Graybar and Ortronics - A Longstanding History

Ortronics and Graybar recognize the significant role of contractors in our industry, and both companies have long seen the value in gearing our business to support your needs.

Pieces of History

Graybar has been leading the communications industry since the very early days of telephony, and was even a pioneer in the invention of the telephone. And, though it is a much more recent history, Ortronics also played an important role in the evolution of communications technology.

Originally founded in 1966 to produce electrical coils and wire harness assemblies for IBM®, Ortronics began manufacturing (and selling through Graybar) pre-connectorized cables and assemblies for ITT in 1968 and by the early 1970s was strictly assembling connectorized cable, coils and blocks for the Bell operating companies. In 1985, Ortronics was the first to introduce what is now known as "structured cabling" with the first Category 5 patch panel.

As the telecommunications industry demanded better, technology-driven structured cabling solutions to support high-speed application like Gigabit Ethernet and Voice over IP, Ortronics introduced many more technological breakthroughs, including Clarity6, the first Category 6 component compliant line of connectivity available in the market. Clarity6 is an industry leader in both performance and ease of installation with mechanical improvements to accommodate termination of the larger Category 6 cable. This allows you to terminate them more quickly with less room for error, and when installed in a NetClearGT3 solution, provides 4dB of field-verifiable headroom above the TIA/EIA-568B standards.

Teaming Up for Success

As Ortronics' first distributor, Graybar was essential to Ortronics' early success. The two companies have been working together since the early 1970s to supply connectorized cables to the telephone industry and then to sell our first 110 patch panels to AT&T. Graybar's established position in the industry provided Ortronics with an added advantage in entering the market, while Ortronics superior product offering allowed Graybar to gain momentum as technology evolved so rapidly. Today, you can go to Graybar for any of Ortronics structured cabling products, including patch panels, patch cords, workstation outlets, cable management racks and cabinets, 110 cross connect and fiber solutions.

Ortronics and Graybar rely on one another to deliver the highest quality products to our customers as quickly as possible to meet the demanding timeframes and requirements that many of our customers have for their projects. Ortronics innovative technology combined with Graybar's ability to provide distinctive customized stocking solutions and reliable delivery have helped us to secure many major national accounts, including CVS/Pharmacy, Best Buy, Target, Nordstrom, TD Waterhouse, Seagate Technology and Wachovia Financial Services, as well as many other large projects in education, healthcare and other industries.

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