Anixter Expands Service in Detroit Market

    SKOKIE, Ill.--Jan. 22, 2001--Anixter Inc., the world's leading distributor of data communications products and electrical wire and cable, has agreed to purchase certain inventory and operating assets from the bankruptcy estate of Anicom, Inc. The assets being acquired are located in the Detroit market. Anixter's expansion now provides former Anicom customers with a single source for products and distribution services needed to grow their businesses.
    "This is a serious commitment to the entire Detroit marketplace," stated Bob Grubbs, president and CEO of Anixter. "It's a commitment in terms of people, inventory, engineering and short and long term growth. We look forward to the opportunity to serve those companies who were customers of Anicom. We intend to work aggressively to help them grow by providing them with the highest level of service and quality products in the industry."
    "Our newly expanded presence in Detroit will allow us to more effectively serve our existing contractor and IT customer base. It also puts us in a position to increase our support to the highly specialized markets and industries unique to the metro complex," Grubbs remarked. "These would include the automotive, broadcast, telecommunications and OEM markets to name a few."
    Grubbs pointed out that the acquisition is a perfect fit for Anixter: "Our extensive, specialized inventory, coupled with our global distribution network and logistical management services, provide a solid foundation for our expansion into the Detroit metro market and bring new opportunities for our customers."

    Founded in 1957, Anixter now employs more than 5,000 people in 180 cities throughout the world. Anixter customers benefit from the company's technical expertise and market specialization and have access to best-in-class products through the company's partnerships with the world's leading manufacturers.