Our History

Republic has a diverse and storied history in the Quad Cities. We have thrived as a community staple and grown the business to continually improve our ability to meet customers' needs. We are very proud of our company history and the events that have led our company to where it is today.

1916

JS Kimmel Borrows $5,000

From each of his two sisters and opens a Delco Light Plant Distributorship to sell power plants to rural America

1918

The Electric Equipment Company Opens

At 222 Ripley (1/2 block south of Kahl Building) to sell "modern day" appliances

1920

Republic Partners With Frigidaire

To distribute refrigerators and freezers

1920

Republic Opens Up a Counter and Warehouse

At 120 E. Front Street

1932

JSK Sr. Raises $116K Locally to Help the Poor and Needy Buy Coal

1932

JSK Sr. Serves on the Initial Board of Directors of Davenport Bank and Trust

1934

Republic Partners With Square D

And converts its rural Delco Light Plant installers into electrical contractors

1937

JSK Jr. Began His Love of Aviation at Age 16

By selling his bicycle, his binoculars, and his rifle to pay for flying lessons at Cram Field

1942

JSK Sr. Leads the Quad City WWII Effort to Sell Victory War Bonds

From 1942-1944

1946

JSK Jr. Returns From Flying the Hump in WWII and Starts Work at Republic

1947

Republic Moves to Present Location at 737 Charlotte Street

1948

Republic Enters the Residential HVAC Industry

By partnering with Fedders and Worthington

1957

JSK Sr. Creates the Sheltered Workshop

Predecessor to Handicapped Development Center

1960

Republic Acquires Federal Street Warehouses and Land

From Standard Oil of Indiana

1971

JSK Jr. Becomes President

Succeeding his father, who died October 10th

1972

JSK Jr. Serves as the Volunteer Chairman of the Original QC Airshow "Aerorama"

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the QC Airport

1984

Mark C. Kilmer Joins Republic

After returning from Standard Oil of California

1993

Republic Opens a Regional Refrigerant Recovery Center

1998

Mark Kilmer Becomes President

2002

JSK, Jr. Died on July 26

2003

Republic Expands Into the Geo-Thermal HVAC Market

2003

Republic Establishes a Facility in Dubuque, Iowa

The first of its now 4 branch locations

2006

Republic Expands Into the Energy Management and Lighting Retrofit Market

2008

Republic Partners With Johnson Controls

And begins distributing York and Luxaire residential and commercial HVAC equipment

2010

Republic Establishes Cedar Rapids, Iowa Location

2011

Republic Becomes the Back-to-Back Winner of the Prestigious National "IMARK Electrical Distributor of the Year" Award

2010 & 2011 Winner

2014

Republic Acquires Yeomans Distribution and Expands to Peoria, Illinois

2016

Republic Celebrates Its 100 Years in Business!

2023

Opens State-of-the-Art Distribution and Training Center in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines Distribution and Training Center