Going the Extra Mile with Stanson Electric

Matt Stanson

Mar 25, 2019

By Blake Marchand

Matt Stanson is a master electrician with over 30 years of experience. He now leads a team of skilled, trained and experienced electricians with his company, Stanson Electric.

Matt served his country overseas with NATO as a Canadian Army reservist, distinguishing himself to such a degree that he was invited to enter the Officer Training Program. During that same period — three decades ago — a master electrician and respected Kitchener, Ontario businessman recognized Matt’s strong leadership capabilities and integrity. He subsequently offered Matt a mentorship in the electrical trade, as well as in business.

Under his mentor, Stanson was able to develop his skills as manager becoming a business owner as well as a master electrician. Now he instructs his apprentices and journeymen with the gentle but demanding attention to detail with which he was mentored.

Matt started Stanson Electric in 1983 and it has remained a family owned, community oriented, customer first business that, as their website states, is willing to go the extra mile, even if that means travelling world wide. Although, there has been “no major travelling yet!”, Stanson Electric told Electrical Industry Canada that Matt’s always open to the possibility. His military history, and simply his plain delight in getting his hands into an interesting electrical project means he’s always willing to discuss any opportunities that may arise.

Stanson explained that his employees — the electricians, apprentices, journeyman, and office staff — are treated as part of his extended family. Matt’s eldest son, Tom, joined the team in the last year and is helping transition the company into the modern landscape. And you will notice by visiting https://stansonelectric.com, they have a detailed website and a prominent social media presence.

What is a typical job like for Stanson Electric? What sectors do you typically work in?

We work in multiple sectors, primarily supporting residential, property management and light commercial. A typical job can be anything from doing a suite turn to bring a unit up to date and up to code for an apartment building, through to investigating and providing solutions for retail stores to help them save energy through money-saving lighting and electrical technology.

How has your business evolved since its inception? Has new technology or any industry advancements altered the way you do business?

When we started, paper was king. LED has changed the way we do business. We can help customers provide the same or better lighting options for a fraction of the electrical cost.

From a business perspective, we now take advantage of tools that let us share information, projects and photos between our electricians in the field and the office in real time, meaning we can support our customers better and faster than ever before.

Can you tell us about a project that you found particularly interesting, unique, or rewarding?

Imagine for a moment, it’s Boxing Day. An entire Walmart store is without power. Holiday sales are being lost left and right. Their outdoor main substation had failed.
As you can imagine, our staff was on holidays. Matt calls in the team for this emergency call. Our amazing suppliers come off holiday and mobilize to bring us what we need: an emergency delivery from Toronto of a 53-foot trailer with a diesel back-up power generator large enough to run the entire Walmart store. The store is open for business 16 hours later.

Stanson employees and partner companies work 72 hours straight to replace the failed substation. An emergency Electrical Safety Authority inspection has the store back on the city power grid in three days.

A Walmart head office executive flies in from the USA to monitor progress: “It usually takes 7 to 10 days to return a store with a failed substation onto city power.

Stanson Electric had our store operational on interim power in 16 hours, and fully online with city power in 3 days, during a holiday period — amazing!”

Painstaking photographic documentation and a full report issued by Stanson Electric enabled the Walmart store to obtain complete reimbursement of costs without protest from head office.

From what I understand, Ontario has a fairly progressive building code with respect to energy efficiency. Is that the case? If so, what are some of the aspects that make it progressive?

Government spending in the last 15 years offered substantial grants and opportunities to update electrical systems — solar, wind, power factor correction — in residential, commercial and industrial. The current government is rolling some of that back, but as we stated LED is the current best opportunity for energy savings and longevity for the product itself.

What would you say to a homeowner or business owner who would like to make their home/business more energy efficient, but is sceptical of cost/benefit/ROI?

Fastest, easiest, best ROI would be updating all lighting to LED. A standard 8′ fluorescent ballast can be drawing up to 200W per fixture. The same size ballast, only LED, draws 18W. That’s for a single fixture. Multiply that by an entire building and that can be a significant savings.

What is the right question? Is there anything I didn’t touch on that you think our readers would find helpful?

