July 20, 2026
Electric Avenue — News Impacting Lighting Markets: July 2026
Channel consolidation, distribution expansion and shifting economic conditions shape electrical markets
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.
The July 2026 Electric Avenue examines the business and market developments shaping today's electrical industry. This month's highlights include continued distributor and agent acquisitions, new distribution center investments, leadership transitions, growing data center demand and economic indicators — including rising commodity prices and softening construction spending — that may influence activity in the months ahead.
Distributor Acquisitions
Graybar Acquires New Jersey Distributor Samson Electrical Supply
Graybar has entered an agreement to purchase Samson Electrical Supply, a South Plainfield, New Jersey distributor founded in 1949, with an expected close in early August. Samson will continue operating under its own name with its existing team and suppliers. “Samson Electrical Supply is a highly regarded company with a strong customer focus and deep roots in New Jersey,” said Kathleen M. Mazzarella, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. The acquisition is Graybar’s third of 2026, following Broken Arrow Electric Supply in March and American Electric Supply in May.
Lonestar Electric Supply Acquires Industrial Cable Solutions in Louisiana
Lonestar Electric Supply has acquired Industrial Cable Solutions, a West Monroe, Louisiana supplier of electrical and data products, rebranding the location as its newest Louisiana branch. The deal extends Lonestar’s reach into Northern Louisiana and adds wire, cable and data communications capabilities for industrial and commercial customers. It follows Lonestar’s June launch of CORE, a new division focused on complex power infrastructure projects. Lonestar operates distribution hubs across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Tennessee, serving customers in industrial, oil and gas, OEM and EPC markets.
Rexel USA Acquires DEE Electronics, Expanding OEM and Data Center Capabilities
Rexel USA has acquired DEE Electronics, a Cedar Rapids, Iowa provider of assembly, sourcing and supply chain services for original equipment manufacturers, founded in 1959 with more than 200 employees. DEE will join Rexel USA’s Advanced Services organization, adding expertise in wire harnesses, cable assemblies, printed circuit board assemblies and control panels serving HVAC, industrial automation, transportation and data center infrastructure customers. “What attracted us to DEE was not only the depth of its technical expertise, but the culture the team has built,” said Roger Little, Chief Executive Officer of Rexel USA.
Wesco Completes Acquisition of Newark Engineering Group in Singapore
Wesco International has completed its acquisition of Newark Engineering Group, a Singapore-based provider of engineered cooling solutions and lifecycle services for data centers, in a deal valued at approximately $136 million. Newark specializes in designing, installing and maintaining thermal management systems for mission-critical data centers across Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia, and generated about $60 million in 2025 revenue. “This acquisition expands Wesco’s participation in the data center value chain, while strengthening the company’s presence across Southeast Asia,” said John Engel, Wesco chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Electrical Distributor News
Lonestar Unveils Lonestar CORE, a Rebrand of Its Power Infrastructure Team
Lonestar Electric Supply has introduced Lonestar CORE, a rebrand of the EPC team within Lonestar Electric Industrial Supply that supports complex capital projects across the power and energy landscape. CORE stands for CapEx, Optimization, Reliability and Execution, aligning engineering, procurement, logistics and execution for projects spanning grid interconnections, data centers, generation facilities, renewables and critical infrastructure. Backed by Lonestar Electric Industrial Supply, the division supports capital projects throughout the United States and internationally. “This rebrand reflects not only who we are today, but where we’re headed tomorrow,” the company said in its announcement.
Sonepar’s Capital Electric Opens New Charlotte Distribution Center
Capital Electric, Sonepar’s Mid-Atlantic and Southeast subsidiary, has opened a new 258,000-square-foot central distribution center in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing 100 new jobs to the city over the next six months. The facility carries approximately 20,000 SKUs and $30 million in inventory, enabling next-day delivery for customers in the greater Charlotte area, along with on-site wire cutting, an in-house panel shop and indoor pipe storage. “It is a critical step in our growth strategy,” said Brendan O’Hare, Capital Electric President, noting plans for additional Carolinas branches this year.
Wesco Launches Pro A/V Services Suite for Integrators
According to MDM, Wesco International has launched its Pro A/V Services suite for professional audiovisual integrators, combining consultative expertise, technology services, managed services and the company’s global supply chain capabilities. The offering is designed to support the full A/V system lifecycle, from design and deployment through monitoring, optimization and ongoing support. Wesco said the suite is intended to help integrators improve productivity, expand project capabilities and deliver more consistent outcomes as demand for audiovisual and unified communications systems grows.
AD Announces Intent to Acquire supplyFORCE
AD and the supplyFORCE Boards have signed an exclusive letter of intent for AD to acquire supplyFORCE, a program that helps independent distributors collaborate on national account business, subject to shareholder and board approval. “AD exists to provide strong independents with a vehicle to collaborate efficiently on discreet matters where collaboration with fellow independents is necessary and beneficial,” said Bill Weisberg, AD Chairman and CEO. John Harman, President of The Kendall Group and supplyFORCE Chairman, said a multi-divisional strategy will let supplyFORCE expand into new markets.
