GSL Electric
Sandy, Utah

New Leaders Installed as Founder Taft Eyes Retirement

by Brad Fullmer

After more than 45 years working in the electrical industry, GSL Electric founder Craig Taft is beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel as he prepares for retirement in three years.

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“It’s not imminent, but it’s going to happen,” says Taft, who stepped into the role as chairman of the board recently, in addition to naming new company leaders, all of whom are stockholders. “It’s been a great industry – I’ve had some incredible highs.”
GSL’s new management includes president Tom Ewing, CEO Lance Capell, COO Kurt Jensen, and branch manager Clair Carter.

GSL Electric was founded on April 6, 1981 by Craig Taft, his father Don Taft, and Guy Moore, who combined had more than 50 years of experience in the electrical industry, mainly with large industrial and commercial projects.

Despite challenging economic times in construction in the early 80’s, GSL was able to complete $300,000 worth of work its initial year. The younger Taft said being able to survive those early years was a positive sign for the new firm.

“We wanted the opportunity to have our own business,” says Taft as to the decision to start the company. “We were an open shop contractor and it was a very difficult time. We figured if we could survive the early 80’s, we could survive anything.

“We were fortunate to have some great relationships with a lot of great general contractors,” Taft continues. “We had vast experience in industrial work. To this day, our industrial clientele is the main stream of our business.”

Through a practical management strategy and a desire to have a strong regional presence, GSL grew consistently and rapidly throughout the Intermountain West. The company opened an office in Las Vegas in 1985, and added a third regional office in Phoenix in 2002. The company specializes in industrial and design-build commercial projects.

To date, GSL boasts 550 employees and two years ago posted revenues of $57 million, making it the 57th largest electrical contractor in the U.S. according to an October 2005 survey by Engineering News-Record.

Despite current challenges with today’s labor force, Taft is confident the firm will continue to have great success after he steps down in 2010.

“We have great leaders in our company,” he says. “One of our major concerns is the shortage of skilled manpower. With this economy, I’m concerned that things are so robust right now that everybody gears up for it, then it slows down and you have to deal with this infrastructure. You have to be cautious how you proceed so as not to extend yourself too much.”

“The biggest challenge is maintaining a quality workforce to support the amount of work that is available out there and not take on more than we can handle,” adds Clair Carter. “We’re being selective in what we’re pursuing. We’re trying to maintain controlled growth.”

GSL has several divisions which allows it to work on a wide range of projects, including commercial, industrial, institutional, manufacturing, site utility, and power line-substation projects. The firm also has prefabrication, voice/data and low voltage systems expertise and the ability to deliver a full turnkey solution to a very broad customer base in renovation, tenant finish, utility and new construction projects.

Company: GSL Electric

Location: Sandy, Utah

Year Founded: 1981

Markets Served: Commercial, Industrial

No. of Employees: 550

Recent Projects: DLJ Direct, Leprino Foods, American Soda,
Alfred Merrit Smith Water Treatment Plant

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