Paris-based electrical supplies distributor Rexel raised its full-year outlook after reporting accelerating second-quarter sales growth across each of its geographic regions, led by data center activity in North America.

Rexel posted 2026 second-quarter sales of approximately $6.0 billion, up 6.1% year over year on a reported basis and 6.7% on a constant, same-day basis. That compares with same-day growth of 3.4% during the first quarter.

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Second-quarter volume contributed 3.1 percentage points to organic growth, while selling prices added 2.2 points for cable products and 1.4 points for non-cable products. Rexel said volumes were positive across all geographies for the first time since 2Q 2023.

First-half sales totaled approximately $11.4 billion, up 2.2% as reported and 5.1% on a constant, same-day basis. H1 volume increased 1.9%, while cable and non-cable pricing contributed 2.0 and 1.3 percentage points, respectively.

North America Accelerates

North American same-day sales increased 7.8% during the second quarter and 6.9% for the first half. The region accounted for approximately 47% of Rexel’s second-quarter sales.

U.S. same-day sales rose 7.8% in 2Q, accelerating from the 5.8% growth Rexel reported for the first quarter. Data center sales — approximately 9% of the company’s U.S. business — more than doubled during the quarter, while industrial automation sales increased 15%.

Rexel also cited positive trends in aerospace, hospitals, water and wastewater, though it characterized growth outside data centers as more limited.

Project activity was the principal growth driver in the U.S. and Canada. Rexel’s U.S. backlog increased approximately 25% from the end of March and surpassed $2 billion, while its Canadian backlog grew about 30% and crossed approximately $730 million. The overall North American backlog represented approximately 3.5 months of sales at June 30.

North American first-half sales totaled approximately $5.20 billion. The region’s adjusted EBITA increased 6.6% on a constant basis, while adjusted EBITA margin edged up to 7.1%.

Rexel’s first-half digital sales penetration increased 3.8 percentage points in North America to 27.3%, driven by adoption of digital quote and order-entry tools.

Acquisitions Expand Services, Automation

Rexel highlighted three North American acquisitions completed during 2026 that expand its industrial automation and advanced services capabilities.

Those included Revere Electrical Supply — the Illinois-based Rockwell Automation solutions provider with 10 Midwest branches and approximately $330 million in 2025 sales. Rexel announced the transaction in May.

Rexel also completed its acquisition of Iowa-based DEE Electronics on July 10. The approximately $50 million-revenue business provides electronic assemblies, wire harnesses, control panels, custom kitting and supply chain services for OEM customers. DEE joined Rexel USA’s Advanced Services organization.

The third acquisition, Canada-based Techno-Contact 360, adds electrical distribution, industrial automation, data center and project-management capabilities. The company generated approximately $62 million in trailing 12-month sales.

Rexel’s first-half adjusted EBITA increased 9.8% to approximately $701 million, while adjusted EBITA margin rose to 6.2% from a reported 5.8% a year earlier. Net income increased 31% to approximately $390 million.

The company raised its 2026 same-day sales growth outlook to approximately 5%, compared with its previous 3% to 5% range. Rexel now expects adjusted EBITA margin of at least 6.2%, up from approximately 6.2%, while maintaining its free cash flow conversion target above 65%.

MDM Analysis

Rexel’s results indicate that electrical distribution growth is becoming increasingly concentrated in large, technically demanding projects rather than reflecting an equally strong recovery across all customer groups. Data centers and industrial automation produced much of the North American acceleration, while record backlogs provide Rexel with unusual forward visibility.

That should encourage electrical, datacomm and electronics distributors to continue investing in engineering expertise, project execution and specialized services that make them harder to displace on complex applications. Rexel’s acquisitions reinforce that strategy: Revere adds automation scale, while DEE expands Rexel beyond traditional product distribution into assemblies, sourcing and OEM supply chain support.

Pricing also matters again. Cable and non-cable inflation contributed more than half of Rexel’s second-quarter organic growth, making disciplined price management essential even as volumes improve.

The caution is that Rexel described growth outside data centers as comparatively modest. Distributors without meaningful exposure to infrastructure, automation or other high-investment verticals may therefore see a much less robust market than Rexel’s headline results suggest.