Lonestar Electric Supply Expands Into Northeast Oklahoma
Lonestar Electric Supply is expanding into Northeast Oklahoma with a new distribution center in Broken Arrow, doubling its presence in the state following the 2025 opening of its Oklahoma City branch. The facility, expected to open later this summer, will create 20 to 30 new jobs and support commercial, industrial, manufacturing and data center projects across the Tulsa region. “Our customers need quick-turnaround, solution-based electrical supplies,” said Jason Rhines, Market President for Tulsa, adding that facilities need support during both construction and ongoing operations.
Sonepar Brings Free LED Lighting Upgrades to 14 VFW Posts
Sonepar has identified 14 Veterans of Foreign Wars posts nationwide to receive free LED lighting upgrades through its Bright Lights Brighter Futures program, timed to the 250th anniversary of the United States. Sonepar is covering installation costs with contractor PSG Energy Services, while Acuity Brands and Cooper Lighting are donating fixtures and materials. “Supporting the VFW is a meaningful way to give back to those who have served our country,” said Bill Mortimer, Sonepar USA’s Director of Strategic Vendor Engagement. By year’s end, the program will have completed 46 retrofits totaling more than $600,000 in services and products.
Agent News
JD Martin Acquires Fellow Electrical Rep Agency New Century Sales
JD Martin has acquired New Century Sales, an Indianapolis-based manufacturers’ representative agency serving Indiana, Kentucky and central and southern Illinois, adding about a dozen employees. Dallas-based JD Martin fields roughly 85 field sales professionals and more than 100 support staff across residential, industrial, commercial, utility and data center markets. “New Century Sales has built an exceptional business founded on strong leadership, trusted relationships and outstanding customer service,” said Greg Baker, President and CEO of JD Martin. It is JD Martin’s ninth rep-firm acquisition since 2018.
Executive Moves
Wesco Promotes Jared Hoover to VP of Construction Solutions
Wesco International has promoted Jared Hoover to Vice President of Construction Solutions, a move the company said supports its strategy to help customers manage complex capital projects. Hoover most recently served as Senior Director of Sales and previously led Construction Lighting and Wesco Energy Solutions, with responsibilities spanning sales strategy, budgeting, vendor relations and customer segments including construction, industrial and national accounts. The promotion follows Wesco’s recent moves in data center cooling and Pro A/V services.
Winsupply Expands Area Leader Team to Support Local Company Growth
Winsupply has grown its national Area Leader team to 13 members, adding Terry Dickens, most recently President of Olathe Winwater, and Luke Larkin, most recently President of South Atlanta Winsupply, to coach and recruit entrepreneurs across its Local Company network. Winsupply opened 11 new Local Companies and acquired four companies over the past year. “These added resources will focus our strategy, provide flexibility, and continue to build the next generation of Local Company leaders,” said Rob Ferguson, President of Winsupply’s Local Company Group.
What We Are Reading
MDM’s 2026 Top Distributors Feature Ranks the Largest Wholesalers
MDM has released its 2026 Top Distributors feature, its 17th annual ranking of more than 220 North American distribution companies across 20 product categories, based on 2025 fiscal revenue. Wesco, Sonepar North America, Graybar, Rexel and Consolidated Electrical Distributors lead the electrical/data/security list. MDM says the rankings reflect a year shaped by tariff-driven inflation and uneven demand conditions.
How AI Can Enhance Your ERP Experience
Electrical Wholesaling examines how AI is reshaping distributors’ ERP systems, from conversational queries that replace manual searches to automated material matching for messy customer orders. Author Keith Fatula of DataXstream argues distributors don’t need a full overhaul to see results, pointing to product matching, inventory recommendations and order summarization as strong starting points for measurable, low-complexity wins.
Border States’ July Commodity Update Tracks Rising Material Costs
Border States reports copper suppliers raised prices 7.5% in early July as tariff uncertainty and Middle East tensions weigh on markets, while aluminum, steel pipe and fittings also face rising costs and extended lead times. PVC pricing has held steady heading into peak construction season. The newsletter tracks year-over-year swings of 30% for copper and 62% for aluminum.
Economic Factors
Construction Spending: Private Nonresidential Spending Slides Again in May
National nonresidential construction spending fell 1.5% in May to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.267 trillion, according to Associated Builders and Contractors’ analysis of Census Bureau data. Private nonresidential spending shrank for the seventh consecutive month and is down 6.6% year over year, driven largely by declining manufacturing-related construction as CHIPS Act-supported projects wind down. Warehouse spending fell for a third straight month, down 8.5% annually, while general office spending dropped 11.9%. “Momentum remains largely concentrated in the data center segment,” said Anirban Basu, ABC Chief Economist, noting contractors with data center work carry backlogs of 11.6 months versus 8.6 months for those without.
Construction Backlog: Indicator Slips to 8.8 Months in June
Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.8 months in June, down 0.3 months from May but up 0.1 months from a year earlier, according to an ABC member survey. “While backlog declined in June, it’s still longer than any point from September 2023 to April 2026,” said Anirban Basu, ABC Chief Economist, attributing the strength to booming data center construction. Contractors with data center work under contract reported average backlog of 11.0 months, versus 8.5 months for those without. Contractor confidence in profit margins fell to a seven-month low in June.
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).
FBX1 reflects what shippers typically pay on an all-in basis. Lower numbers often seen online are ocean-only quotes that exclude many real costs and may only be valid for a single sailing.
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.
