Recent years Graybar

the current graybar corporate headquarters @ graybar building, clayton, missouri.

graybar modernized infrastructure, implementing 1 of first computer-to-computer ordering systems, weak real estate market , slowdown in construction began take toll on bottom line. revenues, had approached $1.5 billion in 1980, improved $1.89 billion in 1990, fell $1.74 billion in 1991, prompting closure of regional offices , reduction in workforce. aside weak economy, becoming clear management graybar suffered internal problems; company losing market share on traditional electrical business while unable make desired progress on newer communications/data products.

business improved economy recovered in 1990s. despite sales growing $2.3 billion in 1994, management decided realign business starting in january 1995, forming 2 business groups, 1 electrical supplies , devoted increasingly important comm/data business. same year, graybar formed solutions providers alliance, teaming wholesale distributors kaman industrial technologies, wwr scientific products, , vallen corporation. accommodate aggressive new growth strategy, graybar added 45 locations, 2,400 employees, , 350 salespeople 1994 1999. improved network of warehouses, spending $144 million construct 16 major new facilities dramatically cut down on delivery time. result of these investments, company positioned take advantage of strong economy in final years of 1990s. in 1999 annual revenues topped $4.2 billion, while profits doubled during period, improving $36 million in 1995 $64 million in 1999. improvement in comm/data sector of particular importance. in 1991 accounted 17 percent of graybar sales, 1999 totaled 38 percent. graybar engaged in external growth, making several acquisitions in 1999 , 2000, largest being splane electric supply co., detroit, michigan, company $30 million in annual sales, 70 employees, , 6 locations. in 2000 graybar revenues improved $5.2 billion, while net income topped $66.2 million. support further expansion of nationwide distribution centers, instrumental company s growth, graybar placed $100 million bond offering in summer of 2001, largest financing effort in history. time 9 of 16 distribution centers started in 1997 operational , remaining 7 months away opening. once system in place, graybar able achieve long-term aim of being able ship customers within 24 hours throughout united states.

a downturn in economy, however, hurt business , forced management fine-tune company s strategy. in 2001 revenues fell $4.8 billion , business continued drop off in 2002 , 2003 $3.99 billion , $3.78 billion, respectively. had done in 1990s, graybar opted invest in infrastructure in order ready take advantage of economy when rebounded. company invested $90 million on new technology provide customers more detailed information on orders, deliveries, , payments. @ same time, encouraged 4,100 suppliers implement standardized bar code system create open, central database similar found in retail industry. in way, graybar distinguish rivals, graduating role of middleman supply chain expert capable of adding value process. once new system functional, graybar hoped able sell detailed reports both suppliers , customers in $73 billion electrical supply industry.

graybar s revenues had increased $4.1 billion in 2004, $4.3 billion in 2005, , $5 billion in 2006.

today, graybar operates network of more 260 locations throughout united states, canada , puerto rico authorized agents around world. graybar electric company, inc. engaged in distribution of electrical, communications , data networking products , provision of related supply services electrical , comm/data contractors, industrial plants, federal, state , local governments, commercial users, telephone companies , power utilities in north america. products graybar sells purchased others. products distributed company consist of wire , cable, lighting fixtures, power distribution equipment, comm/data products wide , local area networks, conduit, boxes , fittings, wiring devices, motor controls, industrial automation, lamps, industrial enclosures, tools , test equipment, station apparatus, fuses , transformers.

sales 2007 more $5.25 billion, positioning graybar @ #455 on fortune 500 listing , #55 privately held companies. january 1 june 30, 2008, graybar posted profit of $47.4 million on revenue of $2.7 billion six-month period, profit of $39.7 million, on revenue of $2.6 billion same period in 2007. in 2008 graybar named ”most admired” fortune 500 company in diversified wholesalers category. in 2008, graybar rose #439 spot on fortune 500 listing. sales 2009 $4.4 billion, positioning graybar @ #439 on fortune 500 listing , #64 on forbes list of america’s largest private companies.

in 2010, graybar had healthy revenue growth , sales rose $4.6 billion, 5.4% increase 2009. net income of $42.3 million meant 12.9% increase previous year.

graybar finished 2011 net sales of $5.37 billion, 16.4% increase compared 2010. company reported net income of $81.4 million, 93.9% previous year. graybar listed #451 on 2012 fortune 500 listing , ranked #69 on forbes america s largest private companies list in 2011.

graybar finished 2012 net sales of $5.4 billion , reported net income of $86.6 million. graybar ranked no. 465 on 2013 fortune 500 ranking of america s largest companies , ranked no.1 in diversified wholesalers industry category on 2013 fortune world s admired companies list.

in 2013, graybar finished year net sales of $5.7 billion , net income of $81.1 million. sales 2014 $6 billion, net income of $87.4 million. sales in 2015 hit record $6.1 billion, record net income of $91.1 million. in 2015, graybar acquired advantage industrial automation in duluth, georgia.

graybar independent distributor , still 1 of largest employee-owned companies in united states.