History

"TEC" Electric Beginnings

Fifty years ago, when Lynn A. Thomson first began electrical contracting in Logan, one of the local electrical contractors approached him with an unwelcome statement, "There is only room in Logan for two electrical contractors." Lynn responded, "If there is only room for two, then one of you had better move out, because I am coming in."

The determination to succeed that began Thomson Electric fifty years ago is part of the tradition being carried out by "TEC" Electric Company today.

From small wiring projects completed in Richmond in 1928 to contracting more than 1 1/2 million dollars of electrical work in 1980, the Thomson family has years of experience to back their name.

 

"TEC" Electric
- The Thomson Tradition

The tradition began in 1928 when Lynn A. Thomson received his diploma of completion from the Coyne Electrical School and Electrical Engineering study with the American Technical Society of Chicago, and the reputation has been building ever since.

Lynn Thomson, a Cache Valley native, worked his way through school in Chicago during the recession years and came back to Logan on the brink of the Depression to begin working as an electrical contractor. He worked at Quality Electric. In the early 1930's, Lynn ran a small repair shop in the Crystal Furniture store until he opened the doors of his own shop in 1933. The first Thomson Electric Company was located on 1st North in Logan.

Lynn became associated with the Cache Valley chapter of the Intermountain Electrical Association in its beginning years and later became its president. In 1946 Lynn joined the National Electrical Contractors Association, and he and his son Theo have served on various boards in furthering the quality of the electrical industry in northern Utah.

"From the beginning I've tried to do things as neat, straight, and honest as I could do them," Lynn says. "That's one thing that has never changed."

Thomson Electric moved to its next address of 127 South Main, Logan, in 1945. It took a second mortgage and years of struggle before the new building was paid for, but with the help of dedicated people, the perseverance paid off.

 

"TEC" Electric
- The Second Generation

The pride Lynn has always taken in his work has been passed along to his sons. Lynn had a "built-in crew" of four sons, and each started at Thomson Electric doing small chores - emptying wastebaskets and sweeping, Theo Thomson, president of "TEC" Electric Co., remembers unpacking fixture boxes and putting together electrical fittings which were shipped disassembled. Later they moved up to stocking shelves and ordering materials. They continued to learn the electrical trade by working with their father on jobs as well as by assisting with estimates.

During Theo's college years, he went on house calls and managed smaller projects. Theo was a student in engineering and business at Utah State University at the time and applied his education to his on-the-job experience.

 

"TEC" Electric Co.

Thomson Electric divided in the early 1970's into two areas of operation: Thomson Premier Lighting and Appliance Center continued with sales and small contraction jobs and "TEC" Electric became the major contractor for larger commercial and industrial projects. "TEC" Electric has doubled in balance sheet assets in the past ten years and has a bid limit and bonding capacity of 1 1/2 million dollars.

"We do on thing, and we do it well," according to Theo. "The quality of our electrical contraction is our best advertisement."