Our history: From humble beginnings

Collins Electric Company was founded in 1906 by John J. Collins, an entrepreneur with a degree from St. Francis College in the newly blossoming field of electrical engineering. His firm actually began as an electrical appliances store, but John quickly realized that many of his potential customers still hadn’t converted their homes to electricity from gas. That was a barrier to sales, to say the least—so to bridge the gap, John and his employees began offering their services converting homes to electricity. During this time, materials were delivered to each jobsite by horse-drawn wagon and apprentices had a list of responsibilities that included shoveling out horse stalls.

1911: A family affair

In 1911, John persuaded older brother, Timothy, to join the firm and in 1919, Tim’s son William P. Collins joined and became the general manager. The demand for residential electricity was booming, and the firm’s services were in high demand.

1939–1950: Making history

The company’s residential services quickly expanded into commercial and Collins Electric developed a reputation for quality and reliability. In 1939, the company had the great honor of being selected by Miller Lighting, pioneers in fluorescent light manufacturing, to install the very first fluorescent lighting system in the world at the Springfield Armory.

Fluorescent bulbs offered about five times greater energy efficiency than incandescent bulbs—a savings that became important as America entered World War II and factories producing military supplies and weapons began putting a big strain on the power grid. As the war ramped up, William P. Collins’ sons, William A. (Bill) and Don both served their country, thankfully returning safely to pursue their college educations.

1950: Building a legacy

Sadly, William P. Collins passed away suddenly in 1950, and Bill and Donald both left promising academic careers to return to Springfield and care for their mother and sisters. They took over the family business, and under their leadership, the company grew and prospered through the 1950s and ‘60s, taking on increasingly larger and more demanding projects.

In 1960, Collins completed the large contract for the Mount Tom Station power plant, putting the company on the map as capable of handling large-scale projects. This was followed by contracts for both the Bear Swamp pumped-storage hydroelectric power station and portions of the Northfield Mountain power station. Traditionally, such large-scale projects were awarded to contractors out of New York or Boston— the selection of Collins Electric, a local contractor, was a real coup and a significant accomplishment, adding further to the company’s growing reputation.

1970: Onward and upward

Building a relationship with MassMutual, Collins wired the entire Tower Square project, (then called Baystate West) an impressive 370-foot tower gracing the Springfield skyline.

The 1970s also saw massive additions to the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus, and Collins was on the scene, installing electrical systems for major new buildings including the campus center, the library (third tallest in the world) and fine arts center.

1980: Continuing the trend

Now recognized as a regional contractor well equipped to manage large-scale projects, Collins was contracted for work on major new construction, including the building of Monarch Place and the Sheraton Hotel in Springfield, Baystate Medical’s Daly Building expansion, and numerous projects for General Electric in Pittsfield.

1990s-2000s: Going Green

The 1990s brought in further work, and Collins was part of a boom in the construction of educational, medical and computing facilities throughout the decade. This period also marked the birth of the green building movement, and Collins was involved with an increasing number of projects with tie-ins to cogeneration and solar. As efficiency in lighting technologies leaped forward, Collins kept pace, through the improvement of fluorescent bulbs to the introduction of LEDs and their subsequent evolution.

Keeping up with all of the changes to circuitry, wiring and lighting controls, Collins kept its employees well trained and able to manage the increasingly complex technologies. This also included adapting green building methods as prescribed by certification programs like LEED with its requirements for everything from components and wiring design to materials packaging and recycling.

2010s: Expanding Capabilities

The 2010s marked a significant expansion for Collins Electric with the launch of a full low voltage systems division, broadening the company's scope and expertise in the electrical contracting industry. A low voltage system is one that runs on 600 volts or less. Examples include communications and security systems, control rooms, distribution systems, lighting and more. Recognizing the increasing demand for specialized telecommunications infrastructure, Collins Electric began building a dedicated team of low voltage technicians, apprentices, and project managers. This strategic move transformed Collins Electric into a full-service low voltage contractor, capable of delivering comprehensive solutions tailored to the evolving needs of its clients. The team's commitment to excellence and ability to adapt to new technological advancements ensured that Collins Electric continued to provide unmatched service and reliability, reinforcing its position as a leader in the electrical services sector.

Today: Building on tradition

Today, the legacy of William P., William A. and Donald F. Collins is carried on by the fourth and fifth generations of the Collins family, including Larry Eagan, President and CEO; Andrew Collins, Vice President, Operations; and Patrick Egan, Vice President, Finance. Collins Electric’s pride for its past fuels its ongoing mission to provide high-quality, full-contractor services to commercial, industrial and institutional facilities across western Massachusetts.