Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to visit Arlington Industries in Scranton, Pa.—a company that has become synonymous with innovation in the electrical contracting industry. I’ve visited many manufacturers over the years, but walking through Arlington’s facility, meeting their leadership and speaking with their employees left me with a deeper appreciation for what it means to be both an industry leader and a community anchor.

Arlington just finished celebrating its 75th anniversary this past year, a milestone that says as much about its resilience as it does about its innovation. Founded in 1949 as a small regional supplier of zinc die-cast fittings, Arlington has grown into one of the most respected manufacturers in our field. Their success has come not from resting on old ideas, but from continually asking a simple question: “How can we make the contractor’s job safer, faster and easier?”

The answer to that question has produced products that have become staples on job sites across the country—and it shows in their connectors, recessed solutions and other ingenious designs. These aren’t just clever inventions; they are practical solutions that save contractors time and money, reduce risks and improve productivity. As I spoke with their engineers and product developers, I could see how much thought and pride they put into anticipating the real-world challenges our members face every day.

Their investment in innovation is equally impressive. Arlington holds more than 350 patents and patents pending across North America—an extraordinary achievement for any company, let alone one that has stayed true to its roots in a single community. Those patents aren’t just numbers; they represent real solutions that make our industry more efficient and more competitive.

What struck me most, however, was not just Arlington’s innovation but the company’s commitment to place. Nearly all of their products are manufactured right in Scranton. In an era when too many companies have sent production overseas, Arlington has doubled down on American manufacturing. They remain the only independent electrical fittings manufacturer with full in-house injection molding capabilities here in the United States. That means more than high-quality products—it means stable jobs, economic opportunity and pride for the people of Scranton.

During my visit, I saw firsthand how Arlington invests in its community. Over the years, they have expanded their campus in the Stauffer Industrial Park, building new facilities not just to increase capacity but also to improve training, engineering and collaboration. These investments serve their business while strengthening the local economy, supporting families and ensuring that Scranton remains a hub of American manufacturing. It’s a model I believe more companies should emulate: innovation rooted in technology and in responsibility to community.

The leadership at Arlington has played a critical role in shaping that culture. Since the Stark family took ownership in 1956, they have built a company defined by forward-looking ideas and an unwavering commitment to the electrical industry. Tom Stark’s tenure as president, beginning in 1976, saw hundreds of new products introduced and more than 350 patents filed across North America. Today, under Chairman Betty Stark and President Tom Gretz, that legacy continues, with expansions, renovations and investments that prepare Arlington for the next generation of growth.

It’s clear that Arlington doesn’t innovate for the sake of novelty—they innovate for contractors. That alignment with our industry is why NECA members trust Arlington products on their projects. Every box, fitting or connector they design is shaped by the input of people who know what it’s like to install, troubleshoot and deliver under tight timelines. That mindset is invaluable in today’s construction environment, where efficiency and safety are paramount.

As I left Scranton, I couldn’t help but reflect on what Arlington’s journey means for the future of our industry. We are entering a time of extraordinary opportunity—electrifying transportation, modernizing the grid, expanding broadband and building smarter, more sustainable communities. To seize that opportunity, contractors need suppliers who provide tools and solutions and who also share our values. Arlington has proven over 75 years that they are exactly that kind of ally.

I came away from my visit not just impressed, but inspired—inspired by a company that continues to lead the way in innovation. Inspired by their steadfast commitment to making products here at home. And inspired by the pride they take in supporting their community.

On behalf of NECA and the thousands of contractors we represent, I congratulate Arlington Industries for their 75 years of leadership and excellence. Their story reminds us that when companies innovate with purpose and stay rooted in their communities, they don’t just survive, they set the standard. Here’s to the next 75 years of building, inventing and investing—in Scranton and across our industry.

David Long
NECA CEO