UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )

 Filed by the Registrant   x
 Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   o
 
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 o   Preliminary Proxy Statement
 o  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
 x   Definitive Proxy Statement
 o   Definitive Additional Materials
 o   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.


(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.


(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

      Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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SEC 1913 (11-01)Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.


(ANIXTER LOGO)


NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD MAY 18, 200613, 2008

To the Stockholders of Anixter International Inc.:

     The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anixter International Inc. will be held at 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview,Two North Riverside Plaza, 24th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60026 on Thursday,Tuesday, May 18, 2006,13, 2008, at 9:008:30 a.m., for the purpose of:

     (1) electing 11 Directors;

     (2) approving the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan;

 (3)(1) electing 12 directors;
(2) ratifying the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors for the fiscal year 2006;2008; and
 
 (4)(3) transacting such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 31, 200621, 2008 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof. A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be open for examination by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting during ordinary business hours for ten days prior to the meeting at the offices of Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Illinois 60026, and will also be available at the meeting.

     A copy of Anixter International Inc.’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended December 30, 200528, 2007 is being mailed to all registered holders. Only one annual reportAnnual Report and proxy statementProxy Statement is being delivered to consenting multiple stockholders sharing an address unless Anixter International Inc. has received contrary instructions from one or more of the holders. Stockholders at a shared address who are receiving a single copy of the annual reportAnnual Report and proxy statementProxy Statement and who wish to receive separate copies now and/or in the future should make a request in writing to the Corporate Secretary at Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Illinois 60026 or by phone at 224-521-8000. Additional copies of the annual reportAnnual Report and proxy statementProxy Statement may be obtained without charge by writing to the Corporate Secretary or from the Company’s website at http://www.anixter.com/AXECOM/axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/Overview. Stockholders at a shared address who are receiving multiple copies of those documents and who wish to receive a single copy should direct their request to the bank or brokerage firm which holds their shares.

 By Order of the Board of Directors
 
 (-s- JOHN A. DUL)
 JOHN A. DUL, Secretary

Glenview, Illinois

April 10, 20068, 2008

All Stockholders are invited to attend the meeting in person. Whether or not you expect to attend, please date, sign and complete the enclosed proxy and mail it promptly in the postage prepaid envelope provided.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2008.

The 2008 Proxy Statement is available at www.anixter.com/Axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/SECDocuments.

The 2007 Annual Report is available at www.anixter.com/Axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/AnnualReports.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
VOTING
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
BOARD ANDREPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 2007 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
COMPENSATION2007 GRANTS OF DIRECTORSPLAN-BASED AWARDS
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTSOUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2007 FISCAL YEAR-END
2007 OPTION EXERCISES AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTSSTOCK VESTED
2007 PENSION BENEFITS
2007 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION(1)
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND THEIR FEES
Audit Fees
Audit-Related Fees
Tax Fees
All Other Fees
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
CONCLUSION


PROXY STATEMENT

For

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
OF ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.

To Be Held May 18, 200613, 2008

     This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Anixter International Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” which as used herein shall mean together with or without its subsidiaries, as the context may require). The Company’s corporate headquarters are located at 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, Illinois 60026 (telephone 224-521-8000). The Proxy Statement and form of proxy were first mailed to stockholders on or about April 10, 2006.8, 2008. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company are to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company to be held on Thursday,Tuesday, May 18, 2006,13, 2008, at 9:008:30 a.m., at 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview,Two North Riverside Plaza, 24th Floor, Chicago, Illinois, 60026, or any adjournment(s) thereof.

     This solicitation is being made by mail, although directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may solicit proxies from stockholders personally or by telephone, telegram or letter. The costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may request brokerage houses, nominees or fiduciaries and other custodians to solicit their principals or customers for their proxies, and may reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. In addition, the Company has retained Morrow & Co. to assist in the solicitation for a fee of $6,000 plus expenses.

VOTING

     Shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company (“Common Stock”) represented by proxies in the accompanying form which are properly executed and returned to the Company (and which are not effectively revoked) will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the stockholders’ instructions contained therein. In the absence of contrary instructions, shares represented by such proxies will be voted IN FAVOR OF the election as directors of the nominees listed herein and the other proposals.

     Each stockholder has the power to revoke his or her proxy at any time before it is voted by (i) delivering to the Company prior to or at the meeting written notice of revocation or a later dated proxy or (ii) attending the meeting and voting his or her shares in person.

     The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on March 31, 200621, 2008 as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment(s) thereof.

     As of March 31, 2006, 38,886,05321, 2008, 35,625,992 shares of Common Stock were outstanding. Each holderstockholder is entitled to one vote per share.

     A majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock will constitute a quorum for purposes of the meeting. If a quorum is present, in person or by proxy, the election of directors will be determined by a plurality of the votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted as present for establishing a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting, but neither will be counted as votes cast. A broker “non-vote” occurs when a broker votes on some matter on the proxy card but not on others because the broker does not have discretionary voting authority to do so and has not received instructions as to how to vote on a particular proposal. Brokers have discretionary authority to vote on the election of directors. The approval of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan will be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares represented at the Annual Meeting. An abstention will have the effect of a vote against the approval of the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan since it is one fewer vote for approval, but a broker non-vote will have no effect.

     Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote. An abstention will have the effect of a vote against the ratification. Brokers have discretionary authority to vote on the ratification since it is one fewer vote for approval, but a broker non-vote will have no effect.of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.


PROPOSAL 1:

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     In the absence of contrary instructions, the proxies received will be voted for the election as directors of the nominees listed below to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. Although the Board of Directors does not contemplate that any nominee will decline or be unable to serve as a director, in either such event the proxies will be voted for another person selected by the Board of Directors upon recommendation of the Nominating and Governance Committee, unless the Nominating and Governance Committee acts to reduce the size of the Board in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s by-laws. The current number of directors has been set by the Nominating and Governance Committee at eleven.twelve.

     The following table sets forth the name and age as of March 20, 20062008 of each director or nominee for director of the Company, the year each director was first elected, his or her position with the Company, his or her principal occupation(s) during the last five years, any other directorships held by such person in companies which have a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or subject to the requirements of Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act or directorships of issuers registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act of 1940, family relationships between directors and other directors or executive officers and selected other background information. The term of office of each director will extend until the holding of the next annual meeting of stockholders or until his or her successor is elected and qualified.

   
Present Principal Occupation or
Employment; Material Positions Held
Name and AgeDuring Past Five Years


Lord James Blyth, 6567 Director of the Company since 1995; Chairman since 2000 of Diageo plc, a beverage company; Senior Advisor since 2007, Vice Chairman from 19982004 to 2007, Partner from 2002 to 2004 and Senior Advisor from 2000 Deputy Chairman from 1994 to 1998 and Chief Executive Officer from 1987 to 19982002 of The Boots Company, involved in retailing, manufacturing and property.Greenhill Co., an investment bank.
Linda Walker Bynoe, 5355 Director of the Company since 2006; President and CEOChief Executive Officer of Telemat Ltd. since 1995, a project management and consulting firm; Director of Dynegy Inc., Simon Property Group, Inc., Prudential Retail Mutual Funds and Fidelity Life Association.Northern Trust Corporation.
Robert L. Crandall, 7072 Director of the Company since 1999; Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer from 1985 to 1998 of AMR Corporation, an air transportation and diversified services company; Director of Celestica Inc. and Halliburton Company.
Robert J. Eck, 49Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since September 2007; Executive Vice President — Enterprise Cabling and Security Solutions from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Vice President — Physical Security Products and Integrated Supply in 2003 of Anixter Inc., Halliburton Company and i2 Technologies, Inc.a subsidiary of the Company.
Robert W. Grubbs Jr., 4951 Director since 1997, and President and Chief Executive Officer since 1998 of the Company; President and Chief Executive Officer of Anixter Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, since 1994.
F. Philip Handy, 6163 Director of the Company since 1986; a private investor; Chief Executive Officer since 2001 of Strategic Industries, LLC, a diversified global manufacturing enterprise; Managing Director of EGI Corporate Investments, a diversified management and investment business, from 1997 to 1999; Director ofOwens Corning, Inc., Rewards Network Inc. and WCI Communities, Inc.
Melvyn N. Klein, 6466 Director of the Company since 1985; President of JAKK Holding Corp., a General Partner of the investment partnership GKH Partners, L.P., since 1987; Founder, Melvyn N. Klein Interests; Attorney and counselor-at-law since 1968.
George Muñoz, 5456 Director of Company since 2004; Principal since 2001 of Muñoz Investment Banking Group, LLC, and partner with the law firm of Tobin, Petkus & Muñoz since 2003;2001; President and CEO of Overseas Private Investment Corporation from 1997 to 2001; Director of Marriott International, Inc. and Altria Group, Inc.

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Present Principal Occupation or
Employment; Material Positions Held
Name and AgeDuring Past Five Years


Stuart M. Sloan, 6264 Director of the Company since 1994; a Principal since 1984 of Sloan Capital Companies, a private investment company; Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1986 to 1998 and Chief Executive Officer from 1991 to 1996 of Quality Food Centers, Inc., a supermarket chain; Director of Rite Aid Corp.J. Crew Group, Inc. and Clearwire Corporation.
Thomas C. Theobald, 6870 Director of the Company since 1995; Senior Advisor of Chicago Growth Partners since 2004; Managing Director of William Blair Capital Partners, L.L.C. from 1994 to 2004; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer from 1987 to 1994 of Continental Bank Corporation; Chairman of Columbia Mutual Funds; Director of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc., Ventas Inc. and AMBAC Financial Group.
Matthew Zell, 3941 Director of the Company since 2001; Managing Director since 2001 of Equity Group Investments, L.L.C., a private investment firm;company; President from 1990 to 2001 of Prometheus Technologies, Inc. and its predecessor, an information technology consulting firm; Director of Desarrolladora Homex S.A. de C.V. Mr. Zell is the son of Samuel Zell.
Samuel Zell, 6466 Director since 1984, and Chairman of the Board of Directors since 1985 of the Company. Chairman of Equity Group Investments, L.L.C., a private investment company, since 1999 and its President since 2006;2006. Mr. Zell has been Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Tribune Company, a diversified media company, since December 2007 and has been a Director since May 2007. Mr. Zell was a trustee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Equity Office Properties Trust, an equity real estate investment trust primarily focused on office buildings, sincefrom October 1996 until its sale in February, 2007, its Chief Executive Officer from April 2002 to April 2003, and its President from April 2002 until November 2002. Mr. Zell has been Chairman of the Board of Covanta Holding Corporation (previously known as DanilesonDanielson Holding Corporation), a waste-to-energy and specialty insurance services company, since September 2005, served as its President, Chairman and CEO July 2002 until December 2004, and was a Director from 1999 until 2004. For more than the past five years, Mr. Zell has been Chairman of the Board of Equity Lifestyle Properties, Inc. (previously known as Manufactured Home Communities, Inc.), an equity real estate investment trust primarily engaged in the ownership and operation of manufactured home resort communities; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Equity Residential, an equity real estate investment trust that owns and operates multi-family residential properties; and Chairman of the Board of Capital Trust, Inc., a specialized finance company. Mr. Zell is the father of Matthew Zell.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTEFOR THE ELECTION OF EACH OF THESE

NOMINEES TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PROPOSAL 2: APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

     The Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”) has been adopted by the Board of Directors (acting through the Compensation Committee), subject to the approval of the stockholders at this meeting.

     The purpose of the Incentive Plan is to facilitate the hiring, retention and continued motivation of key employees, consultants and directors while aligning more closely the interests of the plan participants with those of the Company and its stockholders by granting awards relating to the Company’s Common Stock. Awards under the Incentive Plan may be in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, stock grants, stock units, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and units, and dividend equivalent rights.

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     The following is a summary of the Incentive Plan. It is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Incentive Plan, which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

General. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, such other Board committee as the Board may designate, or the Board itself will administer the Incentive Plan (the “Committee”). Any key employee, director, or consultant of the Company and its subsidiaries is eligible to receive a grant under the Incentive Plan. The Committee will make the determination of the persons within these categories (which encompass all officers) eligible to receive grants, the type and amount of grants, and the terms and conditions applicable to the grants.

     A total of 1,700,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock may be issued pursuant to the Incentive Plan. The maximum number of shares as to which a key employee can receive stock options in any calendar year is 400,000. No person may be granted, in any period of two consecutive calendar years, awards under the Incentive Plan covering more than 750,000 shares. No more than 1 million shares may be awarded in a form other than options or stock appreciation rights. The maximum number of shares that may be subject to incentive stock options is 1,700,000.

     The shares may be newly issued or Common Stock reacquired by the Company. If there is a lapse, forfeiture, expiration, termination or cancellation of any award made under the Incentive Plan for any reason, the shares subject to the award will again be available for issuance. In addition, if any award is settled for cash, or if any portion of an award or any shares subject to an award are delivered to the Company by a participant, or withheld by the Company on behalf of a participant, as payment for an award or payment of withholding taxes due in connection with an award, they will again be available for issuance, and only the net number of shares delivered to the participant will count toward the number of shares issued under the Incentive Plan. In the event of any reorganization, stock split, stock distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, change in the capital structure of the Company, payment of any extraordinary dividend or similar corporate transaction, the Committee or the Board shall make adjustments as it deems appropriate to preserve the benefits of the Incentive Plan and awards granted under the Incentive Plan, including, but not limited to, adjustment of the number and kind of shares reserved for issuance under the Incentive Plan or covered by outstanding awards.

Awards. The types of awards available under the Incentive Plan are as follows:

Stock Options. The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of non-qualified stock options and incentive stock options, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee. Stock options granted under the Incentive Plan may qualify as incentive stock options if the terms and conditions satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code. The exercise prices at which and the periods during which stock options may be exercised are fixed by the Committee, but the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant and the term will not be more than 10 years. On March 31, 2006, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on The New York Stock Exchange was $47.78 per share. Stock options are exercisable as provided in the stock option agreement. Upon exercise of a stock option, payment of the exercise price must be made in full, as set forth in the stock option agreement.

Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights may be awarded under the Incentive Plan, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee. Each right will permit the participant to receive the difference between the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise of the right and the aggregate exercise price thereof. The exercise prices at which and the periods during which the stock appreciation rights may be exercised are fixed by the Committee, but the exercise price will not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. Upon exercise, stock appreciation rights will be paid in cash or in shares of Common Stock (based upon the fair market value on the date of exercise) or a combination thereof, as set forth in the stock appreciation right agreement.

Stock Awards. Stock awards may be granted to participants in the Incentive Plan, consisting of shares granted without any consideration or shares sold to the participant for appropriate consideration as determined by the Committee. These awards will be subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee, which

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may include restrictions on transferability, requirements for meeting specified performance goals, and forfeiture of the shares under certain circumstances prescribed by the Committee.

Performance Shares. Performance shares may be granted to participants in the Incentive Plan, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee and based upon performance goals established by the Committee. The Committee will establish performance goals and targets for participants for achievement of the performance goals and will award shares of Common Stock or cash to the participant if the performance goals and targets are achieved for the designated performance period. These awards will be subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee, which may include restrictions on transferability, requirements for meeting specified performance goals, and forfeiture of the shares under certain circumstances prescribed by the Committee.

Stock Units. Stock units may be granted to participants in the Incentive Plan, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee. Each stock unit entitles the participant to receive, on a specified date or event determined by the Committee or selected by a director or officer, if applicable, one share of Common Stock of the Company or cash equal to the fair market value of a share on such date or event, as provided in the stock unit agreement.

Performance Units. Performance units may be granted to participants in the Incentive Plan, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee. Each performance unit entitles the participant to receive cash or shares of Common Stock of the Company upon the attainment of performance goals established by the Committee.

Dividend Equivalent Rights. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted to participants, subject to terms and conditions determined by the Committee. Dividend equivalent rights provide for the payment of dividends or other distributions on shares designated in an award to the participant of stock, stock units, performance shares or performance units as if the participant were the holder of such shares.

Amendment. The Committee may, from time to time, suspend, terminate, revise or amend the Incentive Plan or terms of any grant without the approval of stockholders, unless such approval is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the shares are listed.

