Hein Electric Supply Company

Southeast Wisconsin's Largest Independent Electrical Distributor

The History of Hein Electric Supply

1946: Irv Hein began Hein Electric Supply Company in Downtown Milwaukee on 6th & Wells, in a building where he shared space with a furniture upholsterer. This year in history: The first general assembly of the United Nations opened in London. "The Best Years of Our Lives" won an Academy Award for Best Picture.

1946: Sid Kohlenberg joined Hein Electric in the spring of 1946 and later incorporated the company. This year in history: The first all-electronic computer was developed by John William Mauchly. It weighed 30 tons.

1947: Irv Hein sold the company to Sid Kohlenberg. This year in history: American test pilot Captain Charles Yaeger broke the sound barrier while flying a Bell X-1 test plane dropped from a modified B-29.

1951: Hein Electric moved to a new location on 6th & State in Downtown Milwaukee where we shared space with the Kuryer Polski, a local Milwaukee newspaper published from 1888 to 1961.

1969: In order to serve its customers more effectively, Hein Electric moved to the building on 5th & Cherry. The Downtown Milwaukee Service Center still operates out of this location today. This building has an underground tunnel that leads to the old Jacob Obermann Brewery & Jung Brewery across the street! This year in history: Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon.

1971: The second generation of the company began when Ron Kohlenberg, son of Sid Kohlenberg, joined Hein Electric Supply as an outside salesperson. This year in history: Phillips launched the first VCR.

1983: The first Hein Electric service center was opened in Menomonee Falls. This year in history: "Beat It" by Michael Jackson won Record of the Year.

1984: Hein Electric Waukesha opened on September 14th. This year in history: Apple Macintosh was introduced.

1985: Hein Electric opened its third service center in Oak Creek. This year in history: Coca-Cola introduced New Coke only to return to the original version after 3 months.

1987: We opened our fourth service center in Grafton. This year in history: The stock market crashed on Black Monday.

1989: The Hein Electric service center opened in Pewaukee. The Berlin Wall was dismantled between West Berlin and East Germany.

1990: In January of 1990, Ron Kohlenberg became President of Hein Electric Supply, and Sid Kohlenberg became Chairman of the Board. The West Bend service center opened on August 14th. This year in history: The Gulf War began in Iraq. Cheers was the most popular show on television.

2000: After much success, Hein Electric moved its Corporate Headquarters from Downtown Milwaukee to Brookfield. Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France for the 2nd time.

2005: Hein Electric opened its 9th service center in Oconomowoc

2006: Hein Electric celebrates its 60th anniversary in the electrical industry!