Bloomberg News has reported that two groups of private equity firms are prepared to submit final bids  ; of $10 billion  ; for Home Depot’s wholesale business, HD Supply. They are: Bain Capital LLC, Carlyle Group and Clayton Dubilier & Rice Inc.; and the pairing of  ; Thomas H. Lee Partners LP and CCMP Capital Advisors LLC.
Final bids are apparently due Friday. This report is similar to that reported by MDM  ; in early March.
Clayton Dubilier & Rice is the most recognizable among the teams in the distribution world, as it most recently invested in global electrical distributor Rexel Inc., and recently sold its investment, lab supplier VWR International Inc. Also, the former CEO of building materials and plumbing distributor Wolseley plc (parent of Stock Building Supply and Ferguson) is an operating partner at CD & R.
Carlyle has recently made industrial and construction investments, as well, including Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company’s Engineered Products Division. It previously owned PT manufacturer Rexnord before selling it recently to Apollo Management.
Thomas H. Lee Partners with JPMorgan owned National Waterworks before selling it to HD Supply.
Beyond the HD Supply Factor: What you need to know about distribution M & A in 2007. Order the CD, transcript  ; and handouts from MDM’s recent audio conference to learn more about the state of M & A in distribution channels.