Awards Granted Under the Incentive Plan and 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. No awards will be made under the Incentive Plan until stockholder approval is obtained. Future awards under the Incentive Plan have not been determined. The Company made the following grants in 2005 and through March 31, 2006 under its 2001 Stock Incentive Plan:

             
20052006
Stock unitsStock unitsStock options



Robert W. Grubbs  60,000   54,439   0 
Dennis J. Letham  26,000   18,146   0 
John A. Dul  8,500   7,712   0 
Terrance A. Faber  8,000   0   40,000 
Rodney A. Shoemaker  3,500   2,916   0 
All executive officers, including the above  109,000   85,805   40,000 
All directors who are not executive officers  15,513   8,470   0 
All employees other than those who are executive officers  153,183   146,541   128,000 


     The stock units granted to officers and employees vest annually in thirds beginning on the second anniversary of the grant, and will convert to shares on a one-for-one basis when they vest, unless an officer has elected prior to the grant to defer conversion until a later date. Stock units are granted to directors quarterly and convert to shares on a one-for-one basis at the time selected by each recipient prior to grant. The stock units are vested when granted to directors. For a further description of the stock units granted to the individuals named above, see “Executive Compensation — Summary Compensation Table” in this Proxy Statement.

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     Stock options were granted in 2006 to one officer and three other key employees. The exercise price was the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The options vest annually in thirds beginning on the fourth anniversary of their grant.

     The 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and the Incentive Plan expressly prohibit repricing of options or stock appreciation rights granted under the Plans without shareholder consent.

Summary of Federal Income Tax Implications of Participation in the Incentive Plan.

     The following is a summary of the Federal income tax consequences of the Incentive Plan. It is based on the federal tax laws and regulations currently in effect and existing administrative rulings of the Internal Revenue Service. Participants may also be subject to state and local taxes in connection with the grant of awards under the Incentive Plan. Participants should consult with their individual tax advisers to determine the tax consequences associated with awards granted under the Incentive Plan. This information may not be applicable to employees of foreign subsidiaries or to employees who are not residents of the United States.

Non-Qualified Stock Options. A participant will not recognize any income at the time of grant. At exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the exercise price. The participant will be responsible for remitting to the Company the withholding tax obligation that arises at the time the option is exercised. The Company generally will receive a tax deduction for the same amount of ordinary income recognized by the participant. When the participant sells these shares, any gain or loss recognized by the participant is treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on whether the participant has held the shares more than one year.

Incentive Stock Options. A participant will not recognize income at the time of grant. If the participant does not make a disqualifying disposition of the shares received at exercise within one year after the date of exercise or within two years after the date of grant, the participant will not recognize any income, for federal income tax purposes, at the time of the exercise. When the participant sells the shares issued pursuant to the incentive stock option, the participant will be taxed, for federal income tax purposes, as a long-term capital gain on any amount recognized by the participant in excess of the exercise price, and any loss sustained by the participant will be a long-term capital loss. No deduction will be allowed to the Company for federal income tax purposes. If, however, the participant sells the shares before the expiration of the holding periods, the participant will recognize ordinary income on the difference between the exercise price and the fair market value at exercise, and the Company generally will receive a tax deduction in the same amount. Upon exercise of an incentive stock option, the excess of the fair market value over the exercise price is an item of tax preference to the participant for purposes of determining the alternative minimum tax.

     In order to qualify as an incentive stock option, the option must be exercised within three months after the participant’s termination of employment for any reason other than death or disability and within one year after termination of the participant’s employment due to disability. If the option is not exercised within this time period, it will be treated as a non-qualified stock option and taxed accordingly.

Stock Awards/ Units and Performance Shares/ Units. If the participant receives a stock award, the participant will recognize ordinary income upon becoming entitled to transfer the shares at the end of the restriction period without forfeiture. A participant generally will recognize ordinary income when he receives shares or cash pursuant to the settlement of stock units, performance shares or performance units, provided that if the shares are subject to any restrictions on transfer, the participant will recognize ordinary income upon becoming entitled to transfer the shares at the end of the restriction period without forfeiture. The amount of income the participant recognizes will be equal to the fair market value of the shares on such date, or the amount of cash received, less the amount paid by the participant for the shares. This amount will also be the participant’s tax basis for the shares. The participant will be responsible for remitting to the Company the withholding tax obligation that arises at the time the ordinary income is recognized. In addition, the holding period begins on the day the restrictions lapse, or the date the shares are received if not subject to any restrictions, for purposes of determining whether the participant has long-term or short-term capital gain or

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loss on a subsequent sale of the shares. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction with respect to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

     If a participant who receives a stock award or performance shares subject to restrictions makes an election under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days after the date of the grant, the participant will have ordinary income equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, less the amount paid by the participant for the shares, and the participant will recognize no additional income until the participant subsequently sells the shares. The participant will be responsible for remitting to the Company the withholding tax obligation that arises at the time the ordinary income is recognized. When the participant sells the shares, the tax basis will be equal to the fair market value on the date of grant, less the amount paid by the participant for the shares and the holding period for capital gains purposes begins on the date of the grant. If the participant forfeits the shares subject to the Section 83(b) election, the participant will not be entitled to any deduction, refund, or loss for tax purposes (other than a capital loss with respect to the amount previously paid by the participant), and the Company will have to include the amount that it previously deducted from its gross income in the taxable year of the forfeiture.

Stock Appreciation Rights. A participant will not recognize any income at the time of grant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income equal to the amount received upon exercise. The participant will be responsible for remitting to the Company the withholding tax obligation that arises at the time the ordinary income is recognized. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction with respect to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF

THE ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC. 2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

PROPOSAL 3:     RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP

     The Audit Committee has re-appointed Ernst & Young LLP to serve as independent auditors. Althoughauditors subject to ratification by the Company’s governing documents do not require the submission of the selection of independent auditors to the stockholders for approval, the Board considers it desirable that the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP be ratified by the stockholders. For further information regarding Ernst & Young LLP, please reference the Report of Audit Committee and Independent Auditors and Their Fees.

WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU VOTEFOR THE RATIFICATION OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP

AS THE COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL 20062008

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BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGSCORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Governance Guidelines and Charters

     The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Klein (Chair), Crandall, Muñoz and Ms. Bynoe, each of whom are “independent” as defined in Sections 303.01(B)(2)(a) and (3) of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Mr. Crandall has been designated as the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board has determined that Mr. Crandall’s service on the audit committees of three other public companies does not impair his ability to effectively serve on the Company’s Audit Committee. Pursuant to its written charter, the Audit Committee provides a general review of the Company’s accounting and auditing procedures, selects its independent auditors, meets with the Company’s independent auditors to review their recommendations, and reviews related party transactions. The Audit Committee held nine meetings in 2005.

     The Compensation Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Handy (Chair), Lord Blyth, Ms. Bynoe, Messrs. Crandall, Klein, Muñoz, Sloan and Theobald, each of whom meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, exercises all powersoperation of the Board of Directors in connection with compensation matters, including incentive compensation, benefit plansis governed by the Company’s by-laws and stock grants.Corporate Governance Guidelines. The operations of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2005.

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     The Executive Committee, currently consisting of Samuel Zell (Chair) and Messrs. Crandall and Klein, exercises the full powers of the Board of Directors to the extent permitted by law in the intervals between Board meetings. The Executive Committee did not meet in 2005.

     The Nominating and Governance Committee currently consisting of Mr. Crandall (Chair), Lord Blyth, Ms. Bynoe, Messrs. Handy, Klein, Muñoz, Sloanare governed by the charters for each committee. The Corporate Governance Guidelines and Theobald, each of whom meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, identifies and recommends director nominees, advises the Board of Directors on corporate governance issues and Board organization, and assesses Board performance. The Nominating & Governance Committee will consider candidates submitted by shareholderscommittee charters can be viewed on the same basis as other candidates. Shareholders desiringCompany’s website at: http://www.anixter.com/ axecom/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/ CorporateGovernance. Copies of these documents can be obtained by writing to recommend a candidate for nomination at an annual stockholder’s meeting must notify the Company’s Secretary no later than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the most recent annual meeting proxy statement. Communications should be sent to:at: Secretary, Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026. Communications must set forth: the name, age, business address

Code of Ethics

     The Company has a longstanding Business Ethics and residence address, e-mail addressConduct Policy which is applicable to all employees, directors and telephone number of the proposed nominee;officers, including the principal occupation or employment ofexecutive officer, the proposed nominee; the name and record address of the shareholder who is submitting the notice; and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the shareholder who is submitting the recommendationprincipal financial officer and the proposed nominee.principal accounting officer. The NominatingCompany’s Business Ethics and Governance Committee held four meetings in 2005.Conduct Policy can be viewed on the Company’s website at: http://www.anixter.com/ axecom/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/ CorporateGovernance. Copies of this document can be obtained by writing to the Company’s Secretary at: Secretary, Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026.

     The Board of Directors held four meetings in 2005. Each of the directors attended 75 percent or more of the total of all meetings held by the Board and the committees on which the director served.Director Independence

     The Board determines the independence of its directors by requiring each of them to complete and return a questionnaire which solicits information relevant to a determination of independence under applicable rules and Section 303A.02 of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, as well as any other direct or indirect relationship that the director may have with the Company. Independence is determined by the Board after presentation and discussion of questionnaire responses. Based on this procedure, the following directors were found to be independent: Lord Blyth, Linda Walker Bynoe, Robert Crandall, F. Philip Handy, Melvyn Klein, George Muñoz, Stuart Sloan, Thomas Theobald, Matthew Zell and Samuel Zell.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEBoard of Directors

     The Board of Directors held six meetings in 2007. Each of the directors attended 75 percent or more of the total of all meetings held by the Board and the committees on which the director served. The Company encourages its directors to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All directors attended the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Executive Sessions and Communication with the Board of Directors and Non-Management Directors

     The Chairman of the Board of Directors presides over executive sessions of the Board. If he is not present, the presiding director for the meeting is selected by the non-management directors present.

     ShareholdersStockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board of Directors, individual directors, the presiding director or the non-management Directorsdirectors may do so by directing such communications to the Company’s Secretary at: Secretary, Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026 and should prominently indicate on the outside of the envelope that it is intended for the board of directors, individual directors, the presiding director, or for non-management directors. Each communication intended for members of the Board of Directors and received by the Secretary will be reviewed by the Secretary. Communications related to the operation of the Company which are not sales solicitations or of a similar commercial nature will be forwarded to the specified party or parties.

Governance Guidelines and ChartersExecutive Committee

     The operationExecutive Committee, currently consisting of Samuel Zell (Chair) and Messrs. Crandall and Klein, exercises the full powers of the Board of Directors is governedto the extent permitted by law in the intervals between Board meetings. The Executive Committee held one meeting in 2007.

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Audit Committee

The Audit Committee currently consists of Messrs. Klein (Chair), Crandall, Muñoz and Ms. Bynoe, each of whom are “independent” as defined in Sections 303A.02 and .07 of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act. Mr. Crandall has been designated as the “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by the Company’s by-lawsSecurities and Corporate Governance Guidelines. The operationsExchange Commission. Pursuant to its written charter (a copy of which is available at http://www.anixter.com/axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/
CorporateGovernance), the Audit Committee provides a general review of the Company’s accounting and auditing procedures, selects its independent auditors, meets with the Company’s independent auditors to review their recommendations, and reviews related party transactions. The Audit Committee held nine meetings in 2007.

Compensation Committee

     The Compensation Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Handy (Chair), Lord Blyth, Ms. Bynoe, Messrs. Crandall, Klein, Muñoz, Sloan and Theobald, each of whom meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, exercises all powers of the Board of Directors in connection with compensation matters, including incentive compensation, benefit plans and stock grants. The Committee also has the sole authority to retain and terminate outside advisors in executing its duties, including sole authority to approve their fees and other retention terms. For the past three years, the Committee has retained PricewaterhouseCoopers as its outside compensation consultant (“Consultant”). The Committee may delegate certain of its activities with regard to the Consultant to the Committee Chair and/or representatives from the Company’s management, as appropriate.

     The Committee operates under a written charter ratified by the Board. The essential functions of the Committee are to:

• annually ensure that the CEO’s compensation is appropriately linked to corporate objectives, evaluate the CEO’s performance in light of those objectives, and set the CEO’s compensation based on this evaluation
• annually review and approve the compensation of the Company’s other senior executives, including the executive officers named in this Proxy Statement
• bear overall responsibility for approving, evaluating, modifying, monitoring and terminating the compensation and benefit plans, policies, and programs of the Company, including all employment contracts, severance and change-in-control agreements, supplemental benefits and perquisites in which executives subject to the Committee’s review participate
• recommend to the Board new or modified cash or equity-based incentive plans
• recommend to the Board the form and amount of compensation for non-employee directors
• review and discuss with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis prepared by management and, based on its review and discussions, recommend to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Proxy Statement.

     The Committee conducts four regularly scheduled meetings each year, and may call additional meetings as the need arises. The Committee held four meetings in 2007. The Committee Chair establishes the meeting agenda in consultation with the Consultant and management. Any director may request that a matter be placed on the agenda. The Committee receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting. These materials include information which management or the Consultant believes relevant to the agenda as well as any materials the Committee has requested. The Committee typically meets with the Consultant and certain members of management before excusing management for its regularly scheduled executive sessions.

     The Committee has directly engaged the Consultant to provide: (1) general advisory services in areas consistent with the Committee’s charter, including Committee processes and practices, incentive plan design and use, and significant regulatory and market trends related to executive compensation, and (2) benchmark-

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ing services in connection with the Committee’s determination of the amount and form of director and executive compensation.

     Management also plays a significant role in determining or recommending the amount and form of executive compensation by recommending performance targets and objectives, and evaluating executive performance. Each year, management also provides the Committee with recommended base salary, target annual cash incentive and equity-based award for each senior executive, which include all executive officers, persons reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer and other selected members of senior management. Each executive’s immediate superior is responsible for providing the recommendation for that executive, which is then reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer for recommendation to the Committee. Our non-executive Chairman of the Board, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, is responsible for providing the recommendation to the Committee for the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary, target annual cash incentive and equity-based award and for purposes of this discussion, is deemed to be the Chief Executive Officer’s immediate superior.

These recommendations are based, in part, on a review of competitive market data provided to management and the Committee by the Consultant. This data shows base salaries, total cash compensation and total compensation at the 50th and 75th percentiles of the range paid by other companies to executives holding comparable positions, which is the reference range chosen by the Committee as appropriate for benchmarking the compensation of the Company’s senior executives. The Committee, working with the Consultant, selects the companies for the comparison group which it believes are representative of the types of companies with which the Company competes for executives. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this Proxy Statement for the companies in the comparison group.

     In addition to a review of the competitive market data, management’s recommendations for individual executives are based on a variety of other factors, including experience in the position, performance, scope of duties compared to the benchmark positions used in the competitive market data, career potential, ability to impact results and retention goals. The evaluation of these factors and their impact on the recommendations is subjectively determined by the person making the recommendation.

     After the non-executive Chairman of the Board and the Chairman of the Committee develop the recommendations for the Chief Executive Officer, the recommendations are presented to the full Committee for review, discussion, final determination and approval. Similarly, management’s recommendations for the other senior executives, including the named executive officers, are reviewed by the Consultant and the Chairman of the Committee and presented to the full Committee for review, discussion, final determination and approval.

Nominating and Governance Committee

     The Nominating and Governance Committee, currently consisting of Mr. Crandall (Chair), Lord Blyth, Ms. Bynoe, Messrs. Handy, Klein, Muñoz, Sloan and Theobald, each of whom meet the independence requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, identifies and recommends director nominees, advises the Board of Directors on corporate governance issues and Board organization, and assesses Board performance.

     The Board of Directors is responsible for selecting candidates for Board membership and for extending invitations to join the Board of Directors through the Nominating and Governance Committee. Candidates must meet the requirements of applicable law and listing standards, and are selected for qualities such as integrity, judgment, independence, experience, effectiveness, maturity, commitment and other relevant considerations. Any director may recommend a candidate for nomination to the Board of Directors. Consistent with its charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee are governedis responsible for identifying and screening candidates (in consultation with the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer), for establishing criteria for nominees and for recommending to the Board a slate of nominees for election to the Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Final approval of any candidate shall be determined by the charters for each committee.Board of Directors.

     The CorporateNominating and Governance Guidelines and the committee charters can be viewedCommittee will consider candidates submitted by stockholders on the Company’s website at: http://www.anixter.com/ AXECOM/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/ CorporateGovernance. Copies of these documents can be obtained by writingsame basis as other candidates. Stockholders desiring to recommend a candidate for nomination at an annual stockholder’s meeting must notify the Company’s Secretary at:no later than 120 days prior to the first

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anniversary of the date of the most recent annual meeting proxy statement. Communications should be sent to: Secretary, Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026.

