Although not specifically developed for storm recovery, the program helped provide needed supplies to affected areas. The local service center (LSC) concept is a “convenience store” model for serving not just local rebuilding efforts, but for growth markets as well.

Stuart C. Irby Co., a Jackson, Mississippi-based electrical wholesaler operating 34 distribution centers in nine states, recognized a need to extend the reach of its distribution centers to specific areas, and devised the LSC concept. Shortly after the category 3 hurricane slammed ashore September 16, 2004 along the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast, Irby officials accelerated plans to execute the LSC concept. Company officials say the LSC is designed to operate in small permanent facilities (4,000 to 5,000 square feet) which can be strategically located close to dense construction locales.

“Our plans to open this limited service facility were already being implemented prior to the hurricane,” said company president Stuart M. Irby. “But with all the recovery efforts in the area, we worked extremely hard to open the Gulf Shores LSC to aid rebuilding efforts.”

Irby Electric Express in Gulf Shores is located at Palm South Shopping Center at 3501 Gulf Shores Parkway . The store is open Monday through Friday 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 7 a.m. until noon . The concept has proved highly successful and company officials are planning to expand their LSC concept to other cities along the Emerald Coast.

Irby said his company’s LSC model follows industry trends for developing shorter lines of distribution in densely populated, high growth, or disaster areas. The LSC concept is especially applicable to the small-to-medium residential and commercial contractor markets.

“We’re still in stages of implementation, but thus far the response we’ve gotten from customers using the LSC has been very positive,” Irby said.

Large distributors like Stuart C. Irby Co. typically operate from larger distribution facilities located in downtown or commercial-industrial areas located many miles from new growth areas. Distance from growth areas often leads to a deterioration of market share for larger distributors and the manufacturers they represent. This void in market coverage can also lead to the start-up of new competing local distributors. Such new distributors are typically low overhead operations with the speed and flexibility to capture a market segment. The LSC concept is designed to fill market voids and preserve market share for the distributor while improving service and supply lines to customers.

How the LSC works

LSC facilities such as Irby Electric Express are permanent, constructed facilities. The locations are constructed in an open “small box” concept similar to the typical retail home centers’ “large box” concept.

Traditional counter sales staff will be available to assist customers, if needed, or customers may opt for “self service” and choose the items for their orders unassisted.

Since the LSC operates with limited space and square footage, Stuart C. Irby Co. has carefully developed methods for determining its inventory and merchandising. The inventory of LSC’s is intended to support the residential and commercial markets, with emphasis on fast-moving items.

In addition to the sales staff on site, Irby Electric Express is also served by existing outside sales staff at Stuart C. Irby Co. distributor locations, including Pascagoula , Mobile and Pensacola , who will make contacts with the customer base. The company also has locations in Dothan , Selma and Monroeville . Although the LSC targets the small to medium-size electrical contractor, it can also serve to cultivate relationships with larger contractors developing such projects as condominiums, retirement centers, retail centers and hotels.

Stuart C. Irby Company was founded in 1926 and is based in Jackson, Mississippi with 650 employees in 34 locations in nine states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas).