Mundelein, IL 9-30-09. The percentage of female attendees at the annual National Association of Electrical Distributors increased slightly in 2009 to 7.9% for all attendees. By category, Distributors had 5.7% female attendees, which is down from an average of 6.6%. The Manufacturers had 9.5% female attendees, which is up over the previous four-year average of 5.8%.
Overall attendance levels were down 49% over 2008 numbers and the total female representation was down for both divisions. Distributors had 64% fewer women in 2009 over 2008 while Manufacturers had 9% fewer female attendees in 2009 vs 2008.
Ted Konnerth, President and CEO of Egret commented on the survey results saying, “Our survey results seem to be in line with the position that the electrical industry which was largely started by servicemen returning from WWII and has remained virtually male-only for over 60 years. Dads have turned the business over to sons, and a handful of daughters; but a strategic process of attracting a diverse workforce into distribution and even electrical manufacturers has failed to gain significant traction, as represented by the small percentage of women attending this major industry conference.
Egret Consulting Group is a boutique search firm that specializes solely in the electrical and industrial markets. Egret’s recruits for electrical manufacturers, electrical wholesale distributors and industrial wholesale distributors. As the largest recruiting firm dedicated exclusively to the electrical industry, Egret regularly works with firms of all sizes. To view the results of other Egret Surveys, please go to http://www.egretconsulting.com/website/newsletter.htm.
Ted Konnerth PhD, is President/CEO of Egret Consulting Group located Mundelein, Ill. Prior to founding Egret Consulting in 1999, Konnerth was with Cooper Industries for 16 years and served as vice president of sales for 4.5 years for the $1 billion lighting division before starting his search firm.
25687 Hillview Court
Mundelein, Il 60060
Phone: 847-970-5949
www.egretconsulting.com