history
For over 75 years, Globe has been an innovative leader in the lighting and electrical industry. Our goal is simple: to develop tailored, category-focused programs that provide real retail solutions for all our customers. With 20 product categories and more than 3,000 individual products, Globe is unique in the industry for its breadth of product offering to a wide range of major U.S. and Canadian retailers.

In recent years, Globe has received notable recognition for its innovative products, merchandising solutions and constant growth. Wal-Mart Canada presented Globe with their Vendor Partner of the Year award; Rona Hardware granted Globe their Rona Prestigious Partner Award; Canadian Tire presented their Service Level Award of Excellence to Globe’s Keystore operation in China; and Centre Magazine bestowed Globe with their Best In Business award, as voted by Canadian retailers, in 2003. Since its inception, Globe Electric has been profitable every year.

Founded on Montreal’s historic St. Lawrence Boulevard in 1932, Globe Electric began as a wholesaler and distributor of electrical accessories to contractors, commercial operations, and retailers.

In 1986, Globe made a dramatic transition from being a domestic distributor to serving retailers directly with Globe-branded products. The Globe brand was launched nationally and sales increased by more than 400% in the first year. For the next several years, Globe continued to capture major retailing accounts and compete directly against nationally recognized brand names.

The 1990's saw significant changes in the retail market, in particular the creation of large mass market retail outlets and the sourcing of manufactured products in China. Globe responded by creating a new operating company in Hong Kong—Keystore International. Keystore is effectively the Asian operations for Globe, responsible for the production, business development and quality assurance of Globe products in Asia.

Keystore also has a location in Shenzhen, China. On March 1, 2005, Keystore invested in two manufacturing facilities, one in Shunde in Guangdong province, and the other in Qingpu Shanghai, for the manufacture of lighting products in China.

Changes in the retail market also meant increased challenges. Globe responded with a wide range of initiatives that included:

Expanding dramatically the Company’s range of products (to become a “one-stop” solution for retailers);
Implementing state-of-the-art supply chain management solutions (outsourced warehousing, proactive forecasting systems);
Introducing new and innovative product technologies;
Creating an in-house design team to develop new retail product packaging and merchandising solutions;
And launching a re-branding of the Company as the Creative Energy Company™.

Globe maintains a growing presence in the U.S. market, which includes the Company’s presence at the prestigious National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. This is now a key annual event for the Company. Globe is focusing on U.S. retail channels such as food and drug stores, hardware and home improvement stores, and mass market and specialty market retail outlets. To be closer to these accounts and respond to their needs in a timely and efficient manner, Globe has created a new company called Globe Electric Company (USA) Inc.

Globe's expansive showroom in Montreal has more than 2,000 Globe products on display. In addition to showcasing Globe's inventive packaging and signage, product is merchandised exactly as you would find it in-store: on warehouse and gondola racking, 4-way merchandisers, quarter, half and full pallets, power panels, and clip strips. Globe is currently proceeding with plans to build a new 30,000 sq. ft. office/showroom complex adjacent to its Montreal facility.

Globe's strategy for consistent organic growth is to seek out major North American retail accounts and deliver complete retail solutions based on the Company's 20 product categories and compelling merchandizing programs. Globe's goal is to be the industry' leading "one-stop" source for all consumer retail lighting and electrical needs.