By David May
Upgrades, expansions, and resilient grids are at the top of everyone’s minds, and with good reason—nationwide electric demand is projected to increase by 15.8% by 2029. But mobilizing the right mix of materials, resources, and solutions for various priorities is a constant effort and requires immense flexibility to pull together.
So, how can utilities create mobility in their operations so that they may thrive under these challenges? One of the most significant ways is to ensure distribution partnerships allow utilities to shift and sway as the industry does. Now and certainly into the future, a flexible materials and solutions ally is crucial to utility success.
To better understand the definition and benefits of such a partner, let’s examine three ways a flexible distribution partner drives utility success.
1. Enabling Scale for Growing Community Needs
Aggressive and fast-approaching sustainability expectations, evolving customer requirements, and more frequent and destructive natural disasters pull resources and teams in many directions at once. An adaptable partner will adjust solutions to fit a utility’s specific challenges and priorities.
This can look like:
- Rapidly scaling and strategically realigning resources to take on new initiatives
- Aiding the integration of emerging technologies
- Adapting support for grid expansion and modernization efforts
Above all, a flexible partner will meet utilities where they are, regardless of project size or complexity.
2. Customizing Solutions and Processes to Each Utility
Every utility team brings a unique mix of skills and resources to their projects; thus, they may not fit into a templated solutions model. A flexible partner marries experience and creativity to build solutions that augment the utility team’s existing resources.
Supplementing a team can look like:
- Kitting services to reserve valuable labor hours on time-sensitive projects
- Vendor-managed inventory (VMI) to lessen warehouse space required for a project
- Grid technology audits to provide data-driven insights for project evaluations
An adaptable partner seeks to create value and reduce operational burdens at every turn so that the utility can focus on core strategic priorities.
3. Offering Faster Responses to Damage and Disasters
Natural disasters and emergencies are where these partnerships shine brightest. Offering the most responsive service, a flexible partner must have both the willingness and resources to do so efficiently.
This might include:
- Mobilizing materials and experienced boots-on-the-ground teams to accelerate recovery
- Coordinating expedited production from manufacturers
- Presenting alternative materials to keep progress moving
- Conducting post-event analyses to improve future response
A flexible partner is unrelentingly committed to their customers’ success. They pull from every corner to provide the best resources for swift restoration.
Why Flexibility Matters
For utilities, the key to success is working with a distributor that evolves alongside them. Flexible partnerships help utilities achieve better outcomes faster, streamline operations, and reduce headaches.
Flexibility is in Irby’s DNA Enabling growth and scale: With worldwide relationships through our parent company, Sonepar, and a nationwide network of more than 60 locations, our team can flex up and down to support our customers’ needs. Customized solutions: Irby has held roots in utility-specific distribution for nearly 100 years. We grow and develop our services in the direction our customers need and can do so without shareholder interference. |
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Fast emergency response: Irby's first and foremost priority is our customers, not investors. Because of this, our team can respond quickly in times of crisis, leveraging our vast branch network and global connections to support critical recovery efforts. We partner with specialized teams, including those with decades of field experience, to ensure rapid mobilization when it matters most.
At Irby, delivering materials is just one piece of the puzzle. Our team builds comprehensive solutions that empower utilities today and far into the future.
Get in touch with our team and discover how Irby can support your success.
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About the Author:
David May has dedicated more than 40 years to the utility distribution industry. In that time, he has held various sales and management roles, shaping utility-focused distribution across the nation. Now, David leads Irby’s supply chain and strategic relations as Irby’s SVP of Strategic Relations