TEC Forms Strategic Alliance With Cox Industries

Texas Electric Cooperatives, an association representing some of the largest electric cooperatives in the United States, today announced an alliance with Cox Industries. Cox will provide management services for TEC’s wood utility pole manufacturing plant in Jasper, Texas. As part of the agreement, Cox also will be involved in the procurement of raw goods, quality control and environmental protection oversight of the facility.

“The TEC-Cox strategic alliance expands TEC’s ability to support our members during emergencies with supplies from multiple plants across the country. The alliance will increase resources by adding the capabilities of 16 other pole manufacturing plants, reduce TEC’s operational cost by aggregating resources and create large-scale procurement opportunities that will drive down costs of raw materials. All these things will benefit the TEC membership,” said Johnny Andrews, chief operating officer of TEC Manufacturing & Distribution Services. “The alliance between TEC and Cox is truly a win-win for both parties.”

Cox Industries, the largest producer of round wood products in the United States, brings to the partnership a level of scale, resources and proficiency that will enhance an already-successful business line. With 16 U.S. manufacturing plants, Cox has the resources and expertise to make efficiency improvements that will enable capacity growth within existing infrastructure.

“The Cox family is excited about interacting with a world-class network as represented by TEC’s co-op membership. We are eager to begin interacting across the entire service territory to create opportunity and savings for everyone involved,” said Mikee Johnson, CEO of Cox Industries.