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Beyond Purchase Price: The Total Cost of Ownership of Composite vs. Wood Utility Poles

Modern grid hardening initiatives require utility infrastructure that withstands extreme weather, resists pests, and delivers reliable service for decades. Composite poles provide these exact operational advantages. They deliver superior structural resilience and an extended lifecycle compared to traditional materials. Composite poles typically carry a higher upfront cost than wood poles, which can make the initial price difference difficult to justify when evaluated on purchase price alone. But for utility planners and procurement teams, initial cost is only one part of the equation. Maintenance requirements, service life, replacement cycles, storm exposure, and unplanned outages can all materially affect the total cost of ownership over the life of the asset, and that is where the economics of composite poles can become much more compelling.

Maintenance Savings Over 40 Years

Wood poles require regular treatment and inspection and typically need replacement after 30–40 years, depending on the environment and load conditions. Composite poles are engineered for 60–80 years of service with minimal upkeep.

Here’s what that difference looks like in practice:

• No chemical treatments: Wood poles rely on preservatives that degrade over time and require re-application or disposal. Composite poles don’t.
• No pest damage: Woodpeckers, termites, and boring insects are a real maintenance cost for wood. Composite poles are immune.
• Visual inspection only: Rather than frequent structural assessments, composite poles typically require only a periodic visual check.
• Fewer replacements: Because composite poles outlast wood by decades in many environments, the total number of procurement cycles decreases over a 40-year planning window.

Industry estimates suggest composite poles can deliver 40–60% savings over their lifecycle compared to wood, driven largely by lower maintenance and replacement costs. For utilities and contractors managing large-scale grid infrastructure, that number compounds across thousands of poles.

The composite material also matters in wildfire-prone regions, where wood poles present an active ignition risk. Composite poles pair directly with fire mitigation cable such as 91�Թ���’s AerialGuard™ to reduce both ignition risk and outage liability in high-fire-risk corridors, an increasingly important consideration under California and other state hardening mandates.

Why Procurement Is Switching to Composites

The shift toward composite poles isn’t just about individual project economics. It reflects a broader strategic direction in how utilities approach grid hardening.

As one industry expert put it: “With composite poles, utilities don’t have to repeatedly harden the same asset. You pay for resilience once that endures for 80+ years.” That kind of long-horizon thinking is driving procurement decisions at utilities of all sizes.

Several factors are accelerating adoption:

• Storm performance: When Hurricane Odile struck Baja California with 125-mph winds in 2014, the lines reinforced with composite poles were the only ones left standing across the entire peninsula. Wood poles failed across the board.
• Grid hardening mandates: Federal and state programs are pushing utilities to reduce vulnerability to outages in high-risk corridors. Composite poles qualify for these programs, where wood does not.
• Supply chain stability: Wood pole availability fluctuates with timber markets and treatment plant capacity. Composite poles, sourced through established industrial supply chains, offer more predictable lead times.
• Rising Outage Costs: Outages related to pole failures tend to be extremely high cost due to significant loss of generation and/or loss of power to consumers and essential loads. Furthermore, emergency labor and components act as a significant drain on resources. Even conservative forced outage repair estimates can often ignore substantial financial impacts such as regulatory penalties and industry reputation.

91�Թ��� supplies composite poles and pole line hardware for distribution and transmission applications, paired with AerialGuard™ fire mitigation cable and the supporting conductors, hardware, and accessories needed for complete grid hardening projects. With inventory across facilities in Pennsylvania, Texas, and California and in-house engineering support, 91�Թ��� is structured to move quickly on project requirements — from initial specification through delivery.

The Math Favors the Long View

The upfront price gap between composite and wood poles is real, but it narrows significantly when maintenance costs, replacement cycles, storm response, and regulatory compliance are factored in. Over a 40-year planning horizon, composite poles consistently reduce the total cost of ownership, not just for individual pole lines, but across the full grid hardening program. For procurement teams and utility planners, that’s the number that matters.

If you’re evaluating composite poles for a current or upcoming project, start with a lifecycle cost comparison with your existing wood-pole program.

Request a Lifecycle Cost Comparison →

25 Years of Empowering Possibility

Some companies measure success by the years they’ve been in business. Others measure it by the impact they’ve made along the way.