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Code Communications must set forth: the name, age, business address and residence address, e-mail address and telephone number of Ethics

     The Company has a longstanding Business Ethics and Conduct Policy which is applicable to all employees, directors and officers, includingthe proposed nominee; the principal executive officer,occupation or employment of the principal financial officerproposed nominee; the name and record address of the stockholder who is submitting the notice; and a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder who is submitting the recommendation and the principal accounting officer.proposed nominee. The Company’s Business Ethics & Conduct Policy can be viewed on the
Company’s website at: http://www.anixter.com/ AXECOM/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance.
Copies of this document can be obtained by writing to the Company’s Secretary at: Secretary, Anixter International Inc., 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview, IL 60026.

Other MattersNominating and Governance Committee held three meetings in 2007.

Other Matters

     In order to be considered for nomination to the Company’s Board, a nominee may not hold more than five directorships at other public companies unless the nominee gives notice of the intent to resign from the number of boards required to bring the total number of directorships (including the Company) to no more than six. No member of the Company’s Board can hold more than six directorships including the Company’s directorship.

     Although there are no minimum stock ownership guidelinesAs permitted by the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Board has asked Mr. Crandall to stand for directors,reelection to the Company encourages ownership by payingBoard for another term, notwithstanding that he has attained the entire annual retainer in stock units.normal retirement age of 72 for directors.

     The Company will pay for directors to attend up to two director education courses per year. Ms. Bynoe and Messrs. Crandall and Theobald have attended accredited courses.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Exchange Act that might incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the Report of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee Report presented in this Proxy Statement shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

     Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter (a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.anixter.com/ axecom/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance), the function of the Audit Committee is to oversee (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function. While the Audit Committee has the duties and powers set forth in its Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the Company’s financial statements and for reviewing the Company’s unaudited interim financial statements.

     In fulfilling our oversight responsibilities, we reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the disclosures in the financial statements.

     We reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under generally accepted auditing standards (including Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T). In addition, we discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board (including Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T), and considered the compatibility of nonaudit services provided by the auditors to the Company with their independence.

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     We discussed with the Company’s internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee regularly meets with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Committee also reviews proposed interim financial statements with management and the independent auditors. We held nine meetings during fiscal year 2007.

     In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has accepted that recommendation) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2007 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee selects, subject to stockholder ratification, the Company’s independent auditors.

Melvyn N. Klein

Linda Walker Bynoe
Robert L. Crandall
George Muñoz

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Objectives of our compensation program

     We believe that the talents, experience, dedication and entrepreneurial skills of our senior executives, including those named in the Summary Compensation Table (“named executive officers”), have been and will continue to be essential to the Company’s success. Accordingly, the objectives of our compensation program are to attract and retain talented executives, to recognize sustained above-market performance with comparably superior compensation, to motivate continuing improvement and future performance at above-market levels relative to competitive peer group companies, to drive the achievement of specific strategic objectives designed to enhance long term stockholder value creation, to promote ownership in the Company at a reasonable cost to the Company’s stockholders, to be transparent and understandable to the participants and stockholders and to be consistent with the Company’s corporate governance principles. To achieve these objectives, we use a variety of compensation elements, including base salary, annual incentive awards, equity-based awards, deferred compensation and retirement benefits, all of which are discussed below.

What our compensation program is designed to reward

     Our compensation program is designed to reward and incent our executives for assuming responsibilities deemed important to the Company’s success, for excelling in the discharge of those responsibilities, for achieving competitively superior performance over annual and longer periods of time and for achieving yearly financial and non-financial goals that we believe are important to the creation and maintenance of stockholder value.

The elements of our compensation program

     Base salary, annual incentive awards and equity incentive awards for senior executives are considered together and benchmarked against compensation paid at comparable companies. The Company and the Compensation Committee believe that the use of benchmarking data is useful in determining the range that should be considered in setting the compensation of the senior executives. The Compensation Committee, working with the Consultant, selects the companies for the comparison group which it believes are representative of the types of companies with which the Company competes for executives. These companies were chosen from organizations of a similar size, or representative range, of revenues, market capitalization and number of employees. The selection is also based on one or more characteristics that they share in common with the Company, such as similar operational models, business sectors, and selected financial metrics. The companies in the comparison group for 2007 included: Avnet, Inc., Arrow Electronics Inc., R.R.

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Donnelley & Sons Company, CDW Corporation, W.W. Grainger, Inc., Owens & Minor, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., United Stationers Inc., Wesco International, Inc., Bell Microproducts, Inc., Airgas, Inc., Patterson Companies, Inc., Acuity Brands, Inc., Brightpoint, Inc., Agilysys, Inc., Watsco, Inc. and MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

     The benchmarking data provided by the Consultant shows base salaries, total cash compensation and total compensation at the 50th and 75th percentiles of the range paid by the comparison group of companies to executives holding comparable positions, which is the reference range chosen by the Committee as appropriate for benchmarking the compensation of the Company’s senior executives. This information, together with management’s recommendations, form the basis for the Committee’s final determination of executive compensation. See Corporate Governance — Compensation Committee for more information on how management’s recommendations factor into the setting of executive compensation.

Base salary: We provide our executives with a fixed level of annual income necessary to attract and retain executives in our industry.

     Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Grubbs, was paid a base salary of $975,000 in 2007, which represents an 8.3% increase from his 2006 salary. Mr. Grubbs has been with the Company for 29 years, 13 of them in his current position. This increase, effective as of January 1, 2007, was to reward his continued superior performance and to compensate him for the elimination of perquisites. Salaries paid to the other named executive officers are shown in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement, and represent increases ranging from 7.5% to 36.3% over base salaries paid in 2006. These increases, effective as of January 1, 2007, were given to reward good performance and to compensate for the elimination of perquisites. In addition, increases were provided to Mr. Letham and Mr. Eck effective as of October 1, 2007, in recognition of their promotions to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, respectively.

Annual Incentive Awards: The Company provides its executives with annual incentive award plans in order to promote the achievement of certain financial and non-financial objectives deemed important to the creation of value for the Company’s stockholders. These plans are designed to promote earnings growth consistent with stockholder expectations at above-market levels relative to competitive peer group companies. Annual incentive award plans for senior executives are provided under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan (“MIP”) approved by stockholders in 2004. Under the MIP, each year the Compensation Committee establishes an award pool equal to 3% of the Company’s operating income before extraordinary and nonrecurring items reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the plan year. A percentage of the award pool is assigned each year by the Compensation Committee to each senior executive. The total amount of all awards for any year may not exceed the amount in the award pool for that year, and the maximum award for any participant in a given year may not exceed 50% of the applicable award pool. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, decrease the size of the award pool or the maximum award for any participant.

     The MIP was adopted, and approved by the stockholders, to ensure that the full amount of any annual incentive award made under the plan will qualify as performance-based compensation, and therefore be excepted from the $1 million per year limitation imposed by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code on the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of compensation paid to certain of the named executive officers.

     Each year, our senior executives receive a written annual incentive plan which enables them to earn an award within the parameters of the MIP. Historically, and in 2007, these incentive plans provided an opportunity to earn an award for: (1) the achievement of the operating earnings specified in the Company’s annual budget approved by the Board of Directors; (2) the achievement of the rate of return on tangible capital specified in the Company’s approved annual budget; and (3) the achievement of other quantitative or qualitative goals specified in the plan by each executive’s immediate superior.

     For 2007, (1) the operating earnings component for each senior executive whose plan is based on worldwide operating earnings was established with respect to the executive’s scope of authority, and represented 26 to 60% of the total target bonus opportunity under the plan; (2) the return on tangible capital

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component for each senior executive whose plan is based on worldwide return on tangible capital was established with respect to the executive’s scope of authority and represented 20 to 40% of the total target bonus opportunity under the plan; and (3) the individual objective component of each senior executive’s plan was consistent with the strategies and actions underlying the annual operating plan, and represented 10 to 30% of the total target bonus opportunity under the plan.

     The Company has chosen to reward the achievement of budgeted operating earnings and rate of return on tangible capital because it believes that these items are among the most meaningful measures of the Company’s performance. By emphasizing earnings growth over sales growth, for example, the annual incentive plan helps to ensure that an acceptable level of profitability is maintained and enhanced.

     Rate of return on tangible capital is deemed to be an important measure of the Company’s success because the wholesale distribution industry in which the Company competes is working capital-intensive. The Company’s assets consist primarily of inventories and accounts receivable, and the management of these assets to control borrowing costs and write downs in the value of these assets is crucial to the Company’s profitability.

     Operating earnings and rate of return on tangible capital are key drivers of net income, earnings per share and return on equity, and have been chosen over these latter measures in order to eliminate the effects of decisions about the Company’s capital structure, which tend to be longer-term in nature and therefore not well-suited to the annual incentive plan.

     The final component of each executive’s annual incentive plan consists of one or more quantitative or qualitative objectives, the achievement of which is deemed by his or her immediate superior to be within the executive’s ability to influence and to be an important contribution to the short and/or long term success of the Company.

     The amount of compensation that would be earned by an executive if all objectives in the annual incentive plan were fully met (but not exceeded) is the “target” amount for that executive. See Grants of Plan-Based Awards table for disclosure of threshold, target and maximum payouts for the named executive officers.

     Because the Company benchmarks total cash compensation rather than annual incentives per se, and total cash compensation includes base salary, recommendations for target annual incentives can be affected by base salary determinations. However, management believes that its target annual incentive recommendations are consistent with the Company’s philosophy that senior executives should have a sizable amount of their cash compensation at risk. During the six year period from 2001-2006, annual incentives paid to the named executive officers have ranged from 27% to 152% of their target amounts.

     When the financial results for the year are finalized, calculations of the amounts earned by each of the senior executives pursuant to the terms of his or her annual incentive plan are prepared by management and furnished to the Compensation Committee and the Consultant. Payments for achievement of the operating earnings and rate of return on tangible capital objectives are based on the application of the formula in the annual incentive plan to the audited financial results, while payments for achievement of other quantitative or qualitative objectives assigned to each executive are based on evaluation and recommendation by the executive’s immediate superior, subject to approval by the Compensation Committee.

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For 2007, the target incentive opportunity, and the relative weight assigned to each performance goal for each named executive officer, was as follows:

                     
Robert W.Dennis J.Robert J.John A.Terrance A.
GrubbsLethamEckDulFaber





Target Incentive:
 $975,000  $390,000/ $300,000/ $104,000  $95,000 
      $420,000(1) $400,000(1)        
Financial Performance Goals:
                    
Worldwide Operating Earnings  38%  38%  26%  42%  42%
 
Worldwide Return on Tangible Capital  37%  37%      28%  28%
 
Selected Operating Earnings          37%        
 
Selected Return on Tangible Capital          14%        
 
Individual Objectives
  25%  25%  23%  30%  30%


(1) As a result of the promotion of Mr. Letham to Executive Vice President and Mr. Eck to Chief Operating Officer effective October 1, 2007, the Committee increased each of their target incentive opportunities effective as of such date, such that 75% of their annual incentive was based on the initial target incentive opportunity and 25% of their annual incentive was based on the increased target incentive opportunity.

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The following table sets forth for 2007 the target and payout levels for each financial performance goal, actual performance, the percentage at which the target was attained, and the actual percentage of the target incentive paid. For each goal a prorata percentage is earned for performance between the threshold and the target and for performance between the target and the maximum.

                 
Worldwide Operating EarningsActual % of
Target: $380,277,000Actual% AttainmentTarget
% of Target AchievedMultiplierPerformanceof TargetIncentive Paid





      $439,123,000   115%  150%
Less than 85%  .0            
85%  .25            
100%  1.0            
109% or more  1.5            
 
Worldwide Return on Tangible
Capital
Target: 28.4%
                
 
% of Target Achieved                

                
       30.4%  107%  148%
Less than 87%  .0            
87%  .25            
100%  1.0            
107.4% or more  1.5            
 
Selected Operating Earnings
Target: $140,572,000
                
 
% of Target Achieved                

                
      $152,592,000   109%  150%
Less than 85%  .0            
85%  .25            
100%  1.0            
108% or more  1.5            
 
Selected Return on Tangible
Capital
Target: 29.0%
                
 
% of Target Achieved                

                
       32%  110%  150%
Less than 87%  .0            
87%  .25            
100%  1.0            
106.2% or more  1.5            

     The performance of the named executive officers resulted in the following multipliers applied to their target incentive opportunity with respect to their individual objectives: Mr. Grubbs: 1.25; Mr. Letham: 1.2; Mr. Eck: 1.2; Mr. Dul: 1.18; and Mr. Faber: 1.05.

     Annual incentive awards paid to the named executive officers in accordance with these results are shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table.

Equity-based Awards: The Company is dedicated to enhancing long-term value for its stockholders, and believes that the best way to ensure its senior executives maintain focus on this goal is to provide a substantial part of their total compensation in the form of equity-based awards. The Company’s use of equity-based awards is designed to promote ownership and align the economic interests of senior executives to those of the

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stockholders at a reasonable cost to the Company and reward and retain senior executives identified as key to the continuity and success of the business or as high potential succession candidates. Because the Company believes that it is not appropriate to apply the performance-based criteria used to determine annual cash incentives to equity based compensation, it has historically, and in 2007, chosen to condition the vesting of equity-based awards on the passage of time.

     The Company’s Stock Incentive Plan approved by stockholders in 2006, as well as predecessor plans, provide for various types of awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, performance shares, stock units, performance units and dividend equivalent rights.

     Until 2003, the Company’s primary method of providing long-term incentives was the granting of non-qualified stock options. In 2003, after considering the number of stock options then outstanding as a percentage of the Company’s outstanding shares, the dilutive effect of these options, and proposed changes in accounting rules which would eliminate or reduce the expense advantage of stock options as compared to other types of equity awards, the Compensation Committee determined that it would begin granting restricted stock units in lieu of additional stock options. From 2003 through 2005, all long-term incentives were provided in the form of restricted stock units.

     In 2006, the Company had achieved its objective of substantially reducing the potential dilution from its equity award program. Additionally, the Company determined that there were several executives whose equity holdings were deemed insufficient to achieve its long-term incentive and retention goals. Accordingly, the Company reintroduced the use of stock options to provide greater leverage in achieving these goals.

     In 2007, all senior executives receiving equity-based awards valued at $300,000 or more (which includes all named executive officers) received a combination of stock options and restricted stock units. The other senior executives received their awards solely in restricted stock units.

     The Company generally provides equity based awards to its senior executives so that their total compensation is between the 50th and 75th percentile of the total compensation provided to similarly situated executives in the comparison group of companies. Because the Company benchmarks total compensation for its senior executives rather than equity awards per se, and total compensation includes total cash compensation, recommendations for equity awards can be affected by total cash compensation determinations. However, management believes that its equity award recommendations are consistent with the Company’s philosophy that senior executives should receive a sizable amount of their total compensation as equity in the Company.

In determining the total amount of equity to award generally each year, the Committee reviews the dilution and value transfer rates of the companies in the comparison group. With respect to dilution, the Consultant presents, for each company in the comparison group, shares reserved as a percentage of total diluted shares outstanding, along with the percentages associated with the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles. Lower percentiles correlate to lower dilution. Based on that data, the Company was between the 25th and 50th percentiles.

With respect to value transfer, the Consultant presents, for each company in the comparison group, the value (as a percentage of market capitalization) of equity grants to all recipients and to the Chief Executive Officer for each of the three most recent years available, and the three year average. Percentages associated with the 25th, 50th and 75th percentiles are also presented. Lower percentiles correlate to lower award values in relation to market capitalization. Based on that data, the Company was between the 50th and 75th percentiles in average total value transferred in 2005 through 2007, and between the 50th and 75th percentiles in average value transferred to its Chief Executive Officer during the same period. Management also presents the year-end value of all the Company’s outstanding equity awards.

     The named executive officers received grants of stock options and restricted stock units on March 1, 2007. In addition, Mr. Eck received grants as of October 1, 2007 in connection with his promotion to Chief Operating Officer. These grants are shown in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table in this Proxy Statement.

Deferred Compensation: The Company believes that providing a method for employees, including its senior executives, to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis is important to the Company’s recruitment and retention goals. Accordingly, substantially all U.S. employees are eligible to participate in the Company’s

13


401(k) plan. For certain highly compensated employees, including its senior executives, the Company provides a non-qualified deferred compensation plan that enables participants to defer up to 50% of their salary and 100% of their bonus until retirement or other specified future date. The Company pays interest on these deferrals and provides an enhanced crediting rate if the Company meets certain pre-determined financial goals. See the discussion accompanying the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table in this Proxy Statement.

