Exhibit 32.1

      CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT
                TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

         In connection with the Quarterly Report of Anixter International Inc.
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending October 3, 2003 as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof ("the Report") I,
Robert W. Grubbs, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Sec. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Sec. 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
                  all material respects, the financial condition and result of
                  operations of the Company.

/s/ Robert W. Grubbs
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Robert W. Grubbs
President and Chief Executive Officer
November 12, 2003