Press Releases

WHAT'S NEW AT TOPAZ - February, 2012


Employees

Topaz is excited to announce it's newest team members:

Eileen Crowley - Controller & A/P Manager; March 2011 (works in Finance Dept - Manager: Annmarie)

Jennifer Budrewicz - Administrative Assistant; November 2011 (works in Warehouse/Operations Administration - Manager: John Pyatt)

Lindsay Dadabo - Clerical (part-time); January 2012 (works as general Office Clerical - Manager: Eileen Crowley)

Agents

E.R.I. expands Topaz product coverage; adds Lighting to line



(Left to right: Tom Smith, Wayne Rogers, Jennifer Carmichael (in front), Jill Florance, Brian Marshall, Dolly Bailey & Rhonda Smith Not pictured: John Murrell, Paul Johnson, Ron Paxton & Aurelio Gonsalez) Topaz Lighting Division is proud to announce the addition of E.R.I. Electrical Representatives to their network of agents. E.R.I. has represented Topaz Electric Division for over 10 years in the Southern California market. Founded in 1994, E.R.I. is a sales and marketing agency which represents lighting and electrical products in Southern California's commercial, residential and industrial markets. They will represent Topaz Lighting Products in Central Los Angeles, as well as Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. E.R.I. will join Marilyn Morrison Agency (north Los Angeles County) and The Larson Group (San Diego County and portions of Riverside County) providing comprehensive and professional coverage throughout Southern California. E.R.I. also represents Topaz Electric Products throughout the entire Southern California territory. A brief history of Topaz Topaz Lighting Corp. was founded in 1985 in Long Island, New York. The company manufactures quality electrical products, stocks an extensive inventory and provides superior customer service to its customers. Their core objective is to support and protect distributor's relationships with their customers. Operations began in Holtsville, NY and now extend to Jacksonville, Florida and San Fernando, California. Topaz prides itself on same day shipping, friendly and knowledgeable inside sales staff, as well as a team of outside sales agents who offer face to face service and support directly to their customers. In 2001, Topaz Lighting's California location was established to provide superior service to the West. By offering shorter lead times and extended hours they've grown rapidly and now service thousands of distribution customers in the 15 Western States. Boasting a 40,000 square foot warehouse, they're fully stocked with lamps, ballasts, recessed downlights and a full complement of die cast and steel conduit fittings. The location is also a strategic point to consolidate and distribute their CXL branded line and Topaz Electric products worldwide. Topaz-branded CXL products exceed industry standards to ensure they are the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly in the market. Over the last decade Topaz opened a Distribution Center in Jacksonville, Florida and strategically placed additional stocking locations throughout the U.S. to ensure outstanding service and to build brand recognition. Today, Topaz continues to meet the ever changing needs in the industry. As one of the largest independent electrical fittings suppliers in the U.S., Topaz Lighting and Electric products are available nationwide, and they are a platinum IMARK supplier. With 26 years of experience and over 160 trained professionals, Topaz is committed to providing Friendly Service and Powerful Solutions. Please call 888-551-2852 to find the rep for your area.

WHAT'S NEW AT TOPAZ - October, 2011




Topaz has brought in some new talent! Employees Our San Fernando, CA sales team welcomes Carrie Ross to Inside Sales. Carrie brings 9 yearsof Lighting Sales experience to the job. Agents Topaz Electric is pleased to announce the appointment of Manufacturers Representatives in several territories: ELR, Principal Erich Leaverton for Northern California & Reno, Tel 510-495-5545 … UM Reps, Principal Peter Ruplinger for Utah, Tel 801-294-0315 … Grissinger-Johnson Sales for Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Western portions of Wisconsin, Principals Joe Quinn, Tom Quinn and Jay Scott Tel 763-544-5451 Topaz Lighting has added Sales Representatives as follows; Sierra West Lighting, Principal Leisa Jatzcak, for Northern California & Reno, Tel 510-670-0175 … ERI, Principals John Murrell Jr., and Tom & Rhonda Smith, for Southern California (Los Angeles / Orange Counties) 714-434-9008 … Fields Electrical Sales, Principals Skip Watson and Russell Howard, for Ohio, Tel 513-228-1010

 

