75 years of CEF: City Electrical Factors celebrates major anniversary by giving back

  Posted by: electime      19th June 2026

The nationwide electrical wholesaler will be turning almost 400 branches into collection points for food banks across the UK as it marks over seven decades of service.

City Electrical Factors (CEF) is marking its 75th anniversary with a nationwide community food drive, amongst continued CEF Cares initiatives throughout the year. Over 400 foodbanks will be supported as part of the campaign, with every CEF branch becoming a donation point in the run up to the official celebration on 16th July 2026.

The community food drive will bring together CEF teams, customers and suppliers to mark over seven decades of the wholesaler’s role in local communities across the country; as an employer, a supplier and a supporter of electrical professionals in the UK.

For the duration of the initiative, CEF branches will both donate essential goods and act as collection point for their local foodbank. This initiative is part of CEF’s “Days of Giving” campaign, which also includes a number of internal activities, such as recognition awards and live streams of the food bank drop offs.

Throughout its 75-year history, CEF has been committed to playing an active role in the communities that surround it. Founded in 1951 by Tom Mackie in Coventry, CEF began as a single electrical wholesale branch, built on a simple premise: offer reliable service, build strong relationships, and support customers in the trades.

A lot has changed since then, but CEF’s uncompromised standard has not. Now with branches stretching from Scotland to England’s south coast, CEF employs over 4,000 people in the UK, all working towards supporting the UK’s ever-evolving electrical trade with a focus on quality, service and trust.

As well as the community food drive, CEF’s 75th Anniversary will feature a range of events and awards designed to celebrate the brand’s achievements and look ahead to a future of ongoing innovation.

Alongside its community focus, CEF is using the milestone to reflect on the evolution of the electrical sector itself and the rise of increasingly digital, connected and energy-focused technologies. With demand for electrification – from EV charging to energy efficiency – continuing to grow, the business is positioning its experience as a foundation for future development with events, talks and trade counter knowledge.

Anyone interested in getting involved with CEF’s food collection should reach out to their local trade counter for more information, or visit their website, www.cef.co.uk/about-us

Donations as part of the community food drive will be accepted from May until July.