WESCO International (WCC) 10-Q 4 Aug 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

DOCUMENT_AND_ENTITY_INFORMATIO

DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION Document	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Entity [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'WESCO INTERNATIONAL INC.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000929008	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Jun-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	44,473,103

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Adjustment to other assets / deferred tax liabilities	'	$24,700,000	'
Adjustment to prepaids and OCA / OCL	'	7,100,000	'
Adjustment to deferred tax assets and liabilities	'	'	16,200,000
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	'	'	17,500,000
Current Assets:	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	101,643,000	123,725,000	86,099,000
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $22,153 and $19,309 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,186,062,000	1,045,054,000	'
Other accounts receivable	118,088,000	130,043,000	'
Inventories, net	850,179,000	787,324,000	'
Current deferred income taxes	43,801,000	44,691,000	'
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	108,768,000	74,778,000	'
Total current assets	2,408,541,000	2,205,615,000	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $225,715 and $213,758 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	199,951,000	198,654,000	'
Intangible assets, net	475,708,000	439,167,000	'
Goodwill	1,790,853,000	1,734,391,000	'
Other assets	54,079,000	71,066,000	'
Total assets	4,929,132,000	4,648,893,000	'
Current Liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts payable	794,505,000	735,097,000	'
Accrued payroll and benefit costs	51,061,000	56,548,000	'
Short-term debt	44,962,000	37,551,000	'
Current portion of long-term debt	2,456,000	2,510,000	'
Other current liabilities	221,383,000	219,957,000	140,600,000
Total current liabilities	1,114,367,000	1,051,663,000	'
Long-term debt, net of discount of $172,683 and $174,686 in 2014 and 2013, respectively	1,520,960,000	1,447,634,000	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	44,013,000	43,471,000	'
Deferred income taxes	360,290,000	341,334,000	'
Total liabilities	3,039,630,000	2,884,102,000	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding	0	0	'
Additional capital	1,095,866,000	1,082,772,000	'
Retained earnings	1,488,722,000	1,368,386,000	'
Treasury stock, at cost; 18,241,824 and 18,179,275 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	-615,609,000	-610,430,000	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-80,020,000	-76,543,000	'
Total WESCO International stockholders' equity	1,889,502,000	1,764,791,000	'
Noncontrolling interest	-84,000	-18,000	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,889,586,000	1,764,809,000	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,929,132,000	4,648,893,000	'
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net	'	'	316,700,000
Adjustment to income taxes receivable and OCL	'	'	6,000,000
Income Taxes Receivable	'	'	14,800,000
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'
Common stock	584,000	581,000	'
Common Class B [Member]	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity:	'	'	'
Common stock	$43,000	$43,000	'

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$22,153	$19,309
Accumulated depreciation	225,715	213,758
Debt discount	$172,683	$174,686
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	0	0
Common Stock [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	210,000,000	210,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	58,373,194	58,107,304
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	44,470,801	44,267,460
Common Class B [Member]	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares, issued (in shares)	4,339,431	4,339,431
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_INC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,005,165	$1,893,953	$3,815,991	$3,702,011
Cost of goods sold	1,593,437	1,501,403	3,029,470	2,928,382
Selling, general and administrative expense	278,709	265,506	544,171	492,962
Depreciation and amortization	17,186	17,153	33,558	33,870
Income from operations	115,833	109,891	208,792	246,797
Interest expense, net	20,337	21,769	41,025	43,695
Income before income taxes	95,496	88,122	167,767	203,102
Provision for income taxes	26,709	22,771	47,125	53,658
Net income	68,787	65,351	120,642	149,444
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-15	66	-65	170
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	68,802	65,285	120,707	149,274
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023	-44,350	-3,477	-67,830
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$111,825	$20,935	$117,230	$81,444
Earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.48	$2.72	$3.38
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.29	$1.25	$2.26	$2.85

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Activities:	'	'
Net income	$120,642	$149,444
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	33,558	33,870
Deferred income taxes	13,719	26,760
Other operating activities, net	7,724	7,690
Changes in assets and liabilities	'	'
Trade receivables, net	-122,070	-83,316
Other accounts receivable	12,672	-21,648
Inventories, net	-44,910	-27,719
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-32,087	24,947
Accounts payable	47,082	53,256
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	14,512	-43,557
Net cash provided by operating activities	50,842	119,727
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-11,785	-11,750
Acquisition payments, net of cash acquired	-133,318	0
Other investing activities	27	9,654
Net cash used in investing activities	-145,076	-2,096
Financing Activities:	'	'
Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt	33,085	25,435
Repayments of short-term debt	-25,983	-14,387
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	606,836	510,864
Repayments of Long-term Debt	-537,048	-625,767
Other financing activities, net	-1,580	6,029
Net cash used in financing activities	75,310	-97,826
Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents	-3,158	-1,392
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-22,082	18,413
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	123,725	86,099
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$101,643	'

ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
ORGANIZATION	'
	ORGANIZATION
	WESCO International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, “WESCO” or the "Company"), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a full-line distributor of electrical, industrial and communications maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) and original equipment manufactures' (“OEM”) products, construction materials, and advanced supply chain management and logistics services used primarily in the industrial, construction, utility and commercial, institutional and government markets. We serve over 75,000 active customers globally, through approximately 475 full service branches and nine distribution centers located primarily in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with offices in 15 additional countries.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES

ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
ACCOUNTING POLICIES	'
	ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of WESCO have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in WESCO’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The December 31, 2013 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the opinion of management, have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results of the interim periods. All adjustments reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are of a normal recurring nature unless indicated. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
	Revision
	Certain amounts in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, as presented herein, have been revised to appropriately present current and non-current deferred tax balances as well as current taxes refundable/payable in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes".  Specifically, other assets and deferred income tax liabilities each increased by $24.7 million at December 31, 2013.  Additionally, prepaid expenses and other current assets increased by $7.1 million with a corresponding increase to other current liabilities of $7.1 million at December 31, 2013.  The Company also revised its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2012, which is not presented herein, for the same items.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities each increased by $16.2 million to $17.5 million and $316.7 million, respectively, at December 31, 2012. Income taxes receivable and other current liabilities each increased by $6.0 million to $14.8 million and $140.6 million, respectively, at December 31, 2012.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
	ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 inputs include inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	At June 30, 2014, the carrying value of WESCO’s 6.0% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2029 (the "2029 Debentures") was $175.8 million and the fair value was approximately $1.1 billion. At December 31, 2013, the carrying value of WESCO’s 2029 Debentures was $174.1 million and the fair value was approximately $1.1 billion. The fair value of WESCO’s 2029 Debentures is based on quoted prices in active markets and is therefore classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. The reported carrying amounts of WESCO’s other debt instruments approximate their fair values and are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. Other debt instruments included in Level 2 are valued using a market approach, utilizing interest rates and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving similar instruments.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the FASB issued updated guidance on the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This updated guidance requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits, or a portion of unrecognized tax benefits, in the financial statements as a reduction to deferred tax assets for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, with certain exceptions. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. WESCO adopted this guidance in 2014. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on WESCO's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") issued a converged final standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. This updated guidance provides a framework for addressing revenue recognition issues and replaces almost all existing revenue recognition guidance in current U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The core principle of the new standard is for companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in amounts that reflect the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will also result in enhanced disclosures about revenue, provide guidance for transactions that were not previously addressed comprehensively, and improve guidance for multiple-element arrangements. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Management has not yet evaluated the future impact of this guidance on WESCO's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
ACQUISITIONS	'
	ACQUISITIONS
	The following table sets forth the consideration paid for acquisitions:
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	Fair value of assets acquired	$	150,966
	Fair value of liabilities assumed	17,648
	Cash paid for acquisitions	$	133,318
	The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed were based upon preliminary calculations and valuations. Our estimates and assumptions for our preliminary purchase price allocation are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the respective measurement periods (up to one year from the respective acquisition dates).
	2014 Acquisitions of LaPrairie, Inc., Hazmasters, Inc., and Hi-Line Utility Supply
	On February 3, 2014, WESCO Distribution, Inc., through its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, completed the acquisition of LaPrairie, Inc. ("LaPrairie"), a wholesale distributor of electrical products that services the transmission, distribution, and substation needs of utilities and utility contractors with approximately $30 million in annual sales from a single location in Newmarket, Ontario. WESCO funded the purchase price paid at closing with cash. The purchase price was allocated to the respective assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The preliminary fair value of intangibles was determined by management and the allocation resulted in intangible assets of $11.0 million and goodwill of $8.9 million. Management believes the majority of goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.
	On March 17, 2014, WESCO Distribution, Inc., through its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, completed the acquisition of Hazmasters, Inc. ("Hazmasters"), a leading independent Canadian distributor of safety products servicing customers in the industrial, construction, commercial, institution, and government markets with approximately $80 million in annual sales from 14 branches across Canada. WESCO funded the purchase price paid at closing with cash and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The purchase price was allocated to the respective assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. The preliminary fair value of intangibles was estimated by management and the allocation resulted in intangible assets of $35.4 million and goodwill of $19.3 million which is not deductible for tax purposes.
	On June 11, 2014, Wesco Distribution, Inc., completed the acquisition of Hi-Line Utility Supply ("Hi-Line"), a provider of utility MRO and safety products, as well as rubber goods testing and certification services, with approximately $30 million in annual sales from locations in Chicago, Illinois and Millbury, Massachusetts.  WESCO funded the purchase price paid at closing with cash.  The purchase price was allocated to the respective assets and liabilities based upon their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.  The preliminary fair value of intangibles was estimated by management and the allocation resulted in intangible assets of $8.8 million and goodwill of $29.2 million.  Management believes the majority of goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes.
	For all acquisitions made in the first half of 2014, the intangible assets include customer relationships of $43.5 million amortized over 10 years, supplier relationships of $3.2 million amortized over 10 years, trademarks of $8.2 million, and other intangibles of $0.3 million as of June 30, 2014. Certain trademarks have been assigned an indefinite life while others are amortized over 5 to 20 years. No residual value is estimated for the intangible assets being amortized.

