November 17, 2025
Electric Avenue — News Impacting Lighting Markets: November 2025
Distribution giants post record growth as data center demand reshapes market priorities
Welcome to Electric Avenue, where each month we explore the intersections between the electrical industry and our beloved lighting industry.
With a focus on news, trends, and economic factors shaping the landscape of electrical distribution, construction, contracting, and manufacturing, Electric Avenue is your resource for staying informed of some of the more notable electrical industry events that may impact North American lighting markets.
Each month, Electric Avenue delivers important news on macro market conditions and changing business dynamics affecting commercial lighting projects and general lighting "stock & flow" distribution across North America.
Here's what's happening in electrical circles since our last Electric Avenue article on October 14.
Electrical Distributor News
AD Reports Record Sales and Member Growth Through Q3 2025
According to Affiliated Distributors (AD), the organization achieved record sales and growth through the third quarter of 2025, with member sales reaching $69.3 billion, up 5% compared to the same period in 2024. Purchases from AD suppliers rose 3%, while net distributions to members grew by 10%. The group also welcomed 42 new members and 41 new suppliers year-to-date. AD’s CEO Bill Weisberg credited the strong performance to the resilience and commitment of independent distributors and suppliers across North America, supported by AD’s scale, programs, and strategic initiatives.
Sonepar’s Digital Job Center Tops $2B in Sales Amid Industry Digitalization
Sonepar’s Digital Job Center has surpassed $2 billion in sales, marking five years of adoption and refinement of its project management platform. Used widely by contractors, the tool has grown 30% year-over-year, helping address skilled labor shortages through streamlined workflows and centralized communication.
The platform integrates data across contractors, manufacturers, and distributors, enabling simplified project oversight. Recent redesigns—based on customer feedback—have focused on usability, allowing new users to operate the system without training. Upcoming updates include real-time inventory from manufacturers and enhanced wire management features.
Grainger Exits United Kingdom with Divestment of Cromwell Business
Grainger has announced its planned exit from the United Kingdom market with an agreement to sell its U.K.-based Cromwell business to global private equity firm AURELIUS. The move follows a previously announced proposal to close its Zoro U.K. operations and reflects Grainger’s sharpened focus on North America and Japan. As part of the transaction, the company will record a one-time, non-cash after-tax loss of $190 million to $205 million in Q3 2025. The sale is subject to regulatory approvals and expected to close in the coming months. Grainger will continue to prioritize growth in its core markets.
Werner Rebrands to Reflect Broader Solutions and Customer Focus
Werner, formerly Werner Electric Supply, has unveiled an updated brand identity that reflects its evolution beyond electrical supply into a comprehensive solutions provider. The name change underscores the company's expanded capabilities in areas such as lighting design, inventory management, and jobsite coordination. Guided by customer feedback, the rebrand includes new visuals and messaging that highlight Werner’s consultative approach and commitment to end-to-end service.
While the name is shorter, the company’s focus remains unchanged: putting customers first through expertise, innovation, and strong partnerships. The refreshed identity reinforces Werner’s legacy and its ongoing promise to support customer growth.
Rexel Launches “Sustainability Shapers” Program to Advance Global Supplier Engagement
Rexel has launched its Sustainability Shapers program to accelerate sustainability efforts in collaboration with its global supplier network, the company announced on October 26, 2025. The initiative aims to recognize and strengthen partnerships with suppliers that share Rexel’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. It includes a formal assessment based on criteria such as decarbonization, circular economy practices, product sustainability, and transparency. Selected suppliers will be designated as Sustainability Shapers, gaining visibility and recognition for their progress.
The program is part of Rexel’s broader sustainability strategy to reduce Scope 3 emissions and drive measurable climate action across the electrical distribution industry. By reinforcing shared values and measurable goals, Rexel intends to accelerate the transition to a lower-carbon economy while enhancing collaboration and accountability throughout its supply chain. The company plans to expand the program and engage more suppliers in future phases.
Graybar Earns Four 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards
Graybar has been recognized with four 2025 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence awards by Energage for Professional Development, Employee Well-Being, Woman-Led, and Employee Appreciation. The honors are based on confidential employee feedback gathered through Energage’s research-backed engagement survey and mark Graybar’s fifth consecutive year receiving Culture Excellence recognition.
Celebrating its 100th year as an independent company, Graybar has earned six such awards in 2025 and was also named a 2025 Top Workplaces USA winner earlier this year. The employee-owned, Fortune 500 distributor continues to be acknowledged for fostering a supportive, inclusive, and growth-oriented workplace culture.
