Cleaning Industry Timeline
We developed the Cleaning Industry Timeline to help industry leaders better understand market dynamics. The key questions are what comes next and what actions should I take?
All Timeline Updates
Genuine Parts Company Announces Sale of S.P. Richards Company
Genuine Parts Company announced today that it has completed the sale of its S.P. Richards operations through two separate transactions.
- S.P. Richards’ Core U.S. Operations Sold to Investor Group
- The Safety Zone and Impact Products Operations Sold to H.I.G. Capital
Brady Acquires Maintenance Mart in Arizona
Brady, a full-line janitorial supply, equipment, and foodservice distributor, announces the acquisition of Maintenance Mart in Arizona.
Waxie, North American, and FEMSA Form New Company
Fomento Económico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (“FEMSA”) (NYSE: FMX) announced today that it has entered into definitive agreements with WAXIE Sanitary Supply and North American Corporation to form a new platform within the Jan-San, Packaging and Specialized distribution industry in the United States.
FEMSA has the majority controlling interest in the combined company.
Bunzl Acquires Joshen Paper & Packaging
Bunzl PLC, FTSE 100 distribution firm, said Thursday it has acquired US grocery-focused packaging firm Joshen Paper & Packaging Co Inc for an undisclosed sum.
Imperial Dade Expands California Presence with Acquisition of American Paper & Plastics
Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of disposable foodservice and janitorial supplies, today announced the acquisition of American Paper & Plastics (“APP”).
Imperial Dade Expands Texas Presence with Acquisition of Wagner Supply Company
Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of disposable foodservice and janitorial supplies, today announced the acquisition of Wagner Supply Company. The acquisition strengthens Imperial Dade’s Texas presence. The transaction represents the 26th acquisition for Imperial Dade.
Network Services and Strategic Market Alliance (SMA) Combine To Create Largest Global Member-Owned Distribution Organization
Network Services Company (“Network”) and Strategic Market Alliance (“SMA”), leading providers of supply chain solutions in the janitorial, sanitation, foodservice and packaging industries, today announced the combination of the two companies, creating a global member-owned distribution organization.
The combined company will have over $22 billion in revenue with over 130 distributor members and over 900 locations in 50 countries.
Imperial Dade Expands California Presence with Acquisition of Area Distributors
Imperial Dade today announced the acquisition of Area Distributors. The acquisition strengthens Imperial Dade’s West Coast presence while enhancing the company’s differentiated value proposition to customers in the region.
Brady Acquires MASSCO in the Midwest
Brady, a full-line janitorial supply, equipment and foodservice distributor, announces the acquisition of MASSCO headquartered in Wichita, KS.
Imperial Dade Acquires Philip Rosenau Company
Imperial Dade, a leading distributor of disposable food service and janitorial supplies, today announced the acquisition of Philip Rosenau Co., Inc. The combination of the two companies will further extend Imperial Dade’s reach into key Northeast markets and enhance the company’s offering to customers in the region.
HD Supply separates its Facilities Maintenance and Construction & Industrial businesses
Industrial distributor HD Supply Holdings, Inc. on Sept. 24 announced it plans to separate its Facilities Maintenance and Construction & Industrial businesses into two independent publicly traded companies. The separation is expected to be completed by the middle of fiscal year 2020, according to the company.
Ecolab Acquires Cleaning Solutions Provider Chemstar
Ecolab Inc. has acquired the business of privately held Chemstar Corporation, a U.S.-based supplier of food safety and cleaning and sanitizing solutions focused on the grocery and food retail markets.
Amazon enters the Jan/San Market
Amazon’s AmazonCommercial platform is an entry into jan/san products and could portend additional private-label product categories.
Performance Food Group Company To Acquire Reinhart Foodservice
Performance Food Group Company (“PFG”) (NYSE: PFGC) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Reinhart Foodservice, L.L.C (“Reinhart”) from Reyes Holdings, L.L.C. in a transaction valued at $2.0 billion, or approximately $1.7 billion net of an estimated tax benefit to PFG of approximately $265 million. With annual net sales of over $6 billion, Reinhart is the second largest privately held foodservice distributor in the U.S. and is headquartered in Rosemont, IL.
Berry buying RPC Group for $4.37B to create ‘global’ platform
Berry Global Group Inc. is acquiring RPC Group plc in a blockbuster $4.37 billion, all-cash deal that trumps an earlier purchase attempt by a private equity firm.
