History

In the summer of 1969, Andrew Sanazaro Sr. opened the door to the first commercial location of Meramec Electrical Products Company in Cuba, Missouri. The move from Sanazaro's Cuba basement to the 2,000 sq. ft. facility was an expansive first step for the innovative entrepreneur that would start our company on the path to market domination. Perhaps only Sanazaro would be surprised that his vision, 4 decades later, would lead to the seventh addition totaling 86,000 sq. ft. of high-tech manufacturing to be completed in 2009. To everyone else affiliated with Meramec Electrical Products Company over the years, it is testimony to Sanazaro's work ethics that the company was founded on the simple and successful principles that quality people and teamwork will produce quality products.

In the beginning, Meramec Electrical Products attempted to fill market needs in a variety of power related fields; magnetic coils, 3-phase power transformers, impulse generators, current transformers and high voltage transformers were all products of the company. By 1996, the company had streamlined the product line to focus on bushing current transformers for high-voltage circuit breaker and large power transformer markets. Today, Meramec Electrical Products Company holds the distinction of being the largest bushing transformer manufacturer in the Western Hemisphere.

To meet the increasing demand for Meramec's products, expansion has been an ongoing process involving support from the community. As Meramec has grown, so have community roots deepened from 1 to 100 employees. With the acquisition of land in 1972 from the city of Cuba to build a 5,000 sq. ft. facility, Meramec Electrical Products moved to its current site with the help of the Cuba High School Class of 1973. Over the next 15 years, the facility grew to 14,000 sq. ft. as Meramec became a key community sponsor of community athletic, academic, and charitable groups.

A fire in 1990 that destroyed two-thirds of the facility required rethinking and reorganizing resulting in more efficient manufacturing taking place in 3 locations, and 85% growth over the next year. By 1991, Meramec Electrical Products was operating from 20,000 sq. ft of remodeled manufacturing space, which grew to 26,000 sq. ft. in 2000 with the addition of new offices. In May of 2009, Meramec Electrical Products will celebrate its 40th Anniversary by dedicating the new 50,000 sq. ft. facility across the street from the present location for a total of 86,000 sq. ft. of offices and state-of-the-art manufacturing employing two full-time shifts.

Producing quantity has not diminished the company's original commitment to quality. Meramec Electrical Products has been the recipient of many awards in dedication to superior quality and customer service acknowledged by their valued customers:

  • ABB - Supplier of the Year, awarded for 5 years
  • Heavy Duty Electric - Vendor of the Year
  • Waukesha Electric Systems - Award for Zero Defects, 100% On Time
  • Mitsubishi Power Electric Products - Triple Diamond Supplier
Most importantly, Meramec Electrical Products Company has retained a hometown presence. Andrew Sanazaro Sr. envisioned a community and family enterprise, and 40 years later all of his 5 children, many of his grandchildren, wife Betty, and other family members have been involved in the operation of the company. Today, Nick Sanazaro holds the title of President and C.E.O, Carolyn Sanazaro is V.P. of Financial Operations, and Christy (Sanazaro) Moreland is Secretary of the Board of Directors, which also includes Andy Sanazaro Jr., and Dan Sanazaro. Dedication to the community of Cuba is evident in the corporation's involvement in Relay for Life, youth athletics, and the Andrew Sanazaro Sr. Scholarship Awards.

As an employer, Meramec Electrical Products offers a stimulating, rewarding work environment and an opportunity to become a part of a rich community history, and a Cuba success story.