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Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 1,524,515	$ 1,259,121	$ 2,955,820	$ 2,407,720
Cost of goods sold	1,217,666	1,016,169	2,362,921	1,937,352
Selling, general and administrative expenses	214,212	185,977	427,971	369,016
Depreciation and amortization	7,641	5,620	15,187	11,721
Results of affiliates' operations	84,996	51,355	149,741	89,631
Interest expense, net	13,931	14,400	26,572	27,930
Other income		(1,778)		(4,284)
Provision for income taxes	20,858	10,940	35,657	18,992
Net income	50,207	27,793	87,512	46,993
WESCO International, Inc.
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5	34	43	122
Interest expense, net	6,212	7,258	12,066	14,526
Net income	50,207	27,793	87,512	46,993
WESCO International, Inc. \| Results of Affiliates
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Results of affiliates' operations	56,424	35,085	99,621	61,641
WESCO Distribution, Inc.
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	799,949	701,505	1,539,223	1,360,451
Cost of goods sold	641,159	565,868	1,233,005	1,093,561
Selling, general and administrative expenses	132,901	124,718	269,441	253,975
Depreciation and amortization	2,774	2,614	5,449	6,110
Interest expense, net	3,557	3,261	7,265	7,006
Other income		(1,778)		(4,284)
Provision for income taxes	17,456	6,653	26,787	12,186
Net income	56,424	35,085	99,621	61,641
WESCO Distribution, Inc. \| Results of Affiliates
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Results of affiliates' operations	54,322	34,916	102,345	69,744
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	748,143	576,377	1,458,708	1,079,748
Cost of goods sold	600,084	469,062	1,172,027	876,270
Selling, general and administrative expenses	81,306	61,225	158,487	114,919
Depreciation and amortization	4,867	3,006	9,738	5,611
Interest expense, net	4,162	3,881	7,241	6,398
Provision for income taxes	3,402	4,287	8,870	6,806
Net income	54,322	34,916	102,345	69,744
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Net Sales	(23,577)	(18,761)	(42,111)	(32,479)
Cost of goods sold	(23,577)	(18,761)	(42,111)	(32,479)
Net income	(110,746)	(70,001)	(201,966)	(131,385)
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries \| Results of Affiliates
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations [Line Items]
Results of affiliates' operations	$ (110,746)	$ (70,001)	$ (201,966)	$ (131,385)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,615	$ 53,577
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $21,090 and $18,562 in 2011 and 2010, respectively	920,785	792,681
Other accounts receivable	24,460	37,223
Inventories, net	634,148	588,848
Current deferred income taxes	3,158	3,046
Income taxes receivable	15,856	18,146
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	27,737	20,165
Total current assets	1,704,759	1,513,686
Property, buildings and equipment, net	126,288	118,045
Intangible assets, net	153,452	160,307
Goodwill	992,637	985,714
Deferred income taxes	36,803	35,887
Other assets	12,018	13,135
Total assets	3,025,957	2,826,774
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	624,233	537,505
Accrued payroll and benefit costs	49,864	66,931
Current portion of long-term debt	4,775	3,988
Bank overdrafts	27,917	27,590
Current deferred income taxes	4,608	4,593
Other current liabilities	65,219	67,626
Total current liabilities	776,616	708,233
Long-term debt, net of discount of $177,216 and $178,427 in 2011 and 2010, respectively	753,590	725,893
Deferred income taxes	220,923	210,876
Other noncurrent liabilities	21,521	33,178
Total liabilities	1,772,650	1,678,180
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
Common stock	569	566
Additional capital	1,028,750	1,018,683
Retained earnings	783,050	697,676
Treasury stock, at cost; 17,901,239 and 17,905,740 shares in 2011 and 2010, respectively	(591,464)	(591,007)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	32,359	22,633
Total stockholders' equity	1,253,307	1,148,594
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,025,957	2,826,774
Common Class B
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock	$ 43	$ 43

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 87,512	$ 46,993
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,187	11,721
Amortization of debt issuance costs	1,322	1,303
Amortization of debt discount	1,211	2,558
Deferred income taxes	10,408	(3,789)
Stock-based compensation expense	9,507	7,117
Gain on sale of property, buildings and equipment	135	62
Asset impairment charge		3,793
Equity income, net of distributions of $1,864		(2,421)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(3,379)	(629)
Interest related to uncertain tax positions	1,258	(310)
Changes in assets and liabilities
Trade and other receivables, net	(106,478)	(80,204)
Inventories, net	(40,809)	(21,844)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,112	3,217
Accounts payable	80,863	85,756
Accrued payroll and benefit costs	(17,301)	7,491
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	(19,031)	7,942
Net cash provided by operating activities	22,517	68,756
Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(15,857)	(6,022)
Acquisition payments	(8,308)	(14,296)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary		40,000
Equity distribution		4,054
Collection of note receivable		15,000
Proceeds from sale of assets	59	178
Net cash (used) provided by investing activities	(24,106)	38,914
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	327,524	310,452
Repayments of long-term debt	(299,661)	(424,404)
Debt issuance costs	(229)	(596)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	199	613
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	3,379	629
Purchases of common stock	(5,975)	(111)
Increase (decrease) in bank overdrafts	327	(9,660)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(816)	(830)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	24,748	(123,907)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,879	(288)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	25,038	(16,525)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period	53,577	112,329
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	78,615	95,804
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property, buildings and equipment acquired through capital leases	180	$ 164
Issuance of treasury stock	$ 960

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

2. 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 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The December 31, 2010 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, 2011, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

With the exception of fixed rate long-term debt, the carrying amounts of WESCO’s financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. At June 30, 2011, the par value of WESCO's fixed rate long-term debt was $495.2 million and the fair value was approximately $871.4 million. The fair value of WESCO's long-term debt was estimated based on market price quotes and market comparisons available for instruments with similar terms and maturities.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new disclosure guidance related to the presentation of the statement of comprehensive income. This guidance provides an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements; the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity was eliminated. This accounting standard is effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Other than the change in presentation, this accounting standard will not have an impact on WESCO’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Other pronouncements issued by the FASB or other authoritative accounting standards groups with future effective dates are either not applicable or are not expected to be significant to WESCO’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

9. OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

WESCO Distribution, Inc. (“WESCO Distribution”), a 100% owned subsidiary of WESCO International, Inc. (“WESCO International”), has outstanding $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Notes”), and WESCO International has outstanding $0.2 million in aggregate principal amount of 2026 Debentures and $345.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Debentures. The 2017 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by WESCO International on a subordinated basis to all existing and future senior indebtedness of WESCO International. The 2026 Debentures and 2029 Debentures are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by WESCO Distribution on a senior subordinated basis to all existing and future senior indebtedness of WESCO Distribution.

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, 2011
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.			WESCO Distribution, Inc.		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	6		$	24,892	$	53,717	$	—		$	78,615
Trade accounts receivable, net		—			—		920,785		—			920,785
Inventories, net		—			336,640		297,508		—			634,148
Other current assets		(23,982	)		36,383		58,810		—			71,211

Total current assets		(23,976	)		397,915		1,330,820		—			1,704,759
Intercompany receivables, net		—			—		1,834,550		(1,834,550	)		—
Property, buildings and equipment, net		—			48,331		77,957		—			126,288
Intangible assets, net		—			7,399		146,053		—			153,452
Goodwill and other intangibles, net		—			246,267		746,370		—			992,637
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets		2,111,566			3,363,627		15,992		(5,442,364	)		48,821

Total assets	$	2,087,590		$	4,063,539	$	4,151,742	$	(7,276,914	)	$	3,025,957


Accounts payable	$	—		$	408,198	$	216,035	$	—		$	624,233
Other current liabilities		8,015			10,816		133,552		—			152,383

Total current liabilities		8,015			419,014		349,587		—			776,616
Intercompany payables, net		630,347			1,204,203		—		(1,834,550	)		—
Long-term debt		167,783			169,124		416,683		—			753,590
Other noncurrent liabilities		28,138			164,673		49,633		—			242,444
Stockholders’ equity		1,253,307			2,106,525		3,335,839		(5,442,364	)		1,253,307

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	2,087,590		$	4,063,539	$	4,151,742	$	(7,276,914	)	$	3,025,957


	December 31, 2010
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.			WESCO Distribution, Inc.		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1		$	32,342	$	21,234		$	—		$	53,577
Trade accounts receivable, net		—			—		792,681			—			792,681
Inventories, net		—			321,111		267,737			—			588,848
Other current assets		(4,492	)		90,105		(7,033	)		—			78,580

Total current assets		(4,491	)		443,558		1,074,619			—			1,513,686
Intercompany receivables, net		—			—		1,933,768			(1,933,768	)		—
Property, buildings and equipment, net		—			41,115		76,930			—			118,045
Intangible assets, net		—			7,817		152,490			—			160,307
Goodwill and other intangibles, net		—			240,313		745,401			—			985,714
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets		2,002,358			3,237,808		39,527			(5,230,671	)		49,022

Total assets	$	1,997,867		$	3,970,611	$	4,022,735		$	(7,164,439	)	$	2,826,774


Accounts payable	$	—		$	349,250	$	188,255		$	—		$	537,505
Other current liabilities		8,016			17,563		145,149			—			170,728

Total current liabilities		8,016			366,813		333,404			—			708,233
Intercompany payables, net		646,607			1,287,161		—			(1,933,768	)		—
Long-term debt		166,573			151,755		407,565			—			725,893
Other noncurrent liabilities		28,077			167,705		48,272			—			244,054
Stockholders’ equity		1,148,594			1,997,177		3,233,494			(5,230,671	)		1,148,594

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,997,867		$	3,970,611	$	4,022,735		$	(7,164,439	)	$	2,826,774

WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.		WESCO Distribution, Inc.		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Net Sales	$	—	$	799,949	$	748,143	$	(23,577	)	$	1,524,515
Cost of goods sold		—		641,159		600,084		(23,577	)		1,217,666
Selling, general and administrative expenses		5		132,901		81,306		—			214,212
Depreciation and amortization		—		2,774		4,867		—			7,641
Results of affiliates’ operations		56,424		54,322		—		(110,746	)		—
Interest expense, net		6,212		3,557		4,162		—			13,931
Provision for income taxes		—		17,456		3,402		—			20,858


Net income	$	50,207	$	56,424	$	54,322	$	(110,746	)	$	50,207


	Three Months Ended June 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.		WESCO Distribution, Inc.			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Net Sales	$	—	$	701,505		$	576,377	$	(18,761	)	$	1,259,121
Cost of goods sold		—		565,868			469,062		(18,761	)		1,016,169
Selling, general and administrative expenses		34		124,718			61,225		—			185,977
Depreciation and amortization		—		2,614			3,006		—			5,620
Results of affiliates’ operations		35,085		34,916			—		(70,001	)		—
Interest expense, net		7,258		3,261			3,881		—			14,400
Other income		—		(1,778	)		—		—			(1,778	)
Provision for income taxes		—		6,653			4,287		—			10,940


Net income	$	27,793	$	35,085		$	34,916	$	(70,001	)	$	27,793

WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(unaudited)


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.		WESCO Distribution, Inc.		Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Net Sales	$	—	$	1,539,223	$	1,458,708	$	(42,111	)	$	2,955,820
Cost of goods sold		—		1,233,005		1,172,027		(42,111	)		2,362,921
Selling, general and administrative expenses		43		269,441		158,487		—			427,971
Depreciation and amortization		—		5,449		9,738		—			15,187
Results of affiliates’ operations		99,621		102,345		—		(201,966	)		—
Interest expense, net		12,066		7,265		7,241		—			26,572
Provision for income taxes		—		26,787		8,870		—			35,657


Net income	$	87,512	$	99,621	$	102,345	$	(201,966	)	$	87,512


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.		WESCO Distribution, Inc.			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries		Consolidating and Eliminating Entries			Consolidated
Net Sales	$	—	$	1,360,451		$	1,079,748	$	(32,479	)	$	2,407,720
Cost of goods sold		—		1,093,561			876,270		(32,479	)		1,937,352
Selling, general and administrative expenses		122		253,975			114,919		—			369,016
Depreciation and amortization		—		6,110			5,611		—			11,721
Results of affiliates’ operations		61,641		69,744			—		(131,385	)		—
Interest expense, net		14,526		7,006			6,398		—			27,930
Other income		—		(4,284	)		—		—			(4,284	)
Provision for income taxes		—		12,186			6,806		—			18,992


Net income	$	46,993	$	61,641		$	69,744	$	(131,385	)	$	46,993

WESCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited)


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.			WESCO Distribution, Inc.			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating and Eliminating Entries		Consolidated
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	18,661		$	(28,129	)	$	31,985		$	—	$	22,517
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		—			(14,476	)		(1,381	)		—		(15,857	)
Acquisition payments		—			(8,308	)		—			—		(8,308	)
Other		—			59			—			—		59

Net cash used by investing activities		—			(22,725	)		(1,381	)		—		(24,106	)
Financing activities
Net repayments		(16,259	)		43,306			—			—		27,047
Equity transactions		(2,397	)		—			—			—		(2,397	)
Other		—			98			—			—		98

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(18,656	)		43,404			—			—		24,748


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			1,879			—		1,879

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		5			(7,450	)		32,483			—		25,038
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year		1			32,342			21,234			—		53,577

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	6		$	24,892		$	53,717		$	—	$	78,615


	Six Months Ended June 30, 2010
	(In thousands)
	WESCO International, Inc.			WESCO Distribution, Inc.			Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries			Consolidating and Eliminating Entries		Consolidated
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$	7,263		$	83,034		$	(21,541	)	$	—	$	68,756
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures		—			(5,784	)		(238	)		—		(6,022	)
Acquisition payments		—			(14,296	)		—			—		(14,296	)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary		—			40,000			—			—		40,000
Collection of note receivable		—			15,000			—			—		15,000
Other		—			4,232			—			—		4,232

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		—			39,152			(238	)		—		38,914
Financing activities
Net repayments		(8,393	)		(106,389	)		—			—		(114,782	)
Equity transactions		1,131			—			—			—		1,131
Other		—			(10,256	)		—			—		(10,256	)

Net cash used by financing activities		(7,262	)		(116,645	)		—			—		(123,907	)


Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		—			—			(288	)		—		(288	)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		1			5,541			(22,067	)		—		(16,525	)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of year		3			16,924			95,402			—		112,329

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period	$	4		$	22,465		$	73,335		$	—	$	95,804

Weighted Average Assumptions for Granted Stock-settled Stock Appreciation Rights and Restricted Stock Units (Detail)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 Year shares	Jun. 30, 2010 Year shares	Jun. 30, 2011 Year shares	Jun. 30, 2010 Year shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Risk free interest rate	1.80%	2.20%	2.40%	2.20%
Expected life \| Year	5.0	5.0	5.0	4.8
Expected volatility	48.00%	49.00%	49.00%	49.00%
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation award granted	3,650	13,250	384,517	24,000
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based compensation award granted			53,919

Organization - Additional Information (Detail)	6 Months Ended
Organization - Additional Information (Detail)	Jun. 30, 2011 Entity Country Store Person
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of customers globally \| Person	100,000
Number of service branches \| Entity	400
Number of distribution centers \| Store	7
Number of other countries in which the company have commercial presence \| Country	6

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,615	$ 53,577	$ 95,804	$ 112,329
Trade accounts receivable, net	920,785	792,681
Inventories, net	634,148	588,848
Other current assets	71,211	78,580
Total current assets	1,704,759	1,513,686
Property, buildings and equipment, net	126,288	118,045
Intangible assets, net	153,452	160,307
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	992,637	985,714
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets	48,821	49,022
Total assets	3,025,957	2,826,774
Accounts payable	624,233	537,505
Other current liabilities	152,383	170,728
Total current liabilities	776,616	708,233
Long-term debt	753,590	725,893
Other noncurrent liabilities	242,444	244,054
Stockholders' equity	1,253,307	1,148,594
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,025,957	2,826,774
WESCO International, Inc.
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	6	1	4	3
Other current assets	(23,982)	(4,492)
Total current assets	(23,976)	(4,491)
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets	2,111,566	2,002,358
Total assets	2,087,590	1,997,867
Other current liabilities	8,015	8,016
Total current liabilities	8,015	8,016
Long-term debt	167,783	166,573
Other noncurrent liabilities	28,138	28,077
Stockholders' equity	1,253,307	1,148,594
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	2,087,590	1,997,867
WESCO International, Inc. \| Intercompany
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Intercompany payables, net	630,347	646,607
WESCO Distribution, Inc.
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	24,892	32,342	22,465	16,924
Inventories, net	336,640	321,111
Other current assets	36,383	90,105
Total current assets	397,915	443,558
Property, buildings and equipment, net	48,331	41,115
Intangible assets, net	7,399	7,817
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	246,267	240,313
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets	3,363,627	3,237,808
Total assets	4,063,539	3,970,611
Accounts payable	408,198	349,250
Other current liabilities	10,816	17,563
Total current liabilities	419,014	366,813
Long-term debt	169,124	151,755
Other noncurrent liabilities	164,673	167,705
Stockholders' equity	2,106,525	1,997,177
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,063,539	3,970,611
WESCO Distribution, Inc. \| Intercompany
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Intercompany payables, net	1,204,203	1,287,161
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	53,717	21,234	$ 73,335	$ 95,402
Trade accounts receivable, net	920,785	792,681
Inventories, net	297,508	267,737
Other current assets	58,810	(7,033)
Total current assets	1,330,820	1,074,619
Property, buildings and equipment, net	77,957	76,930
Intangible assets, net	146,053	152,490
Goodwill and other intangibles, net	746,370	745,401
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets	15,992	39,527
Total assets	4,151,742	4,022,735
Accounts payable	216,035	188,255
Other current liabilities	133,552	145,149
Total current liabilities	349,587	333,404
Long-term debt	416,683	407,565
Other noncurrent liabilities	49,633	48,272
Stockholders' equity	3,335,839	3,233,494
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	4,151,742	4,022,735
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries \| Intercompany
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Intercompany receivables, net	1,834,550	1,933,768
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Investments in affiliates and other noncurrent assets	(5,442,364)	(5,230,671)
Total assets	(7,276,914)	(7,164,439)
Stockholders' equity	(5,442,364)	(5,230,671)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(7,276,914)	(7,164,439)
Consolidating and Eliminating Entries \| Intercompany
Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets [Line Items]
Intercompany receivables, net	(1,834,550)	(1,933,768)
Intercompany payables, net	$ (1,834,550)	$ (1,933,768)

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Jun. 30, 2011	Jul. 28, 2011
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	WCC
Entity Registrant Name	WESCO INTERNATIONAL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000929008
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		43,256,867

Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
Comprehensive Income (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Net income	$ 50,207	$ 27,793	$ 87,512	$ 46,993
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1,742	(7,578)	9,726	(174)
Comprehensive income	$ 51,949	$ 20,215	$ 97,238	$ 46,819

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Trade accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 21,090	$ 18,562
Long-term debt, discount	$ 177,216	$ 178,427
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	210,000,000	210,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	56,842,977	56,576,250
Common stock, shares outstanding	43,281,169	43,009,941
Treasury stock, shares	17,901,239	17,905,740
Common Class B
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	4,339,431	4,339,431
Common stock, shares outstanding	0	0

Summary of Stock Options and Stock-Settled Stock Appreciation Rights (Detail) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($) Year $ / shares shares
Awards
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 \| shares	4,498,303
Granted \| shares	384,517
Exercised \| shares	(234,800)
Forfeited \| shares	(76,708)
Outstanding at June 30, 2011 \| shares	4,571,312
Exercisable at June 30, 2011 \| shares	2,828,159
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 31, 2010 \| $ / shares	$ 36.38
Granted \| $ / shares	60.00
Exercised \| $ / shares	29.96
Forfeited \| $ / shares	46.19
Outstanding at June 30, 2011 \| $ / shares	38.53
Exercisable at June 30, 2011 \| $ / shares	$ 39.09
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (In Years)
Outstanding at June 30, 2011 \| Year	6.1
Exercisable at June 30, 2011 \| Year	4.5
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding at June 30, 2011 \| $	$ 90,948
Exercisable at June 30, 2011 \| $	$ 56,256

Other Financial Information - Additional Information (Detail) - WESCO Distribution, Inc. $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)
Senior Subordinated Notes 7.50 Percent Due 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior subordinated notes	$ 150.0
Convertible Senior Debentures 1.75 Percent Due 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debentures	0.2
Convertible Senior Debentures 6.0 Percent Due 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Aggregate principal amount of debentures	$ 345.0

Summary of Restricted Stock Units (Detail) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - $ / shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011
Awards
Unvested at December 31, 2010	392,493
Granted	53,919
Vested	(236,913)
Forfeited	(4,680)
Unvested at June 30, 2011	204,819
Weighted Average Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 2010	$ 28.36
Granted	60.05
Vested	27.93
Forfeited	30.84
Unvested at June 30, 2011	$ 37.16

ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	6 Months Ended
ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2011
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 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. The December 31, 2010 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, 2011, the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, 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.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments With the exception of fixed rate long-term debt, the carrying amounts of WESCO’s financial assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. At June 30, 2011, the par value of WESCO's fixed rate long-term debt was $495.2 million and the fair value was approximately $871.4 million. The fair value of WESCO's long-term debt was estimated based on market price quotes and market comparisons available for instruments with similar terms and maturities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new disclosure guidance related to the presentation of the statement of comprehensive income. This guidance provides an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements; the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity was eliminated. This accounting standard is effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Other than the change in presentation, this accounting standard will not have an impact on WESCO’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Other pronouncements issued by the FASB or other authoritative accounting standards groups with future effective dates are either not applicable or are not expected to be significant to WESCO’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Fixed rate long-term debt, par value	$ 495.2
Fixed rate long-term debt, fair value	$ 871.4

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Monetary damages sought by a customer	$ 50