RPC, with 153 manufacturing sites in 33 countries, brings about 25,000 employees to Berry’s existing workforce of about 23,000.
The move combines Berry’s concentration of business in North America with RPC’s concentration in Europe and provides a global plastic packaging platform for even more expansion in the future, CEO Tom Salmon said.
Independent Suppliers Group merges with TriMega Purchasing Association and Pinnacle Affiliates, LLC
TriMega Purchasing Association, Independent Suppliers Group and Pinnacle Affiliates, LLC announced that the boards of directors of all three organization have approved a Definitive Merger Agreement outlining the terms of a historic merger of the three organizations. Independent Suppliers Group will be the surviving organization and will be the name of the new organization.
Imperial Dade announces the acquisition of Strauss Paper Company
Imperial Dade has acquired Strauss Paper Company, Inc. located in Port Chester, New York. This Imperial Dade’s twenty-second acquisition and further strengthens it’s presence in the Tri-State area
Imperial Dade Announces The Acquisition Of Mid Continent Paper & Distributing Co., Inc.
Imperial Dade today announced the acquisition of Mid Continent Paper & Distributing Co., Inc. The transaction represents the twenty-first acquisition for Imperial Dade, a leading national distributor of disposable food service and janitorial supplies.
Imperial Dade Announces the Acquisition of Butler-Dearden Paper Service
Imperial Dade today announced the acquisition of Butler-Dearden Paper Service, Inc. (“Butler-Dearden”). The transaction represents the twentieth acquisition for Imperial Dade. Read the story.
Imperial Dade to be Acquired by Bain Capital Private Equity
Other Bain portfolio companies include Veritiv and Diversey.
Imperial-Dade acquires Edmar Cleaning Corp.
Imperial Dade has acquired Edmar Cleaning Corp. (“Edmar”). The transaction represents the nineteenth acquisition for Imperial Dade, a leading national distributor of disposable food service and janitorial supplies, under the leadership of Robert and Jason Tillis, CEO and President of Imperial Dade, respectively.
HOSPECO Acquires Nilodor
HOSPECO, manufacturer of personal care, hygiene and cleaning products has acquired Nilodor, creator of proprietary odor control and odor neutralizing products for the facility care and pet care markets.
Nexstep Acquires Greenwood Mop & Broom
Nexstep Commercial Products, Exclusive Licensee of O-Cedar Brands, announced the purchase of Greenwood Mop & Broom, Inc. The purchase of Greenwood Mop & Broom is Nexstep’s seventh acquisition since August 1, 2003.
Imperial Dade Has Acquired Joshen Paper & Packaging of New Jersey
Imperial Dade has entered a Management Services and Inventory Purchase Agreement, effective immediately, to manage, oversee, and operate the Edison, New Jersey branch of Joshen Paper & Packaging (“Joshen”) through a three-month transitionary period and ultimately integrate operations into Imperial Dade’s existing Jersey City, NJ and Bordentown, NJ locations.
Sycamore Partners / Staples Aquires Essendant
Staples can now claim victory in its battle to acquire Essendant. Staples, Inc. and Essendant Inc. announced a definitive agreement under which an affiliate of Staples will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Essendant. In connection with the termination of the agreement to combine with Genuine Parts Company’s (GPC) S.P. Richards business, GPC is entitled to a $12 million break-up fee, which Staples is paying as part of its agreement with Essendant.
Amazon To Achieve $10B Run Rate in 2018
Amazon Business announced that it will reach $10 billion in annual sales this year, a little more than two years after reaching $1 billion in sales in its first year. Third-party sellers account for more than half of its revenue.
Americo Acquires Strategic Assets of U.S. Cocoa Mat
Americo is pleased to announce the acquisition of the strategic assets of U.S. Cocoa Mat (USCOA), a century old manufacturer of personalized Cocoa fiber doormats sold into the retail market.
Electrolux divests BEAM and Sanitaire in North America
Electrolux announced today it has divested its U.S.-based commercial and central vacuum cleaner businesses in North America, including the brands Sanitaire and BEAM. The decision is in line with the strategy of the business area Home Care & SDA to focus on global brands and product categories.
