Why This Matters to Distributors: Graybar’s results add to growing evidence that demand for electrical, industrial and automation products remain resilient. The employee-owned distributor is pairing organic growth with targeted acquisitions and leadership investments, demonstrating how disciplined execution continues to drive market share and profitability.
Graybar posted the strongest quarterly performance in its history, reporting record second-quarter sales and profit as the employee-owned distributor continued to expand through acquisitions and invest in its leadership team.
The St. Louis-based distributor said second-quarter net sales increased 11.8% to $3.8 billion from $3.4 billion a year earlier. Net income rose 14.8% to $158.6 million from $138.2 million, marking the highest quarterly sales and earnings in the company’s history.
For the first six months of 2026, net sales increased 12.1% to $7.1 billion from $6.3 billion in the same period last year, while net income climbed 25.7% to $300.5 million from $239.1 million.
“These results also demonstrate the strength of our long-term strategy and the disciplined execution of key priorities across our business,” CEO Kathleen Mazzarella said.
The results underscore continued strength in electrical, industrial, automation, and communications markets, where investment in power infrastructure, manufacturing modernization, data centers, and electrification projects has supported distributor demand.
Graybar continued to build its market position during the quarter through acquisitions. The company acquired American Electric Supply, expanding its presence in Southern California. The transaction was Graybar’s second acquisition of 2026 and reflects the company’s strategy of strengthening regional coverage through targeted deals.
The distributor also completed several executive leadership changes that took effect July 1, appointing David Bender as senior vice president of North American subsidiaries, Brian Delaney as senior vice president and general manager, and Richard Harvey as regional vice president. Additional district leadership appointments included Regis Ganley as district vice president for the Southwest District and Scott Kennedy as district vice president for New York.
One of North America’s largest employee-owned companies, Graybar operates 355 distribution facilities across the United States and Canada, supplying electrical, industrial, automation and communications products while providing supply chain management and logistics services.
Graybar’s results add to a growing list of distributors reporting solid second-quarter performance despite continued economic uncertainty. Along with recent results from peers serving electrical, industrial and construction markets, the quarter suggests distributors continue to benefit from sustained investment in infrastructure, grid modernization, manufacturing, and data center development.
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