October 27, 2026
Electric Avenue — News Impacting Lighting Markets: October 2026
A.I. investment, rep realignment and data center buildouts reshape the electrical channel
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 October 2026 Electric Avenue examines the business and market developments shaping today’s electrical industry. This month’s highlights include rising distributor investment in artificial intelligence, acquisitions and a manufacturer consolidation that is redrawing sales agency territories, new branches and data center integration capabilities, leadership appointments and community initiatives, along with construction spending, backlog, materials pricing, tariff and interest rate signals that may influence lighting and construction activity in the months ahead.
Distributor Acquisitions
Lonestar Electric Supply Enters Alabama With Redstone Acquisition
Lonestar Electric Supply has acquired Redstone Electric Supply, a Huntsville, Ala., distributor of equipment, parts and lighting for commercial, industrial and federal construction projects. The deal, completed Oct. 5, marks the Houston-based distributor’s first move into Alabama.
Redstone will keep its name and continue operating from its Huntsville facility, and all Redstone employees are joining Lonestar. Both companies are ABB channel partners. “Customers should continue to see excellent service during this transition,” said Lonestar CEO Jeff Metzler. Redstone President Blake Hulgan said joining Lonestar gives the local team more inventory, solutions and scale.
The acquisition follows Lonestar’s earlier 2026 purchase of Industrial Cable Solutions in Louisiana and new market openings in Texas and Oklahoma.
Colonial Electric Supply Acquires Dover Electric Supply
According to tED magazine, Colonial Electric Supply has acquired Dover Electric Supply, a family-owned electrical distributor serving all three counties of the Delaware market. Dover will continue operating under its own name as “Dover Electric Supply, Powered by Colonial Electric.”
The King of Prussia, Pa.-based distributor, itself independent and family-owned, has also been expanding across the Mid-Atlantic with new branches serving the Meadowlands and greater Richmond markets.
Rexel Leans on Acquisitions to Build Scale and Specialization in North America
Modern Distribution Management takes an inside look at Rexel’s North American acquisition strategy, which pairs scale-building deals with targeted purchases of specialized capabilities.
The strategy includes this year’s agreement to acquire Midwest industrial automation distributor Revere Electrical Supply, and Rexel has signaled more bolt-on deals in the U.S. and Canada aimed at data center and manufacturing demand.
Electrical Distributor News
Sonepar Commits €500 Million to Scale AI as Distribution Enters Its AI Spending Era
Sonepar CEO Philippe Delpech announced €500 million ($560 million) in future investment to scale artificial intelligence across the group, unveiled Oct. 21 at a Paris event attended by roughly 300 executives. Targets include demand forecasting, inventory optimization, product recommendations, automated quotes and paperwork, and product carbon footprint calculations.
The commitment builds on the nearly €3.5 billion ($3.9 billion) Sonepar has put toward transformation since 2021, including its Spark omnichannel platform and a global Data & AI platform launched in September. Sonepar has not said when the funds will be spent or how they will be divided by region or project.
Our full report also examines AI efforts at Rexel, whose North American digital sales reached 27% of sales in the first half, and Wesco, which is building a single global data lake to drive cross-selling and pricing. For manufacturers and reps, the takeaway is clear: expect distributors to ask for more, and cleaner, product data.
Wesco Opens Irving, Texas, Center to Preassemble AI-Ready Data Center Racks
According to Modern Distribution Management, Wesco has opened its first technology deployment center in Irving, Texas, where integrators and contractors can assemble, configure and test data center equipment before it ships to the jobsite.
Services include rack layouts, network and server integration, cable management, power and thermal management, liquid-cooling support and full-power burn-in testing, allowing customers to receive fully integrated racks ready to connect onsite. Wesco says the approach can shorten construction schedules, lower installation costs and reduce deployment risk. “This investment further strengthens Wesco’s position as both a leading distributor and a trusted services partner,” said Dirk Naylor, executive vice president and general manager of Wesco’s Communications & Security Solutions business.
Echo Electric Opens Sioux Falls Branch, Relocates Clear Lake Location
Echo Electric, a Sonepar company, has opened a new 50,000-square-foot branch at 815 E. Amidon St. in Sioux Falls, S.D., its third location in the state. The branch, managed by Dominique Torres, held its grand opening Oct. 21 and offers a full-service counter, logistics and project management support, delivery, wire services and a Power Center for rapidly assembled switchboards and panels.
In Iowa, Echo has moved its Mason City branch to a 22,000-square-foot facility at 2920 4th Ave. S. in Clear Lake, roughly three times the size of the former location. The branch is managed by Justin Ingamells. “This expanded facility brings our customers closer to the inventory, expertise, and solutions they need,” said Echo Electric President Chris Scarbrough.