Staples Acquires HiTouch Business Services
Staples Inc. announced that it has acquired HiTouch Business Services. HiTouch will now be a part of the Staples Business Advantage delivery organization. HiTouch’s marketplace website will continue to serve as an independent platform run by the HiTouch management team, and will help Staples’ growth into alternative distribution channels.
Imperial Dade acquires American Osment
Imperial Dade has acquired American Osment. The transaction represents the seventeenth acquisition for Imperial Dade. Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, American Osment is a distributor of janitorial, sanitation,
foodservice and office supply products serving the northern Alabama region.
Home Depot / SupplyWorks to add 170 distribution facilities across the U.S.
Home Depot plans to add 170 distribution facilities across the U.S. that will include direct fulfillment centers for next/same-day orders. The company’s goal is to reach 90 percent of the nation’s population in one day or less.
W.B Mason Acquires Consumers Interstate
WB Mason has acquired OP and jan/san supplies company Consumers Interstate (CI).
The deal appears to be part of WB Mason’s US-wide strategy to accumulate market share and CI significantly boosts its reach in the New England and Eastern Connecticut area.
Imperial Dade acquires Gulf Coast Paper
Imperial Dade has acquired Gulf Coast Paper Co., Inc. (“Gulf Coast Paper”). The transaction represents the sixteenth acquisition for Imperial Dade, a leading national distributor of disposable food service and janitorial supplies, under the leadership of Robert and Jason Tillis, CEO and President of Imperial Dade, respectively. Read the story.
Essendant and Genuine Parts’ S.P. Richards Business To Combine
Essendant (and Genuine Parts Co. announced Thursday that they have agreed to combine Essendant with Genuine Parts’ S.P. Richards business.
Carrol Chemical is acquired by Montgomery Manufacturing
Montgomery Manufacturing expands with the acquisition of Garland based Carroll Company. Together Montgomery Manufacturing joined with Carroll Company
forms one the nation’s leading packagers of private branded cleaning and maintenance chemicals. Read the story.
Betco Acquires GMI Engineered Products
Betco Corporation, Bowling Green, Ohio, acquired the assets of GMI Engineered Products including CRMX, 3-Step Concrete Polishing System, in January 2018.
Trivest acquires an equity position in Jon-Don
Trivest Partners announced it has made an investment in Jon-Don, Inc. With the support of Trivest, the Company will be pursuing identified initiatives for continued organic growth while also actively pursuing strategic add-on acquisitions.
The Jordan Company acquires Carlisle Food Service Products
Carlisle Companies Incorporated announced the signing of a definitive agreement to sell Carlisle FoodService Products (CFS) to The Jordan Company of New York. The Jordan Company is a middle-market private equity firm.
Imperial Dade announces additional acquisitions
Imperial-Dade recently acquired the following firms:
A current listing of Imperial Dade’s acquisitions is available here.
AFFLINK adds Foodservice Group Golbon’s 288 Members to their membership
Golbon, a leader within the Foodservice distribution industry with the power of 200-plus independent distributors, has entered into a 5-year agreement to join AFFLINK effective March 1, 2018.
Blue Sage Capital takes a Majority Equity Position in Americo Pads
Blue Sage Capital has acquired Americo Manufacturing Company, a manufacturer of non-woven synthetic and natural fiber floor pads, hand pads, utility pads, floor matting, and other cleaning accessories.
Diversey Acquires Twister Pads
Diversey announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Twister Holding AB and its assets for an undisclosed amount from private equity firm Polaris.
World Dryer is acquired by Zurn Rexnord
Rexnord Corporation announced that it acquired World Dryer Corporation. World Dryer is a leading global manufacturer of commercial electric hand dryers with the largest worldwide installed product base. Zurn, a business within Rexnord’s Water Management platform.
Aramark acquires Ameripride and Avendra GPO
Aramark announced two strategic and transformative acquisitions:
- Avendra to enhance purchasing capability and extend industry reach
- AmeriPride Services to expand scope and geography of uniforms business
ABM acquires GCA Services Group
ABM announced it has completed its acquisition of GCA Services Group for approximately $1.25 billion from affiliates of Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. and the Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division. GCA is a leading provider of facility services in the education and commercial industries.
Kellermeyer Bergensons Services acquires Varsity Contractors
Kellermeyer Bergensons Services, LLC (KBS), the largest provider of technology-enabled, integrated interior and exterior property services to retailers, grocers, and multi-site customers in North America, announced that it has purchased Varsity Facility Services.
