Spencer Technologies is known today as one of the leading service providers in retail technology. As we celebrate the amazing 50 years of business, let’s reflect on the journey that got us here.

In 1972, Spencer started as Spencer Engineering doing mostly areal work on powerlines. The owner was approached by a man from Sherman Williams while at a GrayBar counter with an offer to travel around Massachusetts and install isolated ground receptacles for their Point of Sale systems. After completing the work for Sherman Williams, the owner came back for more and Sherman Williams gave him more states to complete until a national business was created.

The owner then recognized the need for a national low voltage company to support the growth of national retail chains such as Pier 1, GAP, Ward, Caldor’s, Sears, Talbots, Rite Aid, Footlocker, Toys R Us, and Pep Boys to name a few.

These retailers leveraged Spencer’s ability to travel around the country, installing their network and Point of Sale systems as they built their stores. From 1975-2000 there was a run-up of new store builds with malls popping up around the country and Spencer road the wave as national brands were expanding.

At 32, David Strickler had a 3-year startup providing installation services for CVS while using Spencer as a subcontractor. When the owner was interested in selling, Dave secured Spencer in 1999 with a vision of owning a business and continuing to grow a company.

“There was a burning drive in my belly to own a business which gave me the opportunity to build something great. I’m a dreamer, painting pictures in my mind of what the future could / should look like….in life personally and professionally. This dreaming drives my days and motivates me to do what I do, ” says Dave.

The name was then changed to Spencer Technologies and the work began to grow the business into the multi-faceted Spencer we know today. The company has not just survived, but grown over the years with the innate ability to consistently adapt and provide the latest emerging technology services to the industry.

As the markets changed over time, Dave rigorously spent time searching for any blind spots by listening to the target market, the broader market such as, technology, people’s behavioral changes and our clients. Through discovery, Spencer then accommodated any gaps by either organically building them or through acquisition.

“It’s important to take risks, be bold and don’t be afraid to fail it’s the best way to learn then pivot to a better idea. A good friend of mine Tad Sheppard would tell me, “to be big you have to think big” this has served me well over the years as we have embarked on some very large deals which have had a profound impact on the growth of our company,” says Dave.

In 2000 Spencer employed 50 with revenues of 10MM. Technicians would leave Massachusetts in their cargo vans for months driving around the country installing network cable for new store openings. Sense then, over the past 23 years, Spencer has purchased 5 companies to fill gaps in their service offering and have added 10 new services to the portfolio – all with the focus of being more relevant in the market and providing value to our clients.

Today Spencer now employs 500 throughout North America, Canada, Mexico and Europe and recognizes over 100MM in revenue.

This growth and change can only be achieved by having a great team that believes in the company and client success.

Dave sums it up best by saying, “Wow 50 years, what a milestone for Spencer! This is a reflection of how good Spencer and it’s employees are today and throughout it’s history. We have been thru 9.11, mortgage crisis, pandemic and a recession, each time becoming stronger. Spencer will continue to evolve leading the market and paving the way for others to follow.”

We look forward to the next 50 years continuing to serving our customers with the best the retail technology industry has to offer!