What makes someone the right electrician?  Finding the right contractor is a matter of fit. Ensuring the expertise, approach to supporting the customer and yes, even price, to match your needs and expectations is an important part of finding the right electrician. We work hard to be the best at what we do, at a fair price, and we’ll always come right away if there’s an emergency. They say honesty is the best policy. For us, it’s the only one.

As described above with the emergency Wal-Mart project, Matt Stanson and his team at Stanson Electric are willing to go that extra mile to meet the needs of their clients. This operative, along with their upfront and honest approach providing realistic timelines and budgets, have been key aspects to the success of their company. Stanson Electric operates primarily within the Waterloo and surrounding area. They provide design, installation, maintenance, and repair in the residential, commercial, industrial, and manufacturing sectors of the industry.

Blake Marchand is Assistant Editor, Drives & Controls Solutions.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    Industrial Wiring Devices: A Brief Intro and How to Choose Them

    June 9, 2025 Introduction: With the multitude of options on the market, it can be difficult to decide whether you need a pin and sleeve wiring device or a plug and connector in your industrial plant or facility. You might find your head swirling with thoughts about which option is best. Or you may not… Read More…

  • Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    Industry Leaders Head to Quebec to Strengthen Energy and Supply Chain Resilience

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada On June 3 and 4, a high-level delegation from Canada’s electrical and automation sector travelled to Montreal and Quebec City for a series of strategic meetings with Quebec government officials and key stakeholders. Organized by Electro-Federation Canada (EFC), this mission underscores the critical role the industry plays in advancing… Read More…

  • Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    Electrifying Connections: A Celebration of Legacy, A Vision for the Future

    June 9, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada This year’s Annual Industry Conference, held against the breathtaking backdrop of Niagara Falls, Ontario, was a landmark event with more than 710 Electro-Federation Canada community members. More than just a celebration of our shared history, it was a launchpad for new ideas, future-based dialogue, and deeper connections.   The energy and… Read More…

  • Code Quiz: Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, 26th Edition Section 28 – Motors and Generators

    Code Quiz: Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1, 26th Edition Section 28 – Motors and Generators

    by William (Bill) Burr Question:  Adam is working in his garage cutting wood on his table saw. Suddenly the lights go out and the sump pump and the table saw stop running. There is obviously a power outage. After a short time, the lights and the sump pump come back on, but thetable saw stays off. Adam needs to restart it.  Can you explain why the lights and sump pump come back on… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Andrey Goreev Joins Mersen Electrical Power as Regional Sales Manager

    Andrey Goreev Joins Mersen Electrical Power as Regional Sales Manager

    June 9, 2025 MERSEN CANADA TORONTO INC. is pleased to announce effective June 2nd, 2025, Andrey Goreev has joined Mersen Electrical Power as Regional Sales Manager for the Western Canada Region. He will report to Tom Arbanas, Vice President of Distribution Sales and Customer Care, Canada. Andrey has over 18 years of experience in industrial… Read More…

  • Electric Avenue Powers Ahead with Major Win and New Flagship Product: Watti Pro Echo

    Electric Avenue Powers Ahead with Major Win and New Flagship Product: Watti Pro Echo

    June 9, 2025 In an industry dominated by global giants, a startup from Canada’s East Coast is quickly becoming one of the most compelling cleantech success stories in the country. Electric Avenue, a Nova Scotia–based EV charging manufacturer, is making waves in the North American market with the official launch of its Watti Pro Echo… Read More…

  • Manitoba and BC Establish Free Trade Agreements

    June 9, 2025 The Manitoba government will sign a new memorandum of understanding with British Columbia to advance free trade between the two provinces and cabinet will pass regulations by July 1 to ensure mutual recognition of other provinces by Canada Day, Premier Wab Kinew announced today at the MBiz Breakfast Series hosted by the… Read More…

  • Nova Scotia Removing Trade Barriers With Other Provinces, Federal Government

    Nova Scotia Removing Trade Barriers With Other Provinces, Federal Government

    June 9, 2025 Trade barriers between Nova Scotia, several provinces and the federal government will soon be removed. Nova Scotia, along with Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Prince Edward Island have taken action to remove barriers and red tape that will open up new trade and investment opportunities. It is also anticipated that the… Read More…