On Dec. 11, 1925, a new name entered the electrical supply industry: Graybar. It was the start of a remarkable journey that continues today.
Graybar’s story actually dates back to 1869, when entrepreneur Enos Barton and inventor Elisha Gray founded Gray & Barton. Their business became Western Electric Manufacturing in 1872. By 1890, Western Electric had launched a separate supply department to support the growing demand for electrical products.
But success brought change. Under pressure from federal regulators, Western Electric agreed to divest the supply department in 1925. Executives had one week to name the new company. After more than 50 rejected ideas, they combined the founders’ names—Gray and Barton—and Graybar was born.
On Dec. 11, 1925, Graybar Electric Company, Inc. opened its doors as a wholly owned subsidiary of Western Electric, with 2,000 employees and 55 offices across the country.
Over the next century, Graybar grew alongside the nation, adapting to new technologies and reinventing its business to meet changing global, market, and social conditions.
From powering America’s electrification to enabling today’s digital infrastructure, Graybar has been there every step of the way, shaping progress for businesses and communities.
As Graybar celebrates 100 years as an independent company, we say thank you to our employees, retirees, customers, manufacturers, vendors and the communities where we do business. We know Graybar’s story is just getting started. Here’s to the next century!
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