At what enterprise value was WOLSELEY UK acquired in 2021?

During the acquisition of WOLSELEY UK by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R) in 2021, the company was valued at an estimated revenue multiple of below 5x. The transaction's Enterprise Value is estimated to be in the range of 300M - 700M GBP. By registering for free, you get access to complete and exact transaction details including enterprise value, revenue, and EBITDA. Additionally, our database shows that the Business Services industry currently tracks an average EBITDA multiple of 11.1x, providing a valuable benchmark for this transaction.

What was the EV/EBITDA of WOLSELEY UK when it was acquired by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R)?

The estimated EV/EBITDA multiple for WOLSELEY UK is in the range of 15x - 25x. For comparison, the Business Services sector currently shows an average EBITDA multiple of 11.1x. Join our community for free to access full valuation data and industry trends.

When was WOLSELEY UK acquired by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R)?

WOLSELEY UK was acquired by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R) in 2021.

What was the revenue of WOLSELEY UK at the time of the deal?

The revenue of WOLSELEY UK at the time of the deal is estimated to be in the range of 1b - 3b GBP. Register for free to access the full transaction report and exact valuation multiples.

What was the EBITDA of WOLSELEY UK during the acquisition?

WOLSELEY UK's EBITDA is estimated to be in the range of 10M - 30M GBP. Join our community for free to access complete and exact deal data.

What is Enterprise Value (EV)?

Enterprise Value (EV) is a measure of a company's total value, often used as a more comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization. EV includes in its calculation the market capitalization of a company but also short-term and long-term debt as well as any cash on the company's balance sheet.

What is the EV/EBITDA multiple and why is it used?

The EV/EBITDA multiple is a financial ratio that compares a company's Enterprise Value (EV) to its Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA). It is widely used in M&A and valuation because it allows for comparisons between companies with different capital structures and provides a clear view of operational profitability.

How is the data for the WOLSELEY UK acquisition sourced and is it reliable?

Mynth data is contributed by a professional community of M&A and Private Equity experts. Each transaction, including the WOLSELEY UK deal, is systematically cross-verified by our team using private deal documents and official sources. You can also find the official press release for this transaction here: https://www.cdr.com/news/cdr-acquisition-creates-independent-wolseley-uk

← DATABASE

Home Database Business ServicesWOLSELEY UK

02/2021

WOLSELEY UK

Acquired by

CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R)

UNITED KINGDOM Industrial Services / Industrial & Technical Distribution EV 300M - 700M GBP

WOLSELEY UK acquired by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R)

UNITED KINGDOM Industrial Services / Industrial & Technical Distribution EV 300M - 700M GBP

Context

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has completed the acquisition of Wolseley UK from its former parent company, Ferguson plc (LSE: FERG). This strategic carve-out allows Ferguson to focus exclusively on its North American operations while providing Wolseley with the dedicated capital and operating capabilities needed to accelerate its growth in the UK market. The investment marks CD&R’s 12th industrial distribution investment in a decade, signaling a strong belief in Wolseley’s platform as an "inflection point" for operating improvements and future inorganic expansion. Under the new ownership, the company is led by CEO Simon Oakland and Chairman Bruno Deschamps (former COO of Ecolab), focusing on building an entrepreneurial culture and pursuing a "buy and build" strategy to consolidate the UK's plumbing and heating distribution landscape.

WOLSELEY UK, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2020, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (11.1x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Founded in 1887, Wolseley UK is a leading specialist distributor of plumbing, heating, climate control, pipe, and infrastructure products. The company operates through a vast network of 542 branches and three major distribution centers, employing approximately 5,000 people. Its business model serves a diverse range of customers, from local tradespeople to large-scale commercial contractors, providing mission-critical components such as valves, fittings, air conditioning units, and civil utilities equipment. Wolseley’s value proposition is built on its deep technical expertise, extensive stock availability, and a heritage brand that is among the most respected in the UK building products industry. As a freestanding enterprise, the company focuses on an entrepreneurial culture and a relentless commitment to customer satisfaction within the fragmented UK trade distribution market.

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 300M - 700M GBP

Revenue range: 1b - 3b GBP

EBITDA range: 10M - 30M GBP

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of WOLSELEY UK by CLAYTON, DUBILIER & RICE (CD&R) are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Press release: view release

Target: wolseley uk

Acquirer: clayton, dubilier & rice (cd&r)