UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K RELATING TO VOTING TRUST INTERESTS

WITH RESPECT TO SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF

GRAYBAR ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC.

Filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022

Names and Addresses of all Voting Trustees (as of March 16, 2023):

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

or

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number 000-00255

Address to which communications to the Voting Trustees should be sent:

K. M. Mazzarella

c/o Graybar Electric Company, Inc.

P.O. Box 7231

St. Louis, Missouri 63177

Title of the securities deposited under the Voting Trust Agreement:

Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share

Exact name of the issuer of such securities, as specified in its charter:

Graybar Electric Company, Inc.

State or other jurisdiction in which such issuer was incorporated or organized:

New York

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.:

13-0794380

Address of such issuer's principal executive offices:

34 North Meramec Avenue

St. Louis, Missouri 63105

If the Voting Trust Interests are registered on any national securities exchange, state the name of each such exchange:

None

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Annual Report Relating to Voting Trust Interests, filed by the Voting Trustees under a Voting Trust Agreement, dated as of March 3, 2017 (the "Voting Trust Agreement"), among the Voting Trustees, participating holders of the Common Stock of Graybar Electric Company, Inc. ("Graybar" or the "Company") and Graybar was filed for years prior to 1982 on Form 16-K, which was discontinued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-18524, effective May 24, 1982 (the "Release").  In the Release, the Commission indicated that although Form 16-K was being discontinued, voting trusts would continue to be required to file annual reports.  Specific requirements respecting the form of such annual reports were to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

In response to inquiries to the Deputy Chief Counsel of the Commission's Division of Corporation Finance, Graybar has been informed that the Voting Trustees should file an Annual Report on Form 10-K (as the only appropriate form under Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), but that because the requirements of Form 10-K are generally not applicable to elicit information relevant to voting trusts, the information previously required by rescinded Form 16-K should continue to be provided in this Annual Report.  For this reason, the item numbers and information in this Annual Report correspond to the item numbers and disclosure required in the past by rescinded Form 16-K and used in the Annual Report Relating to Voting Trust Interests filed with the Commission by voting trustees in years prior to 1982.

INFORMATION REGARDING VOTING TRUST

PART I

Item 1.            Deposit and Withdrawal of Securities (1)(2)(3)

Item 2.         Exercise of Voting Rights.

The voting trustees did not exercise voting rights under the Voting Trust Agreement during the fiscal year with respect to any matter, except that the voting trustees voted the shares of Common Stock held by them at the Graybar 2022 annual meeting for the election of nine directors and for the approval of the 2022 Three-Year Common Stock Purchase Plan.

Item 3.         Exercise of Other Powers.

The voting trustees exercised no powers under the Voting Trust Agreement, other than voting rights and the distribution of dividends upon the underlying securities, during the fiscal year.

Item 4.          Ownership of Voting Trust Certificates and Other Securities.

The following table presents information, as of March 16, 2023, as to Voting Trust Interests owned of record by each individual Voting Trustee.  As of March 16, 2023,  no Voting Trustee owned any securities of Graybar, other than those deposited under the Voting Trust Agreement, or any securities of Graybar's subsidiaries.  No other person owns of record, or is known by the Voting Trustees to own beneficially, more than five percent of the Voting Trust Interests.

_____________________

Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2021

Table of Contents

PART I

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements of Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “Graybar” or the “Company” and sometimes referred to as "we", "our", or "us"), the notes thereto, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The results shown herein are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in any future periods.

Certain statements, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “PSLRA”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believes”, “projects”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “strategy”, “plan”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “will be”, “will continue”, “will likely result”, and other similar expressions.  We intend such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe-harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the PSLRA.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.  Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain.  Factors which could have a material adverse impact on our operations and future prospects on a consolidated basis include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions, particularly in the residential, commercial, and industrial building construction industries; a sustained interruption in the operation of our information systems; the ongoing impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic; volatility in the prices of industrial commodities; cyber-attacks; increased funding requirements and expenses related to our pension plan; disruptions in our sources of supply; the inability, or limitations on our ability to borrow under our existing credit facilities or any replacements thereof; adverse legal proceedings or other claims; compliance with changing governmental regulations; and the inability, or limitations on our ability to raise debt or equity capital.  These risks and uncertainties should also be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by applicable securities law.  Further information concerning our business, including additional factors that could materially impact our financial results, is included herein and in our other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or “Commission”).  Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, a number of which are outlined in Item 1A., “Risk Factors”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

All dollar amounts in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are stated in millions except for share and per share data.

Item 1.  Business

The Company

Graybar is a leading North American distributor of electrical and communications and data networking products and is a provider of related supply chain management and logistics services. We primarily serve customers in the construction, commercial, institutional and government ("CIG"), and industrial & utility vertical markets ("vertical" or "verticals"), with products and services that support new construction, infrastructure updates, building renovation, facility maintenance, repair and operations ("MRO"), and original equipment manufacturers ("OEM").