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	WESCO’s stock-based employee compensation plans are comprised of stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance-based awards. Compensation cost for all stock-based awards is measured at fair value on the date of grant, and compensation cost is recognized, net of estimated forfeitures, over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options and stock-settled appreciation rights is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined by the grant-date closing price of WESCO’s common stock. The forfeiture assumption is based on WESCO’s historical employee behavior that is reviewed on an annual basis. No dividends are assumed.
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, WESCO granted the following stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance-based awards at the following weighted average fair values and assumptions:
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013			2014				2013
	Stock-settled appreciation rights granted	2,295				5,449			274,508				251,573
	Weighted average fair value	$	27.71			$	31.05		$	30.64			$	31.33
	Restricted stock units granted	—				—			62,506				69,393
	Weighted average fair value	$	—			$	—		$	85.35			$	72.15
	Performance-based awards granted	—				—			44,046				48,058
	Weighted average fair value	$	—			$	—		$	86.65			$	78.21
	Risk free interest rate	1.6		%		1		%	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected life (in years)	5				5			5				5
	Expected volatility	34		%		49		%	39		%		50		%
	The following table sets forth a summary of stock options and stock-settled stock appreciation rights and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted				Weighted			Aggregate
					Average				Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise				Remaining			Value
					Price				Contractual Term (In Years)			(In thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	2,715,651			$	45.93
	Granted	274,508			85.35
	Exercised	(414,201	)		39.95
	Forfeited	(10,454	)		67.3
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	2,565,504			51.03				5.7			$	90,703
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	2,046,684			$	44.28			4.9			$	86,159
	The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock units and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted
					Average
					Fair
					Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	184,746			$	66.08
	Granted	62,506			85.35
	Vested	(50,655	)		60.77
	Forfeited	(5,927	)		66.28
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	190,670			$	73.8
	Performance shares are awards for which the vesting will occur based on market or performance conditions. The following table sets forth a summary of performance-based awards for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted
					Average
					Fair
					Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	92,484			$	76.98
	Granted	44,046			86.65
	Vested	—			—
	Forfeited	(4,366	)		76.97
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	132,164			$	80.2
	The performance-based awards in the table above include 66,082 shares in which vesting of the ultimate number of shares underlying such awards is dependent upon WESCO's total stockholder return in relation to the total stockholder return of a select group of peer companies over a three-year period. These awards are valued based upon a Monte Carlo simulation model, which is a valuation model that represents the characteristics of these grants. The probability of meeting the market criteria was considered when calculating the estimated fair market value on the date of grant. These awards are accounted for as awards with market conditions, in which compensation cost is recognized over the service period, regardless of whether the market conditions are achieved and the awards ultimately vest.
	The fair value of the performance shares granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
	Weighted Average Assumptions
	Grant date share price	$	86.65
	WESCO expected volatility	35.4		%
	Peer group median volatility	28.7		%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.62		%
	Correlation	103.1		%
	Vesting of the remaining 66,082 shares of performance-based awards in the table above is dependent upon the three-year average growth rate of WESCO's net income. These awards are valued based upon the grant-date closing price of WESCO's common stock. These awards are accounted for as awards with performance conditions, in which compensation cost is recognized over the performance period based upon WESCO's determination of whether it is probable that the performance targets will be achieved.
	WESCO recognized $4.3 million and $4.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. WESCO recognized $8.5 million and $8.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses, for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of June 30, 2014, there was $25.9 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based compensation arrangements for all awards previously made, of which approximately $8.1 million is expected to be recognized over the remainder of 2014, $11.2 million in 2015, $5.9 million in 2016 and $0.7 million in 2017.
	During the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, the total intrinsic value of awards exercised was $22.9 million and $6.1 million, respectively. The total amount of cash received from the exercise of options was $0.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and less than $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013. The tax benefit associated with the exercise of awards for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $8.7 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and was recorded as an increase to additional capital.

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

EARNINGS PER SHARE	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
EARNINGS PER SHARE	'
	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares and common share equivalents outstanding during the periods. The dilutive effect of common share equivalents is considered in the diluted earnings per share computation using the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of stock-based compensation and convertible debt.
	The following table sets forth the details of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	68,802	$	65,285
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share	44,449		44,115
	Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive equity awards	1,031		1,091
	Common shares issuable from contingently convertible debentures (see below for basis of calculation)	7,996		7,113
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in computing diluted earnings per share	53,476		52,319
	Earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc.
	Basic	$	1.55	$	1.48
	Diluted	$	1.29	$	1.25
		Six Months Ended
		June 30,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	120,707	$	149,274
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share	44,399		44,100
	Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive equity awards	1,061		1,090
	Common shares issuable from contingently convertible debentures (see below for basis of calculation)	7,962		7,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in computing diluted earnings per share	53,422		52,358
	Earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc.
	Basic	$	2.72	$	3.38
	Diluted	$	2.26	$	2.85
	For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc. excluded approximately 0.5 million stock-settled stock appreciation rights at weighted average exercise prices of $84.71 per share and $79.37 per share, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the computation of diluted earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc. excluded 0.5 million stock-settled stock appreciation rights at weighted average exercise prices of $67.99 per share and $67.84 per share, respectively. These amounts were excluded because their effect would have been antidilutive.
	Because of WESCO’s obligation to settle the par value of the 2029 Debentures in cash upon conversion, WESCO is required to include shares underlying the 2029 Debentures in its diluted weighted average shares outstanding when the average stock price per share for the period exceeds the conversion price of the respective debentures. Only the number of shares issuable under the treasury stock method of accounting for share dilution are included, which is based upon the amount by which the average stock price exceeds the conversion price. The conversion price of the 2029 Debentures is $28.87. Share dilution is limited to a maximum of 11,948,374 shares for the 2029 Debentures. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the effect of the 2029 Debentures on diluted earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc. was a decrease of $0.22 and $0.40, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, the effect of the 2029 Debentures on diluted earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc. was a decrease of $0.20 and $0.45, respectively.

