With roots as a small, hometown contractor, M. J. Electric now serves customers nationwide. Throughout our history, we have expanded our offerings and incorporated evolving technologies to benefit our customers. We are proud of our heritage and the company we’ve become today. Learn more about the people, events, and innovative strategy that built our company in the timeline below.
DELIVERING SAFE, QUALITY CONSTRUCTION FOR GENERATIONS We are proud of our heritage; the foundation that allowed us to become a leader in our industry. Mette Electric Company, which became M. J. Electric, opened its doors in 1st National Bank’s basement in Iron Mountain (MI). Original owner Walter Mette was joined by a partner, E. J. Poirier. E. J. Poirier became the sole owner and changed the name to E. J. Electric. Marshall J. Potterud took over the business and changed the name to M. J. Electric (MJE). Marshall J. Potterud retired and sold the business to J. W. Reiten. J. W. Reiten partnered with W. J. Brule. 1st year revenue was $90,000. Moved to our first office building on US 2 in Iron Mountain. Formed Systems Control division to construct electrical panels. 1st Pulp & Paper Project. Purchased Paul Electric to manage the residential and commercial work. Separated into two contractors, MJE (W. J. Brule) and Paul Electric (J. W. Reiten). Warren J. Brule became the sole president of MJE. 1st Power Plant Project. Growth in the pulp and paper, mining, power plant, and utility markets. Completed Presque Isle Plant Units 5 & 6, Substations, and Instrumentation for Upper Peninsula Generating Company in Marquette, MI. Relocated to our current location, 200 West Frank Pipp Drive in Iron Mountain. 1st HVDC projects – Coal Creek Converter (ND) and Dickinson Converter (MN). Established Boss Snowplow. 1st Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing and Installation projects. 1st Nuclear Plant Project at Point Beach for Wisconsin Electric. Purchased Valley Electric Service located in Appleton (WI) and formed Process Controls & Instrumentation (PCI). Over 600-mile OPGW project from Minneapolis to Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago for Norlight. Completed Westvaco paper machine rebuilds, a project with revenue equivalent to over $38M today. This resulted in an on-site electrical maintenance presence spanning 20 years. David J. Brule became MJE’s 2nd president. Reacquired Paul Electric Service. Opened the Midwest Region office in Woodstock, IL. 1st Scrubber Project for a FGD Retrofit for Units 1 & 2 at the TVA Cumberland Fossil Plant in Cumberland City, TN. Started Wisconsin Electric’s CUP Alliance project, MJE’s first major alliance project. 1st Wind Power Project at Lake Benton 100 MW Wind Farm. Purchased by Exelon Infrastructure Services, a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation. As a result, we acquired an office in Shoemakersville (PA). Systems Control and Boss Products separated from MJE. Steven J. Reiten became MJE’s 3rd president. InfraSource, Inc. purchased Exelon Infrastructure Services making us a subsidiary of InfraSource. Opened the De Pere (WI) Office. Quanta Services, Inc. acquired InfraSource making us a subsidiary of Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR). Completed the Arrowhead-Weston project, our first major alliance project with ATC. Midwest Region office relocated to Glen Ellyn, IL. Opened the Minnesota and Lower Michigan offices. Great Lakes Line Builders, a subsidiary of Quanta Services, became part of MJE. As a result, we acquired their office in Greenville (WI). Completed the Utility Building addition at the Corporate Office. Edward E. Farrington became MJE’s 4th president. Opened the NW Indiana Office (Crown Point). Completed ITC’s Thumb Loop project, the largest ITC alliance project in our history. Quanta sister company Intermountain Electric began reporting to us. Opened the Joliet Office. Eastern Region Office relocated from Shoemakersville to Leesport (PA). Celebrated our 60 Year Anniversary! Formed MJ Excavating. Joliet Office relocated from Channahon to Minooka (IL). Established MJE Cares Foundation. MJ Excavating Office relocated from Johnson Creek to Sussex (WI). Thomas H. Nagy became MJE’s 5th president. NE Wisconsin Office relocated from De Pere to Hobart (WI). Opened the Bow, NH Office.
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