On December 7, Northern Electric & Manufacturing Company Limited was incorporated under the dominion charter, founded in Montreal as part of Bell Canada. At the time, Northern Electric employs approximately 50 people. The newly formed company called its first general meeting of stockholders on March 24, 1896.By 1902, Northern Electric employed 250 people and occupied a 48,000-square-foot plant, which it leased from Bell Canada.
Bell Canada purchases The Wire and Cable Company,a small montreal based wire and cable firm producing superior cable to contemporary competitors. Soon after being acquired by Bell, they began to add manufacturing telephone cable and bobbins to their capabilities. In 1911, the company was re-name Imperial Wire and Cable.
Northern Electric and Imperial Wire and Cable Company (purchased by Bell Canada in 1899) amalgamate to become Northern Electric Company Limited. This newly formed company became the backbone of Canadian telecommunications for decades to come.
In January 1915, the Shearer Street Factory opens, filled with equipment to manufacture telephone and cable components. This state of the art facility covered over 1,000,000 square feet, housed over 10,000 workers and at the time, it was the largest factory of its type in the British Empire and even produced its own power until the late 1920s! Shearer street remained the centre of Northern Electric until the 1950s.
Dedicated to serving the nation, Northern Electric, a proud Canadian company, supported Canadian troops during World War I by manufacturing the portable commutator—a one-wire telegraphic switchboard designed for military field service. This innovative product was among the first specifically created for military applications during the war.
Northern Electric diversifies their manufacturing, developing not only manufactures consumer radios that feature major electronic advances but also selling extensive lines of consumer electronics aimed at simplifying home life for Canadian consumers. In the early 1920s, the company sets up its own radio transmitter and broadcasts programs to build interest in radio ownership and promote its expanding line of radio sets, The Northern Electric Hour is born.
Northern Electric has 12 distribution houses in major Canadian cities selling extensives lines of electrical appliances and working on the development and manufacturing of the "Peanut" Vacuum triode
Western Expansion: Grand-Re-opening of office & distribution center in Winnipeg & Open new warehouse location in Edmonton AB and Vancouver BC
Northern Electric continued to expand following depression years, reaching 18 locations across Canada servicing the electrical marterials and home electronics requirements of Canadians across the Country.
Northern Electric ceased production of their radio equipment and factories are turned over to the war effort to produce essential electrical equipment to support the war. The Northern Electric version of wireless radios for tanks and other military vehicles which became the standard for its time.
With an eye on development and always adapting to change, Northern Electric began heavy investment in R&D following the second world war. In 1948, they opened a facility in Belleville.
Continuing on their tradition of innovation and development, Northern Electric further invested in their facilkities, opening manufacturing and $R&D facilities in Belleville and London Ontario. Always at the forefront of telecommunications in Canada, Northern Electric was essential for the manufacturing and installation of the Trans-Canada Skyway components.
By 1961, Northern Electric was heavily invested in R &D, opening a third facility in Ottawa.
Northern Electric distribution arm becomes known as "Nedco"
United Westburne acquires Nedco
Rexel purchased Westburne Industrial Enterprises (including Nedco) in September 2000. Today Rexel operates from 2,000 locations in 32 countries, with 27,000 employees making them one of the largest distributors of electrical products in the world.
In 2025, Nedco Canada relaunches brand identity