Echo Electric to Open Branch in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Echo Electric plans to open a branch in Fort Wayne, Ind., its fifth in the state alongside Indianapolis, Evansville, Terre Haute and Vincennes, and its 65th across the Midwest and Ohio Valley. The location is expected to create 12 jobs and will include a counter and will-call area, inside sales, branch and account management staff, and wire management operations.
Echo President Chris Scarbrough said the new branch will bring customers “closer to the products, expertise and specialized services” they need.
FSG Climbs to No. 18 on EC&M’s Top 50 Electrical Contractors List
Best known in the channel as an electrical distributor, Facility Solutions Group has climbed to No. 18 on EC&M’s 2026 Top 50 Electrical Contractors ranking, up from No. 22 a year ago. The ranking is based on revenue from electrical work, highlighting the scale of FSG’s installation and services business alongside its distribution operations.
FSG, which reports more than $1 billion in annual revenue, also ranks No. 47 on Electrical Wholesaling’s 2026 Top 100 Electrical Distributors list.
Graybar Wins 2026 Top Workplaces Awards From Energage
Graybar announced it has received eight 2026 Top Workplaces awards from Energage, including Culture Excellence awards for Work-Life Flexibility, Purpose & Values, Employee Well-Being and Professional Development. It marks the sixth consecutive year Graybar has earned Culture Excellence recognition.
The company also received featured awards for Women-Led, Employee Appreciation and Frontline Workers, along with a Distribution Industry award for the fifth straight year as one of three distributors with more than 2,500 employees to be recognized.
Rexel USA Highlights ABB Partnership Through 2027 NASCAR Activation With LEGACY MOTOR CLUB
Rexel USA will bring ABB onto the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE driven by Josh Berry for the NASCAR Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 21, 2027, as part of its expanded partnership with LEGACY MOTOR CLUB. Rexel will serve as primary partner on the No. 42 for select 2027 races, promoting its partnership with ABB, NASCAR’s Official Electrification Partner.
“Their connection to NASCAR makes this a natural fit, and we appreciate ABB’s continued support of Rexel Racing,” said Rexel USA CEO Roger Little.
Codale Gives $92,000 to Shriners Children’s Hospital
Codale Electric Supply, a Sonepar company, raised nearly $92,000 for Shriners Children’s Hospital through its 2026 Children’s Charity Classic golf tournament. Codale President Kent Chadwick presented the check to Shriners on Sept. 30.
The Salt Lake City-based distributor has hosted the tournament since 1993, bringing together customers, vendors and employees to support local nonprofits. This year’s event was Codale’s most successful fundraiser to date, drawing a record 288 players across 72 foursomes. “We are honored to support their work caring for the Salt Lake City community,” said Chadwick.
Viking Electric Recruits 70 Women to Build Habitat for Humanity Homes in Chicago
Viking Electric, a Sonepar company, and its two Sunrise Electric locations in Chicago brought together 70 women from across the electrical industry — including contractors, manufacturers and distribution managers — for a Habitat for Humanity Women Build on Oct. 16 in the city’s West Pullman neighborhood.
Volunteers handled flooring, drywall and painting on four townhomes for first-time women homeowners and raised more than $29,000 toward the homes’ down payments. Laura Scott, a Sunrise Electric sales specialist who has organized the company’s participation for the past three years, called it “just the coolest thing to be able to bring women together like this to do something so meaningful.”
Agent News
Prysmian Merges Encore Wire and Atkore Rep Networks, Shaking Up Agency Line Cards
Following the close of its Atkore acquisition, Prysmian has announced a single manufacturers’ representative network for the U.S. industrial and construction market, combining the legacy Prysmian | Encore Wire and Atkore agencies so that one rep firm per territory sells the full Prysmian, Encore Wire and Atkore portfolio.
Agencies on the new map include AJB Sales, Callas Kingsley Electrical Sales, Gallagher Sales Associates, Gorin-Cockrell-Decker, McCreary Sales, Pfeiffer Sales Company, Power Corp., Synergy Electrical Sales and Vincent-Angel, among others. “The single representative formula for a market will increase the speed and service for our customers,” said Brian Moriarty, SVP Industrial & Construction for Prysmian | Encore Wire, who now also serves as president of Atkore. Former Atkore CEO Bill Waltz moves into a strategic advisor role to support the integration.
The consolidation is a significant shakeup for independent electrical reps, many of them NEMRA members. In most territories, the Atkore line moved to the incumbent Prysmian | Encore Wire agency, leaving the agents that previously carried Atkore without a major line — and facing a substantial loss of commission income.
Executive Moves
Border States Names Joshua Dickinson EVP, Enterprise Strategy and Corporate Development
Border States has named Joshua Dickinson executive vice president of enterprise strategy and corporate development, effective Oct. 1. Dickinson, who joins the employee-owned distributor’s executive committee, most recently served as CFO, North America, for Schneider Electric USA and brings more than 20 years of experience in industrial, energy management, logistics and technology businesses.
