CNW Electrical Wholesale

What CNW Electrical Wholesale does

CNW Electrical Wholesale is a 100% Australian family-owned electrical distribution company founded in 1952, headquartered in Redcliffe and operating as part of BGW Group. The company distributes a comprehensive range of electrical products — including switches and sockets, cable and wire, lighting, air conditioning, industrial switchgear, conduit, data infrastructure, smart home and EV charging systems, solar components, smoke alarms, air movement equipment, tools, safety/PPE, and hardware consumables — sourced from 50+ tier-one supplier brands such as Schneider Electric, Clipsal, Hager, Legrand, NHP, Daikin, Haier, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Haneco Lighting. Distribution occurs through a national branch network covering all eight Australian states and territories (QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA, TAS, NT, ACT), complemented by a full e-commerce platform (shop.cnw.com.au), native iOS and Android mobile apps, and an ERP Integration Hub for business customers, with same-day/next-day delivery available for orders placed before midday.

The business model is wholesale distribution: revenue is generated through hardware sales to trade account holders, "Instant Account" online customers, and walk-in cash purchasers, at trade pricing that is not publicly disclosed. CNW targets SMB electrical contractors and tradespeople as its primary segment, with secondary segments including small business tradespeople, builders, and DIY consumers. Marketing is conducted primarily through the company's own e-commerce storefront, store locator, mobile apps, seasonal promotional campaigns (e.g., the Big One 2026 promotion running July–September 2026), and customer testimonials. The Essential Range programme offers value-focused pricing on tier-one brand products across switches, cables, lighting, and hardware. Pricing requires account login and is not publicly disclosed. Leadership includes CEO Simon Baynes; no other management team or board details are publicly available.

Name

CNW Electrical Wholesale

Legal name

CNW Electrical Wholesale

Website

https://shop.cnw.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CNW Electrical Wholesale is a 100% Australian family-owned electrical distributor founded in 1952, supplying 50+ tier-one brands through a national branch network across all Australian states and a full e-commerce platform, serving SMB electrical contractors, tradespeople, and DIY customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers (42361)

SIC

Wholesale-Electrical Apparatus & Equipment, Wiring Supplies (5063)

akta.pro primary industry

Lighting & Electrical Supplies for Home Distribution (CRAOAFAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Electrical Supplies Retail (Wiring, Switches, Breakers, Conduit) (CRAIADAE)

Keywords

• Electrical wholesale distribution
• Trade electrical supplies
• Electrical product supply
• Lighting and cable distribution
• Air conditioning distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Redcliffe

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Electrical Product Wholesale: Wholesale distribution of electrical products including switches, sockets, cable, lighting, air conditioning, industrial equipment, tools, and accessories to trade customers. Revenue generated through product sales at wholesale prices to account holders and walk-in customers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CNW Electrical Wholesale distributes a comprehensive range of electrical products including switches, sockets, cable and wire, lighting, air conditioning, industrial equipment, tools, and accessories from over 50 trusted brands. The company serves electrical contractors, tradespeople, and builders through a national branch network across Australia combined with a full e-commerce platform offering trade pricing and same-day/next-day delivery.