Imperial Bag & Paper Completes Acquisition of Dade Paper becomes Imperial Dade
In addition to Dade Paper, imperial’s has thus far acquired the following firms.
- Accommodation Mollen
- Peninsular Paper
- Burke Supply
- Goldman Paper
- Borox Paper
- Borda Products
- Center Moriches Paper
- Sifen-Berman Paper
- Wasserman Bag
Read about Imperial’s acquisition history.
AFFLINK forms alliance with Independent Stationers’ 300 members
AFFLINK has formed a strategic alliance with Independent Stationers, an industry-leading nationwide member-owned business products cooperative to launch Affiliate Membership programs that strengthen the dealers and distributors of each organization.
Lowes acquires Maintenance Supply Headquarters
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Maintenance Supply Headquarters, a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) products
Diversey Care acquires Daylight Medical UVC Disinfection
Sealed Air’s Diversey Care division today announced it has acquired the UVC disinfection portfolio of Cleveland-based Daylight Medical, a manufacturer of innovative medical devices. The portfolio acquired includes UVC disinfectant technologies designed to disinfect rooms, surfaces, non-critical equipment and devices.
Tennant acquires IPC Eagle Group
Tennant Company announced that it has completed the acquisition of IP Cleaning and its subsidiaries (IPC Group) from private equity fund for $353 million (€330 million). The privately held IPC Group, based in Italy, designs and manufactures innovative professional cleaning equipment, tools and other solutions.
CINTAS acquires G&K Services
Cintas Corporation announced that it completed the previously announced acquisition of G&K Services, Inc.
BAIN Capital acquires Diversey
Sealed Air Corporation today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Diversey Care division and the food hygiene and cleaning business within its Food Care division to Bain Capital Private Equity, The transaction closed on 9/6/17.
Katy is acquired by Highview Capital and Victory Park Capital
Highview Capital, LLCand Victory Park Capital Advisors, LLC announced today the completion of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Katy Industries, Inc.
Buckeye accelerates corporate owned Cleaning Centers
Buckeye International has 30 company-owned distributors nationwide. Read more.
Carlisle acquires San Jamar
The Carlisle Companies Incorporated announced the acquisition of San Jamar, Inc., a leading provider of universal dispensing systems and food safety products for food service and hygiene applications.
Ferguson acquires Matera Paper Company
Ferguson has acquired Matera Paper Company, Inc. (Matera) in a stock transaction completed December 12, 2016. Matera is headquartered in San Antonio, TX.
SC Johnson re-enters the professional market
SC Johnson announced that it is returning to the industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning business.
Ecolab Sells Swisher Restroom Cleaning Business to Enviro-Master
Ecolab Inc. has sold the restroom cleaning business it acquired through the November 2015 acquisition of the U.S. operations of Swisher Hygiene Inc. to Enviro-Master International Franchise LLC. Ecolab continues to operate the warewashing, kitchen specialty, laundry and housekeeping cleaning and sanitizing products and services business of Swisher Hygiene, serving the foodservice, hospitality, retail and healthcare markets.
S.P. Richards acquires Safety Zone
S.P. Richards Co., the office products group of Genuine Parts Co. Atlanta, GA, has agreed to acquire The Safety Zone LLC, Guilford, CT.
NISSCO RDG merged with Excell
Excell Marketing & Procurement Group and NISSCO Restaurant Dealer Group today announced a strategic alliance. Now under a common umbrella, EMPG Holding Company, the two companies look to be a market leader supporting food service equipment and supplies dealers.
SCA Acquires Wausau Paper
SCA and Wausau Paper Corp., a producer of away-from-home tissue products, have announced that SCA will acquire Wausau Paper for $10.25 per share, or around $513 million (approximately SEK 4.2 billion) in cash.
PCS Industries is acquired by Ferguson
HP Products Corporation, a subsidiary of Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., acquired PCS Industries in an asset transaction completed on January 25, 2016. PCS Industries.
Ecolab acquires Swisher
Ecolab Inc. announced that it has closed on its acquisition of the U.S. operations of hygiene and sanitizing solutions provider Swisher Hygiene Inc. Sales in 2014 for the operations included in the agreement were approximately $176 million.