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	'
	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	A majority of WESCO’s employees are covered by defined contribution retirement savings plans for their services rendered subsequent to WESCO’s formation. WESCO also offers a deferred compensation plan for select individuals. For U.S. participants, WESCO will make contributions in an amount equal to 50% of the participant’s total monthly contributions up to a maximum of 6% of eligible compensation. For Canadian participants, WESCO will make contributions in an amount ranging from 1% to 7% of the participant’s eligible compensation based on years of continuous service. In addition, employer contributions may be made at the discretion of the Board of Directors. For the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, WESCO incurred charges of $15.0 million and $19.1 million, respectively, for all such plans. Contributions are made in cash to defined contribution retirement savings plans. The deferred compensation plan is an unfunded plan. Employees have the option to transfer balances allocated to their accounts in the defined contribution retirement savings plan and the deferred compensation plan into any of the available investment options. An investment option for employees in the defined contribution retirement savings plan is WESCO common stock.
	In connection with the December 14, 2012 acquisition of EECOL, the Company assumed a contributory defined benefit plan covering substantially all Canadian employees of EECOL and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for certain executives of EECOL. The following table reflects the components of net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	900		$	1,020		$	1,800		$	2,053
	Interest cost	1,158			1,145			2,314			2,305
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,362		)	(948		)	(2,723		)	(1,908		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	696		$	1,217		$	1,391		$	2,450
	During the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014, the Company made cash contributions of $0.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, to its defined benefit plans.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'
	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	As initially reported in our 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K, WESCO is a defendant in a lawsuit filed in a state court in Indiana in which a customer, ArcelorMittal Indiana Harbor, Inc. (“AIH”), alleges that the Company sold defective products to AIH in 2004 that were supplied to the Company by others.  The lawsuit sought monetary damages in the amount of approximately $50 million.  On February 14, 2013, the jury returned a verdict in favor of AIH and awarded damages in the amount of approximately $36.1 million, and judgment was entered on the jury's verdict.  As a result, the Company recorded a $36.1 million charge to selling, general and administrative expenses in 2012. The Company disputes this outcome and filed a post-trial motion challenging the verdict alleging various errors that occurred during trial.  The Company received letters from its insurers confirming insurance coverage of the matter and recorded a receivable in the quarter ended March 31, 2013 in an amount equal to the previously recorded liability. AIH also filed a post-trial motion asking the court to award additional amounts to AIH, including prejudgment and post-judgment interest.  The Court denied the Company's post-trial motion on June 28, 2013 and granted in part AIH's motion, awarding prejudgment interest in the amount of $3.9 million and ordering post-judgment interest to accrue on the entire judgment at 8% per annum. In the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Company received letters from its insurers confirming insurance coverage of all prejudgment and post-judgment interest related to the matter. Final judgment was entered by the court on July 16, 2013, and the Company is appealing the judgment. As of June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a liability and a corresponding receivable in the amount of $7.9 million for all prejudgment and post-judgment interest accrued in connection with this matter. The judgment may increase or decrease based on the outcome of the appellate proceedings that cannot be predicted with certainty.
	WESCO is subject to the laws and regulations of states and other jurisdictions concerning the identification, reporting and escheatment (the transfer of property to the state) of unclaimed or abandoned funds, and is subject to audit and examination for compliance with these requirements.  The Company is currently being examined by a third party auditor for compliance with unclaimed property laws.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
INCOME TAXES	'
	INCOME TAXES
	The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was 28.0% and 28.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 was 25.8% and 26.4%, respectively. WESCO’s effective tax rate is lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to benefits resulting from the tax effect of intercompany financing and lower rates on foreign earnings, which are partially offset by nondeductible expenses and state taxes. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2014 reflects beneficial discrete adjustments totaling $0.2 million, primarily related to changes in state tax rates and changes in uncertain tax positions. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2013 reflects detrimental discrete adjustments totaling $0.2 million, primarily related to changes in state tax rates and changes in uncertain tax positions. There have been no material adjustments to liabilities relating to uncertain tax positions since the last annual disclosure for the year ended December 31, 2013.

