Custom home construction demands precision and high standards, making strong builder-supplier partnerships essential. Riemco has cultivated lasting relationships with trusted trade partners—built on decades of shared expertise, mutual respect, and a deep understanding of craftsmanship. For over 20 years, Riemco and Gross Electric have proudly maintained a partnership that continues to exceed expectations.
A Foundation Built Over Time
Founded in 1910 in Toledo, Ohio, Gross Electric has flourished through more than a century of change and technological transformation while maintaining its independence and roots in family ownership. The company’s evolution parallels the broader sophistication of home construction—from basic electrical needs to today’s integrated lighting systems and smart home technology. Today, under the third-generation leadership of Laurie Gross, the company operates seven locations across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana serving commercial, industrial, and residential projects.
At the heart of Riemco’s partnership with Gross Electric are two seasoned professionals: Pam Adams, a lighting specialist with 32 years at the company, and Rochelle Mueller, hardware specialist and Ann Arbor branch manager with over a decade of experience. Both represent the institutional knowledge and continuity that define successful long-term partnerships.
The Depth of Expertise
All of Gross Electric’s lighting consultants are trained and certified by the American Lighting Association, with Adams also holding advanced certification as a Certified Lighting Consultant (CLC), which requires continuous education. Her understanding of layered lighting principles—the strategic use of ambient, task, and accent lighting—transforms spaces from functional to emotionally resonant.
Current trends toward modern, funky, and unusual fixtures present unique design challenges that illustrate the importance of layered lighting. As Adams explains, “You can’t have the funky lights without having multiple layers of light because not all funky fixtures give good quality of light. So, you have to have extra layers.”
Pam’s expertise goes beyond product knowledge. She stays current with the evolving technology and understands how lighting elements interact, create atmosphere, and provide optimal functionality.
Mueller’s hardware expertise works in harmony with these lighting intricacies. Her sophisticated approach encompasses everything from concealed hinges for hidden doors to specialized cabinet hardware that maintains clean lines in contemporary kitchens.
Both professionals have the technical knowledge to anticipate their clients’ needs, answer questions they don’t yet know to ask, and translate complex design visions into functional reality.
The Collaboration Dynamic
“The nice thing about working with Riemco is that they come prepared,” Mueller notes. “They’ve already consulted with their designers and know what they want to achieve. The same goes for hardware—Riemco provides cabinet designs and drawings in advance, so we can request door schedules early and streamline the selection process for clients.”
The dynamic between Riemco’s Rob and Ron exemplifies this collaborative spirit. “Walking through a project with them is like watching an artist at work,” Adams says. “One will suggest an idea, the other builds on it—it’s incredible to see their minds in sync with multiple decades between the two of them, as they solve challenges together.”
This seamless collaboration allows each team to focus on their strengths, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
Energy Efficiency and Future-Forward Thinking
The growing emphasis on energy efficiency and environmental consciousness has become integral to modern lighting design. Gross Electric addresses this need on both commercial and residential fronts.
For residential clients, they provide guidance on upgrading fluorescent systems to more efficient LED alternatives, delivering both energy savings and improved lighting quality. The company’s broader capabilities extend to EV chargers, solar integration, and battery backup systems—typically handled through their commercial division—representing the full spectrum of modern electrical needs.
This forward-thinking approach ensures that lighting solutions not only meet current needs but also anticipate future requirements, a crucial consideration for homes designed to serve families for generations.
Values That Endure
Perhaps most striking about the Gross Electric story is how it reflects broader themes about craftsmanship, expertise, and the value of long-term relationships. Under Laurie Gross’s leadership, the company has maintained its family-oriented culture while fostering professional development and personal relationships, creating an environment where expertise flourishes and partnerships thrive.
“She’s amazing,” Mueller says of Laurie Gross. “She’s a hard worker, working since the 1970s. Laurie is a third generation professional, and she knows the importance of work-life balance. Everyone works hard when we are here, and she is aware of it. Laurie knows everyone, visits every store, and we all feel like we’re part of a team and cared for.”
Illuminating Excellence
As the custom home market continues to evolve, with increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, smart home integration, and personalized design, the partnership between Riemco and Gross Electric represents something valuable: the integration of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation, backed by decades of trust and shared commitment to excellence.
For clients who demand the best, this partnership delivers solutions that exceed expectations, creating legacy spaces that function beautifully today while standing the test of time.
