Sonepar

Sonepar

Company type	Privately held company
Industry	Electrical products distribution
Founded	1969
Headquarters	Paris , France
Area served	40 countries
Key people	Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette (1998–2024), Philippe Delpech (since 2024)
Products	Electrical goods and services
Parent	Colam Entreprendre (family holding entity)

Sonepar () is a privately held distributor specializing in electrical products, with its main office located in Paris, France. The enterprise operates across 40 countries under the umbrella of 90 distinct brands. Established in 1969, the group reported revenues of €32.5 billion in 2024.

History

The origins of Sonepar trace back to 1969 when the Coisne and Lambert families acquired Comptoir d'Électricité Franco-Belge (CEFB), marking the beginning of a series of acquisitions throughout the 1970s. During the 1980s, the company expanded its footprint internationally by acquiring firms such as Technische Unie in the Netherlands, Otto Kuhmann in Germany, and Lumen in Canada. In 2000, the family holding entity Colam Entreprendre was created to unify ownership among family members.

Sonepar’s growth in the United States accelerated from 1998 onward, starting with the acquisition of Eagle Electric based in Boston, followed by various smaller purchases that established its distribution network across the country. By 2004, Sonepar USA achieved sales totaling $1 billion. The acquisition of Hagemeyer in 2007 markedly enhanced Sonepar’s market share in both North America and the Asia–Pacific region. By 2009, Sonepar had become the foremost global distributor of electrical components, with the U.S. standing out as its largest market.

In 2020, Sonepar committed to Industry 4.0 advancements by investing $1 billion into a cutting-edge global management platform designed to promote digital innovation and improve operational performance.

Activities

As a global distributor of electrical goods and services, Sonepar operates in 40 countries under 90 brand names as of 2024. The company’s headquarters are situated in Paris, France, and it recorded €32.5 billion in sales for that year. The United States represents its biggest market segment, where Sonepar is headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina, and reported sales of $13.8 billion in 2023.

Governance

• 1998–2024: Marie-Christine Coisne-Roquette
• Since 2024: Philippe Delpech