Anixter

Anixter is a business-to-business distributor and supply-chain services company serving communications, networking, security, audiovisual, electrical, utility power, and industrial-control markets. The company does not primarily manufacture the products it sells. Instead, it connects manufacturers with contractors, system integrators, telecommunications providers, utilities, government organizations, industrial customers, and other professional buyers through product distribution, inventory management, technical support, logistics, and project-oriented services. The company was established in the United States in 1956 by brothers Alan and Bill Anixter, initially operating as Anixter Brothers and reselling cable products. Its early growth came from expanding its warehouse and distribution footprint and acquiring regional businesses. Anixter became a public company in the late 1960s, entered the United Kingdom in the early 1970s, and later developed a broad international presence. By the end of the 1970s, it had a substantial North American and European warehouse network and had become a significant specialist distributor rather than a small local cable reseller. A major turning point came after the 1984 breakup of AT&T. Changes in the telecommunications market created opportunities for independent distributors to sell communications equipment and related products directly to regional telephone companies. Anixter invested heavily in telecommunications, recruited personnel from telephone companies and suppliers, and expanded into data communications. Telecommunications products became a large share of its business during the 1980s, helping establish the company’s position in communications infrastructure distribution. Anixter later broadened its portfolio beyond cable and telecommunications. Its principal businesses included Network & Security Solutions, Electrical and Electronic Solutions, and Utility Power Solutions. Products and services supported enterprise networks, data centers, structured cabling, physical security, surveillance, access control, industrial communications, electrical infrastructure, and utility applications. The company also developed technical and industry programs intended to help customers compare, specify, and deploy infrastructure products. Its Levels cable-comparison program, created in the late 1980s, became influential in the cable industry before being sold to Underwriters Laboratories in 2003. International expansion accelerated from the 1990s onward, with entries into Mexico, Australia, Eastern Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America, supplemented by acquisitions in distribution, electronics, fasteners, wire and cable, and security products. Anixter also operated an aerospace hardware business for a period; that business was sold in 2011 to Greenbriar Equity, which formed Align Aerospace. Wesco International agreed to acquire Anixter in January 2020 in a transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion in cash and Wesco stock. The transaction closed later that year, and Anixter’s shares ceased trading on June 22, 2020. Anixter consequently became part of Wesco’s broader distribution platform rather than continuing as an independent listed company. The Anixter name and business capabilities continue to be associated with professional distribution of network infrastructure, security, communications, electrical, and related industrial products.

Anixter began in 1956 when brothers Alan and Bill Anixter founded Anixter Brothers in the United States. The business initially operated as a wholesale distributor and reseller of cable. Its early expansion was driven by warehouse development, customer growth, and acquisitions of regional companies. Within its first decade, the company had expanded substantially from its original operation. Anixter moved its headquarters to Skokie, Illinois, in 1969. The company became publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange in 1967 and expanded internationally during the following decade. It entered the United Kingdom in 1972 and obtained a New York Stock Exchange listing in 1975. By the end of the 1970s, Anixter had a sizeable warehouse network across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Its sales had also grown considerably, reflecting the increasing importance of specialized distribution in communications and electrical supply chains. The telecommunications industry provided a major growth opportunity in the 1980s. Following the breakup of AT&T in 1984, regional telephone companies gained greater flexibility in sourcing equipment and supplies. Anixter responded by hiring executives and specialists from telephone companies and manufacturers and by investing in telecommunications and data communications. By the middle of the decade, telecommunications products represented a substantial majority of the company’s business. In 1986, the holding company Itel acquired Anixter. Under Itel, Anixter became the group’s core operating business, and Itel eventually adopted the Anixter name in 1995. During the late 1980s, Anixter created the Levels program to compare cable products from different manufacturers. The program was intended to give buyers and infrastructure professionals a more consistent way to assess cable performance and product categories. It became widely used in the industry during the 1990s and was sold to Underwriters Laboratories in 2003. Anixter continued diversifying geographically and by product category through the 1990s and 2000s. It entered Mexico in 1991, Australia in 1992, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific in 1993, and South America in 1995. The company also acquired or integrated businesses involved in electronics, fasteners, wire and cable, security products, and industrial supply. These transactions helped it move from a traditional cable distributor toward a multi-category provider for communications infrastructure, network systems, security, electrical products, and industrial applications. The company’s business was organized around major areas including Network & Security Solutions, Electrical and Electronic Solutions, and Utility Power Solutions. It also operated an aerospace hardware business, which it sold in 2011 to Greenbriar Equity. The acquired aerospace operation became Align Aerospace. In January 2020, Wesco International agreed to acquire Anixter for approximately $4.5 billion in cash and Wesco stock. The transaction was completed in 2020. Anixter’s shares ceased trading on June 22 of that year, and the company became part of Wesco’s distribution platform. Anixter continues to function as a professional infrastructure and technology-products distribution brand within the Wesco group, serving manufacturers, contractors, integrators, utilities, enterprises, and other institutional customers.