Through a network of over 300 locations across the United States and Canada, we serve approximately 146,000 customers. Our business is primarily based in the United States ("U.S."). We also have subsidiary operations with distribution facilities in Canada and Puerto Rico.

We distribute over one million products purchased from approximately 4,200 manufacturers and suppliers. In our primary role as third-party wholesale distributor, we neither manufacture nor contract to manufacture the products that we sell; however, one of our subsidiaries may contract to manufacture some of its private label lighting fixtures.

We generally finance our inventory through the collection of trade receivables and trade accounts payable terms with our suppliers.  We use short-term borrowing facilities to finance inventory purchases and other operating expenses when necessary, and we have not historically used long-term borrowings for this purpose.

In addition to our extensive product offering, we provide a wide range of supply chain management services that when combined with our network of locations are designed to deliver convenience, cost savings and improved efficiency for our customers.

We were incorporated in 1925 under the laws of the State of New York. Our active and retired employees own 100% of our common stock. There is no public trading market for our common stock.

Our internet address is www.graybar.com. Information on our website does not constitute a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Competition

Our industry is comprised of thousands of local and regional distributors, along with several large national and global distributors. Graybar is among the largest distributors of electrical and communications and data networking products to the construction, CIG, and industrial & utility verticals in North America. Our industry is highly competitive, and we estimate that the top five distributors account for approximately 30% of the total U.S. market. Some of our largest competitors have greater global geographic scope, which may provide them an advantage, particularly with certain multi-national customers.

Our industry is influenced by economic and regulatory factors that impact rates of new construction, as well as customers' or end users' decisions to invest in renovation and expansion of facilities and infrastructure. The industry is also affected by changes in technology, both in the products that are typically sold through distribution and in the ways customers choose to transact business with distributors. Driven by customers' omnichannel buying preferences and their desire to increase efficiency and productivity, digitalization is becoming increasingly important to both manufacturers and distributors in our industry.

Our pricing reflects the value associated with the products and services that we provide. We consider our prices to be generally competitive. We believe that, while price is an important customer consideration, the services we provide distinguish us from many of our competitors, whether they are distributors or manufacturers selling directly to our customer base.  We view our ability to quickly supply our customers with a broad range of products through conveniently located distribution facilities as a competitive advantage that customers value. 

Markets Served

Graybar serves a wide range of customers within certain primary verticals. The largest of these verticals is construction, which accounted for more than half of our sales in 2021. Customers within this vertical include various types of contractors and installers that perform new construction and renovation of commercial and industrial facilities and utility infrastructure.

The other verticals we serve are CIG and industrial & utility. The CIG vertical includes a broad range of commercial office, warehouse, and retail facilities, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, and the education and health care sectors. The industrial & utility vertical includes customers and products for MRO, OEM, broadband utility and electrical transmission and distribution infrastructure.

Products and Suppliers

We distribute over one million products purchased from approximately 4,200 manufacturers and suppliers. Approximately 110,000 of these products are stocked in our warehouses, allowing us in most cases to provide customers with convenient, local access to the items they need every day. When the specialized nature or size of a particular shipment warrants, we arrange to ship products directly from our suppliers; otherwise, orders are filled from our own on-hand inventory. On a dollar volume basis, we filled approximately 60% of customer orders from this on-hand inventory in 2021 and 2020.

Approximately 50% of the products we sold during 2021 were purchased from our top 25 suppliers.  However, we generally have the ability to purchase from more than one supplier for any product type, which allows us to offer alternative sources of comparable products for nearly all products. The products we distribute can be generally identified as follows:

These products may be sold into any of the verticals we target, depending on a customer's or end user's needs. Our salesforce is empowered to sell any of these products or related services to any customer, in some cases with the support of specialists who are trained in specific industries and/or new technologies.

Maintaining strong relationships with our suppliers is important to our business, and we enjoy longstanding relationships with several of our suppliers (or their predecessors). However, most of our supplier agreements are nonexclusive national or regional distributorships, terminable upon 30 to 90 days' notice by either party.

Sales and Distribution

We sell products and services manufactured or provided by others primarily through a network of sales offices and distribution facilities located throughout the U.S. We operate multiple distribution facilities in each district, each of which carries an inventory of products and operates as a wholesale distributor for the territory in which it is located.  Some geographic districts have sales offices that do not carry inventory.  In addition, we have twenty regional distribution centers containing inventories of both standard and specialized products.  The regional distribution centers replenish inventories carried at our other U.S. distribution facilities and make shipments directly to customers.  We also have subsidiary operations with distribution facilities located in the U.S. and Canada and a single distribution facility in Puerto Rico.

Human Capital

Employees

As of December 31, 2021, Graybar had approximately 8,800 employees across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Approximately 5,000 employees were employed in sales and service positions, 2,400 in supply chain positions, and the remainder in operations and other business functions. Approximately 1% of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.