OTHER_FINANCIAL_INFORMATION

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]	'
OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION	'
	OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
	WESCO International, Inc. ("WESCO International") has outstanding $344.9 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures. The 2029 Debentures are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by WESCO Distribution, Inc. ("WESCO Distribution"), a 100% owned subsidiary of WESCO International, on a senior subordinated basis to all existing and future senior indebtedness of WESCO Distribution.
	WESCO Distribution has outstanding $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 (the "2021 Notes"). The 2021 Notes are unsecured senior obligations of WESCO Distribution and are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by WESCO International.
	Condensed consolidating financial information for WESCO International, WESCO Distribution and the non-guarantor subsidiaries is as follows:
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(unaudited)
		June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	44,687		$	56,956		$	—		$	101,643
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,186,062			—			1,186,062
	Inventories, net	—			369,332			480,847			—			850,179
	Other current assets	—			164,598			152,245			(46,186		)	270,657
	Total current assets	—			578,617			1,876,110			(46,186		)	2,408,541
	Intercompany receivables, net	—			—			1,881,659			(1,881,659		)	—
	Property, buildings and equipment, net	—			59,614			140,337			—			199,951
	Intangible assets, net	—			5,069			470,639			—			475,708
	Goodwill	—			246,770			1,544,083			—			1,790,853
	Investments in affiliates	3,263,323			3,821,639			—			(7,084,962		)	—
	Other noncurrent assets	4,222			14,242			35,246			369			54,079
	Total assets	$	3,267,545		$	4,725,951		$	5,948,074		$	(9,012,438	)	$	4,929,132
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	434,071		$	360,434		$	—		$	794,505
	Short-term debt	—			—			44,962			—			44,962
	Other current liabilities	14,744			107,765			198,577			(46,186		)	274,900
	Total current liabilities	14,744			541,836			603,973			(46,186		)	1,114,367
	Intercompany payables, net	1,167,832			713,827			—			(1,881,659		)	—
	Long-term debt	175,811			682,825			662,324			—			1,520,960
	Other noncurrent liabilities	19,572			237,399			146,963			369			404,303
	Total WESCO International stockholders' equity	1,889,586			2,550,064			4,534,898			(7,084,962		)	1,889,586
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(84		)	—			(84		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,267,545		$	4,725,951		$	5,948,074		$	(9,012,438	)	$	4,929,132
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(unaudited)
		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	31,695		$	92,030		$	—		$	123,725
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,045,054			—			1,045,054
	Inventories, net	—			351,242			436,082			—			787,324
	Other current assets	22			166,540			127,439			(44,489		)	249,512
	Total current assets	22			549,477			1,700,605			(44,489		)	2,205,615
	Intercompany receivables, net	—			—			1,906,785			(1,906,785		)	—
	Property, buildings and equipment, net	—			59,569			139,085			—			198,654
	Intangible assets, net	—			5,404			433,763			—			439,167
	Goodwill	—			246,125			1,488,266			—			1,734,391
	Investments in affiliates	3,137,418			3,722,902			—			(6,860,320		)	—
	Other noncurrent assets	4,361			15,627			51,078			—			71,066
	Total assets	$	3,141,801		$	4,599,104		$	5,719,582		$	(8,811,594	)	$	4,648,893
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	410,017		$	325,080		$	—		$	735,097
	Short-term debt	—			—			37,551			—			37,551
	Other current liabilities	11,920			114,894			196,690			(44,489		)	279,015
	Total current liabilities	11,920			524,911			559,321			(44,489		)	1,051,663
	Intercompany payables, net	1,168,507			738,278			—			(1,906,785		)	—
	Long-term debt	174,149			675,424			598,061			—			1,447,634
	Other noncurrent liabilities	22,416			220,650			141,739			—			384,805
Total WESCO International stockholders' equity	1,764,809			2,439,841			4,420,479			(6,860,320		)	1,764,809
Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(18		)	—			(18		)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,141,801		$	4,599,104		$	5,719,582		$	(8,811,594	)	$	4,648,893
WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
	Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
										Entries
Net sales	$	—		$	894,199		$	1,140,850		$	(29,884	)	$	2,005,165
Cost of goods sold	—			720,938			902,383			(29,884		)	1,593,437
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2			144,766			133,941			—			278,709
Depreciation and amortization	—			4,914			12,272			—			17,186
Results of affiliates’ operations	73,172			61,502			—			(134,674		)	—
Interest expense, net	6,084			18,328			(4,075		)	—			20,337
Provision for income taxes	(1,700		)	1,465			26,944			—			26,709
Net income	68,786			65,290			69,385			(134,674		)	68,787
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(15		)	—			(15		)
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	68,786		$	65,290		$	69,400		$	(134,674	)	$	68,802
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023			43,023			43,023			(86,046		)	43,023
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	111,809		$	108,313		$	112,423		$	(220,720	)	$	111,825
	Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
	Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
										Entries
Net sales	$	—		$	873,607		$	1,052,902		$	(32,556	)	$	1,893,953
Cost of goods sold	—			698,844			835,115			(32,556		)	1,501,403
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1			138,817			126,688			—			265,506
Depreciation and amortization	—			4,780			12,373			—			17,153
Results of affiliates’ operations	69,789			60,753			—			(130,542		)	—
Interest expense, net	5,994			19,118			(3,343		)	—			21,769
Provision for income taxes	(1,557		)	2,520			21,808			—			22,771
Net income	65,351			70,281			60,261			(130,542		)	65,351
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			66			—			66
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	65,351		$	70,281		$	60,195		$	(130,542	)	$	65,285
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(44,350		)	(44,350		)	(44,350		)	88,700			(44,350		)
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	21,001		$	25,931		$	15,845		$	(41,842	)	$	20,935
WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
	Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
										Entries
Net sales	$	—		$	1,723,670		$	2,148,303		$	(55,982	)	$	3,815,991
Cost of goods sold	—			1,379,523			1,705,929			(55,982		)	3,029,470
Selling, general and administrative expenses	2			281,446			262,723			—			544,171
Depreciation and amortization	—			9,614			23,944			—			33,558
Results of affiliates’ operations	129,382			102,215			—			(231,597		)	—
Interest expense, net	12,153			37,090			(8,218		)	—			41,025
Provision for income taxes	(3,414		)	4,511			46,028			—			47,125
Net income	120,641			113,701			117,897			(231,597		)	120,642
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(65		)	—			(65		)
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	120,641		$	113,701		$	117,962		$	(231,597	)	$	120,707
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,477		)	(3,477		)	(3,477		)	6,954			(3,477		)
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	117,164		$	110,224		$	114,485		$	(224,643	)	$	117,230
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
	Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
										Entries
Net sales	$	—		$	1,693,842		$	2,071,765		$	(63,596	)	$	3,702,011
Cost of goods sold	—			1,348,971			1,643,007			(63,596		)	2,928,382
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5			239,334			253,623			—			492,962
Depreciation and amortization	—			8,883			24,987			—			33,870
Results of affiliates’ operations	158,241			99,153			—			(257,394		)	—
Interest expense, net	11,949			37,844			(6,098		)	—			43,695
Provision for income taxes	(3,158		)	14,762			42,054			—			53,658
Net income	149,445			143,201			114,192			(257,394		)	149,444
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			170			—			170
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	149,445		$	143,201		$	114,022		$	(257,394	)	$	149,274
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(67,830		)	(67,830		)	(67,830		)	135,660			(67,830		)
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	81,615		$	75,371		$	46,192		$	(121,734	)	$	81,444
WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and Eliminating
	Inc.			Inc.						Entries
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	1,063		$	57,016		$	(7,237	)	$	—		$	50,842
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(8,380		)	(3,405		)	—			(11,785		)
Acquisition payments	—			(42,131		)	(91,187		)	—			(133,318		)
Other	—			675			27			(675		)	27
Net cash used in investing activities	—			(49,836		)	(94,565		)	(675		)	(145,076		)
Financing activities:
Borrowings	—			409,460			230,461			—			639,921
Repayments	(675		)	(402,459		)	(160,572		)	675			(563,031		)
Other	(388		)	(1,189		)	(3		)	—			(1,580		)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(1,063		)	5,812			69,886			675			75,310
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(3,158		)	—			(3,158		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	—			12,992			(35,074		)	—			(22,082		)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year	—			31,695			92,030			—			123,725
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	—		$	44,687		$	56,956		$	—		$	101,643
WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
	Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
	(In thousands)
	WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
	International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and Eliminating
	Inc.			Inc.						Entries
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	(9,418	)	$	70,521		$	58,624		$	—		$	119,727
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures	—			(9,621		)	(2,129		)	—			(11,750		)
Acquisition payments	—			—			—			—			—
Other	—			(10,454		)	9,654			10,454			9,654
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	—			(20,075		)	7,525			10,454			(2,096		)
Financing activities:
Borrowings	10,454			333,036			203,263			(10,454		)	536,299
Repayments	—			(396,036		)	(244,118		)	—			(640,154		)
Other	(1,036		)	7,566			(501		)	—			6,029
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,418			(55,434		)	(41,356		)	(10,454		)	(97,826		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(1,392		)	—			(1,392		)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(4,988		)	23,401			—			18,413
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year	—			52,275			33,824			—			86,099
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	—		$	47,287		$	57,225		$	—		$	104,512
The Company revised its condensed consolidating balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 to properly reflect balance sheet positions of the Company's tax-paying entities and to conform with the current period's financial statement presentation. Specifically, other assets and deferred income taxes of non-guarantor subsidiaries each increased by $24.7 million at December 31, 2013. Additionally, prepaid expenses and other current assets of non-guarantor subsidiaries increased by $7.1 million, with a corresponding increase in other current liabilities of non-guarantor subsidiaries of $7.1 million at December 31, 2013.
The impact of the revisions noted above, which the Company has determined is not material to the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, did not have any impact on the consolidated amounts previously reported, nor did they impact the Company's obligations under the 2029 Debentures.

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Policies

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of WESCO have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in WESCO’s 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The December 31, 2013 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
	The unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the opinion of management, have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the results of the interim periods. All adjustments reflected in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are of a normal recurring nature unless indicated. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Reclassification	'
	Revision
	Certain amounts in the Company's consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013, as presented herein, have been revised to appropriately present current and non-current deferred tax balances as well as current taxes refundable/payable in accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes".
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	'
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company measures the fair value of financial assets and liabilities based on the guidance of ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures," which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
	ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. ASC 820 describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 inputs include inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of assets or liabilities.
	Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
	At June 30, 2014, the carrying value of WESCO’s 6.0% Convertible Senior Debentures due 2029 (the "2029 Debentures") was $175.8 million and the fair value was approximately $1.1 billion. At December 31, 2013, the carrying value of WESCO’s 2029 Debentures was $174.1 million and the fair value was approximately $1.1 billion. The fair value of WESCO’s 2029 Debentures is based on quoted prices in active markets and is therefore classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. The reported carrying amounts of WESCO’s other debt instruments approximate their fair values and are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy. Other debt instruments included in Level 2 are valued using a market approach, utilizing interest rates and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving similar instruments.