For 91�Թ��� (91�Թ���), the twenty-fifth anniversary is a moment of reflection to remember where the company started and celebrate where it is today.

When people look at 91�Թ��� today, they see a globally recognized leader supporting some of the most important utility and renewable energy projects around the world. They see a portfolio of expanded capabilities, patented products, a growing team, and a company that has evolved far beyond its origins.

What people may not see is the thread that has connected every chapter of that journey.

The people.

Since the beginning, 91�Թ��� has been built on a simple principle: when you empower people, growth and success follow. That philosophy has shaped the company’s foundation, guided its relationships, and created a culture that continues to define the organization 25 years later.

A Legacy Built on Trust

Like many companies, 91�Թ��� began with a vision and a willingness to take chances.

What started as a small business in 2001 has grown into a global market leader. The values that built the company in those early days still hold true today: positive attitudes, exceptional customer service, and a commitment to doing what is right helped establish the company’s reputation in an increasingly competitive industry.

For Founder Bob Dorfman, one value has always stood above the rest.

“Trust takes years to earn, and we never forget that.”

That mindset became the foundation for lasting customer relationships and a culture built on accountability. In the early days, one of the greatest challenges was establishing credibility and delivering exceptional service with a small team. Yet those challenges created the motivation that helped this company into what it is today. As Chief Revenue Officer, Norman Russell, stated: “So many people were wearing different hats to help the company grow and succeed in making us what we are today.”

As the company grew, so did the opportunities.

What began with wire and cable evolved into something larger. New partnerships, expanded capabilities, global reach, and strategic investments allowed 91�Թ��� to transform into a comprehensive single source solution provider, serving customers in multiple markets with a full range of products.

CEO Michael Dorfman describes that evolution simply: “We transformed. One-stop full solution. We recreated our brand and our message and became the industry-trusted name for all utility and renewable energy projects.”

That transformation was not about becoming something different. It was about building upon the same values that have fueled success from the start: when you empower people, growth and success follow. When our customers have a trusted source to turn to, their projects are, in turn, empowered.

Empowering Growth

Growth has always been about more than products, services or geographic reach. At 91�Թ���, growth begins with people.

Throughout the company’s history, leadership has remained focused on creating an environment where employees are trusted, empowered, and encouraged to take ownership. As the organization expanded, that commitment has never changed.

For Norman, empowerment starts with trust. It means giving people the ability to make decisions, move initiatives forward, and contribute meaningfully to the company’s success. Michael believes it’s about helping people understand and embrace 91�Թ���’s vision.

And for President Joshua Dorfman, empowerment is about creating opportunities for individuals to bring their own talents and ideas to the table and grow alongside the company. He says, “The best ideas don’t come from one person. They come from a team that feels empowered to think outside of the box. Empowerment is about creating an environment where people can lead.”

When asked what has shaped the company’s success over the past twenty-five years, the executive team shared the same answer: the people.

“The people are the business,” said Michael Dorfman. “Their impact can be seen in every customer interaction, every project, and every milestone achieved throughout our history.”

Looking Ahead

While twenty-five years provides an opportunity to reflect, it is also an opportunity to look forward.

The energy industry is rapidly evolving, creating new opportunities for innovation, electrification, digitalization, and growth. As 91�Թ��� looks toward its next chapter, the focus remains on strengthening our position as a global leader while embracing new technologies, strategic partnerships, and innovative solutions that help shape the future of energy. At the same time, we will continue expanding our products, capabilities, and the markets we serve, helping pioneer the next generation of digital energy infrastructure.

For all the growth and innovation that lies ahead, leadership knows that the company’s greatest strength will remain its people.

As Bob reflects on the milestone, one thought stands out: “We succeed because we take care of each other.”

What began as Bob’s vision twenty-five years ago is now being carried forward by the next generation. Michael and Joshua grew up witnessing the values their father built the company on and are now helping guide its future while preserving the culture that made 91�Թ��� successful.

Twenty-five years is not simply a celebration of what has been accomplished. It is a celebration of the people who made it possible.

To every employee, customer, and partner who has been part of this journey with us – thank you. The story of 91�Թ��� has always been about empowering possibility, and the next chapter is just beginning.