1. 2020Acquisition by Wesco International

   Wesco completes its acquisition of Anixter, and Anixter’s shares cease trading.

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2. 2011Aerospace hardware business sold

   The aerospace hardware operation is sold to Greenbriar Equity and becomes Align Aerospace.

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3. 2003Levels program transferred to Underwriters Laboratories

   Anixter sells its established cable-comparison program to Underwriters Laboratories.

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4. 2002Named to the Forbes Platinum 400

   Anixter is included in Forbes’ Platinum 400 company selection.

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5. 1995Entry into South America and corporate renaming

   Anixter enters South America, while its holding company adopts the Anixter name.

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6. 1993Expansion into Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific

   The company extends its international distribution activities into Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific.

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7. 1992Entry into Australia

   Anixter expands into Australia.

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8. 1991Entry into Mexico

   Anixter begins operating in the Mexican market.

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9. 1989Sales exceed one billion dollars

   Anixter passes the one-billion-dollar sales milestone.

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10. 1986Acquisition by Itel

    Itel acquires Anixter as the company expands into data communications.

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11. 1984Telecommunications expansion after AT&T divestiture

    Changes in the telecommunications market enable Anixter to expand sales to regional telephone companies and invest heavily in communications distribution.

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12. 1975New York Stock Exchange listing

    Anixter obtains a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

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13. 1972United Kingdom expansion

    Anixter expands into the United Kingdom.

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14. 1969Headquarters move to Skokie

    The company relocates its headquarters to Skokie, Illinois.

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15. 1967Initial public-market listing

    Anixter becomes publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange.

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16. 1956Anixter Brothers is founded

    Alan and Bill Anixter establish a wholesale cable-distribution business in the United States.

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A specialist professional distributor and supply-chain partner for enterprise infrastructure, communications, security, electrical, utility, and industrial customers.

• Network & Security SolutionsNetwork infrastructure and physical security

  Anixter distributes products used to build and protect enterprise networks, data centers, and communications environments. The range includes structured cabling, connectivity, network infrastructure components, video surveillance, access control, and related security technologies. Products are supplied primarily through contractors, integrators, channel partners, and institutional procurement programs, with distribution, technical, inventory, and project-support services.

• Electrical and Electronic SolutionsElectrical and electronic distribution

  This business area supplies electrical, electronic, wire, cable, and related products for commercial, industrial, communications, and infrastructure projects. Anixter’s role includes sourcing from manufacturers, holding inventory close to customers, coordinating fulfillment, and supporting contractors and other professional buyers with product selection and supply-chain services.

• Utility Power SolutionsUtility power distribution

  Utility Power Solutions serves electric utilities and related infrastructure customers with products used in power-distribution and utility operations. The offering complements Anixter’s communications and electrical distribution capabilities and is oriented toward institutional, project, and maintenance requirements rather than consumer retail.

