Bill Collins Joins Anixter as Vice President of Network Services; Leading Network Integrator Continues to Expand Service Operations

Business Wire, Jan 14, 1999

SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 1998--Anixter Inc., a leading international network integrator, announced today that industry executive Bill Collins has joined the company as Senior Vice President of Network Services.

Collins will take on a key role within Anixter's Network Integration business unit. He will have overall responsibility for the rapidly growing Network Services organization, reporting directly to Scott Wilson, President of Anixter's Network Integration business unit.

Collins has more than 28 years of experience in the information technology field, including experience in business reengineering, systems integration, high-level consulting, sophisticated systems development and professional services. Over the past 15 years, Collins has held several leadership roles in the information technology business. Prior to joining Anixter, he was Chief Operating Officer for Cap Gemini America, a leading multinational IT consulting company, and Executive Vice President for Interactive Business Systems, a private international IT consulting company. In addition, Collins spent several years as a principal for Arthur Young's consulting practice, running large Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) projects.

"Anixter has become the leading provider of full life cycle network integration solutions in North America and we're delighted to have someone with Bill's extensive background and industry knowledge leading the way, as we continue to broaden our offering and strengthen our leadership position," said Scott Wilson, President of Anixter's Network Integration business unit.

In his new role, Collins will have total responsibility for Anixter's Network Services organization. This will include developing and launching new service offerings to enhance the proprietary Anixter network life cycle, as well as strengthening Anixter's existing service offerings, which encompass all phases of the network integration process from planning through implementation and support.

"Anixter's Network Services group has tremendous resources and technical capabilities. We will work hard to provide the level and quality of services that new network technologies require. . . and our customers are demanding," stated Collins.

Collins, now a resident of Columbus, Ohio, will be relocating to the Chicago area, home to Anixter's corporate headquarters.

About Anixter

Anixter Inc. (NYSE: AXE), a Fortune 500 company, is an international integration and distribution specialist. Anixter's Network Integration business unit's offerings include assessment, design, implementation and operational support for a wide range of technology products from leading manufacturers.

Anixter's 100,000 customers include Fortune 1,000 companies as well as institutions in the education, healthcare, finance and government sectors. Founded in 1957 and headquartered in Skokie, Ill., the company currently employs 6,300 people operating in 180 locations across 40 countries. Anixter is the only nonmanufacturing principal member of the ATM Forum, and is also actively involved in many leading industry organizations, such as IEEE, BICSI and ANSI. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.anixter.com.