Pensions: The Company believes that providing a measure of retirement income to its employees, including its senior executives, is important to the Company’s recruitment and retention goals. Accordingly, certain U.S. employees and employees of certain foreign subsidiaries participate in Company-sponsored plans. For certain highly compensated employees in the U.S., including the named executive officers, the Company provides a non-qualified excess benefit plan which extends the benefit formula in the qualified pension plan to earnings from salary and non-equity incentives which exceed the amount allowed by the IRS to be included in the calculation of benefits from the qualified plan. Additionally, Messrs. Grubbs and Letham participate in a supplemental executive retirement plan (“SERP”) designed to increase their total retirement benefits (qualified plan, excess plan and SERP) at age 65 to 50% of their final average pay. See the discussion accompanying the “Pension Benefits” table in this Proxy Statement.

Perquisites: Historically, perquisites for senior executives have been very limited in scope and value. In 2007, the Compensation Committee eliminated perquisites for all executive officers.

Termination and Change in Control Payments

     Our employment agreements with Messrs. Grubbs and Letham require the Company to make severance payments to them in the event they terminate their employment for good reason or the Company terminates their employment other than for cause, as described in the agreements. In the event their termination occurs within two years of a change of control, they will receive the same cash payments as if they were terminated without a change of control, but in addition, all of their unvested equity and any unvested portion of their SERP will vest. The Compensation Committee and its independent advisors believe these payments are fair and proper consideration for the agreement of these executives to post-employment restrictive covenants. See Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control for additional discussion of these agreements and payments provided therein.

Deductibility of Compensation

     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of executive compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated officers of a public company other than the chief financial officer to $1,000,000 per year, but contains an exception for certain performance-based compensation. It is the policy of the Company to structure its incentive and equity-based compensation in a manner which will avoid the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) to the extent it can reasonably do so consistent with its goal of retaining and motivating its executives in a cost effective manner. We review compensation plans in light of applicable tax provisions, including Section 162(m), and may revise compensation plans from time to time to maximize deductibility. However, we may approve compensation that does not qualify for deductibility when we deem it to be in the Company’s best interest. The Company’s previous grants of stock options under its stock option plans and awards under its Management Incentive Plan qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). Base salary does not by its nature qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). Restricted stock units granted under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan generally are not considered performance-based, and may not be fully deductible if paid to an executive officer while he is subject to Section 162(m).

     Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of executive compensation deemed to constitute “excess parachute payments” under that section. We believe our employment agreements with Messrs. Grubbs and Letham have been structured so that termination payments will not trigger the application of Section 280G.

14


Stock Ownership Guidelines

     The Company’s directors and senior executives, including the named executive officers, are required to hold equity in the Company valued at a multiple of their base salaries or, in the case of directors, their annual retainer. The value of shares owned, vested stock units and vested stock options is used to determine whether the guidelines have been met. The Compensation Committee is responsible for recommending appropriate actions in respect of persons failing to meet the ownership guidelines. The Company’s Business Ethics and Conduct Policy prohibits hedging against a decline in the Company’s share price.

The multiples for the named executive officers and directors are:

Chief Executive Officer:five times base salary
Chief Financial Officer:four times base salary
Chief Operating Officer:four times base salary
All other senior executives:two times base salary
Directors:three times annual retainer

     The value of Mr. Grubbs’ vested equity in the Company at our last fiscal year end exceeded 27 times his base salary — well above the requirement. All other directors and executives subject to these requirements are either above their ownership requirements or are on track to achieve their requirement within the five year timeframe prescribed by our guidelines.

Timing of Awards

     Annual incentive awards for the most recently completed fiscal year are determined by the Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting in February each year, after the financial statements for the recently completed year are finalized and results are publicly reported. These financial statements are necessary to complete the calculation of the amount of awards earned.

     Base salaries, annual incentive plans and equity awards for the current year are also determined at the February meeting, after the Board of Directors has approved the operating budgets for the year, the Consultant has provided benchmarking data and management has formulated its recommendations.

     Prior to 2005, awards were generally granted on the date they were approved by the Compensation Committee. Since 2005, awards have been generally granted on March 1 of each year. The Committee chose March 1 of each year as the grant date in order to reduce the administrative burden of issuing shares on multiple dates each year as previously issued stock units vested. Under certain limited circumstances, such as in connection with a promotion, the Committee will make grants on a date other than March 1. In connection with Mr. Eck’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer, the Committee made an additional grant of stock options and restricted stock units to him on October 1, 2007.

     Equity awards are approved at the meeting as dollar-value awards to each recipient rather than a number of shares, units or options. The number of shares or stock units to be granted to each recipient is determined by dividing the dollar-value award to each participant as approved by the Compensation Committee, by the closing price of stock on the grant date or, if not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day. The number of options to be granted is similarly determined, using their Black-Scholes value on the grant date. The exercise price of stock options is the closing price of the underlying common stock on the grant date or, if not a trading day, the immediately preceding trading day.

Recovery of Awards

     We have employment agreements with Messrs. Grubbs and Letham which give the Company the right of recoupment, if required by law, to the extent compensation, in any form, is awarded or is paid based on the reported financial results of the Company or its affiliates and such financial results are subsequently required to be restated by the Company’s independent auditors. To the extent permitted by law, the Company may seek to recoup any amounts paid to other executives under similar circumstances.

Subsequent Compensation Decisions

     Following the same policies and procedures described in the Corporate Governance — Compensation Committee and Compensation Discussion and Analysis sections of this Proxy Statement, at its February 2008

15


meeting the Compensation Committee made the following decisions with respect to executive compensation for 2008:

Base salaries:The salary of our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Grubbs, was increased 2.6% to $1,000,000. Salary increases for the other senior executives (including the named executive officers) range from 3.3% to 16.0%.

Annual Incentive Awards:Mr. Grubbs’ incentive target opportunity for 2008 was increased 2.6% to $1,000,000. Target incentive opportunity increases for the other senior executives (including the named executive officers) range from none to 27.5%.

Equity-based Awards:For 2008, the Compensation Committee determined that all senior executives would receive half of the value of their award in the form of stock options and half in the form of restricted stock units. Mr. Grubbs’ equity award for 2008 was $700,000. Compared to 2007, equity awards for the other senior executives (including the named executive officers) range from a decrease of 30.2% to an increase of 146.2%.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and, based on that review and discussion, has recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has accepted that recommendation) that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2007.

F. Philip Handy

Lord James Blyth
Linda Walker Bynoe
Robert L. Crandall
Melvyn N. Klein
George Muñoz
Stuart Sloan
Thomas C. Theobald

16


EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

2007 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

     The following tables set forth information aboutThis table shows the compensation of the chief executive officerCompany’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the fourthree other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company.

Summary Compensation TableCompany for the years ended December 28, 2007 and December 29, 2006.

                                              
Long TermChange in
CompensationPension
AwardsValue and

Non-EquityNonqualified
Annual CompensationSecuritiesIncentiveDeferred

Other AnnualUnderlyingAll OtherStockOptionPlanCompensation
Name &SalaryBonusCompensation(1)Stock Units(2)Compensation(3)
Name andName andSalaryBonusAwardsAwardsCompensationEarningsAll Other
Principal PositionPrincipal PositionYear($)($)($)($)($)Principal PositionYear($)($)($)(1)($)(2)($)(3)($)(4)Compensation ($)Total ($)


















Robert W. GrubbsRobert W. Grubbs  2005  805,000  1,087,500  23,672  2,243,400  3,500 Robert W. Grubbs  2007  975,000  0  1,916,142  260,417  1,394,348  858,971(5)  22,118(6)  5,426,996 
President & Chief  2004  690,000  975,000  22,874(4)  1,220,000  3,075 President & Chief  2006  900,000  0  1,937,013  104,306  1,312,500  619,486(7)  120,093(8)  4,993,398 
Executive Officer  2003  650,000  356,930    976,000  3,000 Executive Officer                            
Dennis J. LethamDennis J. Letham  2005  385,000  524,675  16,351  972,140  3,500 Dennis J. Letham  2007  436,275  0  742,335  109,374  563,496  466,615(9)  12,310(6)  2,330,405 
Executive Vice President  2006  400,000  0  782,237  39,115  531,250  377,044(10)  19,094(11)  2,148,740 
— Finance and Chief                            
Financial Officer                            
Robert J. EckRobert J. Eck  2007  361,275  0  240,846  278,460  465,000  123,481(12)  6,009(6)  1,475,071 
Senior Vice President—  2004  357,500  510,900  14,908(4)  610,000  3,075 Executive Vice President  2006  265,000  0  150,979  150,898  306,375  79,532(13)  19,110(14)  971,894 
Finance and Chief  2003  340,000  198,340    439,200  3,000 and Chief Operating Officer                            
Financial Officer                   
John A. DulJohn A. Dul  2005  230,000  135,500  1,501  317,815  3,040 John A. Dul  2007  263,300  0  266,900  36,460  145,420  58,296(15)  6,000(6)  776,376 
Vice President—  2004  210,000  118,200  604  137,250  3,075 Vice President —  2006  245,000  0  262,474  4,172  141,000  38,666(16)  4,341(6)  695,653 
General Counsel  2003  200,000  48,500    97,600  3,000 General Counsel and Secretary                            
and Secretary                   
Terrance A. FaberTerrance A. Faber  2005  210,000  120,000  357  299,120  3,500 Terrance A. Faber  2007  239,700  0  155,400  192,550  129,120  42,829(17)  5,795(6)  765,394 
Vice President—  2004  194,000  114,000  207  122,000  3,075 Vice President —  2006  217,500  10,000  143,162  121,228  118,065  34,484(18)  15,971(19)  660,410 
Controller  2003  187,000  51,000    85,400  3,000 Controller                            
Rodney A. Shoemaker  2005  183,000  103,600  1,041  130,865  3,014 
Vice President—  2004  173,500  91,000  513  91,500  3,257 
Treasurer  2003  167,000  47,000    73,200  2,946 

     (1) Represents above-market earnings on deferred compensation.

 (1) The amounts in this column represent the Company’s expense for the fiscal year with respect to all outstanding stock units held by each named executive officer, disregarding any adjustments for potential forfeitures, as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.
(2) ValueThe amounts in this column represent the Company’s expense for the fiscal year with respect to all outstanding stock options held by each named executive officer, disregarding any adjustments for potential forfeitures, as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2006 Form 10-K and Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.
(3) This column shows the cash incentive payments the Company awarded under the Management Incentive Plan to each named executive officer for the fiscal years shown.
(4) This column includes above market earnings on deferred compensation. These amounts represent an enhanced crediting rate on deferred compensation of up to 2 percentage points per year, which is applied when the Company achieves certain financial goals. The Company considers all enhanced crediting to be above market earnings, even though such amounts may be less than the actual definition of above market rate. Amounts shown also include the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of each executive’s accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s 2006 and 2007 Form 10-K for an explanation of the assumptions used to value these benefits.
(5) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $27,656 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $831,315.
(6) Includes 401(k) matching contribution and interest on unpaid dividend equivalents related to unvested stock units.

17


(7) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $25,367 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $594,119.
(8) Includes 401(k) matching contribution, interest on unpaid dividend equivalents related to unvested stock units and perquisites of car allowance, tax preparation assistance, spousal travel (totaling $25,861) and club memberships totaling $94,232.
(9) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $38,207 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $428,408.

(10) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $35,044 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $342,000.
(11) Includes 401(k) matching contribution, interest on unpaid dividend equivalents related to unvested stock units and perquisites of car allowance and tax preparation assistance.
(12) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $11,543 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $111,938.
(13) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $9,145 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $70,387.
(14) Includes 401(k) matching contribution, interest on unpaid dividend equivalents related to unvested stock units and perquisites of car allowance and spousal travel.
(15) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $6,741 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $51,555.
(16) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $4,762 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $33,904.
(17) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $834 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $41,995.
(18) Includes above market earnings on deferred compensation of $765 and the annual increase for the fiscal year in the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefit under all Company defined benefit plans of $33,719.
(19) Includes 401(k) matching contribution, interest on unpaid dividend equivalents related to unvested stock units and perquisite of car allowance.

Employment Agreements

     The Company is a party to Employment Agreements dated as of January 1, 2006 with Mr. Grubbs and Mr. Letham that provide for certain compensation and benefits during employment:

Salary: Annual base salary is at least $805,000 for Mr. Grubbs and $385,000 for Mr. Letham. Salary cannot be reduced except with the executive’s consent or in connection with an overall reduction in salary paid to senior executives of the Company as a group.

Annual Incentives: Each executive is eligible to participate in the Management Incentive Plan, provided that the target bonus amount is at least $775,000 for Mr. Grubbs and $365,000 for Mr. Letham. The target bonus amount cannot be reduced except with the executive’s consent or in connection with an overall reduction in the target bonus paid to senior executives of the Company as a group.

Other Benefits: Each executive is eligible to participate in the Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan and successor plans in accordance with its terms and is eligible for other employee benefits on the same basis as other similarly situated senior management.

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2007 GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

This table sets forth information for each named executive officer with respect to (1) estimated payouts under non-equity incentive plans in 2007 and (2) restricted stock units and options awarded in 2007.

                                     
Estimated Possible PayoutsAll Other
Under Non-Equity IncentiveStockAll OtherGrant Date
Plan Awards(1)Awards:Awards:Exercise orFair Value of

Number ofNumber ofBase PriceStock and
CommitteeShares ofSecuritiesof OptionOption
GrantApprovalThresholdTargetMaximumStock orUnderlyingAwardsAwards
NameDateDate($)($)($)Units (#)Options (#)($/Sh)($)(2)










Robert W. Grubbs      2/8/07   243,750   975,000   1,462,500                 
   3/1/07   2/8/07               20,509   45,405   60.95   2,500,023(3)
 
Dennis J. Letham      2/8/07   99,375(4)  397,500(4)  596,250(4)                
   3/1/07   2/8/07               8,614   19,070   60.95   1,050,020(3)
 
Robert J. Eck      2/8/07   81,250(4)  325,000(4)  487,500(4)                
   3/1/07   2/8/07               6,563   14,530   60.95   800,026(3)
   10/1/07   9/11/07               5,059   12,402   84.01   850,023(5)
 
John A. Dul      2/8/07   26,000   104,000   156,000                 
   3/1/07   2/8/07               2,871   6,357   60.95   349,996(3)
 
Terrance A. Faber      2/8/07   23,750   95,000   142,500                 
   3/1/07   2/8/07               4,102   9,081   60.95   500,017(3)


(1) Payouts under the Management Incentive Plan were based on performance in 2007, which has now occurred. Thus, the amounts shown in the “Threshold,” “Target” and “Maximum” columns reflect the range of potential payouts when the performance goals were set earlier in 2007. Actual amounts paid under the Management Incentive Plan for 2007 are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.
(2) Calculated in accordance with FAS 123(R) and represents the total projected expense to the Company of grants of stock options and restricted stock units on the date granted. Stock unitsmade in 2007.
(3) The stock options granted vest annually in thirds1/3 increments beginning on the second anniversary of the grant. Holdersgrant date. The exercise price of the option award is $60.95, which represents the Company’s stock price on the grant date. The weighted-average fair value of the 2007 stock option grants was $27.53 per share which was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected stock price volatility of 34%; expected dividend yield of zero; risk-free interest rate of 4.5%; and an average expected life of 7 years. Restricted stock units are entitled to receive any distributionswere valued at $60.95 per unit, which was the closing price of the underlying common stock on the stockdate of the Company or an equitable adjustment to the number of stock units based on such distribution. At December 31, 2005, the aggregate values of restricted stock and restricted stock units held by

9


Messrs. Grubbs, Letham, Dul, Faber and Shoemaker were respectively, $4,955,213, $2,268,960, $612,893, $560,707 and $332,520.

(3) Contributions to employee savings plan.grant.
 
(4) In additionAmounts shown reflect pro rata adjustments due to above market earningsan increase in the target incentive amount during 2007 in connection with job promotions on deferred compensation, also includes $9,139 and $5,420 for Messrs Grubbs and Letham, respectively, paid forOctober 1, 2007.
(5) The stock options granted vest in 1/3 increments beginning on the additional tax impactsecond anniversary of the 2004grant date. The exercise price of the option award is $84.01, which represents the Company’s stock price on the grant date. The weighted-average fair value of the 2007 stock option grants was $34.27 per share which was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: expected stock price volatility of 29%; expected dividend yield of zero; risk-free interest rate of 4.4%; and an average expected life of 7 years. Restricted stock units were valued at $84.01 per unit, which was the closing price of the underlying common stock on unvested shares under equity compensation plans.the date of grant.