Product overview

CNW Electrical Wholesale is a 100% Australian owned and operated electrical wholesaler since 1952, offering a comprehensive range of electrical products through both physical branch locations and an online e-commerce platform. The product portfolio spans multiple categories including air conditioning (split systems and ducted units from Daikin, Haier, MHI, Mitsubishi Electric), comprehensive lighting solutions (Haneco, Pierlite, SAL, Clevertronics), extensive cable and wire products, switches and sockets (Clipsal, Hager, Legrand), electrical distribution equipment (Schneider, Hager, NHP), conduit and fittings, data and communications infrastructure, industrial products (switchgear, motors, drives), smart home technology (C-Bus, Wiser, EV charging), solar products, smoke alarms, air movement equipment (Fantech, Ventair), tools and test equipment (Fluke, Klein Tools), safety/PPE, and general hardware. The company operates an online shopping platform alongside its national branch network, offering both trade account holders and instant account customers access to its full product catalog. Promotional programs like the Essential Range and seasonal campaigns provide value-focused offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Air Conditioning Products Split system air conditioners and ducted air conditioning systems plus air conditioning accessories, duct work, brackets, and consumables from brands including Daikin, Haier, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Mitsubishi Electric. Sold to electrical contractors and trade installers across Australia.
• Lighting Products Comprehensive lighting solutions including battens, bulkheads, downlights, emergency lighting, floodlights, highbay lights, oyster lights, panels, spotlights, strip lighting, and weatherproof lighting from brands like Haneco, Pierlite, SAL, and Clevertronics. Sold to electrical contractors for residential and commercial projects.
• Cable and Wire Extensive range of cables including automotive cable, building wire, coaxial cable, control cable, data cable, flat cable, flexible cable, fire cable, instrumentation cable, SDI cable, telephone cable, XLPE cable, and VSD/EMC cable from brands like Nexans, Prysmian, and Madison Technologies. Sold to electrical contractors and tradespeople.
• Switches and Sockets Electrical switches, sockets, power points, and grid plates from Clipsal, Hager, Legrand, and other brands, including weatherproof and standard configurations. Sold to electrical contractors and installers for residential and commercial applications.
• Electrical Distribution Equipment Circuit breakers, busbars, distribution boards, fuses, isolators, load centres, meter boxes, RCBOs, RCD-RCCBs, surge protection, and time relays from Schneider, Hager, NHP, and Clipsal. Sold to electrical contractors for installation projects.
• Conduit and Fittings Complete conduit solutions including corrugated conduit, flexible conduit (Anaconda), metallic conduit, rigid PVC conduit, and PVC conduit fittings including tees, adapters, bends, bushes, couplings, and junction boxes. Sold to electrical contractors for cable management.
• Data and Communications Products Data infrastructure products including adapter couplers, cabinets, disconnect modules, distribution points, patch panels, patch leads, data plugs, termination tools, and fibre accessories from Madison, Matchmaster, and other brands. Sold to data and communications installers.
• Industrial Products

