Sonepar USA started 2019 with a bang, announcing its intent to acquire North Coast Electric, adding 34 branches to its network in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Arizona. North Coast ranked 17th on MDM's 2018 Top Electrical Distributors with 2017 revenues of $510 million. Sonepar ranked first on MDM’s 2018 list with $10.1 billion in 2017 revenues. 

In an M&A saga that lasted nearly a year, Staples and Essendant completed an agreement where an affiliate of Staples will acquire the outstanding shares of Essendant common stock in a deal valued at $996 million including net debt. Essendant and Genuine Parts Company entered into a definitive merger agreement in April 2018, in which Essendant agreed to combine with GPC’s S.P. Richards business in a deal valued at $680 million, including a one-time cash payment to GPC of $347 million. The merged business products wholesaler would have had pro forma 2017 net sales of about $7 billion. Staples put in a competing bid, and Essendant’s board determined in September that the Staples offer was a better deal.

There were a range of deal announcements across all sizes of distributors, including internationally. Rubix, the largest European distributor of bearings, power transmission and automation, fluid power, machining, assembly, tools and protective equipment with €2.2bn in 2017, plans to acquire Schäfer Technik Group, a 120-person distributor operating in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

January M&A Deals

Sonepar USA to Acquire North Coast Electric

Staples completes offer for Essendant

WESCO to Acquire Sylvania Lighting Solutions

Core & Main to Acquire DCL Fabrication & Supply

Rubix to acquire Schäfer Technik

GPC Completes German Acquisition

Valin Corp Acquires Power Transfer Products

Sysco to Acquire Waugh Foods

Shingle & Gibb Acquires KOM Automation

The Crosby Group Acquires Straightpoint UK

Purvis Industries Acquires Ready Bearing Supply

A&M Industrial Merges with Boro Supply Company

Manufacturers

Dana Completes SME Group Acquisition

Pentair to Acquire Aquion and Pelican Water Systems

Atlas Copco Acquires IPV

Hexcel Acquires ARC Technologies

Actuant to Become Pure-Play Industrial Tools Business

Rockwell Automation Acquires Emulate3D