Aggregated Option ExercisesManagement Incentive Plan

     For 2007, the Compensation Committee approved annual incentive awards composed of three components: Operating Earnings, Return on Tangible Capital and individual objectives. The Compensation

19


Committee also set a target incentive amount for each executive officer ranging from 37% to 100% of base salary.

     A significant portion of each executive officer’s incentive opportunity was based on financial components. An Operating Earnings target is set each year by the Compensation Committee. If the Company reaches 85% of the Operating Earnings target, the executive is eligible for a threshold of 25% of the Operating Earnings component of the award, with increases in Last Fiscal Year,payout as Operating Earnings reaches the target. Exceeding the target will result in payments above the target, up to 150% of the target. Similarly, a Return on Tangible Capital target is set each year by the Compensation Committee along with a threshold (paying 25% of the target amount) and a maximum (paying 150% of the target amount). For Mr. Eck, the Committee also set an Operating Earnings target and a Return on Tangible Capital target based on his 2007 defined responsibilities, along with a threshold (paying 25% of the target amount) and a maximum (paying 150% of the target amount).

     For each component, a pro-rata percentage is earned for performance between the threshold and the target and for performance between the target and the maximum. The remaining portion of the bonus opportunity is based on achievement of individual objectives, which are determined subjectively by the executive’s immediate superior, or by the Chairman of the Board in consultation with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee in the case of the Chief Executive Officer. The aggregate incentive award can range from zero to 150% of the target incentive opportunity. See “Annual Incentive Awards” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement for a more detailed discussion of the Management Incentive Plan.

Restricted Stock Units

     Restricted stock units were granted under the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan. One-third of the units vests on each anniversary of the grant date beginning with the second anniversary of the grant date. Units convert to an equal number of unrestricted shares of common stock on the date they vest, except that with respect to units granted in 2005 through 2007, executive officers covered by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code could make an advance election to select the date as of which their vested units will be settled in stock. Holders of restricted stock units have the right to receive dividend equivalents, which are credited at the time dividends are paid and are held by the Company until the units vest. Dividend equivalents are credited with interest equal to 5% per year until the units vest.

Stock Options

     Stock options were granted under the Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. Options granted in 2007 vest in thirds on each anniversary of the grant date beginning with the second anniversary of the grant date.

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2007 FISCAL YEAR-END

This table sets forth information for each named executive officer with respect to (1) each grant of stock options outstanding as of December 28, 2007 and (2) each outstanding restricted stock unit that has not vested as of December 28, 2007.

                         
Stock Awards

Option AwardsNumber of

Shares orMarket
Number ofNumber ofUnits ofValue of
SecuritiesSecuritiesStockShares or
UnderlyingUnderlyingThat HaveUnits of
UnexercisedUnexercisedOptionOptionNotStock That
Options (#)Options (#)ExerciseExpirationVestedHave Not
NameExercisable(1)UnexercisablePrice ($)Date(2)(#)(3)Vested ($)(4)







Robert W. Grubbs  47,741   0   17.47   02/18/2010   128,281   7,988,058 
   269,706   0   21.54   02/14/2011         
   233,977   0   22.39   02/21/2012         
       45,405(5)  60.95   03/01/2017         
Dennis J. Letham  36,486   0   10.85   03/01/2009   50,760   3,160,825 
   76,042   0   17.47   02/18/2010         
   105,289   0   21.54   02/14/2011         
   87,741   0   22.39   02/21/2012         
       19,070(5)  60.95   03/01/2017         
Robert J. Eck  12,548   0   23.77   04/17/2010   18,622   1,159,592 
   23,398   0   22.39   02/21/2012         
       48,000(6)  46.29   03/01/2016         
       14,530(5)  60.95   03/01/2017         
       12,402(5)  84.01   10/01/2017         
John A. Dul  735   0   14.91   02/18/2008   17,750   1,105,293 
   5,849   0   10.85   03/01/2009         
   5,849   0   17.47   02/18/2010         
   5,849   0   21.54   02/14/2011         
   9,359   0   22.39   02/21/2012         
       6,357(5)  60.95   03/01/2017         
Terrance A. Faber  5,381   0   21.54   02/14/2011   10,768   670,523 
   9,359   0   22.39   02/21/2012         
       40,000(6)  46.29   03/01/2016         
       9,081(5)  60.95   03/01/2017         

(1) Stock options in this column vested in  1/4 increments beginning on the 1st anniversary of each grant date.
(2) Each option was granted 10 years prior to the expiration date shown in this column.
(3) Restricted stock units vest in 1/3 increments on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th anniversary dates of each grant date. The unvested units will vest as follows:

Unit Vesting

                                 
Name2/11/20083/1/20083/1/200910/1/20093/1/201010/1/20103/1/201110/1/2011









Robert W. Grubbs  13,333   38,146   44,983   0   24,983   0   6,836   0 
Dennis J. Letham  6,667   14,715   17,586   0   8,921   0   2,871   0 
Robert J. Eck  1,667   2,666   4,855   1,686   2,187   1,687   2,188   1,686 
John A. Dul  1,500   5,405   6,360   0   3,528   0   957   0 
Terrance A. Faber  1,333   2,666   4,034   0   1,368   0   1,367   0 

(4) Represents the value of shares of common stock covered by the restricted stock units, using $62.27, which was the closing price of the common stock on December 28, 2007.
(5) These stock options vest in 1/3 increments beginning on the 2nd anniversary of the grant date.
(6) These stock options vest in 1/3 increments beginning on the 4th anniversary date of the grant date.

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and Fiscal Year-End Option Value2007 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

This table sets forth information relating to (1) the exercise of stock options during 2007 by each named executive officer, (2) the dollar amount realized upon such exercise, (3) the number of shares of common stock acquired during 2007 as a result of the vesting of restricted stock units and (4) the value of those vested shares.

                           
Number of
SecuritiesOption AwardsStock Awards
UnderlyingValue of Unexercised

Unexercised OptionsIn-the-Money OptionsNumber ofNumber of
SharesValueat FY-End (#)at FY-End ($)SharesValueSharesValue
Acquired onRealizedExercisable/Exercisable/Acquired onRealized onAcquired onRealized on
NameExercise (#)($)UnexercisableUnexercisableExercise (#)Exercise ($)(1)Vesting (#)Vesting ($)(2)









Robert W. Grubbs  77,500  1,685,338  1,162,374/58,495  24,760,699/978,621   360,866(3)  20,644,096  26,667(4)  2,787,016(5)
Dennis J. Letham  66,383  1,352,644  396,774/21,936  8,512,628/366,989   58,494  3,418,043  12,666(6)  1,270,783(5)
Robert J. Eck  0  0  5,666  335,063 
John A. Dul  0  0  31,001/2,340  668,027/39,148   700  45,567  5,666  338,270 
Terrance A. Faber  0  0  12,400/2,340  212,026/39,148   0  0  5,168  308,593 
Rodney A. Shoemaker  1,053  18,912  22,228/2,340  442,542/39,148 

(1) Represents the difference between the price at which the shares acquired upon exercise of the option are sold and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares of common stock covered by the options exercised. Each executive immediately sold all shares acquired on exercise.
(2) Represents the value of the common stock on the vesting date. This value equals the number of shares acquired on the vesting date multiplied by either the average of the high and low prices of the stock on the NYSE on such date, if the vesting date is a trading day, or the previous trading day’s closing price of the stock on the NYSE, if the vesting date is not a trading day.
(3) 127,741 of these options, valued at $8,134,242, were required to be exercised and sold pursuant to the terms of a qualified domestic relations order.
(4) Mr. Grubbs elected to defer the conversion of 20,000 restricted stock units. The units will convert six months after Mr. Grubbs’ separation with the Company. These units are not included in the totals shown.
(5) This amount does not include units with deferred conversion (see footnotes 4 and 6).
(6) Mr. Letham elected to defer the conversion of 8,667 restricted stock units. The units converted March 1, 2008. These units are not included in the totals shown.

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2007 PENSION BENEFITS

The Company provides defined benefit pension benefits under the Company’s Pension Plan, Excess Benefit Plan and the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). This table shows (1) the years of service credited to each named executive officer under the plans and (2) the present value of the accumulated benefit payable under each plan to each named executive officer upon retirement at age 65.

                 
Number ofPresentPayments
YearsValue ofDuring
CreditedAccumulatedLast Fiscal
NamePlan NameService (#)(1)Benefit ($)(2)Year ($)





Robert W. Grubbs  Anixter Inc. Pension Plan   30.00   1,316,709   0 
   Anixter Inc. Excess Benefit Plan   30.00   1,316,846   0 
   Anixter Inc. SERP   30.00   774,065   0 
Dennis J. Letham  Anixter Inc. Pension Plan   14.92   557,813   0 
   Anixter Inc. Excess Benefit Plan   14.92   265,358   0 
   Anixter Inc. SERP   14.92   1,328,203   0 
Robert J. Eck  Anixter Inc. Pension Plan   18.42   223,671   0 
   Anixter Inc. Excess Benefit Plan   18.42   129,520   0 
John A. Dul  Anixter Inc. Pension Plan   18.83   173,378   0 
   Anixter Inc. Excess Benefit Plan   18.83   45,443   0 
Terrance A. Faber  Anixter Inc. Pension Plan   7.83   116,456   0 
   Anixter Inc. Excess Benefit Plan   7.83   34,270   0 

(1) The number of years of service credited to the named executive officer under the specified plan, computed as of December 28, 2007 which is the same measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.
(2) The actuarial present value of the named executive officer’s accumulated benefits under the applicable plan, computed as of the same December 28, 2007 measurement date used for financial statement reporting purposes in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.

Pension Plan Tableand Excess Plan

                               
Annual
RemunerationYears of Service
on which Benefits
are Based5 Years10 Years15 Years20 Years25 Years30 Years35 Years








 200,000   11,000   23,000   34,000   46,000   57,000   69,000   69,000 
 300,000   18,000   36,000   54,000   72,000   90,000   108,000   108,000 
 400,000   24,000   49,000   73,000   98,000   122,000   147,000   147,000 
 500,000   31,000   62,000   93,000   124,000   155,000   186,000   186,000 
 600,000   37,000   75,000   112,000   150,000   187,000   225,000   225,000 
 700,000   44,000   88,000   132,000   176,000   220,000   264,000   264,000 
 800,000   50,000   101,000   151,000   202,000   252,000   303,000   303,000 
 900,000   57,000   114,000   171,000   228,000   285,000   342,000   342,000 
 1,000,000   63,000   127,000   190,000   254,000   317,000   381,000   381,000 
 1,250,000   80,000   159,000   239,000   319,000   398,000   478,000   478,000 
 1,500,000   96,000   192,000   288,000   384,000   480,000   576,000   576,000 
 1,750,000   112,000   224,000   337,000   449,000   561,000   673,000   673,000 
 2,000,000   128,000   257,000   385,000   514,000   642,000   771,000   771,000 
 2,250,000   145,000   289,000   434,000   579,000   723,000   868,000   868,000 

     AboveThe Pension Plan is a tax-qualified pension plan covering all US employees, excluding any person subject to a collective bargaining agreement which does not provide for coverage under the Pension Plan. The monthly benefit formula for all employees hired prior to June 1, 2004 provides an amount equal to the employee’s years of continuous service (not to exceed 30) multiplied by the sum of 0.65% of the portion of the employee’s Final Average Pay that is less than or equal to 1/12 of the employee’s Covered Compensation (an amount specified in the Pension Plan based on year of birth), plus 1.3% of the portion of the employee’s Final Average Pay in excess of 1/12 of the employee’s Covered Compensation. Final Average Pay means the highest average monthly salary and regular bonus paid during a 60-consecutive month period occurring in the 120-month period prior to termination of employment, taking into account the applicable Internal Revenue Code limits. The monthly benefit formula for employees hired on or after June 1, 2004 is the sum of 0.15% of salary (up to the applicable Code limits) for each plan year in which the participant’s years of continuous service is fewer than five, plus 0.20% of salary (up to the applicable Code limits) for each plan year in which the participant’s years of continuous service is five or greater.

     The Excess Plan is available to US employees recommended by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee. It utilizes the same benefit formula in the Pension Plan, except that the formula is applied to the portion of the Final Average Pay that cannot be taken into account under the Pension Plan due to Code limits. The purpose of the Excess Plan is to provide those eligible participants with a retirement benefit that recognizes the participant’s full Final Average Pay.

     A participant is eligible to receive a retirement benefit under the Pension Plan and the Excess Plan after completing five years of service. The normal retirement age for receiving full benefits under the Pension Plan and the Excess Plan is 65. After attaining age 55, employees may retire and elect to receive early payment,

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although the amounts paid are annual straight life annuity amounts payable upon retirementactuarially reduced to reflect the longer payment period. An employee who terminates employment prior to age 55 but has five years of service is eligible for a deferred vested benefit beginning at age 65 (or age 55 subject to an actuarial reduction). The Company does not grant extra years of credited service under the Anixter Inc. fundedPension Plan or Excess Plan. Participants in the Pension Plan and unfunded defined benefit plans (the “Plans”) for Messrs. Grubbs, Letham, Dul,the Excess Plan may elect to receive payments as follows: single life annuity, 10-year certain with life annuity, joint and survivor annuity and joint and contingent annuity. Currently, Terrance Faber and Shoemaker, who have 28, 13, 17, 6 and 20 years of service, respectively. The annual compensation on which benefitsDennis Letham are based includes salary and bonus paideligible to the employee in a year (for instance, 2005 compensation includes salary shown in the Summary Compensation Table for 2005 and bonus shown in the Summary Compensation Table for 2004). Benefitsreceive early retirement payments under the Plans are not subject to any deductions for social security or other offset amounts.Pension Plan and the Excess Plan.

SERP

     Effective as of August 4, 2004, Mr. Grubbs and Mr. Letham participate in the Anixter Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the “SERP”). The SERP benefits are offset by the pension benefits described above.SERP. Under the SERP, Mr. Grubbs is eligible to receive a monthly normal retirement benefit when he retires at age 65 equal

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to 50% of his final average pay,Final Average Pay, offset by the monthly retirement benefits payable to him under Social Security, the Plans.Pension Plan and Excess Plan. Mr. Grubbs can elect to commence receiving his benefits as early as his retirement at age 54, in which case his SERP benefit will be actuarially reduced (using the factors set forth in the qualified defined benefit plan)Pension Plan), subject to a minimum annual benefit of $550,000. Under the SERP, Mr. Letham is eligible to receive a monthly normal retirement benefit at his retirement at age 65 equal to 50% of his final average pay,Final Average Pay, offset by the monthly retirement benefits payable to him under Social Security, the Plans.Pension Plan and Excess Plan. Mr. Letham can elect to commence receiving his benefits earlier,as early as his retirement at age 55, in which case his retirement benefit will be actuarially reduced (using the factors set forth in the qualified defined benefit plan)Pension Plan). In each case, “final average pay” meansBenefits vest over a five year period. Currently, Mr. Letham is eligible to receive early retirement benefits under the highest average monthly salarySERP.

Assumptions

The assumptions used in calculating the present value of the accumulated benefits under the Pension Plan, Excess Plan and regular bonus paid during a 60-consecutive month period occurringSERP are set forth in Note 11 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the 120-month period prior to termination of employment. The estimated annual benefits payable to Mr. Grubbs at age 54 is $550,000 and to Mr. Letham at age 65, based on the current final average pay, is approximately $322,950.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     In 2005, the Company paid its non-employee directors (except the Chairman of the Board) annual retainers of $125,000 payable in stock units which will convert to Common Stock at the pre-arranged time selected by each director, $2,500 for each Board, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee meeting attended, and a $5,000 annual retainer for the chair of each of these committees. Audit Committee members received $3,500 for each meeting attended, and the chair received an annual retainer of $10,000.

     The Chairman of the Board received an annual retainer of $200,000 payable in stock units as described above, and did not receive meeting fees.

Directors are reimbursed for any expenses they incur in attending meetings.Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.

EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF2007 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTSDeferrals under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan

This table shows information regarding each named executive officer’s benefit under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”).