Culture and Values

Graybar’s culture is defined by the core values of integrity, a long-term view, employee ownership and customer focus. With these values as the foundation, Graybar strives to achieve profitable long-term growth, deliver an exceptional customer experience, and create a positive work environment that brings out the best in our employees.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Belonging

Consistent with Graybar’s core values, we welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences into our company. We want each of our employees to know that they matter and to feel a sense of belonging, ownership, and inclusion at Graybar. We believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, and we work to build a collaborative environment where our employees can grow, learn and make a difference, both as individuals and as part of the team.

We hold regular reviews of employee pay with a focus on equity and conduct quarterly employee surveys asking for feedback on the Company. Our women’s networking program is open to everyone and is designed to foster deeper connections and encourage professional development. We also encourage our employees to give back to their communities by providing community time off and matching employee donations to select charities. Additional information can be found in our Corporate Social Responsibility Report at https://graybar.widen.net/s/raae2vrc1c.

Safety

The safety of our employees is a top priority, and our locations follow consistent safety protocols to prevent injuries and accidents. Our safety program includes ongoing training, hazard communications and supplying personal protective equipment to employees. We also use technology in our fleet of vehicles to improve safety on the road.

Compensation and Benefits

Graybar’s comprehensive compensation and benefits programs are designed to attract, retain, and reward employees. We offer multiple benefit plan options for medical, prescription, and dental insurance. We also provide short and long-term disability benefits at no cost. The Company offers other benefits such as life insurance, well-being programs and resources, paid vacation and holidays, profit sharing and 401(k) plans, and employee discounts.

Talent Acquisition, Learning, and Development

Graybar has a long track record of hiring talented employees, investing in employee development, and providing opportunities for employees to advance within the company. All employees are assigned core training requirements based on their role and have access to a large library of online courses from which they can expand their knowledge. In addition to online learning, when health concerns and related considerations allow, we host training conferences for employees and offer development programs for interns, early-career employees, sales employees, managers, and leaders. We also offer tuition reimbursement and student loan repayment programs.

COVID-19 Impact

COVID-19 continues to impact our business and our employees. Graybar provides an Employee Assistance Program, along with training and mental health resources to support employees and managers. Company-wide and local communications help to keep employees informed and engaged.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations are subject to various risks, including, but not limited to, those discussed below.  The risks outlined below are those that we believe are currently the most significant, although additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem less significant may also impact our liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our sales fluctuate with general economic conditions, particularly in the residential, commercial, and industrial building construction industries.  Our operating locations are widely distributed geographically across the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, Canada.  Customers for our products and services are similarly diverse – we have approximately 146,000 customers, and our largest customer accounts for approximately 1% of our total sales.  While our geographic and customer concentrations are relatively low, our results of operations are nonetheless dependent on favorable conditions in both the general economy and the construction industry.  In addition, conditions in the construction industry are greatly influenced by the availability of project financing and the cost of borrowing.

Our daily activities are highly dependent on the uninterrupted operation of information systems.  We are a recognized industry leader for our use of information technology in all areas of our business – sales, customer service, inventory management, finance, accounting, and human resources.  We maintain redundant information systems as part of our disaster recovery program and, if necessary, are able to operate in many respects using a paper-based system to help mitigate a complete interruption in our information processing capabilities.  We also rely on the information systems of third parties to achieve some of our business objectives. Nonetheless, our information systems and those of third parties, including cloud service providers, remain vulnerable to natural disasters, wide-area telecommunications or power utility outages, terrorist or cyber-attacks, or other major disruptions.  A sustained interruption in the functioning of information systems, however unlikely, could lower operating income by negatively impacting sales, expenses, or both.

A pandemic, epidemic or other public health emergency, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, could continue to have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic affected business activity, impacting, among others, our customers, suppliers, our workforce and the construction industry. The impacts relating to the potential effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and the costs that we may incur as a result cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material.

In recent months, we have seen increasing pressure on our supply chain due to several factors, including, but not limited to, global logistics, raw material and labor availability, that are in part due to the impact of COVID-19 on the global economy. Depending on the scope and duration of supply chain disruptions, we may experience further increases in product costs which we may not be able to pass on to our customers and loss of sales due to lack of product availability. There is no certainty as to when affected availability and related lead times will return to normalized levels.

If our customers are directly impacted by business curtailments or weak market conditions, this may result in lower net sales and higher than expected bad debt losses, which could impact our results of operations and our cash flows from operating activities. In the event that our operating performance or that of our suppliers were to decline, our vendor allowances could also be reduced, which could negatively impact our results of operations.

There continue to be uncertainties associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, including with respect to the course, duration and severity of the virus, future actions that may be taken by governmental authorities and private businesses to contain the COVID-19 pandemic or to mitigate its impact, and the effectiveness of such actions, and the widespread availability and ultimate effectiveness of vaccinations for COVID-19 and its variants. We continue to monitor the situation and assess further possible implications to our business. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, we could still experience long-term impacts on our operating costs, as a result of attempts to counteract future outbreaks of COVID-19 or other viruses. Moreover, the long-term economic effects of COVID-19 on our business are uncertain.