CES Awards 2025 Brighter Future Scholarships to 10 Aspiring Electricians
City Electric Supply (CES) has announced the 10 recipients of its 2025 Brighter Future Scholarship, a program designed to support aspiring electricians as they begin their careers. Each winner will receive $2,000 toward their education and a Milwaukee® Tool starter kit. CES received a strong pool of applications and selected recipients who demonstrated dedication to learning and passion for the skilled trades. The scholarship aims to ease the financial burden of training and help recipients enter the field with confidence. This year’s winners include Jose Irizarry-Negron, Jason Ortiz, Jeremiah Ambrose, and seven others.
Winsupply to Expand Distribution Centers in Ohio and Oklahoma
Winsupply Inc. is planning major expansions at its distribution centers in Dayton, Ohio, and outside Oklahoma City as part of its strategic growth plan. The Moraine, Ohio-based distributor has filed to rezone land adjacent to its existing Dayton facility, aiming to double its size with a new 200,000-square-foot building.
A similar expansion is slated for the Oklahoma site. Construction on both projects is expected to begin in early 2026. The expansions are part of Winsupply’s broader effort to enhance operations across its seven-center, 2-million-square-foot national distribution network.
QED Opens Largest-Ever Central Distribution Center in Colorado
Sonepar-owned QED has opened a 250,000-square-foot central distribution center (CDC) in Aurora, Colorado—the largest facility in its network. Serving residential and commercial contractors, industrial clients, and OEMs, the CDC marks a major step in QED’s shift to a centralized logistics model. The site features automated picking through Locus Robotics to improve efficiency, safety, and order accuracy, especially during peak demand.
The Aurora CDC doubles QED’s available SKUs and streamlines transportation with optimized routing and real-time inventory visibility. It employs 110 associates and has added over 60 new jobs locally. Another CDC in Mesa, Arizona is set to open in early 2026.
Earnings Reports
Rexel Reports Q3 Growth in North America, Confirms FY 2025 Outlook
Rexel posted Q3 2025 sales of €4.76 billion, up 3.0% on a same-day basis, marking its sixth straight quarter of sequential growth. North America led with a 7.4% increase, fueled by strong performance in datacenter and broadband infrastructure sectors. Europe and Asia-Pacific each saw a slight same-day sales decline of 0.5%, though both regions showed sequential improvement. Digital sales rose to 33% of Group revenue. Rexel confirmed its full-year 2025 guidance, expecting slightly positive sales growth and maintaining margin and cash flow targets, while continuing its Axelerate 2028 strategy and capital allocation initiatives.
Graybar Reports 10.7% Sales Growth in Q3 2025 Amid ERP Transition
Graybar reported strong third quarter results for 2025, with net sales rising 10.7% year-over-year to $3.29 billion and net income increasing 8.3% to $119.3 million. For the first nine months of 2025, sales totaled $9.6 billion, up 10.3% from the prior year, while net income grew 10.0% to $358.3 million.
The quarter marked the successful transition to a new ERP system and the launch of Graybar STAR Centers in Reno, Dallas, and Atlanta. Graybar also expanded its automation portfolio through the acquisition of Burns Controls Company by subsidiary Valin Corporation.
Wesco Achieves Record Q3 Sales, Raises 2025 Outlook Amid Data Center Surge
Wesco International reported record third quarter 2025 sales of $6.2 billion, up 12.9% year-over-year, with organic growth of 12.1%. Data center sales reached $1.2 billion, up approximately 60% from Q3 2024. The company also saw a return to growth in its utility segment. Adjusted EBITDA rose 6.3% to $423 million, while adjusted EPS climbed 9.5% to $3.92.
Strong demand led Wesco to raise its full-year 2025 outlook for sales, adjusted EBITDA, and EPS. However, operating cash flow declined, driven by increased working capital. The company continues to execute cross-selling and transformation initiatives to support long-term growth.
Executive Moves
Richard Landry Named SVP of Data Center Solutions at Sonepar USA
Richard Landry
Sonepar USA has appointed Richard Landry as Senior Vice President of Data Center Solutions and Datacom, effective November 1, 2025. Landry, who most recently served as Vice President of Industrial Business at Crawford, a Sonepar company, brings over 20 years of experience and a strong track record of growth.
He will lead business development efforts and collaborate across Sonepar’s U.S. operations to expand its presence in the fast-growing data center market. His appointment highlights Sonepar’s strategic focus on strengthening its capabilities in data center construction, maintenance, and related services.
Micah Carlton Named VP of HR for Sonepar USA’s Central Region
Micah Carlton
Sonepar USA has promoted Micah Carlton to Vice President of Human Resources for its Central Region, effective January 1, 2026. Carlton currently serves as Head of HR at Summit Electric, which Sonepar acquired in 2024.