ACQUISITIONS_Tables

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]	'

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Tables

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, WESCO granted the following stock-settled stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and performance-based awards at the following weighted average fair values and assumptions:
		Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
		2014				2013			2014				2013
	Stock-settled appreciation rights granted	2,295				5,449			274,508				251,573
	Weighted average fair value	$	27.71			$	31.05		$	30.64			$	31.33
	Restricted stock units granted	—				—			62,506				69,393
	Weighted average fair value	$	—			$	—		$	85.35			$	72.15
	Performance-based awards granted	—				—			44,046				48,058
	Weighted average fair value	$	—			$	—		$	86.65			$	78.21
	Risk free interest rate	1.6		%		1		%	1.5		%		0.9		%
	Expected life (in years)	5				5			5				5
	Expected volatility	34		%		49		%	39		%		50		%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Award Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth a summary of stock options and stock-settled stock appreciation rights and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted				Weighted			Aggregate
					Average				Average			Intrinsic
					Exercise				Remaining			Value
					Price				Contractual Term (In Years)			(In thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	2,715,651			$	45.93
	Granted	274,508			85.35
	Exercised	(414,201	)		39.95
	Forfeited	(10,454	)		67.3
	Outstanding at June 30, 2014	2,565,504			51.03				5.7			$	90,703
	Exercisable at June 30, 2014	2,046,684			$	44.28			4.9			$	86,159
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth a summary of restricted stock units and related information for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted
					Average
					Fair
					Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	184,746			$	66.08
	Granted	62,506			85.35
	Vested	(50,655	)		60.77
	Forfeited	(5,927	)		66.28
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	190,670			$	73.8
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth a summary of performance-based awards for the six months ended June 30, 2014:
		Awards			Weighted
					Average
					Fair
					Value
	Unvested at December 31, 2013	92,484			$	76.98
	Granted	44,046			86.65
	Vested	—			—
	Forfeited	(4,366	)		76.97
	Unvested at June 30, 2014	132,164			$	80.2
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Performance-based Awards, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	'
	The fair value of the performance shares granted during the six months ended June 30, 2014 were estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
	Weighted Average Assumptions
	Grant date share price	$	86.65
	WESCO expected volatility	35.4		%
	Peer group median volatility	28.7		%
	Risk-free interest rate	0.62		%
	Correlation	103.1		%

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Tables

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the details of basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended
		June 30,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	68,802	$	65,285
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share	44,449		44,115
	Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive equity awards	1,031		1,091
	Common shares issuable from contingently convertible debentures (see below for basis of calculation)	7,996		7,113
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in computing diluted earnings per share	53,476		52,319
	Earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc.
	Basic	$	1.55	$	1.48
	Diluted	$	1.29	$	1.25
		Six Months Ended
		June 30,
		2014		2013
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	120,707	$	149,274
	Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share	44,399		44,100
	Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive equity awards	1,061		1,090
	Common shares issuable from contingently convertible debentures (see below for basis of calculation)	7,962		7,168
	Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in computing diluted earnings per share	53,422		52,358
	Earnings per share attributable to WESCO International, Inc.
	Basic	$	2.72	$	3.38
	Diluted	$	2.26	$	2.85

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Schedul

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table reflects the components of net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
		June 30,						June 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Service cost	$	900		$	1,020		$	1,800		$	2,053
	Interest cost	1,158			1,145			2,314			2,305
	Expected return on plan assets	(1,362		)	(948		)	(2,723		)	(1,908		)
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	696		$	1,217		$	1,391		$	2,450

OTHER_FINANCIAL_INFORMATION_Ta

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Condensed Financial Information [Abstract]	'
Condensed Financial Information Statements Of Financial Condition [Text Block]	'
	Condensed consolidating financial information for WESCO International, WESCO Distribution and the non-guarantor subsidiaries is as follows:
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(unaudited)
		June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	44,687		$	56,956		$	—		$	101,643
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,186,062			—			1,186,062
	Inventories, net	—			369,332			480,847			—			850,179
	Other current assets	—			164,598			152,245			(46,186		)	270,657
	Total current assets	—			578,617			1,876,110			(46,186		)	2,408,541
	Intercompany receivables, net	—			—			1,881,659			(1,881,659		)	—
	Property, buildings and equipment, net	—			59,614			140,337			—			199,951
	Intangible assets, net	—			5,069			470,639			—			475,708
	Goodwill	—			246,770			1,544,083			—			1,790,853
	Investments in affiliates	3,263,323			3,821,639			—			(7,084,962		)	—
	Other noncurrent assets	4,222			14,242			35,246			369			54,079
	Total assets	$	3,267,545		$	4,725,951		$	5,948,074		$	(9,012,438	)	$	4,929,132
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	434,071		$	360,434		$	—		$	794,505
	Short-term debt	—			—			44,962			—			44,962
	Other current liabilities	14,744			107,765			198,577			(46,186		)	274,900
	Total current liabilities	14,744			541,836			603,973			(46,186		)	1,114,367
	Intercompany payables, net	1,167,832			713,827			—			(1,881,659		)	—
	Long-term debt	175,811			682,825			662,324			—			1,520,960
	Other noncurrent liabilities	19,572			237,399			146,963			369			404,303
	Total WESCO International stockholders' equity	1,889,586			2,550,064			4,534,898			(7,084,962		)	1,889,586
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(84		)	—			(84		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,267,545		$	4,725,951		$	5,948,074		$	(9,012,438	)	$	4,929,132
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
	(unaudited)
		December 31, 2013
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	—		$	31,695		$	92,030		$	—		$	123,725
	Trade accounts receivable, net	—			—			1,045,054			—			1,045,054
	Inventories, net	—			351,242			436,082			—			787,324
	Other current assets	22			166,540			127,439			(44,489		)	249,512
	Total current assets	22			549,477			1,700,605			(44,489		)	2,205,615
	Intercompany receivables, net	—			—			1,906,785			(1,906,785		)	—
	Property, buildings and equipment, net	—			59,569			139,085			—			198,654
	Intangible assets, net	—			5,404			433,763			—			439,167
	Goodwill	—			246,125			1,488,266			—			1,734,391
	Investments in affiliates	3,137,418			3,722,902			—			(6,860,320		)	—
	Other noncurrent assets	4,361			15,627			51,078			—			71,066
	Total assets	$	3,141,801		$	4,599,104		$	5,719,582		$	(8,811,594	)	$	4,648,893
	Accounts payable	$	—		$	410,017		$	325,080		$	—		$	735,097
	Short-term debt	—			—			37,551			—			37,551
	Other current liabilities	11,920			114,894			196,690			(44,489		)	279,015
	Total current liabilities	11,920			524,911			559,321			(44,489		)	1,051,663
	Intercompany payables, net	1,168,507			738,278			—			(1,906,785		)	—
	Long-term debt	174,149			675,424			598,061			—			1,447,634
	Other noncurrent liabilities	22,416			220,650			141,739			—			384,805
	Total WESCO International stockholders' equity	1,764,809			2,439,841			4,420,479			(6,860,320		)	1,764,809
	Noncontrolling interest	—			—			(18		)	—			(18		)
	Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	3,141,801		$	4,599,104		$	5,719,582		$	(8,811,594	)	$	4,648,893
Condensed Financial Information Statement Of Income [Text Block]	'
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Net sales	$	—		$	894,199		$	1,140,850		$	(29,884	)	$	2,005,165
	Cost of goods sold	—			720,938			902,383			(29,884		)	1,593,437
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	2			144,766			133,941			—			278,709
	Depreciation and amortization	—			4,914			12,272			—			17,186
	Results of affiliates’ operations	73,172			61,502			—			(134,674		)	—
	Interest expense, net	6,084			18,328			(4,075		)	—			20,337
	Provision for income taxes	(1,700		)	1,465			26,944			—			26,709
	Net income	68,786			65,290			69,385			(134,674		)	68,787
	Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(15		)	—			(15		)
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	68,786		$	65,290		$	69,400		$	(134,674	)	$	68,802
	Comprehensive income:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023			43,023			43,023			(86,046		)	43,023
	Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	111,809		$	108,313		$	112,423		$	(220,720	)	$	111,825
		Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Net sales	$	—		$	873,607		$	1,052,902		$	(32,556	)	$	1,893,953
	Cost of goods sold	—			698,844			835,115			(32,556		)	1,501,403
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	1			138,817			126,688			—			265,506
	Depreciation and amortization	—			4,780			12,373			—			17,153
	Results of affiliates’ operations	69,789			60,753			—			(130,542		)	—
	Interest expense, net	5,994			19,118			(3,343		)	—			21,769
	Provision for income taxes	(1,557		)	2,520			21,808			—			22,771
	Net income	65,351			70,281			60,261			(130,542		)	65,351
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			66			—			66
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	65,351		$	70,281		$	60,195		$	(130,542	)	$	65,285
	Comprehensive income:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(44,350		)	(44,350		)	(44,350		)	88,700			(44,350		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	21,001		$	25,931		$	15,845		$	(41,842	)	$	20,935
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	(unaudited)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
		Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
											Entries
	Net sales	$	—		$	1,723,670		$	2,148,303		$	(55,982	)	$	3,815,991
	Cost of goods sold	—			1,379,523			1,705,929			(55,982		)	3,029,470
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	2			281,446			262,723			—			544,171
	Depreciation and amortization	—			9,614			23,944			—			33,558
	Results of affiliates’ operations	129,382			102,215			—			(231,597		)	—
	Interest expense, net	12,153			37,090			(8,218		)	—			41,025
	Provision for income taxes	(3,414		)	4,511			46,028			—			47,125
	Net income	120,641			113,701			117,897			(231,597		)	120,642
	Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			(65		)	—			(65		)
	Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	120,641		$	113,701		$	117,962		$	(231,597	)	$	120,707
	Comprehensive income:
	Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,477		)	(3,477		)	(3,477		)	6,954			(3,477		)
	Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	117,164		$	110,224		$	114,485		$	(224,643	)	$	117,230
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and
Inc.			Inc.						Eliminating
									Entries
Net sales	$	—		$	1,693,842		$	2,071,765		$	(63,596	)	$	3,702,011
Cost of goods sold	—			1,348,971			1,643,007			(63,596		)	2,928,382
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5			239,334			253,623			—			492,962
Depreciation and amortization	—			8,883			24,987			—			33,870
Results of affiliates’ operations	158,241			99,153			—			(257,394		)	—
Interest expense, net	11,949			37,844			(6,098		)	—			43,695
Provision for income taxes	(3,158		)	14,762			42,054			—			53,658
Net income	149,445			143,201			114,192			(257,394		)	149,444
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—			170			—			170
Net income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	149,445		$	143,201		$	114,022		$	(257,394	)	$	149,274
Comprehensive income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(67,830		)	(67,830		)	(67,830		)	135,660			(67,830		)
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$	81,615		$	75,371		$	46,192		$	(121,734	)	$	81,444
Condensed Financial Information Statements Of Cash Flows [Text Block]	'
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and Eliminating
		Inc.			Inc.						Entries
	Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	1,063		$	57,016		$	(7,237	)	$	—		$	50,842
	Investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—			(8,380		)	(3,405		)	—			(11,785		)
	Acquisition payments	—			(42,131		)	(91,187		)	—			(133,318		)
	Other	—			675			27			(675		)	27
	Net cash used in investing activities	—			(49,836		)	(94,565		)	(675		)	(145,076		)
	Financing activities:
	Borrowings	—			409,460			230,461			—			639,921
	Repayments	(675		)	(402,459		)	(160,572		)	675			(563,031		)
	Other	(388		)	(1,189		)	(3		)	—			(1,580		)
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	(1,063		)	5,812			69,886			675			75,310
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(3,158		)	—			(3,158		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	—			12,992			(35,074		)	—			(22,082		)
	Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year	—			31,695			92,030			—			123,725
	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	—		$	44,687		$	56,956		$	—		$	101,643
	WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
	(unaudited)
		Six Months Ended June 30, 2013
		(In thousands)
		WESCO			WESCO			Non-Guarantor			Consolidating			Consolidated
		International,			Distribution,			Subsidiaries			and Eliminating
		Inc.			Inc.						Entries
	Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$	(9,418	)	$	70,521		$	58,624		$	—		$	119,727
	Investing activities:
	Capital expenditures	—			(9,621		)	(2,129		)	—			(11,750		)
	Acquisition payments	—			—			—			—			—
	Other	—			(10,454		)	9,654			10,454			9,654
	Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	—			(20,075		)	7,525			10,454			(2,096		)
	Financing activities:
	Borrowings	10,454			333,036			203,263			(10,454		)	536,299
	Repayments	—			(396,036		)	(244,118		)	—			(640,154		)
	Other	(1,036		)	7,566			(501		)	—			6,029
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	9,418			(55,434		)	(41,356		)	(10,454		)	(97,826		)
	Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	—			—			(1,392		)	—			(1,392		)
	Net change in cash and cash equivalents	—			(4,988		)	23,401			—			18,413
	Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year	—			52,275			33,824			—			86,099
	Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	—		$	47,287		$	57,225		$	—		$	104,512