Our results of operations are impacted by changes in industrial commodity prices.  Many of the products we sell are subject to wide and frequent price fluctuations because they are composed primarily of copper, steel, or petroleum-based resins, including poly-vinyl chlorides ("PVC"), or other industrial commodities that have been subject to price volatility during the past several years.  Examples of such products include wire and cable, conduit, enclosures, and fittings.  Our gross margin rate on these products is relatively constant over time, though not necessarily in the short term.  Therefore, if the cost of these products to us declined, pricing to our customers may decrease.  This impacts our results of operations by lowering both overall sales and gross margin.

Our business and our reputation could be adversely affected by cyber-attacks against our information systems, breaches of sensitive data or changes in regulations relating to obligations to protect systems, assets, and data from the threat of cyber-attacks. Cyber-attacks designed to gain access to sensitive information and/or compromise mission-critical systems of large organizations are constantly evolving. High profile cyber-security incidents leading to unauthorized release of confidential information or ransoming of information systems have occurred at a number of major U.S. companies, despite widespread recognition of the cyber-attack threat and generally improved cyber-security protections. While we have invested in the protection of our information technology and maintain what we believe are adequate security procedures and controls over information systems and financial and other sensitive data, the risks to our information systems and data are evolving rapidly. These risks are also applicable where we rely on outside vendors to provide services, which may operate in a cloud environment. We are dependent on these third-party vendors to operate secure and reliable systems. A breach in our systems or those of our third party providers that results in system compromise or the unauthorized release of sensitive data, including without limitation, personally identifiable information, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business, or potential liability. A cyber-security incident resulting in the unauthorized release of sensitive data or compromise of our information systems or those of third parties could also materially increase the costs we already incur to protect against such risks. While we also seek to obtain assurances that third parties we interact with will protect sensitive information, there is a risk that such data may be compromised. In addition, as the regulatory environment relating to a company’s obligation to protect information systems and sensitive data becomes more strict, a material failure on our part to comply with applicable regulations could subject us to fines, regulatory sanctions and lawsuits.

We may experience losses or be subject to increased funding and expenses related to our pension plan. A decline in the market value of plan assets or a change in the interest rates used to measure the required minimum funding levels and the pension obligation may increase the funding requirements of our defined benefit pension plan, the pension obligation itself, and pension expenses. Government regulations may accelerate the timing and amounts required to fund the plan. Demographic changes in our workforce, including longer life expectancies, increased numbers of retirements, and age at retirement may also cause funding requirements, pension expenses, and the pension obligation to be higher than expected. Any or all of these factors could have a negative impact on our liquidity, financial position, and/or our results of operations.

We purchase all of the products we sell to our customers from other parties.  As a wholesale distributor, our business and financial results are dependent on our ability to purchase products from manufacturers not controlled by us that we, in turn, sell to our customers.  Approximately 50% of our purchases are made from only 25 manufacturers.  A sustained disruption in our ability to source products from one or more of the largest of these vendors might have a material impact on our ability to fulfill customer orders, resulting in lost sales and, in rare cases, damages for late or non-delivery.

Our borrowing agreements contain financial covenants and certain other restrictions on our activities and those of our subsidiaries.  Our amended revolving credit facility and private placement shelf agreements impose contractual limits on, among other things, indebtedness, liens, changes in the nature of business, investments, mergers and acquisitions, the issuance of equity securities, the disposition of assets and the dissolution of certain subsidiaries, transactions with affiliates, as well as securitizations, factoring transactions, and transactions with sanctioned parties or in violation of certain U.S. or Canadian anti-corruption and anti-

money laundering laws.  In addition, we are required to maintain acceptable financial ratios relating to debt leverage and interest coverage.  Our failure to comply with these obligations may cause an event of default and may trigger an acceleration of the debt owed to our creditors or limit our ability to obtain additional credit under these facilities.  While we expect to remain in compliance with the terms of our amended revolving credit facility and private placement shelf agreements, our failure to do so could have a negative impact on our ability to borrow funds and maintain acceptable levels of cash flow from financing activities.

We are subject to legal proceedings and other claims arising out of the conduct of our business.  These proceedings and claims relate to public and private sector transactions, product liability, contract performance, and employment matters.  On the basis of information currently available to us, we do not believe that existing proceedings and claims will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.  However, litigation is unpredictable, and we could incur judgments or enter into settlements for current or future claims that could adversely affect our financial position or our results of operations in a particular period.

More specifically with respect to asbestos litigation, as of December 31, 2021, 3,300 individual cases and 61 multiple-plaintiff cases are pending that allege actual or potential asbestos-related injuries resulting from the use of or exposure to products allegedly sold by us.  Additional claims will likely be filed against us in the future.  Our insurance carriers have historically borne virtually all costs and liability with respect to this litigation and are continuing to do so.  Accordingly, our future liability with respect to pending and unasserted claims is dependent on the continued solvency of our insurance carriers.  Other factors that could impact this liability are: the number of future claims filed against us; the defense and settlement costs associated with these claims; changes in the litigation environment, including changes in federal or state law governing the compensation of asbestos claimants; adverse jury verdicts in excess of historic settlement amounts; and bankruptcies of other asbestos defendants.  Because any of these factors may change, our future exposure is unpredictable, and it is possible that we may incur costs that would have a material adverse impact on our liquidity, financial position, or results of operations in future periods.

