our history
Mercer Zimmerman has been a major presence in the lighting industry for over 75 years, and has developed strong relationships with countless customers, from the specification community to the electrical contractors. Our team is made up of a diverse group of sales, quotation, and customer service staff, the most qualified professionals in our market. We put a strong emphasis on family here at Mercer Zimmerman and believe that a cohesive work environment of talented individuals who truly enjoy their work are essential to providing the best possible service to our customers. Good work, like good lighting, shines from the inside out.
Celebrating 75 Years
1947
Walter and Gladys Zimmerman founded the Walter Zimmerman Company working from their home on Murdock Street in Wichita, Kansas. Walter started out representing timers and electrical devices, and gradually grew his business.
1955
Walter hired Rich Mercer, his son-in-law, just out of the U.S. Army.
1958
The Walter Zimmerman Company started representing their first lighting companies, Keystone and EJS Lighting.
1968
Continuing to grow, we added Marco & Devine Lighting to our line card in 1963 followed by Revere Electric and H.E. Williams in 1968.
1969
The company incorporated in 1969 and officially changed the name to Mercer-Zimmerman, Inc.
1975
Walter passed away in 1975 and Rich became president of the company. Subsequently, the headquarters were moved to the Hoel Parkway office.
1998
Rich and his wife Helen moved the company from their Hoel Parkway office to a 5,800 square foot office building in Overland Park, Kansas with branch offices in Topeka, Wichita, and Springfield.
2003
Tom Eads and Shon Yust become full owners of Mercer Zimmerman and purchase Coopersmith Lighting. The following year, Rich and Helen retire.
2005
President Tom Eads and Vice President Shon Yust continued to grow the company until Tom’s retirement in 2005, when Shon became the sole owner and President of Mercer-Zimmerman.
2011
As the industry shifted from fluorescent lighting to energy-efficient LED technology, Mercer Zimmerman solidified anchor partnerships with Cooper Lighting Solutions, H.E. Williams, and Legrand.
2018
Corporate headquarters is built in Overland Park, KS, just down the street from the previous building.
2021
Mercer Zimmerman acquires AES Lighting and expands market territories into Nebraska and Iowa.
