E-43: Carrying On a Legacy

After three generations the Burlington-based electrical supply organization Southland Electrical continues to flourish.

Generational business refers to passing down a business from one generation to the next. This tradition has been prevalent for centuries, with family businesses as the backbone of economies worldwide.

Southland Electrical Supply Company is a second-generation family-owned business based in Burlington, North Carolina, founded in 1987. Southland distributes, rebuilds and customizes electrical supply products. Southland takes pride in delivering quality service and dependable products through six regional offices throughout the southeastern United States.

On this episode of Clocking In, Phil sits down with Katie Chung, the chief financial officer at Southland Electrical. With over 10 years of experience, her primary focus at Southland is to drive successful financial growth and cost management. She began working there after completing a double major in business administration and accounting at North Carolina State University. Chung also received her master’s in business administration from Elon University.

Phil and Katie discuss the founding of Southland Electrical, Southland’s journey to building a solid continuity plan, how machining has evolved since Southland’s inception and more.

LINKS

NCMEP

Southland Electrical Supply 

ABOUT Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Katie Chung

Katie Chung is the chief financial officer at Southland Electrical. With over 10 years of experience, her primary focus at Southland is to drive successful financial growth and cost management. She began working there after completing a double major in business administration and accounting at North Carolina State University. Chung also received her master’s in business administration from Elon University