BusinessWeek magazine recently ranked distributor Graybar (www.graybar.com) the number 3 privately owned information-technology company, in the magazine's annual ranking of the world's public and private IT companies. The magazine ranked Graybar fourth in the same category last year.

"This recognition underscores the fact that Graybar has the power and stability of a big company and the integrity and drive of an employee-owned business," said Robert A. Reynolds, Graybar's chairman, president, and chief executive officer.

In announcing the accolades, Graybar pointed to a recently launched program in which the company will spend $90 million over the next three years in IT infrastructure to improve services to its customers and its suppliers.

"Our ... information-technology systems, combined with our logistics capabilities and regional zone warehouses, are raising the bar on performance and value for our customers and suppliers," Reynolds continued. "We understand the importance of not only selling the best technology, but also using it for the benefit of our customers."