                     
ExecutiveRegistrantAggregateAggregateAggregate
ContributionsContributionsEarnings inWithdrawals/Balance at
in Lastin LastLastDistributionsLast
NameFY ($)(1)FY ($)FY ($)(2)($)FYE ($)(3)






Robert W. Grubbs  0   0   119,610   0   1,458,651 
Dennis J. Letham  0   0   165,241   0   2,015,123 
Robert J. Eck  76,594   0   49,384   0   608,654 
John A. Dul  75,500   0   28,623   0   355,379 
Terrance A. Faber  0   0   3,607   0   43,987 

(1) These amounts are reflected in the Summary Compensation Table, either as “Salary” or “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”
(2) The following amounts are reflected as above market earnings in the “Change in Pension Value” and “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Grubbs $27,656; Mr. Letham $38,207; Mr. Eck $11,543; Mr. Dul $6,741; and Mr. Faber $834.
(3) The following amounts have been reported as compensation in prior Summary Compensation Tables: Mr. Grubbs $801,450; Mr. Letham $1,034,979; Mr. Eck $88,137; Mr. Dul $281,455; and Mr. Faber $30,431.

     Selected employees are eligible to participate in the DCP. Under the DCP, employees may defer up to 50% of base salary and up to 100% of bonus. Elections are made annually, prior to the beginning of the calendar year for which the election is effective. Once made, deferral elections are irrevocable for the year.

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Deferred amounts are credited to an account established for each participant. Interest is credited at the end of each month and accrues on the average daily balance of the account at 140% of the three month average of the previous quarter’s 10 year Treasury Note rate. This rate was designed to approximate the Company’s long-term borrowing rate. For 2007, the average crediting rate was 6.82%. Active participants are eligible to receive an enhanced crediting rate of up to one-half percentage point per quarter if the Company exceeds certain quarterly performance goals. The enhanced crediting rate is credited at the end of each eligible calendar quarter. Participants must be employed for at least one-half the quarter to be eligible for this enhanced rate. In 2007, the maximum enhanced crediting rate was paid.

     Messrs. Grubbs and Letham are each employed pursuantAll deferrals must remain in the DCP for at least five years from deferral date, except for terminations due to contracts with the Company that provide certain benefits followingretirement, disability, death, or terminations within 48 months of a change ofin control of the Company. A changeAt the time they make their deferral election, participants also elect the form and time of control under each contract will occur if any third person (other than Samuel Zelldistribution. Retirement payment options are: lump sum, monthly installments or a combination of lump sum and his affiliates) acquires more than 50%monthly installments. For pre-2005 deferrals, the number of monthly installments may not exceed 120. For post-2004 deferrals, the number of monthly installments may not exceed 180. For all other terminations, participants receive a lump sum on the first of the Common Stockcalendar year two years following employment termination. Participants terminating prior to age 55 may elect to defer receipt of pre-2005 balances to a specified date not later than age 55. Pre-2005 deferrals are eligible for an accelerated distribution at any time, subject to a 10% penalty. Post-2004 deferrals have no such accelerated distribution allowance. A participant may receive early distribution without penalty by providing evidence of severe financial hardship.

     Employees may change their elections with respect to the form and timing of distributions. Such changes become effective two calendar years after the election change for pre-2005 deferrals. For post-2004 deferrals, the election may be changed up to 12 months prior to the scheduled distribution, provided that any change must defer the distribution for at least five years beyond the date of the Company, or substantially allcurrently scheduled distribution.

Deferrals under the assets2001 Stock Incentive Plan

This table shows information regarding each named executive officer’s benefit for deferrals under the Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (“SIP”).

                     
ExecutiveRegistrantAggregateAggregateAggregate
ContributionsContributionsEarnings inWithdrawals/Balance at
in Lastin LastLastDistributionsLast
NameFY ($)FY ($)FY ($)($)FYE ($)






Robert W. Grubbs  1,209,800(1)  0   49,140(2)  244,910(3)  1,505,507(4)
Dennis J. Letham  524,267(1)  0   21,581(5)  112,768(3)  657,930(6)
Robert J. Eck  0   0   1,720(7)  29,301(3)  33,991(8)
John A. Dul  0   0   1,766(7)  29,042(3)  34,433(9)
Terrance A. Faber  0   0   1,633(7)  26,336(3)  31,919(10)

(1) Represents the value of the restricted stock units deferred pursuant to the named executive officer’s advance election, based on the average of the high and low sales prices of the underlying common stock on the date of vesting. These amounts were or are reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table.
(2) Includes unrealized appreciation on stock units of $35,600 from the date of deferral through December 28, 2007, which is not reported on the Summary Compensation Table, and $13,540 of interest credited on dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units, which is reported on the Summary Compensation Table.
(3) Includes payment of dividend equivalents, and related interest, on restricted stock units that vested during fiscal 2007.
(4) Includes executive contributions of $1,209,800 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table), dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units of $233,333 (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table), interest credited on the unvested dividend equivalents of $26,774 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table) and unrealized appreciation of $35,600 on the deferred stock units (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table).

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(5) Includes unrealized appreciation on stock units of $15,427 from the date of deferral through December 28, 2007, which is not reported on the Summary Compensation Table, and $6,154 of interest credited on dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units, which is reported on the Summary Compensation Table.
(6) Includes executive contributions of $524,267 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table), dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units of $106,000 (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table), interest credited on the unvested dividend equivalents of $12,236 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table) and unrealized appreciation of $15,427 on the deferred stock units (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table).
(7) Represents interest credited on dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units, which is reported on the Summary Compensation Table.
(8) Includes dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units of $30,500 (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table) and interest credited on the unvested dividend equivalents of $3,491 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table).
(9) Includes dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units of $30,916 (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table) and interest credited on the unvested dividend equivalents of $3,517 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table).

(10) Includes dividend equivalents allocated to unvested restricted stock units of $28,667 (not reported on the Summary Compensation Table) and interest credited on the unvested dividend equivalents of $3,252 (reported on the Summary Compensation Table).

     Restricted stock units are granted under the Company’s 2001 Stock Incentive Plan. One-third of the Company, or owns more than 50%units vests on each anniversary of the grant date beginning with the second anniversary of the grant date. Units generally convert to an equal number of unrestricted shares of common stock on the date they vest and are paid to the holder of any entity resulting fromthe unit at such time. Holders of stock units are credited with dividend equivalents at the time dividends are paid. The deferred dividend equivalents are credited annually with interest at a mergerrate equal to 5% per year until the units vest, at which time the dividend equivalents and accrued interest are paid to the executive. The interest credited on the unvested portion of executives’ stock units is reflected in the “Aggregate Earnings in Last FY” column above.

     Executive officers covered by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code could make an advance election to defer receipt of the stock units granted in 2005 through 2007 to a date later than the date on which the units vest, although they receive the related accrued dividend equivalents and interest at the time the units vest. At the later date selected by the executive, the units are converted to unrestricted shares of common stock and paid to the executive. Any dividend equivalents accruing after the vesting date are paid to the executive at the time they are accrued. The first deferral of stock units pursuant to such an election did not occur until 2007, when the first portion of the grants made in 2005 vested.

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POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

     The Company has Employment Agreements with Mr. Grubbs and Mr. Letham that provide benefits upon certain terminations of employment, including termination following a change in control of the Company. These benefits are in addition to the benefits to which they would be entitled upon a termination of employment generally, such as the vested retirement benefits described in the Pension Benefits and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Sections of this Proxy Statement, and stock options and restricted stock units that have vested prior to termination.

Employment Agreements

     If the executive terminates his employment with the Company for good reason, as discussed more fully below, or if the majority of the directors of the Company is comprised of individuals who are not nominated by the Board of Directors of the Company, or if the shareholders approve a plan of liquidation or dissolution.

     Each contract is terminable immediately without notice by the Company or on 90 days’ notice by the executive, or earlier if there is good cause for termination of employment. Good cause for termination by the executive includes material breach of the contract by Company, material adverse change interminates the executive’s title or authority, assigning the executive duties which are inconsistent with the duties historically defined, changing to whom the executive reports, and the relocation of the Company’s principal business office to moreemployment for other than 100 miles from its current location within two years of a change in control. Good cause for termination by the Company includes illegal or unethical acts or omissions by the executive that could materially injure the Company or that the Board determines to be a detriment to the executive’s position or his ability to perform, willful and material breach of executive’s fiduciary obligations or of the contract, or willful failure or refusal to follow the lawful and good faith directions of the Board. If employment is terminated by the executive for good cause or by the Company without good cause, the executive is entitled to certain benefits. These benefits includethe following benefits: (i) payment of a pro rata portion of his bonus for the year in which termination occurs, and a termination bonus equal to the sum of the two bonuses actually received in the two years immediately prior to termination, (ii) payment of his salary for the next two years, (iii) all hispayment of a termination bonus equal to the sum of the bonuses paid to the executive for the two fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, (iv) any restricted stock units and stock options to purchase stockthat would have vested during the 180-day period following the date of termination will vest immediately,be deemed vested as of such termination date, and (v) his medical insurance coverage will continue for two years after termination (or if earlier, until he is eligible for coverage under a group health plan of another employer), with COBRA coverage available at the end of the second year. In addition, if such termination is by Company without good causeof employment occurs within two years of a change in control of the Company, all of the executive’s restricted stock units and stock options and any unvested portion of the optionsSERP will continue to be exercisable over their remaining life, and (iv) his medical and life insurance coverage will continue for two years after termination. However, thevest immediately. The amounts due

11


to the executive as described above shall be limited if such payments would constitute “excess parachute payments” within Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, so that the executive shall not receive benefits greater than 333% of the “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) or 299.99% of the “base amount” plus $100,000.

     For purposes of the Employment Agreements:

• A change of control will occur if any third person (other than Samuel Zell and his affiliates) acquires more than 50% of the Common Stock of the Company, there is a stockholder approved complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, there is a sale of all or substantially all the assets of the Company, there is a merger, consolidation or similar event and 50% or less of the outstanding common stock prior to such event is held by the same persons after the event, or if the majority of the directors of the Company is comprised of individuals who were not directors on January 1, 2006 or were not nominated by the previous Board.
• Good reason includes a material breach of the agreement by Company, a material adverse change in the executive’s title or authority, the assignment to the executive of duties which are inconsistent with the duties historically defined, changing to whom the executive reports, and the relocation of the Company’s principal business office to more than 100 miles from its current location within two years of a change in control.
• Cause includes illegal or unethical acts or omissions by the executive that could materially injure the Company or that the Board determines to be a detriment to the executive’s position or his ability to perform, willful and material breach of executive’s fiduciary obligations or of the contract, or willful failure or refusal to follow the lawful and good faith directions of the Board.

Each contractagreement contains restrictive covenants that remain in effect until the end of the two-year severance period. The restrictive covenants prohibit the executive from (i) the solicitation for employment of any Company employees or former employees employed by the Company within six months of the solicitation;solicitation, (ii) directly or indirectly engaging or assisting any person in engaging in any activities competitive to the Company;Company, (iii) attempting to divert, solicit or assist others in soliciting a current or prospective customer, supplier, contractor or service provider of Company or an affiliate;affiliate and (iv) making any critical or disparaging comments about the Company or an affiliate.

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The following table shows the amounts that would be paid to the executives assuming a qualifying termination of employment occurred at fiscal year end.

          
Termination PaymentsRobert W. GrubbsDennis J. Letham



Termination With Change of Control(1)
        
— Pro-Rata Bonus $1,394,348  $563,496 
— Salary  1,950,000   930,000 
— Termination Bonus  2,400,000   1,055,925 
— Vesting of all options/units  10,815,427   4,348,314 
— Medical Insurance  12,938   7,995 
— Accelerated Vesting of SERP  1,697,292   348,190 
Termination Without Change in Control(2)
        
— Pro-Rata Bonus $1,394,348  $563,496 
— Salary  1,950,000   930,000 
— Termination Bonus  2,400,000   1,055,925 
— Vesting of options/units that vest within 180 days of termination  3,205,597   1,331,457 
— Medical Insurance  12,938   7,995 

(1) Termination for good reason by the executive or without cause by the Company within two years following a change in control of the Company. Includes 12 months’ pro rata bonus valued at full value actually received for 2007, two years’ payment of salary, termination bonus equal to the two bonuses actually paid prior to fiscal year end, the value of the vesting of all unvested stock units and options at the year end closing price for the Company’s common stock, the Company’s portion of two years of medical coverage and the accelerated vesting of the SERP. The amounts for accelerated vesting of the SERP represent the difference between the present value of payments to be received under the SERP if fully vested, less the benefit accrued as of fiscal year end, using the valuation assumptions used for financial statement reporting purposes in the Company’s 2007 Form 10-K.
(2) Termination for good reason by the executive or without cause by Company at any time. Includes 12 months’ pro rata bonus valued at full value actually received for 2007, two years’ payment of salary, termination bonus equal to the two bonuses actually paid prior to fiscal year end, the value of the vesting of any unvested stock units and options that would occur within 180 days of termination, valued at the year end closing price for the Company’s common stock and the Company’s portion of two years of medical coverage.

     The vesting of unvested stock units and options does not involve any payments by the Company. The medical coverage is paid directly by the Company. An amount equal to 25% of the termination bonus and salary is payable on the seventh month following termination, and 4.266667% of such amount is payable each month thereafter, ending 24 months after termination. (If payments are not subject to Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i), then payments are made in 24 equal monthly installments beginning on the first day of the month following termination.)

28


NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION(1)

              
Fees Earned or
Paid in CashStock Awards
Name($)($)(2)Total ($)




Lord James Blyth  0   147,558   147,558 
Linda Walker Bynoe  0   174,602   174,602 
Robert L. Crandall  0   178,378   178,378 
F. Philip Handy  0   153,891   153,891 
Melvyn N. Klein  71,500   125,151   196,651 
George Muñoz  0   174,602   174,602 
Stuart M. Sloan  0   147,609   147,609 
Thomas C. Theobald  0   150,115   150,115 
Matthew Zell  0   135,094   135,904 
Samuel Zell  0   200,121   200,121 


(1) Directors who are employees of the Company are not compensated for their Board service. Amounts shown include (i) $2,500 for each Board, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee meeting attended and a $5,000 annual retainer for the chair of each such committee, (ii) $3,500 for each Audit Committee meeting attended and a $10,000 annual retainer for the chair of the Audit Committee and (iii) an annual retainer of $125,000, except for the Chairman of the Board who received an annual retainer of $200,000. The Chairman of the Board does not receive any fees for meetings attended. Annual retainers are paid in stock units; each director may elect to receive meeting fees and chair retainers in cash or in stock units. The annual retainer and any chair retainers elected to be received in stock units are paid quarterly in stock units by dividing one-fourth of the amount due by the closing price of the stock on the last trading day before the grant date. Any meeting fees elected to be received in stock units are paid at the beginning of the next quarter using the closing price of the underlying common stock on the last trading day before the grant date. The stock units convert to Common Stock at a pre-arranged time selected by each director. Due to rounding of stock unit grants upward to whole numbers, amounts reflected above slightly exceed the stated compensation. Any amounts elected to be received in cash are paid quarterly as earned. The Company expenses the units completely in the year of grant.
(2) The following stock awards were outstanding at fiscal year end for each non-employee director:

Vested Outstanding Stock
NameUnits not Converted to Stock


Lord James Blyth33,848
Linda Walker Bynoe5,191
Robert L. Crandall24,390
F. Philip Handy7,198
Melvyn N. Klein12,640
George Muñoz6,807
Stuart M. Sloan6,432
Thomas C. Theobald6,470
Matthew Zell18,050
Samuel Zell29,400

29


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND

INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     Lord James Blyth, Linda Walker Bynoe, Robert Crandall, F. Philip Handy, Melvyn Klein, George Muñoz, Stuart Sloan and Thomas Theobald and Maggie Wilderotter were members of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in 2005.2007.

     During the year ended December 31, 2005,28, 2007, no person who is or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries served as (i) a member of the Compensation Committee; (ii) a member of the compensation committee (or other board committee or full board performing equivalent functions) of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Board of Directors of the Company; or (iii) a director of another entity, one of whose executive officers served on the Board of Directors of the Company.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Exchange Act that might incorporate future filings, including this Proxy Statement, in whole or in part, the Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation, the Audit Committee Report and the Performance Graph presented below shall not be incorporated by reference into any such filings.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation program for the Company’s executive officers, including the executives named in the Summary Compensation Table (“named executive officers”), in accordance with the Company’s Compensation Committee Charter (a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.anixter.com/AXECOM/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/CorporateGovernance).

