Graybar’s ambitious Graybar Connect initiative is transforming the company’s operations, positioning it for long-term success while delivering record-breaking results, the company says.
In 2024, Graybar reported $11.6 billion in net sales. That’s a 5.5% increase over the previous year and the highest in the company’s history. Graybar is a North American distributor of electrical, communications, data networking and industrial products. It celebrates its 100th anniversary as an independent company in 2025.
This performance comes as the company makes significant investments in Graybar Connect, a multi-year business transformation project aimed at modernizing technology, improving data access, and enhancing customer and employee experiences, including a focus on digital commerce.
The company’s investment in Graybar Connect contributed to an 8.7% decline in net income to $423.1 million. However, the company remains financially strong. Graybar’s employee-owned structure gives it the flexibility to pursue long-term growth without pressure from outside investors.
Graybar Connect leads digital transformation initiative
Graybar Connect is more than a technology upgrade, the company said. It’s a strategic shift designed to streamline operations and drive smarter decision-making, Graybar said.
The project integrates platforms like SAP, Salesforce, and DataXstream OMS+ to create a unified system that automates routine tasks, enhances data insights, and improves service delivery. Employees will have access to a personalized dashboard with real-time data and resources to serve customers more effectively. Customers, in turn, will benefit from new self-service capabilities, faster response times, and a more seamless experience, according to Graybar.
“This is a major step forward for Graybar,” said CEO Kathleen Mazzarella. “Graybar Connect will give us the tools to operate more efficiently and deliver better experience for our customers. It reflects our long-term focus and the strength of our employee-owned model.”
Set to launch its new core enterprise resource planning (ERP) system in 2025, Graybar Connect represents the first major milestone in the company’s effort to modernize its operating model. The system will provide advanced analytics and AI-driven insights, empowering employees to make faster and better-informed decisions. Automation will reduce waste and rework, while integrated data systems will enable smoother inventory management and order fulfillment.
How Graybar Connect can help the company grow
Graybar Connect will also strengthen Graybar’s presence in key markets. In the connected buildings space, the company will offer advanced solutions for wireless networks, security systems, lighting controls, and sustainability. In the industrial sector, Graybar will support smarter manufacturing operations through Industry 4.0 technologies. Graybar will also enhance its support for data centers and government infrastructure projects, reinforcing its leadership in these sectors.
“We’re building Graybar for the next 100 years,” Mazzarella said. “Graybar Connect is central to that vision, giving us the foundation to adapt, grow, and lead in a rapidly changing market.”
A key part of Graybar Connect is the company’s integration with SAP Business Network for Suppliers. This platform allows Graybar to connect with customers’ business systems, improving the speed and accuracy of transactions. Graybar has established 388 customer relationships on SAP Business Network, with a 97% success rate using SAP Business Network Discovery. The time to complete customer integrations has decreased from 65 days to 24 days, with 99% of orders now flowing directly into Graybar’s system without human intervention.
“SAP Business Network enhances our efficiency, which enables our employees to spend more time focusing on our customers and their needs,” said John Tintera, Graybar’s director of business performance.
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