WESCO International NYSE: WCC is a holding company for WESCO Distribution, a multinational electronics distribution and services company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It has no relation to Wesco Financial Corporation.

History

In 1922 WESCO Distribution was formed as a spinoff of industrial conglomerate Westinghouse also based in Pittsburgh. It had existed for decades within Westinghouse as the subsidiary charged with selling and distributing company components in the electrical and industrial fields. Keeping close ties to its parent, WESCO prospered and grew its reputation as a trusted source of electronic and heavy industry products.

In 1994, the firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) arranged for the purchase of WESCO from Westinghouse by CDW Holdings. In 1998, WESCO acquired Brown Wholesale Electric and Avon Electrical Supplies.

CDW Holdings filed to take WESCO public in 1998, but instead sold it to a group backed by Cypress Group LLC. This group formed WESCO International, Inc., which is the current owner of WESCO Distribution.

On May 12, 1999, WESCO held its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, selling 9.72 million shares for $18 per share, raising $175 million.