WHAT'S NEW AT TOPAZ - March, 2011 Employees Mike O'Brien has joined the Inside Sales team for Lighting at our Vero Beach, FL office The Accounting department has added Justin Lorio, Bookkeeper, at the Holtsville L.I., headquarters. Justin recently graduated from Hartford University in Connecticut where he earned a B.A. in Accounting Kamau Barr joins the San Fernando, CA team as Inventory/Quality Control Inspector Welcome back temp team member Jay Barnes, Inside Sales San Fernando Another welcome to Eileen Crowley, temp Controller out of Holtsville Agents New Mexico; Please welcome Leads Associates as the Topaz Electric agent for New Mexico. Leads also represents Topaz Lighting for the New Mexico territory. FJ Young is the primary contact and can be reached at 505-453-0169 or by email at fjabq@msn.com

 

• Topaz Electric is joining alliances with A.A. MacPherson Co., Inc.
  Effective 11/01/10 Topaz Electric is proud to join alliances with A.A. MacPherson Co., Inc. from Canton, MA. The company will represent Topaz Electric in all six (6) New England states - Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.
  
  
  A.A. MacPherson has a history of longevity, production, and integrity in New England. A.A.MacPherson Co., Inc boasts a modern 40,000 square foot warehouse, office building in Canton, MA, plus another 10,000 square feet of outdoor storage, located in a light industrial park, just twenty minutes from downtown Boston conveniently located off Route 128. Branch offices are located in Hartford, Connecticut; Concord, New Hampshire; Portland; Maine.
  
  Mr. Alexander Angus MacPherson began his operation in November, 1940 in Boston as a sub-agent for a New York firm. He had been an electrical contractor for 21 years in West Haven, Connecticut. In 1944, he formed a partnership to cover all the New England states. His son, Bruce, joined the Agency in 1956 and, in 1964 the Agency was incorporated. In 1998, the company entered into an agreement with three key employees: Tom Sabin, Joe Gately and Brian Gardner to purchase the company. This ownership structure has led the Agency into the new Millennium. In January 2001, after a long and productive career, Bruce MacPherson retired.
  
  A.A. MacPherson's vision is to be the leading electrical manufacturers' representative in New England. They represent the highest quality manufacturers, maintain the deepest concern for their customers, and treat their employees in a spirit of cooperation and fairness.
  
  A.A. MacPherson can be reached at (781) 828-9400
  One Pequot Way Canton, MA 02021
  Fax: (781) 821-1159
  
  
  
  

• NEW - USA Product Offering Book
  

  

  In order to support the "Buy American" provisions of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, Topaz is offering a wide selection of products that have been certified ARRA compliant. Product compliance will vary depending on the contract, source of funding or grant. Products made in Mexico or Canada may not comply with ARRA Buy American requirements for state and local ARRA funded projects. Requirements vary by state and agency so you'll need to check all contract documents to confirm whether or not products approved for NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement") can be used for the specific project. All purchase orders to Topaz must be marked "Made in USA" or must comply with "ARRA Buy American Act of 2009,"

• Topaz Electric Rep Davenport and Associates:
  Back to Business as usual After Record Tennessee Flood
  

  

  The weekend of May 1st 2010 was a devastating time for Kermit Davenport, and his business. Middle Tennessee had a record breaking 13 to 15 inches of rain in just 48 hours. The average rainfall for the whole month of May is normally 10 inches. It has been named a 1000 year flood.

  This was a once in a lifetime event for Kermit, who runs a manufacturers rep agency, along with wife Linda and son Nathan. Overflow from Old Hickory Lake and Percy Priest Lake caused the Cumberland River to crest over its banks and put Davenport and Associates’ 20,000 square foot warehouse under 8 feet of water. Their offices, computer equipment and 31 years worth of business records were all eradicated in one weekend.

  The Davenports got to see the damage 4 days later when the flood waters finally receded. Everything in their office and warehouse lay under a ½” thick layer of mud and sewage from the flooded filtration plant nearby. No one could enter the premises without a tetanus shot; other hazards included mold, bacteria and an unrelenting odor from the sewage left behind.

  Davenport and Associates has the distinction of being the first rep to sign on with Benny Di Donato and Topaz Electric some 18 years ago. As the cleanup was getting started Kermit looked up and was surprised to see Ken Gomes, one of the founders of Topaz Electric, standing at his warehouse door. Ken, in town for his granddaughter’s graduation from Vanderbilt, had no idea Nashville had been affected so hard. Topaz moved quickly to authorize the disposal of all Topaz fittings ruined in the flood so the Davenports could begin rebuilding. “Just to find Kermit and Linda working on a card table, with a small lam, in the back of a darkened warehouse trying to ‘regroup’, broke my heart. It’s great to know they’ve come all the way back now. I salute them!” said Ken.

