About Anixter International

Anixter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, operates as a distributor of Network & Security Solutions (NSS), Electrical & Electronic Solutions (EES), and Utility Power Solutions (UPS). The company adds value to the distribution process by providing approximately 100,000 customers access to inventory management programs, approximately 600,000 products and approximately $1.0 billion in inventory, 309 warehouses/branch locations with approximately 9 million square feet of space, and locations in approximately 300 cities across approximately 50 countries. The company provides inventory management services, including procurement, just-in-time delivery, material management programs, yard layout and management, quality assurance testing, component kit production, storm/event kitting, small component assembly and e-commerce and electronic data interchange to a spectrum of customers. The company’s customers are international, national, regional and local businesses, covering a set of industry groups, including manufacturing, resource extraction, telecommunications, service providers, finance, education, healthcare, retail, transportation, utilities (both public power and investor owned), defense and government; and include contractors, installers, system integrators, value-added resellers, architects, engineers and wholesale distributors. Segments The company operates through NSS, EES, and UPS segments. The company’s geographies consist of North America, which includes the United States of America and Canada; Europe, the Middle East and Africa; and Emerging Markets, which includes the Asia Pacific and Central and Latin America. NSS This segment, with sales in approximately 55 countries, supplies products and customized supply chain solutions to customers in a range of industries, including technology, finance, telecommunications service providers, transportation, education, government, healthcare and retail. NSS sells these products directly to end users or through various channels, including data communications contractors, security, network, professional audio/visual and systems integrators. NSS has a product portfolio that includes copper and fiber optic cable and connectivity, access control, video surveillance, intrusion and fire/life safety, cabinets, power, cable management, wireless, professional audio/video, voice and networking switches, and other ancillary products. The NSS segment includes approximately 2,300 technically trained salespeople, approximately 70 supply chain solutions specialists and a worldwide technical support organization that provides support across all three segments to aid in design, product specification and complete bills of materials inclusive of the company’s solutions. NSS technical expertise extends to performance and interoperability testing at the company’s Infrastructure Solutions Lab, which provides NSS the opportunity to demonstrate solutions and proof-of-concepts to customers. The company’s Infrastructure as a Platform and ipAssured programs help customers make intelligent buying decisions around network and security infrastructure. EES This segment, with sales in approximately 40 countries, supplies a range of wire and cable, control, power/gear, lighting and core electrical products and customized supply chain solutions to the commercial and industrial (C&I) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) markets. The C&I group supplies products for the transmission of power and signals in industrial applications to customers in key markets, including oil, gas and petrochemical, alternative energy, utility, power generation and distribution, transportation, commercial, industrial, natural resource and water and wastewater treatment. It sells directly to end users or through channels, including electrical contractors, security and automation integrators, and engineering, procurement and construction firms. The OEM group supplies products used in the manufacturing of automotive, industrial, medical, transportation, marine, military and communications equipment, selling to OEM and panel, cable and harness shops. The product portfolio in this global business includes electrical and electronic wire and cable, shipboard cable, support and supply products, low-voltage cable, instrumentation cable, industrial communication and control products, security cable, connectors, and industrial Ethernet switches. Value-added services include supply chain management services and technical support. The EES team of approximately 1,200 technical experts includes sales personnel, supply chain specialists, industrial communication specialists and engineers. EES provides technical assistance, products and support through code and standards interpretation, product selection assistance, on-site customer training and customer specification reviews. EES brings value to its customers through its worldwide reach, ability to provide global infrastructure project co-ordination, technical and engineering support, financial strength, and sourcing and supplier relationships. UPS This segment, with primary operations in the United States of America and Canada, supplies electrical transmission and distribution products, power plant maintenance, repair and operations supplies and smart-grid products; and arranges materials management and procurement outsourcing for the power generation, power transmission and electricity distribution industries. The UPS segment serves the electric utility markets. Products include conductors (such as wire and cable), transformers, overhead transmission and distribution hardware, switches, protective devices and underground distribution, connectors used in the construction or maintenance and repair of electricity transmission and substation distribution infrastructure and supplies, lighting and conduit used in non-residential and residential construction. UPS also provides materials management and procurement outsourcing services. Its capabilities allow the company to integrate with its customers and perform part of its customers' sourcing and procurement function. The UPS segment includes approximately 300 technically trained salespeople and approximately 40 supply chain solutions specialists. Distribution and Service Platform The company serves its customers’ needs through its computer systems, which connect the majority of its warehouses and sales offices worldwide. The systems are designed for sales support, order entry, inventory status, order tracking, credit review and material management. Customers might also conduct business through the company’s e-commerce platform. The company operates a series of regional distribution centers in key geographic locations in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa and emerging markets that provide for storage and delivery of products to its customers. The company has designated 20 warehouses as regional distribution centers. Its network of regional distribution centers, local distribution centers, service centers, branch locations and sales offices consists of 245 locations in the United States, 30 in Canada, 24 in the United Kingdom, 23 in Continental Europe and the Middle East, 28 in Latin America, 12 in Asia and 18 in Australia and New Zealand. The company has developed relationships with certain freight, package delivery and courier services to minimize transit times between its facilities and customer locations, as well as a delivery fleet of approximately 500 vehicles in its UPS segment. Strategy The company’s growth strategy is driven by constant refresh and expansion of its product and solution offerings to meet marketplace needs. The company has identified security solutions, emerging markets, utilities, professional audio/visual, and wireless as growth opportunities that the company is pursuing. A major element of the company’s overall business strategy is to develop and maintain close relationships with its key suppliers, which include the world’s primary manufacturers of communication cabling, connectivity, support and supply products, electrical wire and cable, and utility products. History The company was founded in 1957. It was formerly known as Itel Corporation and changed its name to Anixter International Inc. in 1995. The company was incorporated in Delaware in 1967.