From a 10×10 storage building to a facility now serving customers across the country—our first visit to Select Equipment Co. gave us a great story of entrepreneurship right here in our community.

President Doug Bray, a Northwestern HS and 1982 Ball State graduate, started the business on his own. Today, his team helps industrial customers source, recondition, build, and test electrical equipment. Motor control is a major part of their work and their motor control center “buckets” account for about half of the business. These units help control the motors that keep equipment running in facilities across the country.

Doug showed us why finding a part for older machinery can be so valuable when a new replacement may take nearly a year to arrive. Every product is tested before it leaves their facility. In his words, “We help keep the lights on throughout the US.”

Doug was honest about the challenges of growing a business. Select Equipment built its customer base through word of mouth and sales calls, and the team is now adapting its marketing for search and AI. His advice to our students: Be adaptable. Be ready for change. And be willing to take a risk.

“I had faith in myself. I have faith in God. If it’s to be, it’ll be. And if I didn’t succeed, I’m still a valuable player in the market.” — Doug Bray

Thank you, Doug, for opening your doors to us and sharing both the work behind Select Equipment and the mindset behind building it!