Anixter
A global business-to-business distributor of network infrastructure, security, communications, audiovisual, electrical, utility power, and industrial products.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
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.
History
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.
- 2020
Acquisition by Wesco International
[2]Wesco completes its acquisition of Anixter, and Anixter’s shares cease trading.
- 2011
Aerospace hardware business sold
[1]The aerospace hardware operation is sold to Greenbriar Equity and becomes Align Aerospace.
- 2003
Levels program transferred to Underwriters Laboratories
[1]Anixter sells its established cable-comparison program to Underwriters Laboratories.
- 2002
Named to the Forbes Platinum 400
[1]Anixter is included in Forbes’ Platinum 400 company selection.
- 1995
Entry into South America and corporate renaming
[1]Anixter enters South America, while its holding company adopts the Anixter name.
- 1993
Expansion into Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific
[1]The company extends its international distribution activities into Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific.
- 1992
Entry into Australia
[1]Anixter expands into Australia.
- 1991
Entry into Mexico
[1]Anixter begins operating in the Mexican market.
- 1989
Sales exceed one billion dollars
[1]Anixter passes the one-billion-dollar sales milestone.
- 1986
Acquisition by Itel
[1]Itel acquires Anixter as the company expands into data communications.
Products and positioning
A specialist professional distributor and supply-chain partner for enterprise infrastructure, communications, security, electrical, utility, and industrial customers.
Network infrastructure and physical security
Network & Security Solutions
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 distribution
Electrical and Electronic Solutions
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 distribution
Utility Power Solutions
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.
Communications infrastructure
Structured Cabling and Connectivity
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.
Electronic and physical security
Security Products
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 components
Aerospace Hardware
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.
Marketing campaigns
- 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.
Brand decisions
2020
Wesco acquires AnixterM&ABackground
Wesco sought to expand its electrical and communications distribution capabilities, while Anixter was a major specialist distributor serving network infrastructure, security, and electrical markets.
Action taken
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)
2011
Sell the aerospace hardware businessM&ABackground
Aerospace hardware was a distinct business within Anixter’s broader distribution portfolio.
Action taken
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.
2003
Transfer the Levels program to Underwriters LaboratoriesOtherBackground
Anixter’s cable-comparison program had become an established industry reference after expanding during the 1990s.
Action taken
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.
1984
Increase investment in telecommunications distributionStrategyBackground
The breakup of AT&T changed how regional telephone companies could source communications equipment and created an opening for independent distributors.
Action taken
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.
Recent events
Senseon partners with Anixter for North American distribution[4]
Senseon announced a channel partner relationship with Anixter, enabling North American customers to order Senseon's three cabinet-locking systems at local Anixter branches.
HSR waiting period expires for proposed WESCO–Anixter merger[5]
Reported:
The HSR waiting period for WESCO International’s proposed merger with Anixter International expired on February 26, 2020, satisfying one closing condition. The proposed transaction remained subject to other customary closing conditions, including Anixter stockholder approval and other regulatory approvals.
CD&R affiliate agrees to acquire Anixter[6]
Reported:
Anixter announced an agreement to be acquired by an affiliate of private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.8 billion. The deal was subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Sources7 sources
- 1Anixteren.wikipedia.org
- 2Wesco International completes acquisition of Anixterinvestors.wesco.com
- 3Anixter corporate websiteanixter.com
- 4Senseon 与 Anixter 建立北美分销合作woodworkingnetwork.com
- 5WESCO与Anixter拟议合并的HSR等待期届满prnewswire.com
- 6CD&R关联方同意收购Anixtersecurityinfowatch.com
- 7WESCO International Announces Mexico Approval for Merger with Anixter Internationalprnewswire.com
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