STANDARD ELECTRIC ACQUIRES CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC.

Standard Electric’s acquires 100 year Connecticut Company to serve growing customer base

Wilmington, MA (February 7,2005) – Standard Electric, headquartered in Wilmington, Massachusetts and one of the country’s largest independent electrical distributors, has taken a significant step into the Connecticut market with the acquisition of Connecticut Electric Equipment Company Inc. Based in Meriden, Connecticut Electric also has locations in Guilford and Waterbury.

“We are extremely excited about the addition of Connecticut Electric to our team. Combining these three new locations with our current branch in Putnam CT will substantially enhance our ability to effectively service customers throughout the entire state of Connecticut,” said Dennis Miller, Standard Electric’s president and CEO.

Connecticut Electric was founded in 1898 and was one of the oldest electrical distributors in the nation as well as an active member of both NAED and IMARK.

In 2004, Standard Electric added three Massachusetts locations with the acquisition of Wellesley Electric as well as new store openings in Ayer and Rockland.

Founded in 1952, Standard Electric has continued to diversify and expand and now operates 19 locations throughout New England ranking among the top electrical distributors in the nation. Standard Electric is a leader in servicing the construction, commercial, industrial and national retail markets with lighting, power distribution, telecommunications and electrical supply products. For more company information about Standard Electric, call Kurt Schaefer (Dir. of Marketing) at (978) 988-3115 or visit their website at www.standardelectric.com.