About

Eugene Bates and George Murray of Newport Vermont, returning from the war in June of 1946, decided to go into the electrical business as partners and formed the electrical company Bates and Murray.

In 1953 Gene and George needed more space and purchased a small warehouse on Union St. in Newport. Not needing the whole warehouse they rented the remaining part of the warehouse to Green Mountain Electric Inc.

Back row - John Lesard III, Dale Knowles, Raymond Place, Bob Carter
Front row - Earl Laber, George Murray, Norm Bean, Gene Bates
Picture used with permission courtesy of www.gmes.com

Incorporated in 1954 as Bates & Murray,Inc., Gene Bates and George Murray had the desire and the vision to build upon their sound principles, creating one of the largest electrical contracting firms in the northeast. As the company grew so did the customer and geographic area which it served. In the early sixties a branch office was opened in Central Vermont to better serve the growing customer base. This office enabled the company to serve the entire state of Vermont because of its central location and close proximity to the interstate highway. The sixties and the early seventies were banner years for the construction industry, however , many electrical contracting firms failed and fell by the wayside while Bates & Murray, Inc. continued to grow with a solid repeat customer base.

In later years, Gene and George realized that the continued success and growth of the company depended upon selecting capable successors that would adhere to the principles upon which the company was founded. Ronald York and Robert Norway, dedicated long-term employees, were selected to manage the company for a period of five years starting in 1975. In 1981, Ronald and Robert fully purchased Bates & Murray,Inc. upon the retirement of Gene and George. Bates & Murray, Inc. continued healthy growth and expanded into New York and New Hampshire under the new ownership.

George Murray and Gene Bates

George Murray and Gene Bates at their retirement dinner in 1981.

In 1985, Bates & Murray, Inc. moved the office from the warehouse on Gunner Brook Road (now known as Plainfield Brook Road) to the Old Brookside School (which is now the only wooden school house left standing form the Barre Town neighborhood school system).

Original Brookside School House

Late 1950's picture of the original Brookside School House (built in 1939) home of Bates & Murray, Inc.,since 1985.

In 1993, upon the retirement of Robert Norway, Ronald York became the sole owner of Bates & Murray, Inc. Ron operated the company very successfully for the next seven years.

In 2000, when Ron decided to retire, he used the same process as Gene and George did back in 1975. He chose two long-term employees to guide the company into the next century. Ron chose Gary H. Clark and Albert Borne Jr. both with over 25 years experience with Bates & Murray, Inc. to manage the company for the next five years. In 2006, Gary and Albie fully purchased Bates & Murray, Inc. upon the retirement of Ronald York. Bates & Murray, Inc. continues steady growth in Vermont and New Hampshire under the new ownership.

Gary and Albie continue to operate under the same solid principles as their predecessors. Many employees of Bates & Murray, Inc. have more than 30 years experience with the company, which is a strong testament to having lived up to Mr. Murray's belief- 'Treat your employees the way you would like to be treated". The excellent credit rating with its suppliers, bank and bonding company are a tribute to the sound principle "pay your bills promptly" upon which this excellent company was founded. Bates & Murray, Inc. has a loyal, repeat customer base due to the quality of its product and service. "Take care of your customers and treat them fairly," as Gene Bates would say, is deeply embedded and practiced in every aspect of our daily business to this day.

Bates & Murray, Inc. has presently 51 employees with a total combined 750 years of experience. Bates & Murray, Inc. does over seven million dollars ($7,000,000.00) worth of business annually from projects up to over four million dollars ($4,000,000.00).

"Our Success Is The Result Of Customer Satisfaction And Our Employees Commitment To Quality"

Meet Our Office Staff

Directions

Bates & Murray, Inc. 338 E Montpelier Rd Barre, VT 05641


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Bates & Murray, Inc. Warehouse, 103 Plainfield Brook Road, Barre, VT 05641


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This framed advertising label dates to the late 1950's. It was presented to Bates & Murray, Inc. during our 30th anniversary by Claude Brooks, a long time friend and sales representative for the General Electric Supply Co.

Notice the telephone numbers and lack of a web site address.

To contact us:

Phone: 802-479-1066
Fax: 802-476-3748
Email: gclark@batesmurrayinc.com

Bates & Murray, Inc.
PO Box 668
Barre, VT 05641