Bearing Distributors, Inc. (BDI) has received a strategic growth investment from private equity firm Kelso & Company, the companies announced Aug. 25.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Cleveland, OH-based BDI said the investment will provide additional capital and operational resources to accelerate organic and inorganic growth across product categories, end markets and service offerings. The distributor’s existing leadership team will retain meaningful ownership in the company following the transaction.

“Partnering with Kelso provides the capital, strategic support and shared vision to take BDI to the next level,” BDI CEO Carl James said in the announcement. “This investment positions us to deliver even greater value to our customers and partners across every market we serve.”

BDI distributes bearings, power transmission and fluid power products and related industrial solutions to customers across a range of end markets. The company operates more than 205 locations across 11 countries.

On MDM’s 2026 Top Distributors Lists, BDI was No. 3 for Power Transmission/Bearings and No. 24 for Industrial Supplies.

Kelso Investment Partner Alec Hufnagel said BDI has built a “differentiated platform” around its technical expertise and longstanding customer and supplier relationships.

“We are excited to support the BDI leadership team as they build on the Company’s strong momentum and pursue an ambitious growth strategy, while preserving its unique culture and focus on customer solutions and productivity,” Hufnagel said.

New York-based Kelso is a North American-focused middle-market private equity firm. Since 1980, the firm has invested approximately $20 billion in more than 140 transactions, according to the BDI announcement.

Kelso’s distribution investments also include JanSan and foodservice supplies distributor BradyPLUS and packaging supplies distributor Novvia Group. Kelso invested in BradyPLUS in 2019 and continues to list it as a current investment. BradyPLUS completed its merger with fellow JanSan distribution giant Imperial Dade on March 12, creating a combined company with more than $10 billion in annual revenue. The business subsequently adopted the Imperial Brady name in May.

Kelso invested in Atlanta-based Novvia Group in 2020. The firm describes Novvia as a distributor of rigid container and life sciences packaging products.

KeyBanc Capital Markets advised BDI on the Kelso transaction, while Solomon Partners and Lincoln International served as financial advisors to Kelso.