Graybar asserts opposition to private labeling

Electrical and communications product distributor Graybar affirmed its opposition to private-label products at the National Association of Electrical Distributors annual meeting in Washington D.C. in early May.

“It’s about trust, loyalty and partnership,” said Robert A. Reynolds Jr., chairman, president and chief executive officer of Graybar. ” We have had many supplier relationships for 82 years, and we don’t want to jeopardize them in any way. Our relationship with our suppliers and their brands is very important to us.”

According to Graybar, distributors should focus on the important role of distribution rather than circumventing the traditional manufacturer-distributor relationship to create their own competing brands of products. Among the reasons for its stand the distributor included breaking healthy industry alliances and potentially increasing customer liability.

“A number of people walked up to me at the meeting and thanked us for the position Graybar is taking, and we think it’s important,” said Reynolds. “We believe that working with our suppliers, not against them, is in everyone’s best interest throughout the supply chain — right down to our mutual customers.

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