Compliance with changing government regulations may result in increased costs and risks to the company. Our public company and multi-national customers are increasingly subject to governmental regulation globally. Existing and future laws and regulations may impede our growth. These regulations and laws may cover, among other things, public health, taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, energy consumption, environmental regulation, electronic contracts, communications and marketing, consumer protection, the design and operation of websites, and the characteristics and quality of products and services. Unfavorable regulations and laws could diminish the demand for our products and services and increase our cost of doing business. If we are not able to obtain for certain customers the information that they require in part as a result of these regulations, they may limit their business with us. These regulatory and customer-driven requirements may increase our operating costs, and, due to competitive pressures, we may not be able to increase our prices sufficiently to avoid a reduction in our income from operations.

The value to our shareholders of our common stock depends on the regular payment of dividends, which are paid at the discretion of our Board of Directors.  The purchase price for our common stock under our purchase option is the same as the issue price.  Accordingly, as long as we exercise our option to purchase, appreciation in the value of an investment in our common stock is dependent primarily on our ability and our Board of Directors' willingness to declare dividends.  Although cash dividends have been paid on the common stock each year since 1929, as with any corporation’s common stock, payment of dividends is subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors.

There is no public trading market for our common stock.  Our common stock is 100% owned by active and retired employees.  Common stock may not be sold by the holder thereof, except after first offering it to us.  We have always exercised this purchase option in the past and expect to continue to do so.  As a result, no public trading market for our common stock exists, nor is one expected to develop.  This lack of a public trading market for our common stock may limit our ability to raise large amounts of equity capital, which could constrain our long-term business growth.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

Item 2.  Properties

We operate in thirteen geographical districts in the U.S., each of which maintains multiple distribution facilities that consist primarily of warehouse space.  A small portion of each distribution facility is used for offices.  Some districts have sales offices that do not carry an inventory of products. Facilities range in size from 800 to 136,000 square feet, with the average being approximately 30,000 square feet.  We also have regional distribution centers ranging in size from 130,000 to 324,000 square feet.  Our subsidiaries have sales and distribution facilities ranging in size from 1,000 to 89,000 square feet. 

Our headquarters are located in St. Louis, Missouri in an 83,000 square foot building owned by us.  We also own a 200,000 square foot operations and administration center in St. Louis.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

There are presently no pending legal proceedings that are expected to have a material impact on the Company or its subsidiaries.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Supplemental Item.  Executive Officers of the Registrant

The following table lists the name, age as of March 1, 2022, position, offices and certain other information with respect to our executive officers.  The term of office of each executive officer will expire upon the appointment of his or her successor by the Board of Directors.

On January 12, 2022, S. S. Clifford, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, announced his intention to retire as an officer on June 1, 2022. D. M. Meyer has been appointed as Mr. Clifford’s replacement effective April 1, 2022. Prior to the appointment, Mr. Meyer served the Company as Vice President and Chief Information Officer from 2015 to 2021 and as Vice President – North American Subsidiaries since January 1, 2022.

PART II

Item 5.            Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer PurchasesBusiness Experience of Equity SecuritiesVoting Trustees.

Our common stock is 100% owned by active and retired employees, and there is no public trading market for our common stock.  Since 1928, substantially all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock have been held of record by voting trustees under successive voting trust agreements.  Under applicable New York law, a voting trust may not have a term greater than ten years. A new Voting Trust Agreement was established effective March 3, 2017, which expires by its terms on March 1, 2027. At December 31, 2021, approximately 83% of our outstanding common stock was held in the voting trust.  The participation of shareholders in the voting trust is voluntary at the time the voting trust is created, but is irrevocable during its term.  Shareholders who elect not to participate in the voting trust hold their common stock as shareholders of record. Shareholders may elect to participate in the voting trust at any time during the term of the voting trust.

No holder of our common stock or voting trust interests representing our common stock ("common stock", "common shares", or "shares") may sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any shares without first offering us the option to purchase those shares at the price at which they were issued.  We also have the option to purchase at the issue price the common shares of any shareholder who ceases to be an employee for any reason other than death or "retirement" (as defined in our amended restated certificate of incorporation), and on the first anniversary of any holder's death. In the past, we have always exercised these purchase options, and we expect to continue to do so in the foreseeable future. However, we can make no assurance that we will continue to exercise our purchase option in the future.  All outstanding shares have been issued at $20.00 per share.

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of common stock by the Company for the three months ended December 31, 2021, all of which were made pursuant to the foregoing provisions:

Item 6.  Reserved

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management’s Discussion and Analysis provides a narrative description of the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For comparison of the results of operations relating to the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, Part II., Item 7. filed with the SEC on March 10, 2021.