In the new role, Dickinson will connect enterprise strategy with execution across the organization and evaluate growth opportunities. “I’m looking forward to learning from the employee-owners who know this business best,” he said.
Crescent Appoints Cindi Evans Chief Revenue Officer
Crescent Electric Supply has announced the appointment of Cindi Evans as chief revenue officer, effective Oct. 16. Evans will lead efforts to grow profitable sales, strengthen customer and supplier relationships and improve commercial execution.
Evans most recently served as chief commercial officer of Whitsons Culinary Group and previously held executive roles at TriMark USA and Sysco, following a decade in senior leadership at W.W. Grainger. “Throughout my career, I’ve seen that sustainable growth starts with the customer and is powered by great people,” Evans said.
Winsupply Hires Ferguson Veteran Ken Resuta to Lead Metro Expansion
According to Industrial Distribution, Winsupply has hired Ken Resuta as regional development manager to launch local Winsupply companies in major U.S. metro markets, beginning with Greater Philadelphia. Resuta spent 35 years at Ferguson, where he oversaw operations in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
Resuta will work with Director of Talent & Strategic Acquisitions Steve Coen and the Winsupply Local Company Group. “What excites me most is Winsupply’s true commitment to local decision-making and ownership,” he said.
What We Are Reading
Multiskilled Crews Can Cut Construction Completion Time by 30%, Research Finds
New research highlighted by Associated Builders and Contractors finds that multiskilled crews with fewer trade-to-trade handoffs completed projects about 30% faster, while single-trade workflows increased completion time by roughly 40%. Workflows with fewer handoffs also completed 37% to 50% more installed work in the same amount of time.
The study, the second of three reports from the Simplar Foundation with Arizona State University, the University of Kansas and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, ran controlled field trials covering 11 construction activities at the Cianbro Institute in Pittsfield, Maine. In one scenario, two multiskilled workers covered a scope spanning seven trade functions that required 12 workers and 10 handoffs under a single-trade approach.
CBRE to Acquire Onnec in Data Center Infrastructure Deal Worth Up to $1 Billion
CBRE has announced an agreement to acquire London-based Onnec, which designs, deploys and maintains network, fiber and data center infrastructure for hyperscale customers in the U.K., Continental Europe and Asia Pacific. CBRE will pay an initial £460 million (about $610 million) in cash, plus a multi-year earnout of up to £300 million (about $400 million) tied to growth targets.
Founded in 1986, Onnec employs about 800 people and expects roughly £370 million (about $498 million) in 2027 revenue. The deal, expected to close around the end of 2026, supports CBRE’s plan to build a global infrastructure services business.
Economic Factors
Data Centers Drive Nonresidential Construction Spending Higher in August
Nonresidential construction spending rose 0.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.309 trillion, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. Data center spending jumped 7.5% for the month and is up more than 73% from August 2025, growing at a 149% annualized pace since March.
“Frankly, it’s becoming difficult to contextualize the size and speed of this boom,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
Construction Input Prices Jump 2.2% in September, Up 11.2% Year Over Year
Construction input prices rose 2.2% in September and are up 11.2% from a year ago, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential input prices climbed 2.3% for the month, led by energy: crude petroleum rose 28.3%, unprocessed energy materials 22.2% and natural gas 5.1%.
ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu called it the largest year-over-year increase in nearly four years, noting that “prices for tariffed materials like iron, copper and other metal products continue to rise rapidly.”
Contractor Backlog Rises to 8.7 Months on Data Center Strength
The Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Backlog Indicator rose 0.2 months to 8.7 months in September, up 0.2 months from a year earlier and the second straight monthly increase. Contractors with data center work averaged 11.3 months of backlog, about three months more than those without it.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index showed staffing expectations rising, while sales expectations fell to an 11-month low and profit margin expectations also declined; all three remain above the threshold of 50 that signals expected growth. More than one in four contractors expect margins to shrink over the next six months, the highest share since November 2025. “Backlog increased for the second straight month in September as data center work continues to keep contractors busy,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.
Metals Stay Elevated as Tariffs, Freight and Interest Rates Weigh on Supply Chains
The October 2026 Border States Supply Chain Update reports copper prices about 31% above year-ago levels despite a 1% monthly decline, with aluminum up about 26% and hot-rolled steel up 57% year over year. PVC prices have risen for two straight months, with extended lead times on larger-diameter conduit and pipe, and Border States expects continued volatility in metal-intensive and project-driven categories over the next 60 to 90 days.
On trade, a proposal to add 14 metal-containing product categories — including certain electric conductor cables — to Section 232 tariffs remains under review, and the U.S.-China trade truce has been extended to Jan. 10. Diesel prices have hit record highs, and ocean container rates remain about 166% above last year.
The update also notes that the economy added just 29,000 jobs in September, unemployment rose to 4.2% and the Federal Reserve raised its target range by 25 basis points to 3.75%–4%, with another increase expected by year-end that could keep borrowing and inventory costs elevated.
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.