ORGANIZATION_Details

ORGANIZATION (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
	customers
	countries
	distribution_centers
	branches
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Active customers (in customers)	75,000
Full service branches (in branches)	475
Distribution centers (in distribution centers)	9
Additional countries (in countries)	15

ACCOUNTING_POLICIES_Details

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'
Fixed Rate Debt, Par Value	$175.80	$174.10
Fixed Rate Debt, Fair Value Disclosures	$1,060.50	$1,124.30

ACQUISITIONS_ACQUISITIONS_Deta

ACQUISITIONS - ACQUISITIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	branches	branches
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Fair Value of Assets Acquired	$150,966,000	'
Noncash or Part Noncash Acquisition, Value of Liabilities Assumed	17,648,000	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	133,318,000	'
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	'	300,000
Customer Relationships	'	43,500,000
Supplier Relationships (Intangible Assets)	'	3,200,000
Full service branches (in branches)	475	475
Trademarks	'	8,200,000
LaPrairie, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Revenue Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period	30,000,000	'
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	'	11,000,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	8,900,000
Hazmasters, Inc. [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Revenue Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period	80,000,000	'
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	'	35,400,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	19,300,000
Full service branches (in branches)	14	14
Hi-Line [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'
Business Acquisition, Revenue Reported by Acquired Entity for Last Annual Period	30,000,000	'
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	'	8,800,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	'	$29,200,000

SCHEDULE_OF_SHAREBASED_COMPENS

SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION, STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS AWARD ACTIVITY (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement By Share-based Payment Award, Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Beginning of Year (in shares)	'	'	2,715,651	'
Grants in Period (in shares)	'	'	274,508	'
Exercises in Period (in shares)	'	'	414,201	'
Forfeitures in Period (in shares)	'	'	10,454	'
End of Period (in shares)	2,565,504	'	2,565,504	'
Exercisable (in shares)	2,046,684	'	2,046,684	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning of Year (in dollars per share)	'	'	$45.93	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Grants in Period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$85.35	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercises in Period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$39.95	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Forfeitures in Period (in dollars per share)	'	'	$67.30	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, End of Period (in dollars per share)	$51.03	'	$51.03	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$44.28	'	$44.28	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding (in years)	5.7	'	5.7	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable (in years)	4.9	'	4.9	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Outstanding	$90,703	'	$90,703	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Exercisable	$86,159	'	$86,159	'
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$27.71	$31.05	$30.64	$31.33

SCHEDULE_OF_SHAREBASED_PAYMENT

SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED PAYMENT AWARD, VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Risk free interest rate	1.60%	1.00%	1.50%	0.90%
Expected life (in years)	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years	'5 years
WESCO expected volatility	34.00%	49.00%	39.00%	50.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	2,295	5,449	274,508	251,573
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	27.71	31.05	30.64	31.33
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	0	62,506	69,393
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0	0	85.35	72.15
Performance-based Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	0	0	44,046	48,058
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	0	0	86.65	78.21

SUMMARY_OF_RESTRICTED_STOCK_UN

SUMMARY OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested (in shares)	190,670	'	190,670	'	184,746
Granted (in shares)	0	0	62,506	69,393	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	-50,655	'	'
Forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-5,927	'	'
Unvested, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$73.80	'	$73.80	'	$66.08
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$85.35	$72.15	'
Vested in Period, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$60.77	'	'
Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$66.28	'	'

