A crew from Ampcore Electric LLC installs the electrical wiring for the new SDG Security & Fire headquarters in Flemington, NJ.

Owner Ernest “Ernie” Bagley opened Ampcore Electric LLC in 2012 with a dream of providing employment opportunities to his community.

Ernest “Ernie” Bagley, Owner of Ampcore Electric LLC (Ampcore), had a grandfather who was a professional jazz guitarist, and he dreamed of one day following in his footsteps. A skilled guitarist himself, Ernie spent time playing gigs in California but ultimately parlayed his talent into a thriving electrical business—one where employees are supported and customer value is key.

“I always liked working with my hands, so electrical work was a natural progression for me,” he says.

Ernie went on to begin a 20-year career working for large-scale electrical contractors before starting Ampcore in 2012. He says, “Starting my own business wasn’t something I planned on, but the longer I worked in this business the more I wanted to provide employment opportunities, to give people a career and not just a job.”

Based in Edison, New Jersey, the company specializes in commercial construction, serving a variety of general contractors and developers in new construction, fit-outs, energy retrofits, generator installations, parking lot lighting, bucket truck services, and maintenance and repairs. Most of Ampcore’s jobs are long term, and the company maintains about a half-dozen ongoing jobs at any given time.

“Being able to provide employment opportunities and solve problems for my customers is a passion for me,” Ernie says.

A Host of Rewarding Work

Ampcore’s certified and experienced electricians have worked in retail buildings, office spaces, small business locations, restaurants and other commercial spaces and are also equipped to take on industrial-level electrical jobs. While the bulk of Ampcore’s work is in new construction, Ernie explains that his team has extensive experience with maintenance and repairs for a variety of industrial facilities, completing projects that often involve motors and assembly lines.

He says, “These kinds of industrial installations require an electrician with a broad range of knowledge who can diagnose an issue and deliver a solution right away. Our guys know how to handle any job and any type of machinery.”

Ampcore is also experienced in multifamily housing spaces, and Ernie is particularly proud of the company’s ongoing work for the city of Bound Brook’s urban design project, an initiative to revitalize the area’s downtown after years of recurring flooding and economic decline. The design plan emphasizes mixed-use development and will consist of 105 apartments and storefronts for which Ampcore is performing electrical services. “I grew up in the neighboring town of Somerset,” Ernie says, “so it’s nice to see the resurrection of the area and to be a part of it.”

Ampcore is also proud of its work at the headquarters for SDG Security & Fire (SDG) in Flemington, New Jersey. SDG, which Ernie describes as one of the largest security vendors in the state, specializes in custom security systems for a wide spectrum of clients. Ernie says, “Ampcore was invited by the general contractor (GC) to bid on this project, and was then honored to be selected by his peer in the construction field to handle the electrical installation.”

A host of early childhood development centers are featured on Ampcore’s resume as well. The company has performed new electrical installations for The Learning Experience locations in Raritan, New Jersey, and South Orange, New Jersey, and Lightbridge Academy in Edison, New Jersey. “These types of projects are always gratifying, knowing that we played a part in helping our communities. People struggle with finding affordable, quality child care, and it’s rewarding to help build a nice facility for families,” Ernie says.

Save Money, Save Energy, Save the Planet

“We are committed to adding value for each and every customer, no matter the size of the project,” Ernie says. “We accomplish this through constant attention to detail, honesty and integrity. We listen to customers’ needs and customize a solution in the most efficient and professional manner possible.”

Customer Dave Clere of Mocci Properties says, “Ernie is extremely professional, with good communication skills, and all his employees, both in the field and in his office, are very knowledgeable of their trade. I have worked with Ernie one-on-one over the past three years and found his problem-solving skills to be exceptional.”

Ernie explains that one way his team adds value is by taking time to review drawings and specifications and looking for oversights by architects and engineers before they escalate to a costly problem.

“We also look for value engineering opportunities for clients to help them save money,” he adds. “We work with the GC to understand the overall needs for the project, considering not just the scope of the electrical work but also the other trades, looking for efficiencies to be gained.”

Michele Christian, Senior Business Development Manager with The Blue Book Building & Construction Network®, says, “Ernie is very proactive and engaged. It’s one of the reasons he’s so successful.”

Ampcore also looks for customer cost savings through energy studies, where the company analyzes peak usage and recommends ways to be more energy efficient, such as through the use of LED lighting, running equipment on timers and reducing heat output. The company also installs electric vehicle charging stations.

Ernie says, “We would like to continue expanding into more energy-savings installations, such as LED lighting for older facilities and energy retrofits of existing electrical equipment. We want to save our customers money on their monthly bills while providing more reliable products, and also do our part as a company to improve the environment for generations to come.”

Value in Relationships

Ampcore prioritizes relationships with both employees and customers. With regard to employees, Ernie looks for applicants who are seeking a career, not just a job, and supports them through continuing education opportunities and their development within the company.

Ernie explains that during his employee interview process, he tries to find what inspires the applicants. He says, “We look for what people are passionate about. You can see it pretty easily because their eyes light up when they talk about it. We want people who are invested, and we in turn support them in their career development.”

It’s important to Ernie to provide good job opportunities within his community, and that’s one reason why he decided to open his own business. He says, “Many businesses tend to look for ways to cut costs, and as a society, I feel we’ve gotten away from taking care of our workers. A business ultimately succeeds because of its people, and the real benefit for me is knowing that I’ve helped someone provide for his family. You, in turn, have employees that want to do good work, and it makes the business more sustainable in the long run.”

For Ampcore, this strategy has resulted in low turnover among the company’s employees who share a common vision: to add value for customers. Ernie says, “I look for long-term team members who care about the company and our customers.”

Michele adds, “Ernie is doing work that will directly impact future generations—both in his efforts to be environmentally friendly and in the training and development of his people.”

Ampcore’s emphasis on building long-term relationships with customers is evident as the majority of the firm’s projects come from repeat clients. Ernie says, “I value the relationships I have with people.” Making a difference, for customers, employees and Mother Earth, are hallmarks of Ampcore’s success.