About Us & Our History
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A Company is Born
Advantage Electronics opened its doors for business Friday, July 13, 2001. Along with Kathy Sawyer, and a former co-worker, Phil Watson, Thomas and Dwaynia Sawyer took a giant step into the distribution world. The business began modestly from the Sawyer home. Their garage was transformed into a warehouse, and rooms in their downstairs rancher became office space. In those days it was not uncommon to find Kathy sitting at her desk with stacks of paperwork surrounding her on all sides; on the floor, on an adjacent desk, and above on shelves. Meanwhile, Phil and Dwaynia hit the streets and did what they do best, which is sell. Soon, small deliveries began to come in. The product was inventoried and organized as well as could be done with the limited space available. Orders for customers were packaged and shipped back out. Credit cards were like gold.
The Good ‘Ole Days
Dwaynia began in distribution. Beginning in the early 1980’s she sold industrial and communications products in the East Tennessee market. Dixie Electronics, her employer, changed names over the years through several purchases. Dixie Electronics became Resource Electronics, and finally Carlton Bates. When Carlton Bates sold its communications division to Hagemeyer in the summer of 2001, Dwaynia decided to try distribution by forming her woman-owned company and the rest is history!
The Backbone of the Company
Advantage Electronics’ customer base originally consisted of less than ten accounts. The available manufacturers to buy from were almost nonexistent. Without those initial endorsements from a handful of customers, the business might never have taken off. Covenant Health, Southeast Terminal Exchange, DOE Oak Ridge facilities, Standard Electric, and IdleAire formed the original client foundation that supported Advantage Electronics' growth. Many of these continue to be pivotal customers to this day.
Milestones
In December 2002, a milestone was reached when Advantage purchased and moved into its office and warehouse on Edgemoor Road. Not only did the new building give the company a central location from which to operate, Dwaynia and Thomas had their home back. Inventory was transferred out of their garage and basement. All files and office equipment were moved, too. New office furniture, a new network and phone system later, Advantage Electronics considered itself official. Numerous other milestones have been reached to make Advantage Electronics your communications distributor:
- A website was created in September 2004, for its current customers and to reach out to new business.
- Locally, market penetration into Chattanooga and Nashville continues.
- The Advantage Electronics Communications Technology Show hosted by Advantage each November brings the latest technologies in the communications industry to East Tennessee every year.
And many other ideas swirl around the heads of those leading Advantage Electronics. The goal is to make doing business with a distributor efficient and error-free for the customer. At the end of the day, no matter what services are offered, how much inventory is stocked, or how much a particular product costs, if there are not reliable professionals to assist the customer when something is needed, then the rest just doesn’t matter. Advantage Electronics has a professional staff motivated and experienced that is ready and excited about providing our customers with answers, service and products. We want to become your communications distributor!
A Bright Future
The future looks bright for this company that is still in its infancy. Advantage Electronics, a stocking distributor of communication products, now has a customer base that has grown to over 200 accounts throughout middle and east Tennessee, and southern Kentucky. The line card has grown and boasts over 100 of the top communication and industrial manufacturers in the United States. The future does indeed looks bright! Come see what is making Advantage Electronics one of the top distributors of communication products in the Southeast!
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Together, the sales professionals at Advantage Electronics have over 50 years experience in communications and industrial distribution. We know distribution. We have relationships with the leading manufacturers in our industry. We know product and can get you what you need.
At Advantage Electronics, our main objective is to get the product you need, when you need it, where you need it every time. We have to be a company that you can rely on. It is our hope that we can eventually become an extension of your company. If we do our part to help you succeed, then our success will follow.
The word “Value” is often overused in our industry. Companies are constantly trying to find ways to add value to doing business with them, and Advantage Electronics is no different. All distributors have product and price. It’s the service that sets them apart and that starts with people. Advantage Electronics has good people that are ready to serve you.
At Advantage Electronics, we do take care to conduct business without error. Errors cost time and money for your company and ours. Errors can also create doubt in the mind of the customer about our ability to service them.
We are just naïve enough to think we can actually contend with the national distributors for your business. Our combined experience in the distribution world coupled with a desire to succeed provides the confidence necessary to compete in our industry.
Trust is a powerful thing. When you have it, there is no worry. Anxiety succumbs to peace. Trust is also something that is earned…over time. Many companies already trust Advantage Electronics for the material they need. Let us show you what we can do and begin building a relationship.
What is Advantage Electronics seeking? What is that “end” for Advantage Electronics? It is to be counted on when you need product for your project; to be easy to work with; to be trusted with getting material to you when we say we will; to create a partnership that results in both our companies succeeding; to be your communications distributor.
Our customers are the reason we exist. It goes without saying that without your business we wouldn’t be here. Thank you.
Advantage Electronics never wants to become satisfied with their current state. We will continuously look for ways to improve, and build upon the business practices that give you the best service possible.