SUMMARY_OF_PERFORMANCEBASED_AW

SUMMARY OF PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS (Details) (Performance-based Awards [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Performance-based Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'
Unvested (in shares)	132,164	'	132,164	'	92,484
Granted (in shares)	0	0	44,046	48,058	'
Vested (in shares)	'	'	0	'	'
Forfeited (in shares)	'	'	-4,366	'	'
Unvested, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$80.20	'	$80.20	'	$76.98
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$86.65	$78.21	'
Vested in Period, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$0	'	'
Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'	'	$76.97	'	'

SCHEDULE_OF_SHAREBASED_PAYMENT1

SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED PAYMENT AWARD, PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS, VALUATION ASSUMPTIONS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
WESCO expected volatility	34.00%	49.00%	39.00%	50.00%
Risk free interest rate	1.60%	1.00%	1.50%	0.90%
Performance-based Awards - Peer Group Total Shareholder Return [Member]	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Grant date share price	'	'	86.65	'
WESCO expected volatility	'	'	35.40%	'
Peer group mean volatility	'	'	28.70%	'
Risk free interest rate	'	'	0.62%	'
Correlation	'	'	103.10%	'

STOCKBASED_COMPENSATION_Detail

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense	$4.30	$4.80	$8.50	$8.80	'
Total unrecognized compensation cost	25.9	'	25.9	'	'
Compensation cost expected to be recognized over the remainder of 2012	'	'	8.1	'	'
Compensation cost expected to be recognized in 2013	'	'	11.2	'	'
Compensation cost expected to be recognized in 2014	'	'	5.9	'	'
Compensation cost expected to be recognized in 2015	'	'	0.7	'	'
Total intrinsic value of awards exercised	'	'	22.9	6.1	'
Cash received from exercise of options	'	'	0.8	0.1	'
Tax benefit associated with exercise of awards	'	'	$8.70	$0.50	'
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$27.71	$31.05	$30.64	$31.33	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$85.35	$72.15	'
Performance-based awards outstanding (in shares)	190,670	'	190,670	'	184,746
Performance-based Awards [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Fair Value (in dollars per share)	$0	$0	$86.65	$78.21	'
Performance-based awards outstanding (in shares)	132,164	'	132,164	'	92,484
Performance-based Awards - Peer Group Total Shareholder Return [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Performance-based awards outstanding (in shares)	66,082	'	66,082	'	'

SCHEDULE_OF_EARNINGS_PER_SHARE

SCHEDULE OF EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC AND DILUTED (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	$68,802	$65,285	$120,707	$149,274
Weighted average common shares outstanding used in computing basic earnings per share (in shares)	44,449,000	44,115,000	44,399,000	44,100,000
Common shares issuable upon exercise of dilutive stock options (in shares)	1,031,000	1,091,000	1,061,000	1,090,000
Common shares issuable from contingently convertible debentures (in shares)	7,996,000	7,113,000	7,962,000	7,168,000
Weighted average common shares outstanding and common share equivalents used in computing diluted earnings per share (in shares)	53,476,000	52,319,000	53,422,000	52,358,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	$1.55	$1.48	$2.72	$3.38
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$1.29	$1.25	$2.26	$2.85

EARNINGS_PER_SHARE_Details

EARNINGS PER SHARE (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	500,000	500,000	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	$84.71	$67.99	$79.37	$67.84
Convertible Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effect of Dilutive Securities on Earnings Per Share (in dollars per share)	$0.22	$0.20	$0.40	$0.45
Convertible Debt Securities [Member] | Convertible Senior Debentures Due in 2029 [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price (in dollars per share)	$28.87	'	$28.87	'
Earnings Per Share Dilution Limit (in shares)	'	'	11,948,374	'

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	$600,000	$1,200,000	'
Schedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	'	$15,000,000	$19,100,000
UNITED STATES	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Employer Matching Contribution Percent	'	50.00%	'
Defined Contribution Plan Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee Percent	'	6.00%	'
Minimum [Member] | CANADA	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee Percent	'	1.00%	'
Maximum [Member] | CANADA	'	'	'
Schedule of Employee Benefit Plans [Line Items]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee Percent	'	7.00%	'

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_EMPLOYE

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Pension Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	$600,000	'	$1,200,000	'
Service cost	900,000	1,020,000	1,800,000	2,053,000
Interest cost	1,158,000	1,145,000	2,314,000	2,305,000
Expected return on plan assets	-1,362,000	-948,000	-2,723,000	-1,908,000
Net periodic benefit cost	$696,000	$1,217,000	$1,391,000	$2,450,000

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Damages sought	'	$50
Damages awarded	'	36.1
Prejudgment interest awarded	'	3.9
Post-judgment interest awarded	$7.90	'

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Effective tax rate	28.00%	25.80%	28.10%	26.40%
Federal statutory rate	35.00%	'	'	'
Discrete adjustments	'	$0.20	'	'

OTHER_FINANCIAL_INFORMATION_De

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Convertible Senior Debentures Due in 2029 [Member]	Senior Notes due 2021 [Member]	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Change in presentation of other assets and deferred income taxes	'	'	'	$24.70
Change in presentation of other current assets and other current liabilities	'	'	'	7.1
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	'	$344.90	$500	'
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	5.38%	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$101,643	$123,725	$104,512	$86,099	$86,099
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,186,062	1,045,054	'	'	'
Inventories, net	850,179	787,324	'	'	'
Other current assets	270,657	249,512	'	'	'
Total current assets	2,408,541	2,205,615	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables, net	0	0	'	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net	199,951	198,654	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	475,708	439,167	'	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	1,790,853	1,734,391	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	0	0	'	'	'
Other assets	54,079	71,066	'	'	'
Total assets	4,929,132	4,648,893	'	'	'
Accounts payable	794,505	735,097	'	'	'
Short-term debt	44,962	37,551	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	274,900	279,015	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	1,114,367	1,051,663	'	'	'
Intercompany payables, net	0	0	'	'	'
Long-term debt	1,520,960	1,447,634	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	404,303	384,805	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,889,586	1,764,809	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	84	18	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,929,132	4,648,893	'	'	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	'	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'	'
Other current assets	0	22	'	'	'
Total current assets	0	22	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables, net	0	0	'	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net	0	0	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	3,263,323	3,137,418	'	'	'
Other assets	4,222	4,361	'	'	'
Total assets	3,267,545	3,141,801	'	'	'
Accounts payable	0	0	'	'	'
Short-term debt	0	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	14,744	11,920	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	14,744	11,920	'	'	'
Intercompany payables, net	1,167,832	1,168,507	'	'	'
Long-term debt	175,811	174,149	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	19,572	22,416	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	1,889,586	1,764,809	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,267,545	3,141,801	'	'	'
WESCO Distribution, Inc.	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	44,687	31,695	47,287	'	52,275
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'	'
Inventories, net	369,332	351,242	'	'	'
Other current assets	164,598	166,540	'	'	'
Total current assets	578,617	549,477	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables, net	0	0	'	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net	59,614	59,569	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	5,069	5,404	'	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	246,770	246,125	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	3,821,639	3,722,902	'	'	'
Other assets	14,242	15,627	'	'	'
Total assets	4,725,951	4,599,104	'	'	'
Accounts payable	434,071	410,017	'	'	'
Short-term debt	0	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	107,765	114,894	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	541,836	524,911	'	'	'
Intercompany payables, net	713,827	738,278	'	'	'
Long-term debt	682,825	675,424	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	237,399	220,650	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	2,550,064	2,439,841	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,725,951	4,599,104	'	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	56,956	92,030	57,225	'	33,824
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,186,062	1,045,054	'	'	'
Inventories, net	480,847	436,082	'	'	'
Other current assets	152,245	127,439	'	'	'
Total current assets	1,876,110	1,700,605	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables, net	1,881,659	1,906,785	'	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net	140,337	139,085	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	470,639	433,763	'	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	1,544,083	1,488,266	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	0	0	'	'	'
Other assets	35,246	51,078	'	'	'
Total assets	5,948,074	5,719,582	'	'	'
Accounts payable	360,434	325,080	'	'	'
Short-term debt	44,962	37,551	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	198,577	196,690	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	603,973	559,321	'	'	'
Intercompany payables, net	0	0	'	'	'
Long-term debt	662,324	598,061	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	146,963	141,739	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	4,534,898	4,420,479	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	84	18	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	5,948,074	5,719,582	'	'	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0	0	'	0
Trade accounts receivable, net	0	0	'	'	'
Inventories, net	0	0	'	'	'
Other current assets	-46,186	-44,489	'	'	'
Total current assets	-46,186	-44,489	'	'	'
Intercompany receivables, net	-1,881,659	-1,906,785	'	'	'
Property, buildings and equipment, net	0	0	'	'	'
Intangible assets, net	0	0	'	'	'
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	0	0	'	'	'
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures	-7,084,962	-6,860,320	'	'	'
Other assets	369	0	'	'	'
Total assets	-9,012,438	-8,811,594	'	'	'
Accounts payable	0	0	'	'	'
Short-term debt	0	0	'	'	'
Other current liabilities	-46,186	-44,489	'	'	'
Total current liabilities	-46,186	-44,489	'	'	'
Intercompany payables, net	-1,881,659	-1,906,785	'	'	'
Long-term debt	0	0	'	'	'
Other noncurrent liabilities	369	0	'	'	'
Total stockholders' equity	-7,084,962	-6,860,320	'	'	'
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	0	'	'	'
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	($9,012,438)	($8,811,594)	'	'	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_INCOME_

