Anixter to be Acquired in Private Equity Deal

Anixter International Inc., a global distributor based in suburban Chicago, has entered into a definitive agreement with an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (“CD&R”) to be acquired in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $3.8 billion.

Founded in 1978, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a private investment firm that has managed the investment of $28 billion in 86 companies, including numerous electrical and industrial distributors. The firm has offices in New York and London.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, CD&R-managed funds will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Anixter common stock for $81.00 per share in cash. This represents a premium of approximately 13% over Anixter’s closing price on October 29, 2019, and a premium of approximately 27% over the 90-day volume-weighted average price of Anixter’s common stock for the period ended October 29, 2019.

“We believe this transaction is in the best interest of Anixter and our stockholders,” said Bill Galvin, Anixter’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “After careful and thorough analysis, together with our independent advisors, our Board of Directors unanimously approved this transaction with CD&R, which has a strong reputation and a track record of success in helping industrial distributors, like Anixter, prosper and grow.”

It is anticipated that upon completion of the transaction, Bill Galvin, along with other members of Anixter’s executive management team, will continue to lead the company.

Anixter reports approximately 130,000 customers, support for nearly 600,000 products and over $1 billion in inventory.

Channel Impact^®
Plans for the company in the wake of the merger are currently undisclosed.