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

39 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Schneider ElectriccoreOthersKey supplier partner providing circuit protection, switchgear, contactors, motor control, and industrial automation products. CNW stocks Schneider's Acti9, Easy56, and Tesys ranges among others.
• Clipsal (by Schneider Electric)coreOthersMajor supplier partner offering switches, sockets, circuit protection, load centres, smoke alarms, and home automation solutions. CNW features Clipsal Iconic, 2000 Series, Saturn, Solis, and C-Bus/Wiser ranges.
• HagercoreOthersKey supplier of circuit protection, switches, sockets, load centres, and surge protection. CNW stocks Hager Allure, Finesse, and Silhouette series.
• LegrandcoreOthersSupplier partner providing switches, sockets, circuit protection, emergency lighting, and home automation. CNW stocks Legrand/Arteor, Excel Life, and Plexo ranges.
• NHP Electrical Engineering ProductscoreOthersMajor industrial supplier partner offering circuit protection, motor control, contactors, industrial switchgear, and enclosures. CNW stocks NHP's DIN-T, MOD6, and Iso ranges.
• DaikincoreOthersAir conditioning supplier partner providing split system and ducted air conditioning units. CNW stocks Daikin Cora Series and Lite Series.
• HaiercoreOthersAir conditioning supplier providing residential and commercial air conditioning solutions. CNW stocks Haier Quartz Series and Tempo Series.
• Mitsubishi Heavy IndustriescoreOthersAir conditioning supplier partner offering split systems and ducted units. CNW stocks MHI Avanti, Bronte, Bronte WIFI, and Ciara Series.
• Haneco LightingcoreOthersLighting supplier providing residential and commercial lighting solutions including battens, downlights, floodlights, highbays, and emergency lighting.
• ClevertronicscoreOthersEmergency and commercial lighting specialist supplier. CNW stocks Clevertronics emergency battens, exits, bunkers, floods, and oyster lights.
• VentaircoreOthersAir movement specialist providing ceiling fans, exhaust fans, bathroom combinations, and inline fans. CNW stocks Ventair bathroom combinations, ceiling fans, and exhaust solutions.
• FantechminorOthersAir movement equipment supplier providing exhaust fans, ducting, and ventilation solutions.
• FlukeminorOthersTest equipment supplier providing multimeters, insulation testers, RCD testers, voltage testers, and other testing instruments.
• Klein ToolsminorOthersProfessional hand tools and test equipment supplier for electrical trades.
• HellermannTytonminorOthersCable management supplier providing cable ties, glands, lugs, terminals, and heat shrink products.
• CabacminorOthersElectrical accessories supplier providing cable ties, glands, heat shrink, lugs, and installation hardware.
• BrooksminorOthersSmoke alarm specialist providing residential and commercial smoke detection products.
• SAL (Stirling Allen Lighting)minorOthersLighting supplier providing commercial and industrial lighting including battens, panels, and downlights.
• NexansminorOthersCable and wire manufacturer supplier providing power cables, data cables, and industrial cable solutions.
• PrysmianminorOthersCable manufacturer supplier providing power and telecommunications cables for various applications.
• Madison TechnologiesminorOthersData and communications cable specialist providing networking, coaxial, and fiber optic products.
• EatonminorOthersElectrical equipment supplier providing circuit protection, switchgear, and test equipment.
• HenselminorOthersEnclosures and distribution equipment specialist providing polycarbonate and steel enclosures, load centres, and meter boxes.
• B&R EnclosuresminorOthersEnclosure specialist providing cabinets, meter boxes, and cable management solutions.
• BurndyminorOthersCable support and tray supplier providing cable tray, ladder, strut, and associated hardware.
• EzystrutminorOthersCable support systems supplier providing cable tray, ladder, strut, and mesh solutions.
• MatchmasterminorOthersAudio visual and antenna specialist providing TV antennas, splitters, coaxial products, and AV accessories.
• UniviewminorOthersSecurity systems supplier providing intercom systems and security cameras.
• SonosminorOthersAudio equipment supplier providing wireless speakers, soundbars, home theatre systems, and portable audio.
• Air AdditionsminorOthersAir conditioning accessories supplier providing brackets, duct work, and consumables for air conditioning installations.
• Australian Plastic ProfilesminorOthersPVC duct and conduit specialist providing plastic cable management solutions.
• Mitsubishi ElectricminorOthersAir conditioning supplier providing split system air conditioners including MS-ZAS, MS-ZAP, and WIFI enabled series.
• SheffieldminorOthersHand tools supplier providing drill bits, saw blades, hole saws, and cutting discs for trade use.
• MMS SafetyminorOthersSafety equipment supplier providing lockout/tagout equipment, logbooks, and test tags for electrical safety compliance.
• Pierlite (Sylvania)minorOthersCommercial and industrial lighting supplier providing battens, highbays, floodlights, and emergency lighting.
• KimberleyminorOthersHardware and accessories supplier providing anchors, cable clips, conduit saddles, and installation hardware.
• Redback LaddersminorOthersLadder specialist providing step ladders and access equipment for trade use.
• PSA (Phillip Morris)minorOthersLighting accessories and components supplier.
• Signify (formerly Philips Lighting)minorOthersLED lighting and smart lighting solutions supplier.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• John R. Turk: Australian electrical wholesaler serving trade customers across multiple eastern states; comparable customer mix, product range and physical-branch model to CNW.
• Rexel Australia: Australian arm of global electrical distributor Rexel (formerly Lawrence & Hanson); operates a national branch network stocked with the same global suppliers (Schneider, Clipsal, Hager, Legrand, NHP) and serves trade electrical customers across the country — the closest direct competitor to CNW.
• Sparky Direct: Online Australian electrical wholesaler serving trade contractors and DIY buyers with overlapping product categories (cabling, switches, lighting, accessories); represents the digital-first challenger model CNW competes against.
• Middy's (MM Electrical Merchandising): One of Australia's largest independent electrical wholesalers with over 100 branches across the country; very similar product range, supplier portfolio and trade-contractor customer focus to CNW.
• Elliott Bros: Australian electrical wholesaler serving trade customers from Western Australia and surrounding regions; direct branch-network competitor stocking overlapping global brands.
• Haymans Electrical: Australian electrical wholesaler with a regional branch network serving electrical contractors and trade customers; similar product mix and customer profile to CNW's branch operations.
• Schnap: Australian online electrical wholesaler focused on competitive pricing for trade customers across lighting, cabling and accessory categories; competes for the same trade account spend as CNW's online channel.

Broad incumbents

• Wesco: Major international electrical and broadband distribution group with Asia-Pacific operations; broader portfolio than CNW, but its electrical-supply segment competes in the same Australian market for large contractor and industrial accounts.
• Bunnings Trade (Wesfarmers): Largest Australian hardware retailer (Wesfarmers subsidiary); its growing Bunnings Trade offering targets the same electrical-contractor customer and now stocks overlapping lighting, cabling, switchgear and accessory lines at scale.

Emerging players

• Beacon Lighting: Australia's largest specialty lighting retailer with national showroom network; competes most directly with CNW's lighting category and increasingly overlaps in smart lighting and electrical accessories.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CNWElectrical

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CNW Electrical Wholesale