The Legacy Continues
- Apr 19
- 4 min read
By Mary Carpenter • Photos by Jessica McCafferty
Business is ever changing, offering new technologies, new products and services and new opportunities. But while change is everywhere, its impact is more dramatic in some industries, and during some decades more than others. In this issue of Strictly Business, we are pleased to introduce you to a North Country company that is leading the way in the critical segment of construction suppliers.
The Beginning
In 1995 Korean War vet Ed Hynes was working at an electronic supply company in the Troy area. When the owner offered him the opportunity to open a second location in Plattsburgh, he jumped at the chance. Ed and his wife Marge opened Champlain Electronics for a customer base made up primarily of television repairmen. It was the heyday of the new industry and television sets used tubes and often needed repair.
The couple developed a niche in the North Country, but over time technology and the market began to change. The 1980s ushered in what became known as the “dis-posable electronics market,” It was then the Hynes began to plan for life after television, transitioning to a full line electrical supply company offering lighting, wire and pipes for the construction, industrial and res-idential markets.
Changing Times
The name was changed to Hynes Electric Company, busi-ness expanded and in 1999 the original 4,000 square foot city location closed and the company’s current 25,000 square foot facility opened on Hammond Lane in the Town of Plattsburgh. The new facility, purchased in partnership with Security Supply, a wholesale plumb-ing supplier from Selkirk, New York, gave the company the space for the inventory and resources needed to support contractors, businesses, and DIYers and played a key role in driving growth.
To learn what has changed in the industry and the local market since that time SB met recently with John Hynes, Ed and Marge’s son, and current company president.
John joined the family enterprise in 2001 after gradu-ating from Elmira College with a degree in accounting and finance. “It was my intention to come home for the summer before going off to join my two college roommates on Wall Street,” he recalled. “I helped out in the store during the busy season and found I loved working with people. I’m not sure when it happened, but I decided I didn’t want to leave.”
Under the younger Hynes’ leadership, the company has become a major supplier for businesses as varied as contractors, schools and universities, OEM, medical facilities, Mom and Pop opera-tions, and individual homeowners.
Education is Key
Hynes’ passion for education has proved to be a major advan-tage for the company. Whether product training through workshops and seminars sponsored by vendors or traveling with salespeople to soak up all they had to offer, he developed a level of expertise that is in constant demand.
“There has been a dramatic shift toward innovative new prod-ucts and services — digitization, automation, sustainability, smart devices and LED lighting,” he offered. “Key advance-ments include intelligent grid management, high-density energy storage, wireless power transfer, and the integration of AI for improved efficiency and control.”
More Changing Times
“In the past 10 years there has been a huge jump in lighting technology, wireless products and apps. These innovations have created a more automated, responsive, and sustainable electrical ecosystem, shifting the focus from pure power gen-eration to intelligent energy management,” Hynes explained.
“Upgrades in computer software have revolutionized how we keep track of our inventory and billing. It’s impossible to think about running a business like this the way my parents did -- with a paper and pencil.
Hynes is enthusiastic about the role the company plays in economic development in the Clinton, Essex and Franklin County region. "Our knowledgeable team stays up to date on the latest technologies, products, and energy-saving solutions. Whether we are working with a professional contractor or helping a homeowner tackle an improvement project, every customer receives the same level of care and attention."
In 2022 Security Supply made the decision to withdraw it's plumbing operation from the Plattsburgh market and approached Hynes requesting a buyout. "At first we weren't enthusiastic," he explained, "but after study and a lengthy negotiation we reached an agreement."
The combined operation of Hynes Electric Supply Co & Hynes Plumbing Supply Co debued in July of 2023. “Our leap into plumbing came with a learning curve,” Hynes offered. “We now have six knowledgeable employees in that division who are ready to offer advice on the latest products. Want to learn how to move water more efficiently or the newest in heat pump technology? Our staff is ready to help you.”
Addressing Challenges
When asked about successes and stresses, Hynes talked about personnel. “We currently have 14 employees in our electric divi-sion. Ninety percent of them have been with us for decades. Our industry is driven by codes. Everything must conform and must be inspected. Our people are trained on all aspects of codes and are here to offer advice,” he said. “That’s the good news, but employees are also our greatest hurdle – whether it’s in our electric or plumbing division, we struggle like most businesses to find people to work.”
To deal with recruiting demands, the company has developed a working relationship with CV-TEC. “The school’s training programs are invaluable,” he stressed. “They have helped to shift the unrealistic expectation that every bright, ambitious student should go to college. What they offer now is changing the job market in the area and we are grateful.”
Looking to the Future
John Hynes is bullish on business in the North Country. “We are lucky to be where we are geographically,” he emphasized. “We don’t see the spikes and dips other areas experience. And when there is a downturn, we can count on it to be shallow and short.”
I asked Hynes about future growth for the company. His answer was emphatic. “We are always looking for new opportunities. Right now we are seeing a steady flow of work. We have done five large jobs in the last month, and we expect strong growth this year. If you’re not growing, you’re done!”
Hynes Electric & Plumbing Supply
2 Hammond Lane
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 563-2323
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