Product lines are the first things to meet the eye when you’re looking for a supplier.  Sure, we have a great linecard of electrical, voice & data and automation & control products, but your business needs more.

At Roden, "more" is in the way we tailor our products and services to the needs of different customer segments and individual customers.

We focus on solutions to enhance your business productivity, allowing us to offer the lowest total cost, highest value-added solutions for each customer segment.

Have a challenge in your business? Call us! We are always seeking new customer problems to solve and technology solutions to help solve them.

Here’s a few examples of what more you can expect when you deal with Roden.

• TechLine Toll-Free Number. Fast Answers from Real People on Automation & Control.
• Largest team of control & automation field specialists. We have specialists for PLC, Rockwell Software, Industrial Control, Drives and Motion Control.
• Training: Electrical, Voice & Data Control and Automation Products and Applications training.
• Our LifeLine emergency service assures someone is always available to take your call day and night.   Our emergency service is monitored, scheduled, and engineered to deliver peace of mind 24/7.
• DataPro Toll-Free Number. Save time and money with advice from our experienced Voice & Data “Pros.”
• StockPro Storeroom Management Services

History

In Early 1935, Westinghouse Electrical Supply Company established a presence in the South when they acquired Gilliam Electrical Supply in Georgia where future Roden entrepreneurs Doug Roden and Sam McCamy, Sr., were employed.

Westinghouse brought in their own employees displacing both Doug and Sam. Doug soon opened an electrical division at Columbus Iron Works, and Sam went to work as an auditor for the State of Georgia.

In late 1935, an electrical manufacturers agent in Atlanta informed Doug Roden that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was building a dam to provide electricity to the rural East Tennessee area. The agent promised to give Roden access to all of his lines if he would open a supply house in Knoxville.

Doug Roden took advantage of this opportunity and approached Sam McCamy, Sr. about becoming a partner and serving as the "book keeper." In January of 1936 the two men founded Roden Electrical Supply at 708 North Central Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sam McCamy, Jr. later took over leadership of Roden and served as Chairman until his passing in 2002. Oldest son Sam McCamy III became President in 1991 and brother Jeff McCamy is Executive Vice President.


In 1993, Roden changed their business plan from a supply house for plumbing, heating, residential lighting and electrical products to electrical and automation products exclusively, taking on the prestigious Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation product line.

In 2000, Roden added an aggressive Voice & Data products division: "DataPro". In a move to boost productivity, availability and speed of service, Roden opened a new state-of-the-art central distribution center in West Knoxville. Growth has been extremely Rapid since 2000, as Roden expanded into Alabama, acquired more businesses in Chattanooga, acquired a location in Kingsport, TN and Jackson, TN.

In 2007 Roden becomes a Kendall Electric subsidiary.  After an extremely rapid growth period from 2003 to 2007 that saw expansion in Alabama, Kingsport, TN and Jackson, TN, Roden became a subsidiary of Kendall Electric company of Battle Creek, Michigan. Roden had grown from $40 million to over $120 million in annual sales during that period. Kendall, a full line electrical wholesaling company, now has 45 total locations and over $400 million in sales.

Products

Roden sells a complete line of electrical supplies, factory automation equipment and Voice & Data products from leading manufacturers like:

• Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation
• GE, Cutler-Hammer, and Siemens Distribution Equipment
• Hoffman Enclosures
• Hubbell, Leviton and Pass & Seymour Wiring Devices
• Osram-Sylvania Lamps
• Crouse-Hinds fittings
• Panduit wiring accessories
• Ferraz-Shawmut Fuses

Customers

Roden serves a broad range of customers, primarily:

• Manufacturers for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, Operations)
• OEM (Original Equipment & Machinery)
• Systems Integrators
• Electrical and Specialty Contractors
• Commercial and Institutional businesses and establishments
• Voice and Data Communications Systems Installers

Services

• After Hours Emergency Service
• 12 Convenient Service Centers
• Roden Red Logistics System
• StockPro™ Storeroom Management Services
• TechLine toll free automation technical support line
• Training
• 30 Minute Will Call (SOS)
• WebLink Order Center

See our services page for more information.

Ownership

Roden a subsidiary of Kendall Electric, Incorporated, an employee owned company headquartered in Battle Creek, Michigan.