Exhibit (a)(5)
WESCO International, Inc. Announces Put Option
Notification for 2.625% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2025
PITTSBURGH, September 16, 2010/PRNewswire/ — WESCO International, Inc. (NYSE: WCC), today
announced that it is notifying holders of its 2.625% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2025 (the “Debentures”)
that they have an option to require WESCO to repurchase, on October 15, 2010, all or a portion of their
Debentures at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (the “Option”). The outstanding principal amount of the
Debentures is $92,327,000. Under the terms of the Debentures, WESCO will pay the repurchase price in cash.
Later today, WESCO will file a Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. In addition, WESCO’s company notice to holders (a copy of which will be attached as an exhibit
to such Schedule TO) specifying the terms, conditions and procedures for exercising the Option, will be available
through The Depository Trust Company and the paying agent, which is The Bank of New York Mellon. Each
holder must make an independent decision regarding whether to exercise the Option, and WESCO makes no
recommendation in this regard.
The opportunity of holders of Debentures to exercise the Option will commence at 9:00 a.m., New York City
time, on September 16, 2010, and will terminate at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 14, 2010. To
exercise, a holder must give notice in accordance with the terms of the Option, and a holder may withdraw an
exercise notice prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 14, 2010.
The address of The Bank of New York Mellon is Corporate Trust Operations, Reorganization Unit, 101
Barclay Street — 7 East, New York, New York 10286, Attention: David Mauer, Phone: 212-815-3687, Fax:
212-298-1915.
This press release is for informational purposes only and is not an offer to purchase, or the solicitation of an
offer to purchase, the Debentures.
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WESCO Internationa