Bruce & Merrilees: Encouraging a Culture of Entrepreneurship
By Patty Tascarella – Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times
Updated
J. Howard Bruce had worked on reconstruction efforts for the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor following World War II, but when he returned home to New Castle in 1948, he wanted to start a company of his own.
A local entrepreneur named J.P. Merrilees, who ran a small electrical contracting firm, was making retirement plans but had no successor, so he and Bruce struck a deal to go into business together.
“During the transaction, Merrilees passed away,” said Jay Bruce, J. Howard Bruce’s grandson. “But my grandfather committed to Merrilees’ widow that he would maintain the name.”
And while the name hasn’t changed in 68 years, the original business has. Bruce & Merrilees started as a residential, commercial and industrial electrical contracting company focused on clients in western Pennsylvania. It also repaired and sold electrical appliances.
Today, Bruce & Merrilees specializes in large-scale electrical project solutions in several industry sectors, including transportation, high voltage, oil and gas, power, industrial, commercial and institutional.
J. Howard Bruce’s two sons, Robert and Gary, came on to work at the business, expanding it in terms of offerings and geography, and taking it into transportation electrical installations.
Robert’s three sons are on its C-suite today: Jay is president and CEO, Jonathan COO and Justin CMO.
“I’m responsible for overall direction and strategic vision,” Jay said. “Jonathan is responsible for the electrical services group, and Justin is responsible for business development and estimating.”
Jay didn’t always plan on working for the family business. In 1996, he started a company focused on wireless infrastructure and antenna installations that was an intrapreneurial venture.
“I had an opportunity where I started a company within our group of companies that was complementary and it transitioned into our primary business over a course of a few years,” he said. “It was a good entry point to come back and show I could perform.”
Having a culture that encourages entrepreneurship has helped Bruce & Merrilees to grow.
“It allows people to bring ideas to the table, and we put them to use,” Jay said.
He credits his father, Robert J. Bruce, with the geographic expansion that took the company throughout the eastern U.S., where it’s established four regional offices. Jay said he wants to push westward next and has his sights on a central Ohio office in the near future.
“It’s part of the plan to look for markets that make sense for us to position in,” Jay said.
The company’s growth to date has been completely organic. It has not made acquisitions to enter new regions or add capabilities.
A fourth-generation of Bruces are already learning the ropes.
“My oldest daughter, Diana, just finished her sophomore year at [the University of Pittsburgh] and started her summer internship [May 2],” Jay said.
Closer Look
Bruce & Merrilees Electric Co.
Electrical contractor serving residential, commercial, and industrial customers, as well as transportation electrical installations
Based: New Castle
Top officer: Jay Bruce, president and CEO
Year original business established: 1948
Number of employees: 300
Website: www.bruceandmerrilees.com
Family Tree/Company Leaders
First Generation: J. Howard Bruce
Second Generation: Robert J. Bruce and Gary L. Bruce
Third Generation: Jay Bruce, Jonathan Bruce, and Justin Bruce (sons of Robert J. Bruce)
