution that would keep the company in the community and continue the Harris Electric legacy.”

Since 2009, Howrie and Hope have owned the company with their wives Shirley Howrie and Karen Hope. Together they continue to focus on the success of the previous owners with work including institutional projects such schools and hospitals, along with residential, commercial, and industrial projects. The company provides installations, upgrades, inspections, and systems management for any project.

Being in business for 75 years, Howrie says that business must evolve to remain relevant, but some things will never change. “Building and maintaining relationships with your customers and delivering on your service reliably and consistently are key,” he says. “With most organizations or businesses small or large, in order to survive market change, economic change, and the changing of people working within your organization, the most important factors are a consistent business approach and the strength of your relationships with your customers. You can do all the advertising you want, reduce your cost of business, but in the end it’s your ability to deliver. And if service is your key, you need the right people that will deliver.”

Everyone at Harris Electric understands that their company’s success is the result of dedicated service, diligent people, and valued customers.

“Our people make the difference. We have some really great people and I’ve always believed that the strength of an organization is based on the folks that do the work,” says Howrie. “We have to be proud of what we do every day. We are proud to serve the community and to continue and be a part of the Harris Electric legacy.”