Corporate History
1958 - Present
Milestones That Shaped Us
Founded in 1958 by Peter M. Gandolfo Sr., OHM International evolved from a regional wholesaler into a global provider of electrical, industrial, and telecom solutions.
This Business Plan
Upon graduating from Fordham University in 1947, Peter M. Gandolfo Sr. joined Graybar Electric as a sales representative. In 1958 he resigned his position with Graybar Electric, and founded OHM Electrical Supply Co. in Elmsford NY. Rather than introduce another “supply-based”, distribution outlet to the market, PMG Sr implemented a unique “demand-based” distribution model to the market allowing the customer’s product needs to drive the transaction rather than OHM’s available inventory. This business plan flourished, and in 1967 OHM constructed a 40,000 square foot warehouse in Hawthorne NY to accommodate the rapid growth.
The Presidential "E" Award
In 1975, a subsidiary, OHM International of Texas Inc. was formed to handle the increasing export opportunities in the oil and petrochemical related industries.
This office was opened in Houston and Mr. Peter M. Gandolfo Jr. was appointed to manage the Houston operation. Over the ensuing decade, OHM experienced tremendous growth, and in 1978 The Presidential “E” Award for “Excellence in Export” was awarded to OHM International, Inc. by Congressman Richard Ottinger and officials of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Cited was the company’s “outstanding contribution” to the Export Expansion Program of the United States of America.
OHM acquired by Anixter
By 1980, OHM International had a customer base spanning 95 countries worldwide, and was gaining national attention. In January 1981, OHM Electrical Supply Co. and its subsidiary, OHM lnternational, Inc., were acquired by Anixter Bros., Inc. (a NYSE traded corporation: ANX) and reorganized as “Anixter-OHM International”, a publicly owned subsidiary of Anixter Bros., Inc. Peter M. Gandolfo, Sr. remained with the new entity as President and simultaneously served as a Director of Anixter Bros. Peter Gandolfo, Jr ascended to Vice- President of Anixter-OHM International.
OHM re-privatizes in buyback arrangement with Anixter
In December 1983, Peter M. Gandolfo Jr. re-privatized OHM International Corporation in a buyback arrangement with Anixter. OHM’s corporate headquarters are moved from New York down to Houston Texas.
P. Michael Gandolfo III
In March 1996, P. Michael Gandolfo III joined OHM International representing the 3rd generation of the Gandolfo family to be actively involved in management. Upon his arrival, and with the wave of enthusiasm towards e-commerce, OHM implemented EDI trading agreements with its largest customers, as well as with 100’s of US Government entities. This electronic venue increased both sales & productivity.
OHM opens 7 overseas JV offices
In 1999, OHM International modified its marketing approach for select countries and established a Venezuelan office, (CS-OHM de Venezuela). This Joint Venture served as the template to their strategy, and provided OHM access to the Venezuelan market with offices and warehousing in Caracas, Barcelona, Valencia and Maracaibo.
This Overseas JV Location is the 1st of 7 to be implemented. Other JV offices formed and opened were OHM-Tekmin in Peru, OHM-Danielcom in Ecuador, OHM-Comsertec in Bolivia, OHM-DRM in the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao), OHM-IEOS in Libya & OHM-ICON in Dubai.
Exclusive Distributor
In 2001, OHM continued to expand its presence in the Caribbean through the formation of its subsidiary, OHM Caribe Ltd in St. Lucia. Shortly thereafter, ABB appointed OHM Caribe as its exclusive distributor for the entire Caribbean territory.
OHM Incorporates in Japan & Mexico
In 2005, OHM continued to expand its worldwide presence opening up offices in Japan and Mexico. In Japan, the office is originally classified as a JRO, but later fully incorporates as a K.K. and resides in Tokyo, while in Mexico the office is a fully incorporated subsidiary, OHM de Mexico S. de R.L. de CV and is headquartered in Tampico. In an effort to better manage this growth, OHM also opens up its new warehouse location.
OHM Enterprises, Inc as an IC-DISC
In 2006, OHM International incorporated OHM Enterprises, Inc as an IC-DISC
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
OHM International Trademark
In 2008, the OHM International trademark is registered with the United States Patent & Trade Office (USPTO).
OHM Celebrates 50th Anniversary
In May of this same year, OHM commemorated its 50th consecutive year of profitable operations, and in celebration of this momentous event, shut down the offices and took all of the employees and their families to the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar resort in Puerto Rico for 5 days.
Later in 2008, OHM elevated its presence in Japan by incorporating its Japanese Representative Office into a full Kabushiki Kaisha; OHM Japan K.K.
OHM de Mexico SRL de CV relocated
In 2010, OHM de Mexico SRL de CV relocated its headquarters from Tampico to Monterrey, Mexico.
Exclusive Distribution
In 2016, OHM became the exclusive distribution channel for M-Trigen in the Caribbean basin and re-entered the US domestic market becoming its master distributor in both Texas & Louisiana.
M-Trigen, later acquired by Gridiron, held proprietary patents on CCHP technology and provided OHM a flagship line in the sustainable energy space.
OHM Relocates Corporate HQ
4th generation & future of OHM International
(Dec. 1998) P. Michael Gandolfo IV is born representing the 4th generation & future of OHM International.