Valley Electric Co.

The year 2012 marks 30 years in business and $1.5 billion in completed work for Valley Electric Co. (Valley Electric). The Washington-based full-service electrical contractor provides planning, design and construction services. Valley Electric has come a long way over the years and is now one of the 50 largest electrical contractors in the U.S.

Founded in 1982 by Patti and Ernie Ward, Valley Electric remained a family-owned and -operated business until January 2013, when Prospect Capital Corporation purchased the company. Originally located in Mount Vernon, Wash., Valley Electric relocated headquarters to Everett in 2003 in order to better serve customers.

Valley Electric provides electrical contracting services to customers throughout Washington, northern Oregon and a wide area of the Pacific Northwest with a staff exceeding 400 individuals. The company offers a comprehensive array of contracting services primarily for commercial, industrial and transport infrastructure applications, including a range of preconstruction services, design-build, design-assist solutions, engineering, project management, traffic lighting and signalization, energy management and control systems, low-voltage expertise and complete proactive predictive maintenance.

“Our mission statement is simple and straightforward,” says Hardy Wood, marketing director for Valley Electric. “We continually strive to be our customers’ most respected and trusted electrical provider.”

A Diverse Client Base

Valley Electric has reached a high point in many years of business thanks to a broad base of repeat clients. The company works on medical facilities to high-rise buildings, transportation to residential and industrial applications. Years of experience make Valley Electric one of the most client-trusted companies in its region.

Valley Electric has contracted an excess of $82 million in Washington State Department of Transportation jobs alone, along with the installation of high-tech campus systems in over 20 different universities and schools in Washington State. Aside from the public sector, the company has also completed over $21 million in contracts for private resorts and casinos in its home state since 2000. Valley Electric is also recognized as the leading electrical contractor in the Pacific Northwest for sports facilities.

Valley Electric offers a specific niche to its clients. One section of the company, Valley Electric Specialty Systems group (VSS), has been successfully managing and installing low-voltage systems since 1997. VSS specializes in energy management control systems, access control and closed-circuit monitoring systems, fire alarms and building security ranging from six to 30 volts.

By self-performing the majority of work, Valley Electric assures a quality product to its clients, even on such a broad range of jobs. “We don’t outsource much, only excavation, if the site is large enough,” details Wood. “We sometimes get support on testing when it’s required by contract.” Collaboration is a critical part of Valley Electric’s business. The company has participated in over $30 million of integrated project delivery (IPD) structures, where the owner, architect and contractor work together directly on design and construction.

Sustainable Construction

While working with all kinds of customers, Valley Electric also strives to build environmentally sound products. “We’re fully LEED accredited and involved in a great deal of LEED-certified projects,” shares Wood. The company has emerged as a leader in sustainable construction methods and green building techniques.

Committed to structures that are environmentally responsible throughout a building’s lifecycle, Valley Electric accomplishes this through efficient use of energy, water and other resources, as well as reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation. “The Northwest construction market has had a long history of utilizing design-build electrical construction,” explains Wood. “Our business practices strive to reduce waste and maximize efficiencies from the initial design to final completion of the project.”

The company strives to achieve maximum efficiency and less waste in all projects. In February 2012 Valley Electric completed a new wastewater treatment plant in Woodinville, Wash. The site utilized membrane bioreactor technology and multiple stage odor control systems. Valley Electric was responsible for the installation of 15 kV primary distribution switchgear, substations, cabling and a 480-volt critical load standby power system.

The company also installed fire alarms, a security system and electrical instrumentation for the pumping station. Also, in spring 2012, Valley Electric rehabilitated the Murray Morgan Bridge in Tacoma, Wash. The historical bridge needed new paint, street lighting, roadway work and controls. Valley Electric was responsible for the lighting and electrical side of the new bridge control equipment.

Despite recent economic hardship, Valley Electric has remained at the top of its industry. “Electrical companies serving strictly residential and light commercial markets have died,” describes Wood. “We’ve survived because we’re a full-service electrical contractor that not only does private work, but public work also.” Valley Electric Co. continues to be the electrical contractor of choice for the Pacific Northwest through trusted service and a diverse client base.