Who We Are Carlton-Bates Company (CBC), part of the Fortune 500 WESCO International, Inc. family of companies, is a trusted provider of specialized services and a leading distributor of automation controls and electronic and electromechanical products. With industrial original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") and maintenance, repair and operating ("MRO") clients from coast-to-coast, CBC operates more than 30 sales and distribution offices in North America and international markets, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and multi-national corporations. History In 1957, CBC opened its doors to supply electronic components and equipment to the growing industrial plants of Arkansas. The venture was built by two men who dreamed that someday most or all of the moving parts in any industrial plant would be controlled by electronic devices. However, neither of the founders envisioned the rapid and revolutionary changes that in a few years would result in a small computer-like device operating machines performing all types of manufacturing processes and movement of assembly and conveyor lines. This high-tech revolution, ignited by the invention of the transistor by Bell Labs in 1947, not only brought electronics to manufacturing plants, but to hospitals, utilities, government installations, construction, and all types of businesses.