Recent controversy surrounding the funding of solar energy companies, led by the bankruptcy filing of Fremont, CA-based Solyndra, hasn’t swayed Rexel Holdings USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Paris, France-based Rexel Group and No. 3 on MDM’s top 25 electrical distributors list, away from the alternative energy market. Chris Hartmann, executive vice president and CEO of Rexel Holdings USA, recently spoke with Associate Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier about how the company has shifted to meet changing market needs, the future of alternative energy and the challenges Rexel and the electrical distribution industry will face going forward.

MDM: How has business been for Rexel?

Chris Hartmann: Right now, things are going fairly well. Similar to all businesses in our industry we certainly faced some tough challenges over the past few years. But year-to-date in 2011 same store sales are up over 10 percent, which we’re very pleased with because a little bit more than ...