Business Overview

Our results for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 set new records for net sales, income from operations, and net income. Several factors contributed to these results, including improving economic conditions, increased demand for our products and services, and price inflation. Net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $1,501.6 million, or 20.7%, to $8,767.3 million, compared to $7,265.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Gross margin increased $319.7 million, or 23.3%, to $1,689.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to gross margin of $1,369.5 million for the same twelve-month period last year. Gross margin rate was 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 18.8% for the same twelve month-period last year. Gross margin rate was positively impacted by higher warehouse sales, a favorable sales mix, and favorable vendor allowances.

Our income from operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $185.6 million, or 82.6%, due to improved gross margin performance. This was partially offset by a $141.6 million, or 12.9%, increase in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses that resulted from higher compensation and benefit-related expenses, higher outgoing freight expenses, and higher travel and entertainment expenses.

Our non-operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 contained non-cash pension settlement charges of $30.4 million and $27.7 million, respectively. These charges were recognized because the cost of all pension settlements during the respective year were greater than the sum of the service and interest cost components of the annual net periodic pension cost.

Net income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased by $140.6 million to $262.4 million, compared to $121.8 million for the same twelve-month period last year.

Over the course of 2021, the economy showed substantial improvement, which contributed to our record results. Although the vertical markets we serve may continue to be affected by variables such as supply chain constraints, price inflation, labor issues, and the ongoing pandemic, our business operations are producing positive results and our financial condition is strong. We remain focused on providing an exceptional customer experience, achieving profitable growth, and maintaining a healthy financial position.

Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table sets forth certain information relating to our operations stated in millions of dollars and as a percentage of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019:

2021 Compared to 2020

Net sales totaled $8,767.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $7,265.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $1,501.6 million, or 20.7%.  For the year ended December 31, 2021, net sales in our construction, CIG, and industrial & utility verticals increased by 21.3%, 14.9%, and 28.3%, respectively, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

Gross margin increased $319.7 million, or 23.3%, to $1,689.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $1,369.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in gross margin was primarily due to increased net sales for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020. Our gross margin rate was 19.3% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 18.8% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase in gross margin rate was primarily due to higher warehouse sales, a favorable sales mix, and increases in vendor allowances as a result of higher inventory purchases to meet our sales demand.

SG&A expenses increased $141.6 million, or 12.9%, to $1,240.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $1,098.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, mainly due to higher compensation and benefit-related expenses, higher outgoing freight expenses, and higher travel and entertainment expenses. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales were 14.1% for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to 15.1% for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2021 decreased $3.0 million, or 5.7%, to $49.8 million from $52.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to lower software amortization expenses. Depreciation as a percentage of net sales totaled 0.6% for the year ended December 31, 2021, down from 0.7% for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Other income, net totaled $11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $7.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.  Other income, net consists primarily of gains or losses on the disposal of property, trade receivable interest charges to customers, and other miscellaneous income items related to our business activities. The increase in other income, net was primarily due to gains on sales of property classified as assets held for sale.

Non-operating expenses increased $1.0 million, or 1.7%, to $59.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, from $58.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was due to an increase in the non-service cost components of the pension net periodic benefit costs of $4.2 million, partially offset by decreases in interest expense, net. The increase in non-service cost components of pension net periodic benefit costs was primarily due to a non-cash pension settlement charge of $30.4 million

recognized during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to a non-cash pension settlement charge of $27.7 million recognized during the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in interest expense, net was due to lower levels of average outstanding short-term borrowings and lower interest rates for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

Income before provision for income taxes increased $184.6 million, or 111.0%, to $350.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $166.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due to our increase in gross margin partially offset by an increase in SG&A expenses.

Our provision for income taxes increased $43.7 million, or 98.9%, to $87.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 from $44.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.  Our effective tax rate was 25.0% for the year ended December 31, 2021, down from 26.6% for the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in the effective tax rate is largely due to reductions in 2021 permanent adjustment limitations and reduced state expense.

Net income attributable to Graybar Electric Company, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2021 increased $140.6 million, or 115.4%, to $262.4 million from $121.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Summary

We manage our liquidity and capital levels so that we have the capability to invest in the growth of our business, meet debt service obligations, finance anticipated capital expenditures, pay dividends, make benefit payments, finance information technology needs, fund acquisitions and finance other miscellaneous cash outlays. We believe that maintaining a strong company financial condition enables us to competitively access multiple financing channels, maintain an optimal cost of capital and invest in strategic long-term growth plans.

