Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS 42361Revenue
$279.9bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xbn
Employees
224k
Businesses
12,196
Wages
$XX.Xbn
Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry analysis
The industry comprises companies distributing essential electrical materials, including wiring supplies, light fixtures and bulbs, electrical power equipment, circuit breakers and fuses. Since industrial and construction activities follow broader macroeconomic patterns, wholesalers benefit from heightened demand during economic expansion. An increasing GDP has supported substantial investment in construction projects, computer and software development and utility upgrades, helping wholesalers. Many companies have acquired competitors to expand distribution networks to keep up with the growing need for electrical equipment. Electrical Equipment Wholesaling industry revenue has been expanding at a CAGR of 2.3% over the past five years and is expected to total $279.9 billion in 2024, when revenue will jump by an estimated 0.1%. Profit increased over the past five years as revenue has outpaced labor costs.
Trends and Insights
- Investments in computers and software are increasing industry revenue. This surge is because companies are trying to keep up with technological advancements. Advanced software and hardware solutions enable businesses to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
- Electrical equipment is increasingly important in our society. As our dependence on technology grows, so does the value of these devices. From healthcare to manufacturing, electrical equipment is integral to the functioning of nearly all modern industries.
- Industry establishments are located near the operations of related industries. The Southeast has a high level of electrical production, which attracts wholesalers. Proximity to production facilities reduces transportation costs and allows for quicker turnaround times.
- New industry entrants can disrupt the existing market. With moderately low barriers to entry, they enter easily and stimulate price competition. This competition can drive innovation and better service offerings as businesses strive to differentiate themselves.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $279.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Wholesalers endured heightened volatility over the past five years
- The downturn in economic activity early in the period significantly reduced downstream demand from nonresidential construction markets, leading to disruptions in supply chain networks. With fewer projects initiated, the requirement for construction materials, labor and services diminished significantly. Suppliers and upstream manufacturers faced decreased orders, prompting adjustments in production schedules and workforce management.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Consumers will prefer more advanced options
- As the popularity of interconnected devices and new electronic applications expands, private investment in computers and software will balloon. Residential and nonresidential contractors alike will purchase electrical equipment to sate shifting tastes.
Biggest companies in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 | Profit ($m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc. | 9,386.8 | 468.6 | 5.0 | |
Wesco International, Inc. | 7,277.9 | 533.9 | 7.3 | |
Sonepar | 4,825.2 | 220.0 | 4.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Wire, cable and conduit, Lighting products and Electrical distribution. Wire, cable and conduit is the largest segment of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US.
Trends and Insights
The roots of technology continue to grow, boosting demand for the wire, cable and conduit segment
- Wire, cable and conduit products include wiring, cables, raceways, couplings and metallic and nonmetallic conduit products. Wiring products are used in various settings, including residential, nonresidential and commercial construction projects.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- There are no industries to display.
Complementors
- Computer & Packaged Software Wholesaling in the US
- TV & Appliance Wholesaling in the US
- Electronic Part & Equipment Wholesaling in the US
- Heating & Air Conditioning Wholesaling in the US
International industries
- Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in Canada
- Telecommunications and Other Electrical Goods Wholesaling in Australia
- Telecommunications Goods Wholesaling in New Zealand
- Electronic & Telecommunications Equipment Wholesaling in the UK
- Information and Communication Equipment Wholesaling in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes operators primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of electrical construction materials, wiring supplies, electric light fixtures, light bulbs, security systems and electrical power equipment for the generation, transmission, distribution or control of electric energy (e.g. switchboards, circuit breakers, switches and fuses). This industry does not wholesale electronic components.
What's included in this industry?
Wire, cable and conduitLighting productsElectrical distributionAutomation and controlsCommunications and securityOtherCompanies
Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.Wesco International, Inc.SoneparPurchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
INDUSTRIAL CONTROLRELAYSWITCHGEARSWITCHBOARDTRANSFORMERE-COMMERCEIndustry Code
NAICS 42361 - Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Investments in computers and software are increasing industry revenue. This surge is because companies are trying to keep up with technological advancements. Advanced softwar...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Electrical equipment is increasingly important in our society. As our dependence on technology grows, so does the value of these devices. From healthcare to manufacturing, el...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Industry establishments are located near the operations of related industries. The Southeast has a high level of electrical production, which attracts wholesalers. Proximity ...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
New industry entrants can disrupt the existing market. With moderately low barriers to entry, they enter easily and stimulate price competition. This competition can drive in...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Smaller, regional wholesalers are vital because of the convenience they offer. They cater to small markets more personally than national companies, ensuring success in their ...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Wesco International, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Sonepar's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Wesco International, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Sonepar, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
The Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) is growing the industry. Through networking events, training programs and research services, EDA provides critical support to e...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Demand for electrical equipment is rising. This, combined with decreasing input prices, enables profit expansion. Lower raw materials costs mean higher profitability for whol...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is $279.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in 2024?
There are 12,196 businesses in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 2.3 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling market in United States are Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc., Wesco International, Inc. and Sonepar
What does the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US in United States include?
Wire, cable and conduit and Lighting products are part of the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Consolidated Electrical Distributors, Inc..
How competitive is the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Electrical Equipment Wholesaling in the US industry in United States.
