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The nation-wide business depression of the early 1930s left Northern California's electrical supply industry in a regrettably unprincipled condition. Some electrical manufacturers totally ignored their own published price sheets. Erratic pricing was the norm. Concerned electrical distributors, hoping to restore rhyme and reason to inconsistent costs of goods, urged manufacturers and representatives to organize "Get Together Clubs"; to socialize on a personal basis and ultimately regain some industry integrity. The intent of these “Clubs” was not to restrain trade, but to bring about stability in a needlessly chaotic market.
In February 1936, during the NAED meeting at the Del Monte Hotel in Monterey (currently the Hyatt Regency), a group of four manufacturer field representatives heeded the urgent request of these Northern California electrical distributors. They prepared a list of potential charter members, issued invitations to join, and began holding monthly meetings. This resulted in the formation of the Ben Franklin Electric Club of Northern California; an organization having no outside affiliations. Membership was limited to manufacturers whose policy was to sell through distributors - their local and regional marketing managers and the independent professionals representing them. The object of the Club was stated in the original Bylaws as "the promotion of friendly relations and social activities between its members and the dissemination of knowledge concerning electrical materials".
Luncheon meetings were held on the first Wednesday of each month: From 1936 to 1962 at the Bellevue Hotel in San Francisco, and between 1963 and 1970 at DiMaggio's, on Fisherman’s Wharf. In 1971 the meeting place was moved to the South San Francisco Inn for freeway access and ease of parking. From 1974 to 2000 the meetings were held at the Elk's Club in South San Francisco
Today, the monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of the month at the Elk's Club in Alameda. Since 1937, the BFEC has hosted an industry-wide Annual Christmas Luncheon, open to all electrical distributor principals, as a thank-you and tribute to the industry. Since 1971, the BFEC has sponsored an annual industry-wide golf tournament designed to promote industry friendships.
Today, with 100 Active and Honorary members representing world-wide manufacturers, the BFEC continues to promote friendly relations, activities, and knowledge throughout the electrical industry. The BFEC has active members who joined the Club back in 1965!! Combined, there is over 1,750 years of electrical industry experience in our membership today. The BFEC is proud of its heritage and history in the electrical industry throughout Northern California.
If you enjoy making friends in the electrical industry and want to meet monthly in a social setting, then the Ben Franklin Electric Club of Northern California could be for you. If you qualify and are interested in joining and participating in this dynamic organization, please request an application form or click on the icon below and e-mail it to the Membership Committee Chairman at the e-mail address below.
Info@bfeconc.org
Application
2012 Board of Directors: Eddie Munoz, Bruce Cervone, Erich Leaverton, Roland Engle
