Pacific Electrical Contractors

Based in Medford, Ore., Pacific Electrical Contractors (PEC) has designed and built many of the most complex commercial and industrial electrical, communications and energy management systems in the Pacific Northwest. “PEC is a union electrical contractor that’s been in this area for nearly 55 years,” remarks Joe Myers, general manager of PEC. “What sets us apart is pretty simple: we provide top-quality work, including the full scope of electrical systems on every project; big and small.”

PEC originated as a small family business by founder Steve Hess in 1960. Since then, PEC has risen to the forefront of the electrical industry in the region, licensed in Oregon, Washington, California and Idaho as an acknowledged leader in the field and experts in every facet of electrical construction, maintenance and service. Whether the company is data cabling a new hospital, installing traffic signals or designing complex control systems, PEC is well equipped to handle the unique challenges and complexities of any job.

Myers has seen PEC prosper after being with the company for his entire career thus far. “I started out 20 years ago, as an apprentice,” he recalls. “I worked in the field for a few years and eventually started running projects and then came into the office as a project manager. I eventually was promoted to general manager.”

Extensive electrical contracting

Today, PEC serves health care, commercial, industrial clients and even some residential clients with an extensive service offering of an electrical utility division, signals and illumination, industrial controls and specialty systems, such as fire alarms, telecommunications, stand-by generators and solar energy systems.

“We have one location in Medford, but PEC serves surrounding states, including Washington, Idaho and California,” notes Myers. “We employ approximately 50 to 70 people and our niche is in the health care market.”

Myers explains that the company does its best to deliver everything electrical in-house. “If we do subcontract something it’s usually concrete work or trenching,” he details. “We think it’s important to form good partnerships, so we usually use the same subcontractor base, but we frequently check the numbers, because in this day and age you have to in order to be competitive.”

Myers says relationship building is a key factor in PEC’s success. “It’s important to maintain relationships with other contractors and subcontractors to help us all succeed,” he adds. The company remains well-connected with others in the industry through memberships with the National Electrical Contractors Association, the Association of General Contractors and the National Association of Home Builders.

Setting the bar in health care

PEC’s licensed journeyman electricians continue to foster a reputation for high-quality work, landing the company major contracts, particularly in the competitive health care sector. One such project is the Asante Center for Outpatient Health, a new 90,000-square-foot building going up next to the existing Asante Three Rivers Medical Center in Grants Pass. The environmentally sustainable facility will house imaging services, labs, urgent care, physical therapy, outpatient surgery and physician offices.

“The Asante Center for Outpatient Health is a new state-of-the-art facility, which we’re expecting to earn a silver or possibly LEED Gold certification,” reveals Myers. The building uses low-emitting indoor construction materials for cleaner air as well as low-flow fixtures for toilets and showers, reducing the normal water consumption by 35 percent. Overall energy costs are expected to be 12 percent lower than baseline numbers.

“We’ve also just completed the entire electrical system for the Lithia headquarters in Medford,” shares Myers. But beyond Medford, the company is watching for a potential opportunity in the major Jordan Cove Energy Project in Coos Bay, Ore.

The widely debated proposal is to build a liquefied natural gas export terminal within the international port; natural gas would be transported to the terminal by the Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline. “We’d be supporting the electrical installation because the job is going to need some 500 electricians if it gets approved by the state,” reveals Myers.

With big jobs in the energy sector coming down the pipeline, Myers thinks PEC is in a good position, despite the sluggish economy. “This region was one of the last to come into the recession and although the area is dragging its feet a little, things are looking up,” he comments.

“We’ve retained our great personnel even through the lull in work because we manage to keep a good customer base and now we’re working on branching out into specialty markets such as utility support and automation,” adds Myers.

At the end of the day, whether it’s an energy client or health care customer, Myers says it’s about bringing integrity to everything PEC does. “Our customers know they’ll get professional service and a quality product when all is said and done,” he assures. That’s why Pacific Electrical Contractors remains a trusted name for complex electrical infrastructure in the Pacific Northwest.