Inspiring Conversations with Steven Bohnet of Bohnet Electric Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steven Bohnet.

Hi Steven, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Bohnet Electric is a 120 year old, family business founded in 1906 by William F. Bohnet, my great uncle. It started with electrical contracting and morphed into a brick and mortar that initially sold lighting as at that time you had to supply product if you were installing power. This idea was innovative, think of it like an Apple store of its time. The business was incorporated in 1913 and my Grandfather Ernest Bohnet, became president. Around 1920, the business started selling appliances. Bohnet Electric was located downtown Lansing from 1906 to 1967. Eventually it moved to the Saginaw Street location, because of urban renewal and the stockholders chose to liquidate product. During that time the store stopped selling appliances and business picked up. In 1979, Ernest passed away and Ronald became president. Around 1980, Steve started historic lighting restoration; the first project was for the Ingham County Courthouse. The store moved to Grand River Avenue in 1996. During the recession, Ronald died and Patrick became president. In 2019, the business reduced the size of the showroom to provide more area for repair and restoration. An article in the Lansing State Journal implied that that Bohnet Electric had closed, which caused several years of confusion for customers. In 2017, Patrick passed away, thus changing the way the business handled electrical contracting, and Steve became president. Some of the historic restoration projects have been for: Belle Isle Aquarium, The Fisher Building, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Henry Ford Estate (Fair Lane), Grand Hotel, and the Michigan State Capital. Bohnet Electric is the ongoing contractor for Cranbrook House and Educational Community. Bohnet Electric has hired multiple employees who have gone from apprentices to master electricians and on to other careers in lighting. For 120 years Bohnet Electric has stood through The Great Depression, multiple recessions, pandemics and we continue to provide exemplary customer service and pioneer historic lighting craftsmanship in Michigan. Bohnet Electric is dedicated to artistry, innovated craftsmanship, safety, and energy efficiency.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
-1906, new business innovation
-Spanish Flu
-Technological Age
-WWI
-Great Depression
-WWII
-Vietnam War
-2008 recession
-Covid pandemic
-Deaths of principals
-Tariffs, material price increases
-Energy crisis

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We specialize the restoration of historic lighting. We are known for our customer service and quality craftsmanship. We provide modern and vintage lighting, repairs, and lampshades through our brick and mortar location.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Our customers deserve the utmost recognition. They continue to patronize our business for generations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bohnetelectric.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063944142143
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-bohnet-84a99841