Company History
The success of Watson Electrical Construction Co. is a result of an uncompromising commitment to our customers.
Founded as “Dick’s Electric” in 1935 by T. L. “Dick” Watson, Sr., our company began by providing wiring services to rural homeowners as power lines were installed in eastern North Carolina.
Over the next 50 years, customer needs grew and electrical technologies advanced. We responded. Our capabilities expanded to include comprehensive residential, commercial and industrial electrical services. During this period our name changed to Watson Electrical Construction Company under the leadership of T. L. Watson, Jr.
In 1986, Watson’s president, W.E. Boyette, purchased the company and ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity. Sales and employment doubled over the next ten years. We entered several new markets, including Virginia and South Carolina. This period of phenomenal growth was fueled by the introduction of ongoing employee training programs, new information management technologies, and solid leadership structure. Designed to better serve a growing number of more sophisticated customers, these new systems and structures positioned the company for continued success.
By 1998, Watson had over 60 good years behind us, and we enjoyed a reputation as one of the southeast’s premier electrical construction companies. As a direct result of such success, we were acquired by Consolidation Capital Corporation in October 1998. Eventually, we merged into Encompass Services Corporation, the largest provider of facilities systems and services in the United States.
After working under the umbrella of a large corporation for a few years, Watson’s people were anxious to return to our roots. Our heritage is built on serving electrical customers the only way we know how, the Watson way – with responsiveness, integrity, and attention to detail. In 2003, our management team bought the company back and immediately revived our strong tradition of service and success, operating once again as Watson Electrical Construction Co.
Today, Watson Electrical customers stretch across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. They range from homes to hospitals, schools to subdivisions, and concert halls to coliseums – and they all power up thanks to us, Watson Electrical.