106 Years of TEP: Celebrating Our Past, Recognising the Present, and Building for the Future
- anna66943
- Apr 9
- 5 min read
As TEP marks 106 years in business, we’ve been reflecting on the journey that has brought us here — and on what comes next.
Founded in 1920, TEP began at a time when electricity was still transforming Britain. Many homes did not yet have it, industry was evolving rapidly, and the role of electrical supply looked very different from today. From those early beginnings, the business was built on values that still define us now: service, resilience, innovation and long-term relationships.
More than a century later, we are still proudly independent, still family-owned, and still based in Darlington. Over the decades, we have grown through war, recession, technological change, financial uncertainty, COVID and the ongoing transition to Net Zero. The industry has changed beyond recognition — but the principles behind how we work have remained remarkably consistent.
From 1920 to today
TEP was founded by Captain Fred Thompson, a former Royal Engineers officer and qualified electrical engineer. He established the business at a time of huge change, laying foundations that would outlast generations and major shifts in the market.
In 1946, Fred’s son Douglas returned from the Second World War after being seriously injured in combat. Rather than stepping away, he stepped forward — expanding the business into Darlington and growing it from a one-room office into the Valley Street base we still operate from today. His determination and resilience helped shape the next era of TEP as Britain rebuilt and electricity demand accelerated.
Since then, four generations of the Thompson family have helped guide the business, each facing different challenges but holding onto the same core belief: that long-term success comes from doing things properly.
A business that has evolved with its customers
While our roots are firmly local, the scope of our work today reaches far beyond a traditional trade counter.
TEP continues to support local electrical contractors and facility managers across Darlington and the wider North East, but the business has also evolved to deliver complex lighting upgrade programmes for heritage buildings, five-star hospitality venues, commercial estates and national retail networks across the UK. That combination of technical knowledge, project delivery and strong supplier relationships has become a defining part of who we are today.
The wider electrical industry has transformed enormously over the last century. Electricity usage in the UK has grown dramatically since the 1920s, and lighting has advanced from filament bulbs to intelligent LED systems that can reduce energy use by more than 55%. TEP has evolved alongside those changes, helping customers move toward more efficient, lower-carbon solutions while maintaining the service standards the business was built on.
Leadership through change
Strong leadership beyond the family has also played an important role in TEP’s story.
In 1997, Mike Prior joined the business and went on to help steer it for more than two decades. During his time as General Manager, TEP navigated significant economic pressure, including the 2008 financial crash, while also recognising early the importance of LED technology and energy-efficient solutions. His leadership helped position the company well ahead of wider shifts in the market.
In 2019, leadership passed to Sarah Marshall, who stepped into the role of General Manager just before one of the most disruptive periods in modern business history. As COVID reshaped working practices and supply chains tightened, TEP adapted and continued to grow. Under Sarah’s leadership, and with support from Mike, Joe, Neal and the wider team, the business has expanded further into large-scale, end-to-end lighting upgrade projects that help organisations reduce energy use, lower carbon emissions and move closer to Net Zero.
National recognition from a single Darlington branch
The past two years have been a particularly significant period for TEP.
Despite operating from a single branch in Darlington, the business has secured four national industry awards. Most recently, TEP was named Wholesaler of the Year at the 2025 Electrical Industry Awards. That followed earlier recognition for Best Wholesaler: 1–5 Branches, Best Customer Service: Wholesaler and Best Wholesaler: Sole Branch.
These awards are an important milestone for the business. They reflect not only technical capability and commercial performance, but also the consistency of service, care and commitment that customers have come to expect from TEP over many years.
A proud moment for Darlington
That sense of local pride was reinforced recently when Darlington MP Lola McEvoy visited TEP’s Valley Street premises.
The visit was an opportunity to reflect on the company’s 106-year history, its recent award wins, and its continuing role in the town. It also highlighted the importance of strong local supply chains, the value of investing in people, and the need to ensure that opportunities brought into Darlington continue to benefit Darlington-based businesses wherever possible.
During the visit, Lola met Connor Dixon, TEP’s former apprentice, who was recently recognised as one of Tees Valley’s Star Apprentices. Connor completed his Customer Service apprenticeship with distinction and now works full-time in the Sales Support team — a progression that reflects TEP’s long-term commitment to developing talent and creating opportunities locally.
Lola McEvoy MP said:
“It’s brilliant to see Darlington businesses recognised at a national level and to mark TEP’s long service to the town. A personal highlight was meeting Connor, who recently completed an apprenticeship at TEP and has since been announced as a Tees Valley Star Apprentice. This government is doing lots of work to support young people like Connor to find work via a variety of routes and apprenticeships are a key one. That’s why we’re investing £1.5 billion to deliver 50,000 apprenticeships and 350,000 new workplace opportunities for young people - giving them real experience and a foot in the door.”
Looking ahead
Reaching 106 years in business is something we are incredibly proud of. But this milestone is not just about looking back.
It is also about continuing to evolve, helping more organisations transition to energy-efficient solutions, strengthening local supply networks, and investing in the people who will shape the next chapter of the business.
From Fred Thompson’s founding vision in 1920 to the team leading TEP today, one thing has remained constant: a belief that success is built on service, trust, resilience and doing the right thing.
That has carried us through 106 years.
And it is what will carry us forward.
Talk to us about your next project
From day-to-day electrical supply to large-scale LED lighting upgrades, we support businesses, contractors and organisations with practical advice, dependable service and tailored solutions.
Get in touch with the TEP team to discuss your building, or explore our commercial lighting solutions to see how we support end-to-end projects.
📞 01325 467563
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