Innovation is embedded in our DNA. Graybar founder Elisha Gray lived it then—he was an inventor with more than 70 patents to his name. And Graybar lives it today—we thrive on helping solve complex issues for the 21st century.

Martinsville Speedway, illuminated with LED lights provided by Graybar.

Longtime race fans know that the historic Martinsville Speedway in Virginia is the only track remaining from NASCAR’s original schedule. So when it became the first major motorsports facility in the country to install LED lights for nighttime racing, it sent shockwaves through the racing community. “Light Up Martinsville” illuminated the track like never before. Graybar provided a turnkey solution including four 100-foot poles on the infield and 15 poles around the perimeter of the grandstand.

When the switch was officially flipped, Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell said, “With these lights now in place, we’re looking forward to a bigger and better future—and certainly a brighter one.” Speedway officials gave Graybar credit for its smooth and effective management of the installation, saying the new lights would create a better visual experience for fans in person as well as those watching on TV.

The same drive for excellence guided Graybar’s work on a major NFL stadium.

Graybar was bleeding purple when construction began in early 2014 on U.S. Bank Stadium, the new home of the Minnesota Vikings. Graybar supplied materials but also stored and staged material for the switchgear, including more than 750 panel board tubs. That way, material didn’t have to all be taken to the site at once. And Graybar’s wire and cable management services helped the contractor save time, money and material by performing more than 4,500 wire cuts on more than 91 miles of feeder cable for the project.

U.S. Bank Stadium during Super Bowl LII in 2018. Photo credit: Tony Webster

Graybar also helped with the data communications side of the project, providing 1.5 million feet of copper cable, 125,000 feet of fiber optic cable, more than 4,000 fiber connectors, and a combination of more than 75 racks and cabinets—as well as warehouse space for staging, wire-cutting and kitting. The company provided components for two of the largest and highest-quality HD video boards in the NFL, too.

U.S. Bank stadium was the first in the NFL to use LED sports lights, which reduced installation loads by 37 percent and consume 75 percent less energy than traditional lights.

Today, as it was in the 19th century, high-profile projects with innovative solutions continue to be right up our alley.