     Under the compensation policy, the Compensation Committee sets base salaries, annual bonuses and long-term incentive opportunities at or above the median of the range paid by other companies to executives holding comparable positions. Once an executive’s performance is established at a level the Compensation Committee believes is at or above expectations, individual compensation could be consistently above the median. The Compensation Committee selects companies to comprise the comparison group which it believes are representative of the types of companies with which the Company competes for executives. The companies in the comparison group are of various sizes and in several industries and have no correlation to the companies included in the peer group used in the “Performance Graph.”

Base Salary. Each year, the Compensation Committee establishes the base salary of each of the executive officers within the applicable range based on the prior performance and seniority of the executive officer. The base salaries paid in 2005 to each of the executive officers were within the prescribed ranges. Mr. Grubbs was paid $805,000 base salary in 2005, which represents a 16.7% increase from his 2004 salary. Salaries paid in 2005 to the named executive officers are shown in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

12


Annual Incentive Compensation. The Company’s executive officers are eligible to participate in the Company’s Management Incentive Plan approved by the shareholders in 2004. Incentive awards made for 2005 to the named executive officers are shown in the “Bonus” column of the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

     The target incentive opportunities for the executive officers who were selected to participate in the Management Incentive Plan in 2005 (other than Mr. Grubbs) were set by the Compensation Committee at the beginning of the year at 39% to 95% of base salary. Seventy to 75% of this opportunity was based on the financial results of the Company and the remainder was based on the achievement of specified qualitative goals. The components of the financial results were operating earnings and return on tangible capital, with the weighting dependent upon the executive officer’s responsibilities. Incentive awards for 2005 for these executive officers ranged from 135% to 144% of target incentive opportunities because the Company’s financial goals were exceeded, and the qualitative goals in the aggregate of each executive officer, were met or exceeded.

     Mr. Grubbs’ incentive target opportunity for 2005 was set by the Compensation Committee at 90% of his salary, with 38% of this opportunity determined by the operating earnings of the Company, 37% of this opportunity determined by the Company’s return on tangible capital, and 25% of this opportunity determined by the achievement of qualitative goals, with no weighting among these goals. Mr. Grubbs was awarded a regular incentive bonus for 2005 of $1,087,500, which represents 150% of his incentive target opportunity because both the Company’s financial goals and Mr. Grubbs’ qualitative goals were exceeded.

     The Compensation Committee reviews the approved incentive awards to ensure that they do not exceed the limits set forth in the Management Incentive Plan: for each year, the Compensation Committee establishes an award pool equal to 3% of the Company’s operating income before extraordinary and nonrecurring items reported on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the plan year. The total amount of all awards for any year may not exceed the amount in the award pool for that year, and the maximum award for any participant in a given year may not exceed 50% of the applicable award pool. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, decrease the size of the award pool or the maximum award for any participant.

     Incentive compensation for 2006 will be determined in accordance with the Management Incentive Plan.

Equity-Based Awards. In 2005, the Compensation Committee granted awards of restricted stock units to selected executive officers under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan. Grants of restricted stock units made to the named executive officers are shown in the “Long-Term Compensation Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

     One-third of the units vest on each anniversary of the grant date beginning with the second anniversary of the grant date. Units convert to unrestricted shares of stock on the date they vest, except that with respect to units granted in 2005 and later years, executive officers covered by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code may make an advance election to select the date as of which their vested units will be settled in stock. If such executive officer is covered by Section 162(m) on the selected conversion date, the resulting payment may not be fully deductible by the Company for federal income tax purposes. (See below for a more detailed discussion of Code Section 162(m).) In 2005, the Compensation Committee made a grant to Mr. Grubbs of 60,000 stock units.

Retirement Benefits. Messrs. Grubbs and Letham participate in a supplemental pension plan. The plan is described under the heading “Pension Plan Table” in this Proxy Statement.

13


     Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of executive compensation paid to the chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated officers of a public company to $1,000,000 per year, but contains an exception for certain performance-based compensation. Base salary does not by its nature qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m). It is the policy of the Company to structure its incentive and equity-based compensation in a manner which will avoid the limitations imposed by Section 162(m) to the extent it can reasonably do so consistent with its goal of retaining and motivating its executives in a cost effective manner. The Company’s previous grants of stock options under its stock option plans and awards under its Management Incentive Plan qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m). Restricted stock units granted under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan generally are not considered performance-based, and may not be fully deductible if paid to an executive officer while he is subject to Section 162(m). (Retirement benefits generally are not subject to Section 162(m) since they typically are paid when the executives are no longer covered by Section 162(m).)

F. Philip Handy

Lord James Blyth
Robert L. Crandall
Melvyn N. Klein
George Muñoz
Stuart M. Sloan
Thomas C. Theobald

14


REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE

     Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter (a copy of which is available on the Company’s website at http://www.anixter.com/ AXECOM/ US.NSF/ InvestorRelations/ CorporateGovernance), the function of the Audit Committee is to oversee (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function. While the Audit Committee has the duties and powers set forth in its Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the Company’s financial statements and disclosures are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations. Management is responsible for the preparation, presentation, and integrity of the Company’s financial statements and for the appropriateness of the accounting principles and reporting policies that are used by the Company. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing the Company’s financial statements and for reviewing the Company’s unaudited interim financial statements.

     In fulfilling our oversight responsibilities, we reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with management, including a discussion of the quality, not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the disclosures in the financial statements.

     We reviewed with the independent auditors, who are responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those audited financial statements with generally accepted accounting principles, their judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability of the Company’s accounting principles and such other matters as are required to be discussed with the Committee under generally accepted auditing standards (including Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61). In addition, we discussed with the independent auditors the auditors’ independence from management and the Company, including the matters in the written disclosures required by the Independence Standards Board (including Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1), and considered the compatibility of nonaudit services provided by the auditors to the Company with their independence.

     We discussed with the Company’s internal and independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee regularly meets with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations, their evaluations of the Company’s internal controls, and the overall quality of the Company’s financial reporting. The Committee also reviews proposed interim financial statements with management and the independent auditors. We held nine meetings during fiscal year 2005.

     In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors (and the Board of Directors has accepted that recommendation) that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee selects, subject to shareholder ratification, the Company’s independent auditors.

Melvyn N. Klein

Robert L. Crandall
George Muñoz
Stuart Sloan

15


PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     Below is a graph comparing total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock over the last five years with a broad equity market index and a peer group index as required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

(PERFORMANCE GRAPH)

             
ANIXTER INTL INCRussell 2000 IndexPEER GROUP



2000  100.00   100.00   100.00 
2001  134.15   102.58   126.41 
2002  107.50   81.56   97.06 
2003  119.64   120.10   129.33 
2004  173.32   142.12   158.27 
2005  207.65   148.61   178.76 

     The Company’s Peer Group Index consists of the following companies: Agilysys Inc., Arrow Electronics Inc., Avnet Inc., Fastenal Company, W.W. Grainger Inc., Ingram Micro, MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc., Park Ohio Holdings Corp., Richardson Electronics Ltd., and Tech Data Corp. This peer group was selected based on a review of publicly available information about these companies and the Company’s determination that they are engaged in distribution businesses similar to that of the Company.

16


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 2006,21, 2008, certain information with respect to the Common Stock that may be deemed to be beneficially owned (including options exercisable within 60 days) by each director or nominee for director of the Company, the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and by all directors and officers as a group.

               
Options
Commonfor CommonPercent               
StockStockTotalof ClassOptions




Commonfor CommonPercent
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
             StockStockTotalof Class
Lord James Blyth  29,827(2)    29,827  * 



Linda Walker Bynoe  799(3)    799  * 
Robert L. Crandall  21,947(4)    21,947  * 
F. Philip Handy  91,887(5)    91,887  * 
Melvyn N. Klein  45,327(6)    45,327  * 
George Muñoz  5,123(7)    5,123  * 
Stuart Sloan  65,357(2)    65,357  * 
Thomas C. Theobald  55,732(8)    55,732  * 
Matthew Zell  19,703(9)    19,703  * 
Samuel Zell  5,235,858(10)    5,235,858  13.5%
Robert W. Grubbs  211,354(11)  1,134,675  1,346,029  3.4%(12)
Dennis J. Letham  123,530(13)  408,714  532,244  1.4%(12)
John A. Dul  22,544(14)  33,341  55,885  * 
Terrance A. Faber  14,819(15)  14,740  29,559  * 
Rodney A. Shoemaker  11,531(16)  22,813  34,344  * 
Lord James BlythLord James Blyth  34,390(2)    34,390  * 
Linda Walker BynoeLinda Walker Bynoe  7,926(3)    7,926  * 
Robert L. CrandallRobert L. Crandall  27,145(4)    27,145  * 
F. Philip HandyF. Philip Handy  86,636(5)    86,636  * 
Melvyn N. KleinMelvyn N. Klein  45,542(6)    45,542  * 
George MuñozGeorge Muñoz  10,950(7)    10,950  * 
Stuart SloanStuart Sloan  69,997(8)    69,997  * 
Thomas C. TheobaldThomas C. Theobald  68,410(9)    68,410  * 
Matthew ZellMatthew Zell  24,092(10)    24,092  * 
Samuel ZellSamuel Zell  4,959,002(11)    4,959,002  13.9(12)
Robert W. GrubbsRobert W. Grubbs  219,715(13)  517,424  737,139  2.0(12)
Dennis J. LethamDennis J. Letham  131,707(14)  294,554  426,261  1.2(12)
Robert J. EckRobert J. Eck  34,338(15)  35,946  70,284  * 
John A. DulJohn A. Dul  24,201(16)  26,906  51,107  * 
Terrance A. FaberTerrance A. Faber  20,425(17)  14,740  35,165  * 
All directors and executive officers as a group including the above named personsAll directors and executive officers as a group including the above named persons  5,966,045  1,635,340  7,601,385  18.8%(12)All directors and executive officers as a group including the above named persons  5,798,069  925,836  6,723,905  18.4(12)


 *Percentage of shares beneficially owned does not exceed one percent of the class.

 (1) Unless otherwise indicated, each person included in the group has sole investment power and sole voting power with respect to the securities beneficially owned by such person.
 
 (2) Includes 29,82734,390 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
 (3) Includes 7995,926 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.granted and 2,000 shares owned by Ms. Bynoe’s husband to which Ms. Bynoe disclaims beneficial ownership.
 
 (4) Includes 19,94725,145 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
 (5) Includes 3,0927,841 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.

30


(6) Includes 13,142 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
 (6) Includes 8,927 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted and includes 4,000 shares held in trust for Mr. Klein’s minor children and of which Mr. Klein disclaims beneficial ownership.
(7) Includes 2,4157,542 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
 (8) Includes 8,9277,055 common stockstocks units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
 (9) Includes 14,2037,093 common stocks units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted and 3,00 shares held in trust for children to which Mr. Theobald disclaims beneficial ownership.

(10) Includes 18,592 common stocks units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.

17


(10)(11) The shares of Common Stock shown in this table include: 1,000 shares held by the Helen Zell Revocable Trust, the trustee of which is Helen Zell, spouse of Mr. Zell; 4,647,147 of such shares are owned by Samstock/ SIT, L.L.C., which is held by trusts established for the benefit of Mr. Zell and his family (the “Zell Trusts”). 55,588 of such shares are owned by Samstock/ ZFT, L.L.C., whose sole member is ZFT Partnership, of which the general partners are the Zell Trusts. 55,587 shares are owned by Samstock/ Alpha, L.L.C., whose sole member is Alphabet Partners, of which the general partners are the Zell Trusts. The trustee of the Zell Trusts is Chai Trust Company, L.L.C. (“Chai Trust”). Mr. Zell is not an officer or director of Chai Trust and does not have voting or dispositive power over such common shares; 285,000 of such shares are owned by Samstock/ SZRT, L.L.C., whose sole member is the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust.shares. Mr. Zell is sole trustee and beneficiary of the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust; and 169,075 shares and 23,46130,605 common stock units are owned directly by Mr. Zell. Common stock units convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted. (See “Security Ownership of Principal Stockholders” below).
(11) Includes 154,439 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted. Of these shares, 4,702,734 shares are pledged.
 
(12) All options are exercisable within 60 days of the date of this table which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the person or persons for whom the calculation is being made are deemed to have been exercised for the purposepurposes of calculating this percentage.
 
(13) Includes 63,479140,301 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
(14) Includes 20,54552,504 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
(15) Includes 11,83424,229 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.
 
(16) Includes 9,41614,286 common stock units which convert to Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the time determined when the stock units were granted.

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table provides information as of March 31, 2006 with respect to the shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans.

               
Number of SecuritiesWeighted-AverageNumber of Securities
to be Issued UponExercise Price ofRemaining Available
Exercise of OutstandingOutstandingfor Future Issuance
Options, Warrants,Options, Warrants,Under Equity
and Rightsand RightsCompensation Plans(4)



Equity compensation plans approved by security holders  3,758,942  $18.49(3)  188,435 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:            
 2001 Mid-level stock option plan  231,213(1) $21.54   0 
 1998 Mid-level stock option plan  14,040(2) $14.91   0 
   
   
   
 
  Total  4,004,195  $18.70   188,435 
   
   
   
 

(1) Pursuant to this Plan, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors can approve the grant to mid-level employees of options to purchase up to 700,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“Shares”). The exercise price of the option shall not be less than the fair market value of a corresponding number of Shares as of the date of grant, no person may be granted options to purchase more than 25,000 Shares, no options may be granted to any officer and no options may be granted after the 2001 annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders. Options granted vest annually in fourths beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
 
(2)(17) PursuantIncludes 10,975 common stocks units which convert to this Plan,Common Stock on a 1 for 1 basis at the Compensation Committee oftime determined when the Board of Directors can approve the grant to mid-level employees of options to purchase up to 360,500 shares of the Company’s Common Stockstock units were granted.

1831


(“Shares”). The exercise price of the option shall not be less than 85% of the fair market value of a corresponding number of Shares as of the date of grant, no person may be granted options to purchase more than 5,000 Shares and no options may be granted after December 31, 1998. Options granted vest annually in fourths beginning on the anniversary of the grant date.
(3) Excludes from the weighted-average price (but not from the number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights) 867,629 stock units that have been granted at no cost to the participant.
(4) Shares represented in this column are available under the 2001 Stock Incentive Plan.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth information as of March 31, 200621, 2008 with respect to each person who is known by the management of the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial owner has sole voting and investment power.

           
TitleName and Address ofAmount and Nature ofPercent
of ClassBeneficial OwnerBeneficial Ownershipof Class




Common Ariel Capital Management Inc.LLC  7,522,8696,792,432(1)   19.3%19.1% 
  200 East Randolph Drive        
  Suite 2900        
  Chicago, Illinois 60601        
Common Samstock/SZRT, L.L.C.285,000(2)13.5%
Samstock/SIT, L.L.C.  4,647,147(2)   13.9% 
  Samstock/ZFT, L.L.C.  55,588(2)     
  Samstock/Alpha, L.L.C.  55,587(2)     
  Samuel Zell  192,536200,680(2)     
  Two North Riverside Plaza        
  Chicago, Illinois 60606        
Common Lord, Abbett & Co. L.L.C.  3,016,2963,882,638(3)   7.8%10.9% 
  90 Hudson Street        
  Jersey City, NJ 07302        
Common Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc.Neuberger Berman LLC  2,684,6662,486,290(4)   6.9%7.0% 
  World Financial Center, North Tower
250 Vesey Street605 Third Avenue        
  New York, NY 1038110158        

(1) According to a Schedule 13G, dated February 13, 2006,12, 2008, Ariel Capital Management Inc.LLC has sole power to vote 6,065,8945,451,222 shares and sole power to dispose of 7,522,8696,777,532 shares.
 