With over 20 years of HR leadership experience, he is active in the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and holds a degree in HR Management from Baylor University. He succeeds Drew McGlinchey, who will transition full-time to a talent enablement role, focusing on talent attraction, retention, and development across the organization.
Border States Names Four New Vice Presidents in Strategic Leadership Expansion
Border States has promoted four long-time employee-owners to newly created vice president roles, advancing key areas of the business. Nick Longfors becomes Vice President of Finance, Financial Planning and Analysis, bringing over 20 years of experience since starting as a finance intern in 2002.
Cedrick Phillips is now Vice President of Services, following a leadership path in operations since joining in 2012. Tom Roehrich, with a background in pricing and supply chain, has been named Vice President of Category Management. Lori Schramm is promoted to Vice President of Finance, Corporate Controller, after joining the company in 2021.
What We Are Reading
Global M&A Activity Rises as Tariffs and Defense Spending Reshape Manufacturing
According to Bloomberg, rising tariffs and increased defense spending—especially in the U.S. and Europe—are transforming factories into high-value assets and driving a surge in manufacturing-related mergers and acquisitions (M&A). As companies work to localize supply chains and secure production amid shifting trade policies, industrial firms with established infrastructure are becoming prime targets.
Analysts say Donald Trump’s return to the presidency and related tariff policies are prompting strategic preemptive moves in sectors such as aerospace, energy, and industrials. In Europe, defense rearmament and reshoring efforts are accelerating M&A interest in critical manufacturing assets. Investors view these factories not just as production hubs, but as geopolitical and economic safeguards. The convergence of trade protectionism and national security priorities is redefining how and why manufacturing deals are being made.
Dynamic Contracts Help Manufacturers Navigate Tariff Uncertainty
According to Supply & Demand Chain Executive (SDCEXEC), manufacturers are increasingly adopting dynamic contracts to manage the financial volatility caused by shifting global tariffs. These flexible contracts enable companies to adjust pricing, sourcing, and terms in real time, reducing risk and improving responsiveness as trade conditions evolve. The approach offers a safeguard against cost fluctuations, especially as tariff uncertainty remains high.
Conga, a provider of revenue lifecycle management solutions, notes that dynamic contracts also enhance transparency and collaboration across the supply chain. By integrating digital contract tools, manufacturers can automate updates and maintain compliance more efficiently. As geopolitical instability and trade tensions continue to influence sourcing strategies, dynamic contracts provide a critical tool for manufacturers aiming to protect margins and maintain supply chain agility.
Contractors Boost Pay and Bonuses to Combat Labor Shortages
According to Construction Dive, contractors are increasingly using salary increases and performance-based bonuses to attract and retain talent amid ongoing labor shortages and economic uncertainty. A recent Marcum survey found that 78% of construction firms awarded salary raises in the past year, while 65% offered bonuses tied to company or individual performance.
These strategies reflect a shift toward long-term retention, with many firms also investing in training and development. As inflation and workforce challenges persist, competitive compensation remains a key focus for construction employers.
Economic Factors
Border States Shares Latest Supply Chain Update
Border States reports that the recent 43-day federal government shutdown has disrupted the release of critical economic data, forcing economists and Federal Reserve officials to rely on private sector indicators. The Bureau of Labor Statistics plans to release September's delayed jobs report on November 20, but October data may be further delayed. During the shutdown, the labor market showed mixed signals: ADP reported 42,000 new private sector jobs in October, while Goldman Sachs estimated a slowdown to 50,000 jobs. Despite the lack of official data, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell noted that inflation — estimated at 2.8% — is still expected to ease gradually.
In other updates from Border States, U.S. container imports declined 0.1% month-over-month in October, marking only the second such drop in a decade for the month. Meanwhile, new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules affecting non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses may impact up to 200,000 drivers if upheld. Commodity markets remain volatile, with copper and steel prices rising, lumber dropping, and oil fluctuating amid global tensions and trade dynamics. Additionally, the National Association of Manufacturers is urging permitting reforms to support energy and AI projects critical to U.S. manufacturing and infrastructure development.
Daily Copper Prices
Data source: Yahoo! Finance
Global Container Freight Rates
Above: Container rates from China to West Coast USA. Data source: Freightos
The FBX01 global ocean freight container pricing index tracks the cost of shipping 40-foot containers between major ports in China and East Asia and the West Coast of North America. This index, developed in partnership with the Baltic Exchange, includes key Chinese ports like Shanghai (PVG) and Ningbo (NGB), and U.S. ports such as Los Angeles (LAX) and Chicago (ORD).
This trade route is a vital artery for global commerce, facilitating the movement of billions of dollars' worth of goods across the Pacific. Commonly shipped items on this route include electronics, clothing, furniture, toys, and machinery.
