Grande Prairie’s industrial supply network gained a new player this week with the opening of an EB Horsman & Son branch at 9036 108 Street. The company — which operates a network of electrical and industrial distribution centres across Canada — says the local location is geared toward the specific needs of northern Alberta’s industrial and construction sectors.
Local inventory aimed at industrial customers
The new branch carries a focused inventory intended to support oil and gas, manufacturing, utilities and construction firms operating in Grande Prairie and the wider Peace Region. Stocked items highlighted by the company include heat trace systems, cable tray and fittings, industrial lighting, process instrumentation and automation controls.
- Key product ranges: heat trace; connectors; cable trays and fittings; enclosures; industrial lighting.
- Controls and instruments: process instrumentation; industrial automation and controls; data communications equipment.
- Electrical distribution: wire duct, industrial electrical distribution hardware and associated services.
Management team and technical support
Regional leadership of the branch has been established with Northern Alberta area manager Travis Cook, branch manager David Thorne and customer service manager Jackie Stojanovic. The local staff will be backed by EB Horsman’s national technical divisions, which the company lists as Automation, Controls & Motion; Process Instrumentation; Lighting; Data Communications; Industrial Services; and Commercial & Industrial Projects.
“We’re looking forward to building strong relationships with customers across Grande Prairie and the Peace Region,”
The quoted remark from branch manager David Thorne emphasises the company’s intent to embed itself in the local supply chain and respond to the operational demands common to northern Alberta.
Why this matters for Grande Prairie
For a regional economy that depends heavily on energy, agriculture and construction cycles, having local access to specialised industrial supplies reduces lead times for projects and can lower logistics costs. That is particularly relevant for large-scale maintenance or expansion work where delivery delays or sourcing challenges can translate into downtime and added expense.
Retail and distribution nodes such as this branch also act as service points for contractors and plant operators who require product expertise and after-sale technical support. EB Horsman’s model pairs physical inventory with technical divisions — a combination the company says will be available to local customers.
| Component | Role for local industry |
|---|---|
| Heat trace and enclosures | Critical for winterized electrical systems and process piping in cold climates |
| Industrial automation | Supports plant efficiency and remote operations used across energy and manufacturing |
| Process instrumentation | Enables monitoring and control for industrial process safety and optimisation |
While the company did not release employment numbers for the new outlet, the branch opening does create local positions in management and customer service and may generate additional work for logistics and trades contractors. It also represents another sign that national suppliers view Grande Prairie as a viable hub for northern Alberta commerce.
Broader context
Grande Prairie has long functioned as a service centre for resource and agricultural activity across northwestern Alberta. Access to a nearby, well-stocked supplier network helps firms in the region bid competitively on projects and maintain schedules during peak construction seasons. For companies planning capital projects or ongoing operations, reducing supply-chain friction is increasingly important amid fluctuating commodity prices and tighter labour markets.
EB Horsman’s statement that its inventory and technical teams are geared to the region signals an attempt to align supply capabilities with those realities. For local contractors, operators and project managers, the new branch offers an additional option for sourcing specialised electrical and industrial components without routing orders through southern hubs.
The branch at 9036 108 Street officially opened on Sept. 16 and will operate as part of EB Horsman & Son’s national network while focusing on the specific needs of customers across Grande Prairie and the Peace Region.
