WARWICK, RI MARCH 25, 1999 - Standard Electric, the largest electrical supplier in the Northeast, has expanded into Rhode Island, opening a Warwick office that is the company's first location in that state.

Standard Electric, with corporate offices located in Wilmington, MA, is among the top 50 electrical suppliers in the nation. The company is a leading force in industrial applications as diverse as automation technology, power distribution and construction coordination..

The company's new 16,500 square foot office, located at 501 Jefferson Blvd. in Warwick, RI, offers counter sales, sales offices, a warehouse and distribution facilities. The strategic location further strengthens Standard Electric's New England presence by offering better access to the company's southeastern, Massachusetts and Connecticut markets.

"We are extremely excited about our expansion into the Rhode Island," said Dennis Miller, Executive Vice President and COO for Standard Electric. "For many years, we have already been doing business, in a very limited fashion, in this area. This new location will give us the physical presence and personal touch necessary to truly be effective and successful here. We look forward to actively supporting and adding value to the business community in Rhode Island as we have in Massachusetts for almost 50 years."

Founded in 1952, Standard Electric has diversified in several areas. Over the years, Standard Electric has experienced significant growth in markets such as Construction and Contractor Sales (electrical and general contractors), Commercial Sales (property managers, hospitals, schools, financial institutions, banking, insurance and government), National Accounts (multi-site retail, entertainment and restaurant chains), Retail Lighting (residential lighting showrooms), and Lighting Design (fee-based consulting services).

Within the last seven years, Standard Electric has acquired five other independent electrical distributors in the metropolitan Boston area, and in 1995, the company opened an office in California to better service its National Account business. The company, which recently celebrated its 46th anniversary, has annual sales in excess of $100-million and employs more than 260 people.

For more information about Standard Electric, call (978) 658-5050 or visit them on the World Wide Web at www.standardelectric.com.