We have historically funded our working capital requirements using cash flows generated by the collection of trade receivables and trade accounts payable terms with our suppliers, supplemented by short-term bank lines of credit, if necessary.  Capital expenditures have been financed primarily with cash from working capital management and short-term bank lines of credit.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for each of the past three years:

Our cash and cash equivalents were $48.5 million at December 31, 2021, a decrease of $82.7 million, or 63.0%, from $131.2 million at December 31, 2020. The decrease in cash on hand at December 31, 2021 from December 31, 2020 is reflective of increases in trade accounts receivable, increased merchandise inventory levels, higher capital expenditures, and acquisitions made in 2021, partially offset by an increase in trade accounts payable. Short-term borrowings increased by $74.2 million to $124.2 million at December 31, 2021 from $50.0 million at December 31, 2020, primarily due to funding of the fourth quarter cash dividend payment as well as acquisitions made in 2021. Current assets exceeded current liabilities by $730.3 million at December 31, 2021, an increase of $82.9 million, or 12.8%, from $647.4 million at December 31, 2020.

Operating Activities

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $127.5 million, compared to cash flows provided by operating activities of $301.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was attributable to net income of $263.0 million, adjusted for non-cash depreciation and amortization expenses of $49.8 million, non-cash operating lease expense of $34.9 million, non-cash pension settlement charge of $30.4 million, an increase in trade accounts payable of $157.9 million, and an increase in accrued payroll and benefit costs of $64.8 million, partially offset by an increase in trade receivables of $274.5 million and an increase in merchandise inventory levels of $187.6 million.

The average number of days of sales in trade receivables for the year ended December 31, 2021 improved significantly compared to the same twelve-month period in 2020. The days in inventory improved modestly for the year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the year ended December 31, 2020.

Investing Activities

Net cash used by investing activities was $149.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $50.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of $99.3 million. Cash used by investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily a result of the 2021 acquisitions for a combined preliminary purchase price, net of cash acquired of $88.7 million and capital expenditures of $70.9 million, compared to the preliminary purchase price, net of cash acquired for the 2020 acquisition of $27.2 million and capital expenditures of $31.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. For further discussion of our acquisitions, refer to Note 17, “Acquisitions”, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financing Activities

Net cash used by financing activities totaled $60.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net cash used by financing activities of $180.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease in cash used of $120.4 million, or 66.6%. This was primarily due to an increase in short-term borrowings of $74.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to net payments on short-term borrowings of $88.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2020, partially offset by an increase in dividends paid during the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to the same period in 2020. Cash dividends paid totaled $137.2 million, or $6.00 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2021, compared to $90.7 million, or $4.00 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Liquidity

Our cash and cash equivalents were $48.5 million at December 31, 2021, compared to $131.2 million at December 31, 2020. We also had a $750.0 million amended committed revolving credit facility (“Amended Credit Agreement”) with $625.4 million in available capacity at December 31, 2021, compared to available capacity of $699.6 million at December 31, 2020. We had short-term borrowings of $124.2 million and $50.0 million outstanding at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

At December 31, 2021 and 2020, we also had two uncommitted, unsecured private placement shelf agreements ("Shelf Agreements"). One of the Shelf Agreements is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes up to $100.0 million to PGIM, Inc., at fixed rate terms to be agreed upon at the time of any issuance during a three-year issuance period ending in August 2023. At December 31, 2021, our other Shelf Agreement is expected to allow us to issue senior promissory notes up to $150.0 million to MetLife Investment Management, LLC (formerly known as MetLife Investment Advisors, LLC), and MetLife Investment Management Limited (collectively, “MetLife”) and each other MetLife affiliate that becomes party to the agreement at fixed or floating rate economic terms to be agreed upon at the time of any issuance during a three-year issuance period ending in June 2024.

We have not issued any notes under the Shelf Agreements as of December 31, 2021 and 2020. For further discussion related to our Amended Credit Agreement and our Shelf Agreements, refer to Note 12, “Debt”, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements located in Item 8., "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We had total letters of credit of $6.1 million outstanding at December 31, 2021, of which $0.4 million were issued under our Amended Credit Agreement. We had total letters of credit of $6.3 million outstanding at December 31, 2020, of which $0.4 million were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility, as defined in Note 12, “Debt”, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplemental Data” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The letters of credit are issued primarily to support certain workers' compensation insurance policies.

Inflation

The industry experienced rising product costs associated primarily with commodities in 2021.  In addition, given supply chain constraints, freight and shipping costs were elevated as well.  Inflation impacted many of the products we purchase and transport.  We were able to mitigate the adverse effects of higher costs on our gross margin rate in 2021 by increasing prices and consolidating shipments for the products and services we offer.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

We had the following contractual obligations as of December 31, 2021:

Operating lease obligations consist of both principal and interest payments.

Purchase obligations consist of open purchase orders issued in the normal course of business.  Many of these purchase obligations may be cancelled with limited or no financial penalties.

The table above does not include $161.2 million of accrued, unfunded pension obligations, and $83.7 million of accrued, unfunded employment-related benefit obligations, of which $75.1 million is related to our postretirement benefit plan.