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$2,005,165,000	$1,893,953,000	$3,815,991,000	$3,702,011,000
Cost of goods sold	1,593,437,000	1,501,403,000	3,029,470,000	2,928,382,000
Selling, general and administrative expense	278,709,000	265,506,000	544,171,000	492,962,000
Depreciation and amortization	17,186,000	17,153,000	33,558,000	33,870,000
Results of affiliates' operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	20,337,000	21,769,000	41,025,000	43,695,000
Provision for income taxes	26,709,000	22,771,000	47,125,000	53,658,000
Net income (loss)	68,787,000	65,351,000	120,642,000	149,444,000
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-15,000	66,000	-65,000	170,000
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	68,802,000	65,285,000	120,707,000	149,274,000
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023,000	-44,350,000	-3,477,000	-67,830,000
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	111,825,000	20,935,000	117,230,000	81,444,000
Parent Company [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	0	0	0	0
Cost of goods sold	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expense	2,000	1,000	2,000	5,000
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Results of affiliates' operations	73,172,000	69,789,000	129,382,000	158,241,000
Interest expense, net	6,084,000	5,994,000	12,153,000	11,949,000
Provision for income taxes	-1,700,000	-1,557,000	-3,414,000	-3,158,000
Net income (loss)	68,786,000	65,351,000	120,641,000	149,445,000
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	68,786,000	65,351,000	120,641,000	149,445,000
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023,000	-44,350,000	-3,477,000	-67,830,000
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	111,809,000	21,001,000	117,164,000	81,615,000
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	'	1,723,670,000	1,693,842,000
Cost of goods sold	'	'	1,379,523,000	1,348,971,000
Selling, general and administrative expense	'	'	281,446,000	239,334,000
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	9,614,000	8,883,000
Results of affiliates' operations	'	'	102,215,000	99,153,000
Interest expense, net	'	'	37,090,000	37,844,000
Provision for income taxes	'	'	4,511,000	14,762,000
Net income (loss)	'	'	113,701,000	143,201,000
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	'	'	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	'	'	113,701,000	143,201,000
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	'	'	-3,477,000	-67,830,000
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	'	'	110,224,000	75,371,000
WESCO Distribution, Inc.	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	894,199,000	873,607,000	'	'
Cost of goods sold	720,938,000	698,844,000	'	'
Selling, general and administrative expense	144,766,000	138,817,000	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,914,000	4,780,000	'	'
Results of affiliates' operations	61,502,000	60,753,000	'	'
Interest expense, net	18,328,000	19,118,000	'	'
Provision for income taxes	1,465,000	2,520,000	'	'
Net income (loss)	65,290,000	70,281,000	'	'
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	'	'
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	65,290,000	70,281,000	'	'
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023,000	-44,350,000	'	'
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	108,313,000	25,931,000	'	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	1,140,850,000	1,052,902,000	2,148,303,000	2,071,765,000
Cost of goods sold	902,383,000	835,115,000	1,705,929,000	1,643,007,000
Selling, general and administrative expense	133,941,000	126,688,000	262,723,000	253,623,000
Depreciation and amortization	12,272,000	12,373,000	23,944,000	24,987,000
Results of affiliates' operations	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	-4,075,000	-3,343,000	-8,218,000	-6,098,000
Provision for income taxes	26,944,000	21,808,000	46,028,000	42,054,000
Net income (loss)	69,385,000	60,261,000	117,897,000	114,192,000
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-15,000	66,000	-65,000	170,000
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	69,400,000	60,195,000	117,962,000	114,022,000
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	43,023,000	-44,350,000	-3,477,000	-67,830,000
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	112,423,000	15,845,000	114,485,000	46,192,000
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	-29,884,000	-32,556,000	-55,982,000	-63,596,000
Cost of goods sold	-29,884,000	-32,556,000	-55,982,000	-63,596,000
Selling, general and administrative expense	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Results of affiliates' operations	-134,674,000	-130,542,000	-231,597,000	-257,394,000
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Provision for income taxes	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss)	-134,674,000	-130,542,000	-231,597,000	-257,394,000
Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	-134,674,000	-130,542,000	-231,597,000	-257,394,000
Comprehensive Income:	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-86,046,000	88,700,000	6,954,000	135,660,000
Comprehensive income attributable to WESCO International, Inc.	($220,720,000)	($41,842,000)	($224,643,000)	($121,734,000)

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	$50,842	$119,727
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-11,785	-11,750
Acquisition payments	-133,318	0
Other	27	9,654
Net cash used in investing activities	-145,076	-2,096
Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings	639,921	536,299
Repayments	-563,031	-640,154
Condensed Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	-1,580	6,029
Net cash used in financing activities	75,310	-97,826
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-3,158	-1,392
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-22,082	18,413
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	123,725	86,099
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	101,643	'
Parent Company [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	1,063	-9,418
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0
Acquisition payments	0	0
Other	0	0
Net cash used in investing activities	0	0
Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings	0	10,454
Repayments	675	0
Condensed Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	-388	-1,036
Net cash used in financing activities	-1,063	9,418
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	0	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	0	'
WESCO Distribution, Inc.	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	57,016	70,521
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-8,380	-9,621
Acquisition payments	-42,131	0
Other	675	-10,454
Net cash used in investing activities	-49,836	-20,075
Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings	409,460	333,036
Repayments	-402,459	-396,036
Condensed Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	-1,189	7,566
Net cash used in financing activities	5,812	-55,434
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	12,992	-4,988
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	31,695	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	44,687	'
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	-7,237	58,624
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	-3,405	-2,129
Acquisition payments	-91,187	0
Other	27	9,654
Net cash used in investing activities	-94,565	7,525
Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings	230,461	203,263
Repayments	-160,572	-244,118
Condensed Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	-3	-501
Net cash used in financing activities	69,886	-41,356
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-3,158	-1,392
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-35,074	23,401
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	92,030	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	56,956	'
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]	'	'
Condensed Financial Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities	0	0
Investing Activities:	'	'
Capital expenditures	0	0
Acquisition payments	0	0
Other	-675	10,454
Net cash used in investing activities	-675	10,454
Financing Activities:	'	'
Borrowings	0	-10,454
Repayments	-675	0
Condensed Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities	0	0
Net cash used in financing activities	675	-10,454
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	0	'
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$0	'