Anixter International Inc. (NYSE: AXE), Glenview, IL, No. 5 on MDM’s list of top electrical distributors, reports sales for the fourth quarter were $1.5 billion, up 8 percent over the same period a year ago. Sales grew 5 percent organically. Profit increased 19 percent to $49.8 million.

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For the full year 2011, sales were $6.1 billion, up 17 percent year over year. Profit increased 83 percent to $200.7 million.

\”Our strategic initiatives continue to help drive our sales performance in each of our end markets around the world. As expected, these efforts have once again helped to bolster our sales performance in Emerging Markets, which delivered the highest sales growth rate among our segments,\” said Robert Eck, president and CEO.

Sales in Asia Pacific and Latin America saw growth of 13.2 percent. Sales in North America grew 8 percent, while sales in Europe posted growth of 5.5 percent.

\”While both the U.S. and global market growth rates are difficult to predict in the current economic climate, we believe that our strategic growth initiatives position us well to achieve continued strong year-on-year sales growth and operating leverage, driving further market share improvement,\” Eck said.

\”We expect our future growth to be fueled by adding new products and technologies to our portfolio; developing an end market presence in Electrical Wire & Cable and OEM Supply in countries where our current presence is large but limited primarily to the Enterprise Cabling and Security Solutions end market; and selectively expanding our geographic presence.\”