Our Story
Third generation, family-owned and operated since 1952. That’s Mars Electric. Sam & Rebecca Doris started by selling electrical supplies out of a converted chicken coop to retail stores. Today their children and grandchildren have grown the business to over $100 million in sales as a full-service distributor of electrical supplies. The Doris family has stayed true to Sam & Rebecca’s commitment to treat employees and customers like family.
1954
Name changed to MARS Electric for kids, M for Mark and A for Alan, and for founders & parents, R for Rebecca and S for Sam.
1958
Hit $1 million in revenue
1981
Mark Doris became president.
1992 - 2000
Tremendous geographic expansion! Opened Macedonia, Chardon, Westlake, Medina and Streetsboro branches.
2004
Founder’s grandson, Michael Doris, started working for the business part-time at the Bedford Heights branch helping customers and putting inventory away.
2011
Geographic footprint extends to Akron with another branch opening.
2013
Introduced option to shop and buy online and through the Mars Electric app.
2017
Built state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot central distribution center in Mayfield Village.
2019
4th generation was born!
2022
Launched new website with functionality to check inventory, shop and buy online. Fleet of delivery vehicles grows.
Future
Always looking for more electrical, lighting & gear products and services to help our customers grow their businesses. Steadfast devotion to maintaining a high level of service even as the business continues to expand.
1952
Kirk Electric is open for business in a converted chicken coop. The longest working employee joined the company and earned $1.50/hour. The Doris family station wagon was seen loaded with electrical supplies as it was the company’s first delivery vehicle.
1955
Multi-state footprint selling primarily to retail businesses including Brightway, Clarkins, Giant Tiger, Lancaster Sales, and Uncle Bill’s.
1975
Founder’s son, Mark Doris, started working for the business full-time loading delivery trucks.
1985/1986
Moved to Willoughby location where a branch still operates. Opened first Lighting Showroom. Rebecca Doris, founding mother, sold fixtures.
2001 - 2006
More branch openings in Bedford Heights, Cleveland and Middleburg Heights.
2006
Founder’s grandson, Andrew Doris, started working in the business part-time restocking products and labeling shelves.
2012
Hit $50 million in revenue.
2015
Crane and boom trucks were added to the delivery truck fleet.
2018
Hit $100 million in revenue.
2020
Lighting Showroom & Training Center opened in Willoughby. Expanded presence in Akron by moving to a larger and more central location.
2023
Opened a branch in Youngstown and a 75,000 square foot warehouse in Euclid for project storage.
1952
Kirk Electric is open for business in a converted chicken coop. The longest working employee joined the company and earned $1.50/hour. The Doris family station wagon was seen loaded with electrical supplies as it was the company’s first delivery vehicle.
1954
Name changed to MARS Electric for kids, M for Mark and A for Alan, and for founders & parents, R for Rebecca and S for Sam.
1955
Multi-state footprint selling primarily to retail businesses including Brightway, Clarkins, Giant Tiger, Lancaster Sales, and Uncle Bill’s.
1958
Hit $1 million in revenue
1975
Founder’s son, Mark Doris, started working for the business full-time loading delivery trucks.
1981
Mark Doris became president.
1985/1986
Moved to Willoughby location where a branch still operates. Opened first Lighting Showroom. Rebecca Doris, founding mother, sold fixtures.
1992 - 2000
Tremendous geographic expansion! Opened Macedonia, Chardon, Westlake, Medina and Streetsboro branches.
2001 - 2006
More branch openings in Bedford Heights, Cleveland and Middleburg Heights.
2004
Founder’s grandson, Michael Doris, started working for the business part-time at the Bedford Heights branch helping customers and putting inventory away.
2006
Founder’s grandson, Andrew Doris, started working in the business part-time restocking products and labeling shelves.
2011
Geographic footprint extends to Akron with another branch opening.
2012
Hit $50 million in revenue.
2013
Introduced option to shop and buy online and through the Mars Electric app.
2015
Crane and boom trucks were added to the delivery truck fleet.
2017
Built state-of-the-art 100,000 square foot central distribution center in Mayfield Village.
2018
Hit $100 million in revenue.
2019
4th generation was born!
2020
Lighting Showroom & Training Center opened in Willoughby. Expanded presence in Akron by moving to a larger and more central location.
2022
Launched new website with functionality to check inventory, shop and buy online. Fleet of delivery vehicles grows.
2023
Opened a branch in Youngstown and a 75,000 square foot warehouse in Euclid for project storage.
Future
Always looking for more electrical, lighting & gear products and services to help our customers grow their businesses. Steadfast devotion to maintaining a high level of service even as the business continues to expand.