• Structured Cabling and ConnectivityCommunications infrastructure

  A core Anixter product category covering cable, connectivity, and associated components used in enterprise networks, data centers, telecommunications systems, and audiovisual installations. The category reflects Anixter’s historic cable-distribution base and its later expansion into complete infrastructure supply and deployment support.

• Security ProductsElectronic and physical security

  Products for commercial and institutional security applications, including surveillance, access control, and related systems. Anixter distributes these products through security integrators, contractors, and other professional channels, supporting projects that require coordination across physical security, communications, and network infrastructure.

• Aerospace HardwareAerospace components

  A historically important Anixter business supplying aerospace hardware. Anixter sold this operation in 2011 to Greenbriar Equity, which formed Align Aerospace; it is therefore not part of Anixter’s current core portfolio.

• Levels cable-comparison program

  United States · International professional cable markets

  Anixter created Levels to help buyers and infrastructure professionals compare cable products and performance categories across brands. The program became widely recognized in the cable industry during the 1990s.

  Outcome. The program was transferred to Underwriters Laboratories in 2003.

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• 2020Wesco acquires AnixterM&A

  Wesco sought to expand its electrical and communications distribution capabilities, while Anixter was a major specialist distributor serving network infrastructure, security, and electrical markets.

  What changed. Wesco International agreed to acquire Anixter in a transaction involving approximately $4.5 billion in cash and Wesco stock. The acquisition was completed in 2020.

  Aftermath. Anixter became part of Wesco’s business platform, and its shares ceased trading on June 22, 2020. The Anixter name continued as a professional distribution brand within the combined organization.

  Transaction value. $4.5 billion announced transaction value (Announced January 13, 2020; completed 2020)

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• 2011Sell the aerospace hardware businessM&A

  Aerospace hardware was a distinct business within Anixter’s broader distribution portfolio.

  What changed. Anixter sold the aerospace hardware operation to Greenbriar Equity.

  Aftermath. Greenbriar used the acquired operation to form Align Aerospace, while Anixter focused more closely on its communications, security, electrical, and utility businesses.

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• 2003Transfer the Levels program to Underwriters LaboratoriesOther

  Anixter’s cable-comparison program had become an established industry reference after expanding during the 1990s.

  What changed. Anixter sold the Levels program to Underwriters Laboratories.

  Aftermath. The program continued under the ownership of a major testing and standards organization rather than remaining an Anixter-operated offering.

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• 1984Increase investment in telecommunications distributionStrategy

  The breakup of AT&T changed how regional telephone companies could source communications equipment and created an opening for independent distributors.

  What changed. Anixter recruited telecommunications executives and supplier personnel and invested heavily in telecommunications and data communications products.

  Aftermath. Telecommunications became a dominant part of Anixter’s business during the middle of the 1980s and helped drive its transition beyond traditional cable distribution.

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• 2020Anixter agrees to be acquired by Wesco International

  Anixter and Wesco announced an agreement under which Wesco would acquire Anixter in a cash-and-stock transaction valued at approximately $4.5 billion.

  M&A
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• 2020Wesco completes acquisition of Anixter

  Wesco completed its acquisition of Anixter, bringing the distributor into Wesco’s operating platform and ending Anixter’s status as an independent public company.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2020Anixter shares cease trading after Wesco transaction

  Anixter’s shares ceased trading on June 22, 2020, following completion of the Wesco acquisition.

  M&A
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• 2011Anixter sells aerospace hardware business

  Anixter sold its aerospace hardware business to Greenbriar Equity, which established Align Aerospace from the acquired operation.

  M&A
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• 2003Anixter’s Levels cable-comparison program is sold to Underwriters Laboratories

  Anixter transferred its Levels cable-comparison program to Underwriters Laboratories after the program had become an established industry reference.

  M&AOther
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1. Anixter
2. Wesco International completes acquisition of Anixter
3. Anixter corporate website