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2101 N. Main Street

East Peoria, IL 61611

Phone: 309.694.1468

Fax: 309.699-9108

Website:  www.oberlanderelectric.com

"Satisfaction is the result of experience, experience is the basis of our business."

 

 

OBERLANDER ELECTRIC CO., INC. started in 1940 in a garage in Peoria, Illinois. The motto at that time was "Qualified Contractors - Dependable Service".  Most work then was small residential jobs and supplying and installation of appliances.   In 1946, Charles A. Gardner went to work as an apprentice electrician straight out of the U.S. Navy at a starting hourly pay of two bits an hour.  "Charlie" became the Oberlander's right hand man at most of their large jobs.

Oberlander Electric's first sizable industrial job was in building X (since demolished) at Caterpillar, but was soon doing large work at CPC in Pekin, Illinois.  In 1974, "Charlie" bought a 45% interest in Oberlander Electric with an option to buy the remaining shares in 1984.  In 1981, Texaco and CPC formed a joint venture to make ethanol called "Pekin Energy". The plans were sketchy at the start but alcohol had to be produced by December 31, 1981. $ 12 million later ethanol flowed and Oberlander Electric had made a large step forward in the Central Illinois market. Wayne and EB Oberlander also decided to sell the remaining 55% 2 years early.  In 1982 the Gardner family owned all the stock with only a small matter of paying off a loan to Wayne.

During the 80's Oberlander Electric did several large multimillion dollar jobs which included Galesburg Prison, Canton Prison, OSF Gerlach Building, and the Rod Mill expansion at Keystone Steel and Wire. Caterpillar also had several large jobs.  The 90's shown the way to more of the same as Oberlander Electric's volume went from $5 million a year to $25 million a year. Large commercial, institutions and industrial work now became the jobs of choice and residential became the exception.  During the next millennium Oberlander Electric became the dominant electrical contractor in Central Illinois, approaching a 40% market share and $50 million in sales a year.

On November 1st, 2007 John Sr. and Steve Sr. took over the reins from Jim, due to his well deserved retirement.  John and Steve plan on leading their four sons into the future growth of Oberlander Electric.  Oberlander’s 225 employees make the difference!  Through continuing education, Oberlander's personnel have kept up with technological advances in the electrical contracting industry, making the commitment to better themselves in order to better serve their customers.   Their inventory of equipment has kept pace, in both quality and quantity, with their growing needs, and they are very proud of the reputation they’ve built along the way.

Oberlander Electric attributes their success to hard work, driven to provide the best service for the best price.  The good people at Oberlander Electric take a lot of pride in what they do.