A century of
success
partnership
giving
innovation
Turtle: 100 Years in the Making
At Turtle, we are always innovating, always collaborating, and always creating solutions for a more sustainable world.
History is not just about the past — It's about creating the future
You don't get to 100 years without a lot of learning. At Turtle, we have always focused on delivering excellence for our customers. Here are the four principles that have ensured we do that today, tomorrow and the next 100 years.
Family
Family founded, run, and owned — yesterday, today and tomorrow. We have extended our family to include our employees, partners, and customers.
Sustainability
We've consistently focused our impact through an environmental lens and systemic companywide initiatives. We support our customers with industry-leading products and services, our employees with opportunities and tools to be their very best, and our communities with compassion.
Resilience
We build on our 100-year heritage with our technical expertise. We continue to set the pace for what's possible in our industry by adapting to the challenges of a new era of energy transition.
Progress
An innovative spirit has driven our commitment for the last century. In the next century, we'll be called upon to solve even more complex and challenging problems for our customers.
Much has changed since my great grandparents first opened our doors in 1923, but one thing remains constant; our ability to adapt and transform to the requirements of our customers, and our commitment to help each employee be the very best they can be — for themselves, their families, our customers and our company.
— Executive Chairman of the Board, Jayne Millard
Our Impact
Take an interactive view and explore some of our innovative projects over the years.
Turtle Hall of Fame
Turtle people who made it happen.
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Click each box to see their story
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Marion Berry (M.B.) & Ethel Macnamara Turtle
Marion Berry (M.B.) & Ethel Macnamara Turtle
M.B. co-founded Turtle & Hughes in 1923 in Lower Manhattan supported by his wife and first angel investor, Ethel, using start-up money saved in her cookie jar
M.B. led the company for 20 years with a higher purpose to achieve growth by innovating for customers and attracting and retaining the very best people, the same principles that still hold true today. After his death in 1942, Ethel directed the company for over 20 years starting a long legacy of woman leadership.
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William (Bill) Hughes
William (Bill) Hughes
Co-founded Turtle & Hughes in 1923 in Lower Manhattan
Both yearning to be their own boss, Bill joined forces with M.B. Turtle, a co-worker at electrical distributor W.E.R. Burnett, and contributed to growth until his tragic death in 1935. His widow sold their company shares to the Turtle family.
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Alfred (Al) Lander
Alfred (Al) Lander
One of the original employees, Al joined the start-up in 1923 and quickly became a top salesperson
At just 15 years old, Al started while in high school. At 17, he joined full time and was evaluated for a sales position. His first sale that year was to the Consolidated Gas Company of New York. After repairing a radio for the Purchasing Agent, all he asked in exchange was to bid their electrical requirements. It led to the largest Buss fuse order ever placed in New York and the start of a very successful career.
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Paul Carrell
Paul Carrell
A top salesperson driving early growth, Paul joined Turtle in February 1929 just eight months prior to the stock market crash and the start of the Great Depression
Learning valuable lessons of resilience during the Depression, Paul worked six days a week to raise company sales from an all-time low of $19,000 a month and earn his holiday bonus — a turkey at Thanksgiving and a ham at Christmas. His career spanned 64 years and three generations of family leadership.
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George Pearson
George Pearson
Nephew of co-founder Bill Hughes, George brought customer service to a new level in the dawn of industrial automation
George started at Turtle as an errand boy in 1934 at 17 years old earning $10/week and rising to a top salesperson. A member emeritus of the Board of Directors until his death in 2013 at age 95, he regularly attended meetings and served as one of the last remaining links to the early days of Turtle.
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John (Jack) & Josephine Turtle
John (Jack) & Josephine Turtle
Son of M.B. and Ethel Mcnamara Turtle, Jack joined the family business in 1929; during his career, he was supported by a strong marriage to his wife, Josephine
Jack routinely brought their young daughter, Suzanne Turtle, to the office where she ran the freight elevator and learned the business. After Ethel's death in 1964, Jack served as company President.
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Frank & Suzanne (Sue) Turtle Millard
Frank & Suzanne (Sue) Turtle Millard
Frank was a visionary leader for over 40 years with his wife, Sue, daughter of Jack and Josephine Turtle, and second generation of woman leadership when they took the reins in 1968
Under their direction, the company grew steadily through planned acquisitions, organic growth and their instinctive ability to recognize promising new areas for expansion while attracting and retaining a bright young salesforce by creating a people first culture. For over 40 years, they transformed the company into one of the country’s largest independent electrical and industrial distributors and established it as a woman-owned business.
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Mitch Pliner
Mitch Pliner
One of the company's most successful salespeople, Mitch joined the company in 1975 and was mentored by Turtle veteran Al Lander
Mitch pioneered the company's expansion into Houston arriving there in 1980 as an Outside Salesperson and rising to Branch Manager. His accounts were primarily in engineering and project construction. He progressed Turtle’s entry into the export business and solidified it as a major player servicing the oil and gas industry.
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Jack Sinagra
Jack Sinagra
The protégé of Frank Millard, over a 40-year career starting in 1974, Jack was a top salesperson and born leader who helped grow Turtle by close to 3500% and later served as company President
While still working at Turtle, Jack served three terms in the New Jersey Senate (1992-2002). In his most challenging role, he was named Chairman of the Port Authority in 2001 in the aftermath of 9/11. He brought order to the clean-up and rebuilding efforts, and kindness, compassion and a sense of security to all who were affected.
Counter Services
Bridgewater, NJ
100 years of excellence
Every customer,
every counter,
every time.
At every Turtle counter you'll find a knowledgable, experienced partner commited to ensuring every customer has what they need when they need it.