  Kermit credits the entire Topaz team and Pam Walter in particular, for keeping the orders flowing and the customers happy during the 8 weeks it took to dispose, sanitize and rebuild the premises. Danielle Strandvold put extra stock in the Jacksonville DC, and fellow rep Bob Andrews of Berry Elsberry Company beefed up stock in his Atlanta warehouse to support Tennessee orders. Benny Di Donato stated, “We were committed to doing whatever Davenport needed to get back on their feet.”

  Thanks to the Davenport’s hard work and the support of their many customers, manufacturers and business friends, their agency has reopened in record breaking time. Original estimates were at least 6 months to clean and rebuild. They are now fully restocked with all of their lines including a complete inventory of Topaz fittings and electrical supplies.

  If there’s a silver lining to this cloud - the business is now laid out in a more efficient floor plan, and the equipment is all state of the art. Kermit and his family have a new viewpoint too: “Watching as a front end loader scoops your life’s efforts into construction dumpsters makes you realize life is so much more than stuff. I have been given the opportunity to continue life with a new zeal for family, friends, customers and manufacturers. Along with this opportunity I want to thank God for seeing us through this ordeal and for allowing all of us affected to understand that He will see us thru all our problems.”

• Topaz Lighting and Electric Sponsers Spring Clothing Drive for Mend
  Spring is a good time to get rid of items that have been sitting in closets and dresser drawers for a while. Why hold on to that sweater you bought but have never found an occasion to wear? You started that diet at the beginning of the year, how about getting rid of those clothes that no longer fit you? What about all those clothes your kids have outgrown, those could be put to use. Topaz Lighting West will be collecting gently used/worn clothes from Mar. 30th through Apr. 30th to donate to MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity. They need work, school and everyday clothes for men, women and children. Their greatest need is for men’s everyday clothes. Anything you can donate would make a difference in someone’s life.

• Equity-EDN Delivery Award
  

  
  We are proud to announce that Topaz Electric has been honored with the Equity/EDN Delivery Award for 2008. The award was voted on by individual Equity/EDN members and was presented at the annual Equity/EDN meeting in Dallas, Texas, in April, 2009. The award was accepted by Richard Bishof and Carl Budrewicz, both VP’s of Topaz Electric. Topaz has a shipping policy of “In by 4 out by 5” and has made professional service and timely delivery to distributors a hallmark of the company. Topaz ElectricC is headquartered in Holtsville, NY and has distribution centers in Los Angeles, CA; Brooklyn, NY; Jacksonville, FL; Miami, FL; as well as 12 stocking agents throughout the USA.

• Topaz Lighting & Electric Compact Flourescent Products
  Topaz Lighting has added many new CFL products to meet the demands of the changing lighting market. California’s Titles 20 & 24, and the Federal Energy Act of 2007 have mandated that some of our much loved incandescent bulbs are no longer manufactured. Topaz offers design friendly alternatives in compact fluorescent, with a CRI of 82 and above, life hours ranging from 8000 to 12000 hours, a range of color temperatures and wattages with Energy Star Certification. Pictured above are the CF/R20 dimmable lamp, the Topaz equal to the “super” minispiral, and the Gu24 based spiral lamp. Topaz dimmable CFL’s are available as minispirals; PAR30 and Par38; R20, 30 and R40. The superior minispiral has a low profile T2 tube to fit the smallest replacement applications and is available from 7 watt all the way up to 23 watt. GU24 based lamps offer a way to comply with Title 24 requirements; the lamps are self ballasted with a twist and lock base to prevent replacement with a non-compliant light source. The sockets for retrofit are also available. Topaz Lighting and Electric products are available through distributors. Topaz has 5 locations and 17 stocking representatives throughout the USA.

• Anthony Arena Joins Topaz Lighting & Electric
  Topaz Lighting & Electric, Holtsville, Long Island has hired Anthony Arena as Chief Operating Officer. Anthony comes to Topaz from a 20 year history of successful business ventures, with an emphasis on general management and operations strategies. Anthony was previously president of Accurate Components, a company recognized as one of Long Islands top 25 fastest growing firms. Accurate Components was sold to Partminer Inc., allowing Anthony to bring his talents to the Topaz Lighting & Electric team. Anthony attended Hofstra University earning a bachelor of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration. Topaz was founded in 1985 and has gained a reputation for quality products, on-time delivery and friendly service in the electrical industry throughout North and South America. Topaz has 5 locations and 17 stocking warehouses throughout the US.