"Residential construction has been so strong the last few years it has carried us through some tough times," says Pete de Steiger, chief executive officer of Ray Electric and Ray Lighting Centers. "But commercial construction activity is starting to make a comeback," he adds. De Steiger was recently named chairman of the National Association of Electrical Distributors board of directors for 2005. "Around the country everything is really picking up on the commercial end. I hear that from quite a few people from different areas of the country."

Ray Electric, which has locations in Roseville, Novi and Troy, in addition to the Sterling Heights headquarters and showroom, is in the third generation of de Steiger family leadership. Among the company's 85 employees are Pete De Steiger's brother and two sisters. Ray provides electrical supplies, power, and lighting to electrical contractors, primarily for residential and commercial usages.

The company generally doesn't deal with heavier industrial projects. But, de Steiger says, in talking with NAED members who are involved in industrial equipment, he's started to hear some positive reports. "I think we're seeing some signs of improvement even in that industrial sector," he adds.