(2) Samstock/SZRT, L.L.C. is a limited liability company whose sole member is the Samuel Zell Revocable Trust, of which Samuel Zell is the trustee and beneficiary. Samstock/ SIT, L.L.C. is a limited liability company whose sole member is the Sam Investment Trust, whose trustee is the Chai Trust Company, L.L.C., a limited liability company.company (“Chai Trust”). The beneficiaries of the Sam Investment Trust are Samuel Zell and members of his family. Samstock/ZFT, L.L.C. is a limited liability company whose sole member is ZFT Partnership, an Illinois general partnership, whose sole partners are various trusts for the benefit of Samuel Zell and members of his family.family (the “Zell Trusts”). Samstock/Alpha, L.L.C. is a limited liability company whose sole member is Alphabet Partners, an Illinois general partnership, whose sole partners are various trusts for the benefitZell Trusts. The trustee of Samuelall of the Zell Trusts is Chai Trust. Mr. Zell is not an officer or director of Chai Trust and members of his family.does not have voting or dispositive power over such shares. The amounts shown for Mr. Zell include 23,4611,000 shares held by Helen Zell Revocable Trust to which Mr. Zell disclaims beneficial ownership and 30,605 common stock units.
 
(3) According to a Schedule 13G, dated February 1, 2006,14, 2008, Lord, Abbett & Co. L.L.C. has sole power to vote 3,669,786 shares and sole power to dispose of 3,016,2963,882,638 shares.
 
(4) According to a Schedule 13G, dated February 8, 2006, Merrill Lynch & Co. (on behalf of Merrill Lynch Investment Managers)13, 2008, Neuberger Berman LLC has shared votingsole power to vote 371,580 shares and shared dispositive power to vote 2,001,395 shares and shared power to dispose of 2,684,6662,486,290 shares.

19CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     In 2007, one of the Company’s large international customers requested delivery of cabling and network infrastructure products to support a project in a foreign country in which the Company did not have a presence. To support this customer, during the period from December 30, 2006 through December 28, 2007, the Company sold $0.3 million of products to an entity with a presence in the foreign country (the “Reseller”). The Reseller will resell such products to local contractors working on the project. Our Chairman, Samuel Zell, holds an indirect pecuniary interest in an entity which holds approximately 20 percent of the outstanding stock of the Reseller. As a result of this indirect pecuniary interest, Mr. Zell may be deemed to have an interest in the sales value of these transactions. Profits accruing to the benefit of the Reseller overall were de minimis. Total sales to the Reseller over the life of the project were approximately $1.6 million.

32


     David Grubbs, brother of Robert Grubbs, has an interest in Network Products Inc. and Structured Innovations Ltd., each of which acts as a manufacturer representative (together, the “Representatives”) to certain Company suppliers. The suppliers’ relationship with the Company predates their relationship with the Representatives. Although the Company is not a party to any arrangements between the Representatives and the Company’s suppliers, the Company is aware that the Representatives receive a commission from such suppliers on the Company’s sales of such suppliers’ products into certain regions. Total Company sales (on a cost of goods sold basis) of these suppliers’ products in 2007 were approximately $130.0 million. Company sales into regions for which the Representatives receive a commission were approximately $23.3 million.

     Various Company policies and procedures, which include the Business Ethics and Conduct Policy (applicable to all directors and executive officers) and annual questionnaires completed by all Company directors and executive officers, require disclosure of transactions or relationships that may constitute conflicts of interest or otherwise require disclosure under applicable SEC rules. The Audit Committee reviews and, where necessary, approves transactions throughout the year, as they arise. At the Audit Committee’s February meeting it reviews transactions that require disclosure in the Proxy Statement under applicable SEC rules, and approves the form of disclosure to be contained in the Proxy Statement.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS AND THEIR FEES

     The Audit Committee has selected Ernst & Young LLP for reappointment as independent auditors of the Company for 2006.2008. Ernst & Young LLP (and predecessor firm) have audited the Company’s financial statements since 1980. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, who are expected to be present at the meeting, will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and to respond to appropriate questions asked by stockholders.

Audit Fees

     Fees for audit services totaled approximately $2,818,700$3,643,300 in 20052007 and approximately $2,986,100$3,061,500 in 2004,2006, including fees associated with the annual audit, reviews of the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, other SEC filings, statutory audits of foreign subsidiaries, and the audit of management’s assessment and Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Audit-Related Fees

     Fees for audit-related services totaled approximately $8,000$3,000 in 20052007 and approximately $59,300$3,000 in 2004.2006.

Tax Fees

     Fees for tax services, including tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning, (including expatriate tax services), totaled approximately $358,400$250,600 in 20052007 and approximately $513,000$361,100 in 2004.2006.

All Other Fees

     There were no fees for other services in 20052007 or 2004.2006.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

     The Audit Committee’s current practice is to consider for pre-approval annually all audit and non-audit services (including tax services) proposed to be provided by the independent auditors each year. The pre-approval policy is set forth in an Audit Committee position statement. In setting forth pre-approved services in its position statement, the Audit Committee details the particular services that may be provided and the policy reason why it is logical to use Ernst & Young, as opposed to another service provider for such services. Additional services may be provided without additional approval of the Audit Committee, so long as such services are pre-approved in the Audit Committee position statement, and the fees associated with such services do not exceed limits approved by the Audit Committee. Should the need arise to consider engaging Ernst & Young to provide non-audit services beyond the scope of what is outlined in the position statement or

33


in an amount in excess of the amounts pre-approved by the Audit Committee, management shallwill bring such proposals to the Audit Committee Chairman for consideration. The Audit Committee Chairman shall havehas the authority to either act on behalf of the Audit Committee or to call a special meeting of the Audit Committee to consider any such proposal. In the event that the Audit Committee Chairman acts on behalf of the Audit Committee and pre-approves such service, the decision shall beis reported at the next meeting of the full Audit Committee. In considering whether to approve non-audit services, the Audit Committee considers whether the provision of such services by Ernst & Young is compatible with the maintenance of that firm’s independence.

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SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Based solely upon its review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 furnished to the Company pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and written representations from the officers and directors that no other reports were required, the Company believes that all of its directors, officers and beneficial owners of more than 10% of its common stock filed all such reports on a timely basis during 2005.2007.

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 20072009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Company at its principal offices by December 8, 20062008 in order to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and Proxy relating to the 20072009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. In order for other business to be considered at the 20072009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, it must be received by the Company on or before April 3, 2007.March 29, 2009.

CONCLUSION

     The Board of Directors knows of no other matters to be presented for stockholder action at the meeting. However, if other matters do properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the proxies will vote upon them in accordance with their best judgment.

April 10, 20068, 2008

 By Order of the Board of Directors
 
 (-s- JOHN A. DUL)
 JOHN A. DUL,Secretary

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APPENDIX A

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.

2006 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1. PURPOSE AND EFFECTIVE DATE. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Anixter International Inc. (the “Company”) has established this 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to facilitate the retention and continued motivation of key employees, consultants and directors and to align more closely their interests with those of the Company and its stockholders. The effective date of the Plan shall be the date it is approved by the Company’s stockholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

2. ADMINISTRATION. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, such other Board committee as the Board may designate, or by the Board itself (the “Committee”). The Committee shall be comprised of at least two members of the Board who satisfy the “non-employee director” definition set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the “outside director” definition under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations thereunder. The Committee has the authority and responsibility for the interpretation, administration and application of the provisions of the Plan, and the Committee’s interpretations of the Plan, and all actions taken by it and determinations made by it shall be binding on all persons. The Committee may, subject to the provisions of the Plan, establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan. No Board or Committee member shall be liable for any determination, decision or action made in good faith with respect to the Plan.

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN.

     (a) A total of 1,700,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company (“Shares”) may be issued pursuant to the Plan. The Shares may be authorized but unissued Shares or Shares reacquired by the Company and held in its treasury. If all or any portion of the Shares otherwise subject to any award under the Plan are not delivered for any reason, including but not limited to, the cancellation, expiration, forfeiture or termination of any award, the settlement of any award in cash, the withholding of any portion of an award or of any Shares to fulfill the Company’s tax withholding obligations when income is recognized by participants in the Plan with respect to an award, such number of Shares shall be available again for issuance under the Plan.

     (b) The maximum number of Shares as to which a key employee can receive stock options in any calendar year is 400,000. No person may be granted, in any period of two consecutive years, awards covering more than an aggregate of 750,000 Shares. No more than 1,000,000 Shares may be issued pursuant to awards other than stock options or stock appreciation rights. The maximum number of Shares that may be subject to incentive stock options is 1,700,000.

     (c) In the event of any reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, stock distribution, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, subdivision, consolidation or exchange of shares, any change in the capital structure of the Company, any payment of an extraordinary dividend or any similar corporate transaction, the Committee shall make such adjustments as it deems appropriate, in its sole discretion, to preserve the benefits or intended benefits of the Plan and awards granted under the Plan. Such adjustments may include: (i) adjustment in the number and kind of Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan; (ii) adjustment in the number and kind of Shares covered by outstanding awards; (iii) adjustment in the exercise price of outstanding stock options or stock appreciation rights, or the price of other awards under the Plan; (iv) adjustments to any of the Share limitations set forth above; and (v) any other changes that the Committee determines to be equitable under the circumstances.

4. ELIGIBILITY. All key employees, consultants and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to be selected to receive a grant under the Plan by the Committee. The Committee may condition eligibility under the Plan or participation under the Plan, and any grant or exercise of an award under the Plan on such conditions, limitations or restrictions as the Committee determines to be appropriate for any reason.

A-1


5. AWARDS. The Committee may grant awards under the Plan to eligible persons in the form of stock options (including incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code), stock grants, stock units, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance shares and units and dividend equivalent rights, and shall establish the number of Shares subject to each such award and the terms thereof, subject to the following:

     (a) All awards granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by agreements in such form and containing such terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall prescribe.
     (b) The exercise price of any option or stock appreciation right shall not be less than the fair market value of a corresponding number of Shares as of the date of grant and the term will not be more than 10 years.
     (c) The Committee may, in its discretion, provide that any award granted under the Plan shall be subject to the attainment of performance goals. Performance goals may be based on one or more business criteria, including but not limited to: operating income; return on equity; earnings or earnings per share; Share price; return on assets; return on investment; cash flow; net income; expense management; or revenue growth. Performance goals may be absolute in their terms or measured against or in relationship to the performance of other companies or indices selected by the Committee. In addition, performance goals may be adjusted for any events or occurrences (including acquisition expenses, extraordinary charges, losses from discontinued operations, restatements and accounting charges and restructuring expenses), as may be determined by the Committee. With respect to each performance period established by the Committee, the Committee shall establish such performance goals relating to one or more of the selected business criteria and targets for participants for achievement of performance goals. The performance goals and performance targets established by the Committee may be identical for all participants for a given performance period or, at the discretion of the Committee, may differ among participants. Following the completion of each performance period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which performance goals for that performance period have been achieved and shall authorize the award of Shares or cash, as applicable, to the participant for whom the targets were established, in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements.
     (d) No option or stock appreciation right may be repriced by amendment, substitution or cancellation and regrant. Adjustments pursuant to Section 3(c) above shall not be considered repricing.

6. AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors or the Committee may from time to time suspend, terminate, revise or amend the Plan or the terms of any grant in any respect whatsoever without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, unless such approval is required by applicable law, regulation or rule of any stock exchange on which the shares are listed.

7. APPLICABLE LAW. The Plan shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of any state, and in the case of incentive stock options, Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code.

8. TERM OF PLAN. No awards shall be granted under the Plan on or after the 10th anniversary of the Plan’s effective date.

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ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO FUTURE DOCUMENTS
NOW AVAILABLE

Anixter International Inc. (the “Company”) provides its annual reports and proxy solicitation materials, including notices to shareholders of annual meetings and proxy statements, over the Internet. If you give your consent to access these documents over the Internet, the Company will advise you when these documents become available on the Internet. Providing these documents over the Internet will reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. Once you give your consent, it will remain in effect until you notify the Company or the Company’s transfer agent, National City Bank, Cleveland, OH, that you wish to resume mail delivery of the annual reports and proxy statements. Even though you give your consent, you still have the right at any time to request copies of these documents.
To give your consent, mark the box located on the attached card below.

êPlease fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.ê

This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned stockholder. Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of all nominees, FOR proposal 2, and FOR proposal 3.
1.Election of the following nominees as directors:
oFOR all nomineeso    WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below).             to vote for all nominees listed below.
Nominees:Lord James BlythLinda Walker BynoeRobert L. CrandallRobert W. Grubbs Jr.F. Philip HandyMelvyn N. Klein
George MuñozStuart M. SloanThomas C. TheobaldMatthew ZellSamuel Zell
(INSTRUCTIONS: Write the name of the nominee(s) from whom you are withholding your vote in this space.)
   
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.(ANIXTER LOGO)
         
2.Approval of the Company’s 2006 Stock Incentive Plan.
c/o     FORo     AGAINSTo     ABSTAIN
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Auditors for fiscal 2006.
3.Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors.
o     FORo     AGAINSTo     ABSTAIN
In their discretion, such other matters as properly may come before the meeting or at any adjournment(s) thereof.
oPlease check this box if you intend to be present at meeting.
oBy checking this box, I consent to access future annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and other materials and shareholder communications electronically via the Internet at a webpage which will be disclosed to me.
(Please sign and date the proxy card on the reverse side.)
National City Bank
        Corporate Trust Operations
        Locator 5352
        P. O. Box 94509
        Cleveland, OH 44101-4509

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS
FOR THE STOCKHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON MAY 13, 2008.


(ANIXTER LOGO)The 2008 Proxy Statement is available at
www.anixter.com/axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/SECDocuments

c/o National City BankThe 2007 Annual Report is available at
Corporate Trust Operations
Locator 5352
P.O. Box 92301
Cleveland, OH 44101-4301www.anixter.com/axecom/US.NSF/InvestorRelations/AnnualReports

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
Regardless of whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, you can be sure your
shares are represented at the meeting by promptly returning your proxy in the enclosed envelope.

êâPlease fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.êâ

 

ANIXTER INTERNATIONAL INC.
Proxy Solicited by and On Behalf of the Board of Directors
The undersigned hereby appoints John A. Dul, Dennis J. Letham and Robert W. Grubbs and each of them (with full power of substitution in each) proxies of the undersigned to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Anixter International Inc. to be held at 9:008:30 A.M., Central time, May 18, 2006,13, 2008, at 2301 Patriot Boulevard, Glenview,Two North Riverside Plaza, 24th Floor, Chicago, Illinois, and at any adjournment thereof, all of the shares of Common Stock of Anixter International Inc. in the name of the undersigned on the record date.

     
Dated:   , 20062008
 
Signature
(Signature if held jointly)
IMPORTANT: Please date this proxy and sign exactly as your name
appears hereon. If stock is held jointly, both holders should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and others signing in a representative capacity should give full title.


PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.


ELECTRONIC ACCESS TO FUTURE DOCUMENTS
NOW AVAILABLE
Anixter International Inc. (the “Company”) provides its annual reports and proxy solicitation materials, including notices to stockholders of annual meetings and proxy statements, over the Internet. If you give your consent to access these documents over the Internet, the Company will advise you when these documents become available on the Internet. Providing these documents over the Internet will reduce the Company’s printing and postage costs. Once you give your consent, it will remain in effect until you notify the Company or the Company’s transfer agent, National City Bank, Cleveland, OH, that you wish to resume mail delivery of the annual reports and proxy statements. Even though you give your consent, you still have the right at any time to request copies of these documents.
To give your consent, mark the box located on the attached card below.

âPlease fold and detach card at perforation before mailing.â

This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed by the undersigned stockholder. Unless otherwise specified, this proxy
will be voted FOR the election of all nominees and FOR proposal 2.
    
1.Election of the following nominees as directors:
oFORall nomineesoWITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below).to vote for all nominees listed below.
Nominees:Lord James BlythLinda Walker Bynoe     Robert L. CrandallRobert J. Eck
Robert W. Grubbs Jr.F. Philip Handy     Melvyn N. KleinGeorge Muñoz
Stuart M. SloanThomas C. Theobald     Matthew ZellSamuel Zell
(INSTRUCTIONS: Write the name of the nominee(s) from whom you are withholding your vote in this space.)
    
     
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s Independent Auditors for fiscal 2008.
 
Signature
     
2.Ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as Independent Auditors. 
(Signature if held jointly)o FORo AGAINSTo ABSTAIN  
    
In their discretion, such other matters as properly may come before the meeting or at any adjournment(s) thereof.
 
IMPORTANT: oPlease check this box if you intend to be present at meeting.
oBy checking this box, I consent to access future annual reports, proxy statements, prospectuses and other materials and stockholder communications
electronically via the Internet at a webpage which will be disclosed to me.
(Please sign and date thisthe proxy and sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If stock is held jointly, both holders should sign. Executors, administrators, trustees, guardians and others signing in a representative capacity should give full title.card on the reverse side.)

PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.