We expect to make contributions totaling approximately $40.0 million to our defined benefit pension plan and fund $2.0 million for nonqualified pension benefits during 2022 that are not included in the table. We contributed $40.0 million to our defined benefit pension plan and funded $1.6 million for nonqualified benefits in 2021.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP"). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements we are required to make estimates and assumptions about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and the related disclosures. We base our estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, we review the accounting policies, estimates, assumptions, and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP. However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our estimates and assumptions, and such differences could be material.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", of the notes to the consolidated financial statements located in Item 8., “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We believe that the following accounting estimates are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, and they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates about the effect of matters inherently uncertain. We have reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board.

Pension and Postretirement Benefits Plans

We account for our pension and postretirement benefit obligations in accordance with the accounting standards for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. These standards require the use of several important assumptions, including the discount rate and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, among others, in determining our obligations and the annual cost of our pension and postretirement benefits. These assumptions are assessed annually, or more frequently when warranted, in consultation with independent actuaries and investment advisors as of December 31 and adjustments are made as needed.

The following table presents key assumptions used to measure the pension and postretirement benefits obligations at December 31:

To determine the long-term expected rate of return, we consider macroeconomic conditions, the historical experience and expected future long-term performance of the plan assets, as well as the current and expected allocation of the plan assets. The pension plan’s asset allocation as of December 31, 2021, was approximately 60% fixed income investments, 12% equity securities and 28% other investments, in line with our policy ranges. We periodically evaluate the allocation of plan assets among the different investment classes to ensure that they are within policy guidelines and ranges. Holding all other assumptions constant, we estimate that a one percentage point decrease in the expected return on plan assets would have increased our 2021 pension expense by approximately $6.3 million. Our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption will remain at 5.00% for fiscal year 2022.

In determining the discount rate, we use yields on high-quality fixed-income investments (including among other things, Moody’s Aa corporate bond yields) that match the duration and expected cash flows of the future pension obligations. To the extent the discount rate increases or decreases, our pension and postretirement obligations are decreased or increased accordingly. Holding all other assumptions constant, we estimate that a one percentage point decrease in the discount rate used to calculate both pension expense for 2021 and the pension liability as of December 31, 2021 would have increased pension expense by $19.4 million in 2021 and the pension liability by $104.8 million at December 31, 2021.  Similarly, a one percentage point decrease in the discount rate would have increased postretirement benefits expense by $0.1 million in 2021 and the postretirement benefits liability by $5.3 million at December 31, 2021.

Merchandise Inventory

We value our inventories at the lower of cost (generally determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) cost method) or market.  LIFO accounting is a method of accounting that, compared with other inventory accounting methods, generally provides better matching of current costs with current sales.  In assessing the ultimate realization of inventories, we make judgments as to our return rights to suppliers and future demand requirements and record an inventory reserve for obsolete inventory.  If actual future demand, market conditions, or supplier return provisions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, there were no material differences between our estimated reserve levels and actual write-offs.

Income Taxes

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns.  A deferred tax asset or liability results from the temporary difference between an item’s carrying value as reflected in the financial statements and its tax basis, and is calculated using enacted applicable tax rates.  We assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance is established.  Changes in the valuation allowance, when recorded, are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated financial statements.  We classify interest expense and penalties as part of our provision for income taxes based upon applicable federal and state interest/underpayment percentages. We assess uncertainty regarding tax positions taken in previously filed returns and record reserves in accordance with the guidance under Accounting Standards Codification 740-10, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes".

New Accounting Standards

New accounting standards are discussed in Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", of the notes to the consolidated financial statements located in Item 8., "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data", of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in market rates and prices, including commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and equity prices.  Our primary exposures to market risk are commodity price risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, and interest rate risk associated with debt obligations.

Commodity Price Risk

We have exposure to commodity price risk on products we purchase for resale. Examples of such products include wire and cable, conduit, enclosures, and fittings.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

The functional currency for our Canadian subsidiary is the Canadian dollar.  Accordingly, its balance sheet amounts are translated at the exchange rates in effect at year-end and its income and expenses are translated using average exchange rates prevailing during the year.  Currency translation adjustments are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  Exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations is not material.

Interest Rate Risk

Our interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of market interest rates.  Changes in interest rates have different impacts on the fixed-rate and variable-rate portions of our debt portfolio.  A change in market interest rates on the fixed-rate portion of our debt portfolio impacts the fair value of the financial instrument, but has no impact on interest incurred or cash flows.  A change in market interest rates on the variable-rate portion of our debt portfolio impacts the interest incurred and cash flows, but does not impact the fair value of the financial instrument.

Based on $124.2 million in variable-rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2021, a one percentage point increase in interest rates would increase our interest expense by $1.2 million per year.

The following table provides information about financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates.  The table presents principal payments on debt and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates:

The fair value of long-term debt is estimated by calculating future cash flows at interpolated Treasury yields with similar maturities, plus an estimate of our credit risk spread as of December 31, 2021.

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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

For additional information related to risks associated with our future performance, see Part I, "Caution Regarding Forward-looking Statements" above and Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-K.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Graybar Electric Company, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1996.

St. Louis, Missouri

March 10, 2022

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Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Income

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Graybar Electric Company, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets