What was the total synergy savings for the full year and what was the split between the first and second half of the year
-curve of IoT-based applications, very beginning. That's got multiple decades of growth in front of us. So I mean, just on the second comment you made, I'd say that the secular growth trends that CSS are facing are very attractive to us and also are robust. And finally, and this one will take a bit longer and be more, I'll call it, more consistent over the next few decades. I think we're at the beginning part of an accelerating electrification trend. And EES will benefit greatly, but that affects our other business units as well.
And so I mean it's hard for me to say UBS has got the strongest growth trends. We've spent some time outlining all the various growth trends. We think we're well positioned to take advantage of. But I would say those -- that's how I would it. Utility, yes, on your utility comment, yes, on your broadband comment, that I will put datacom and IP security right up there with it in electrification as well.
Operator
[Operator Instructions] Our next question will come from Chris Dankert with Longbow Research.
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Congrats again on the quarter here. I guess I want to make sure I got my numbers straight based on Dave, what you were saying, synergy savings stepped up pretty materially into the second quarter. The number I'm coming at to is $68 million. Is that correct? Is that what you're intending to guide to here on 2Q?
Dave Schulz -- Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President
That would be high. And so if you think about -- we called out $34 million in Q1. And we called out the -- for the full amount. So we have said that 60%, 40% split on synergy realization, front half, back half. So we've not provided a specific number for Q2, but your number is too high.
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Got it. Got it. And then just housekeeping, and sorry if I missed it, but any comment on your April growth to date or just kind of how growth trended through the first quarter into 2Q here?
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
Yes. And we've been very pleased with the momentum as we -- again, preliminary basis, our April sales up roughly 20% versus the prior year pro forma. And obviously, April and the prior year was the first full month that we had a true COVID impact. Now we saw the decline in our sales rates in the middle of March, April, we were down on a pro forma basis, 16%. So we've come off the trough from the prior year. And we also commented that the gross margins are in line with Q1.
Operator
And this does conclude our question-and-answer session. I'd like to turn the conference back over to John Engel for any closing remarks.
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
Well, thank you all very much. As we said, we're off to a great start, and we do appreciate your support, and we look forward to following up with you. And I know we've already got a long list of calls, Leslie and Will and Dave, and we'll be connecting with you. So thank you. Please stay safe and healthy, and have a great day.
Operator
[Operator Closing Remarks]
Duration: 47 minutes
Call participants:
Leslie Hunziker -- Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
Dave Schulz -- Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President
Deane Dray -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
Sam Darkatsh -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Nigel Coe -- Wolfe Research -- Analyst
David Manthey -- Baird -- Analyst
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
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-curve of IoT-based applications, very beginning. That's got multiple decades of growth in front of us. So I mean, just on the second comment you made, I'd say that the secular growth trends that CSS are facing are very attractive to us and also are robust. And finally, and this one will take a bit longer and be more, I'll call it, more consistent over the next few decades. I think we're at the beginning part of an accelerating electrification trend. And EES will benefit greatly, but that affects our other business units as well.
And so I mean it's hard for me to say UBS has got the strongest growth trends. We've spent some time outlining all the various growth trends. We think we're well positioned to take advantage of. But I would say those -- that's how I would it. Utility, yes, on your utility comment, yes, on your broadband comment, that I will put datacom and IP security right up there with it in electrification as well.
Operator
[Operator Instructions] Our next question will come from Chris Dankert with Longbow Research.
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Congrats again on the quarter here. I guess I want to make sure I got my numbers straight based on Dave, what you were saying, synergy savings stepped up pretty materially into the second quarter. The number I'm coming at to is $68 million. Is that correct? Is that what you're intending to guide to here on 2Q?
Dave Schulz -- Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President
That would be high. And so if you think about -- we called out $34 million in Q1. And we called out the -- for the full amount. So we have said that 60%, 40% split on synergy realization, front half, back half. So we've not provided a specific number for Q2, but your number is too high.
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
Got it. Got it. And then just housekeeping, and sorry if I missed it, but any comment on your April growth to date or just kind of how growth trended through the first quarter into 2Q here?
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
 Yes. And we've been very pleased with the momentum as we -- again, preliminary basis, our April sales up roughly 20% versus the prior year pro forma. And obviously, April and the prior year was the first full month that we had a true COVID impact. Now we saw the decline in our sales rates in the middle of March, April, we were down on a pro forma basis, 16%. So we've come off the trough from the prior year. And we also commented that the gross margins are in line with Q1.
Operator
And this does conclude our question-and-answer session. I'd like to turn the conference back over to John Engel for any closing remarks.
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
Well, thank you all very much. As we said, we're off to a great start, and we do appreciate your support, and we look forward to following up with you. And I know we've already got a long list of calls, Leslie and Will and Dave, and we'll be connecting with you. So thank you. Please stay safe and healthy, and have a great day.
Operator
[Operator Closing Remarks]
Duration: 47 minutes
Call participants:
Leslie Hunziker -- Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
John J. Engel -- Chairman of the Board, President, Chief Executive Officer
Dave Schulz -- Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President
Deane Dray -- RBC Capital Markets -- Analyst
Sam Darkatsh -- Raymond James -- Analyst
Nigel Coe -- Wolfe Research -- Analyst
David Manthey -- Baird -- Analyst
Chris Dankert -- Longbow Research -- Analyst
More WCC analysis
All earnings call transcripts