Triple S Holdings announces distributor acquisition program
Triple S Holdings will provide a new option for owner-principals (Member and Non-members) that are looking to exit their distribution businesses. Triple S Holdings will also look to assist current Triple S Members that wish to expand through acquisition or greenfield startups.
Afflink adds Pinnacle Affiliates office supply distributors to membership
AFFLINK, a global leader in supply chain management and creator of the ELEVATE™ process, has announced a joint partnership with Pinnacle Affiliates, a 26-Member dealer group representing the largest independent office products distributors in the US.
CBRE Acquires Johnson Controls’ Global Workplace Solutions Business
CBRE Group, Inc. announced that it has closed the acquisition of Johnson Controls, Inc.’s Global Workplace Solutions business. Global Workplace Solutions is a market-leading provider of enterprise facilities management solutions for global corporations and other large occupiers of commercial real estate. Global Workplace Solutions had revenue of more than $3.0 billion in calendar year 2014.
Home Depot acquires Interline Supplyworks
The Home Depot, Atlanta, entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Jacksonville, Florida-based Interline Brands, Inc. Interline owns SupplyWorks, a recent consolidation of AmSan, CleanSource, JanPak, Trayco, and Sexauer.
United Stationers rebrands as Essendant
United Stationers, a 93-year-old office-product company, is rebranding as Essendant, which combines “essentials” and “ascending” to reflect a unified brand.
GDI Facility Services becomes publicly traded
GDI Integrated Facility Services Inc. Completes Arrangement and $150.4 Million Public Offering.
Cushman Wakefield merges with DTZ Facility Services
Cushman & Wakefield and DTZ have reached a definitive agreement to merge and are set to become one of the largest global real estate services companies.
Amazon shuts down Amazon Supply. Relaunches Amazon B2B Business.
Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Business, a new marketplace strictly for businesses. Amazon Business replaces AmazonSupply, Amazon’s current marketplace for industrial products and office supplies.
New Mountain Capital Acquires Zep
Zep Inc. and an affiliate of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. (“New Mountain”) announced today that they have closed their previously announced acquisition of Zep in a transaction valued at approximately $692 million. The execution of a definitive merger agreement outlining the terms of the transaction was initially announced on April 8, 2015.
SC Johnson acquires DEB/Stoko
SC Johnson is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding offer to acquire Deb Group, a global industrial company focused on hygiene and skin care systems for the industrial, commercial, healthcare and food markets.
Vizient acquires Medassets GPO
A private equity firm will acquire MedAssets and split the company in two, absorbing its revenue-cycle management business and selling its group purchasing and consulting business to the VHA-UHC Alliance, which is already one of the biggest GPO players in healthcare.
HP Products is acquired by Ferguson
Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. (Ferguson), the largest plumbing wholesale distributor in the U.S., has acquired HP Products Corporation (HP Products). HP Products
Impact Products is acquired by S.P. Richards
S. P. Richards Company, the Company’s Office Products Group, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Impact Products, LLC (“Impact”). Consummation of the transaction is expected on July 1, 2014. Impact Products is a leading value-added provider of facility, janitorial and safety supplies serving North America. The Company expects the acquired business to generate approximately $85 million in annual revenues.
xpedx and Unisource merge
xpedx, a business of International Paper (NYSE: IP) and Unisource Worldwide, Inc., today announced that they have chosen the name Veritiv for the leading distribution solutions company that will be created upon completion of their merger. The name Veritiv comes from the roots of three words: “verity”, meaning true, and “active” and “connective”.
GoJo acquires Laboratoires Prodene Klint
GOJO Industries announced today the acquisition of Laboratoires Prodene Klint. The two companies are joining forces to advance a shared vision of global leadership. Based in France, Prodene Klint specializes in professional hygiene, cosmetics and disinfectant products.
Bunzl acquires Wesclean in Canada
Bunzl plc, the international distribution and outsourcing Group, today announces that it has acquired Wesclean Equipment & Cleaning Supplies Ltd in Canada. Wesclean operates from 13 locations throughout Western Canada.
Blackstone acquires GCA Services
GCA Services Group, Inc. and Blackstone (NYSE: BX) today announced a definitive agreement under which a fund managed by Blackstone on behalf of its private equity investors, Blackstone Capital Partners V, L.P. (collectively with its affiliates, “Blackstone”), will acquire GCA Services Group, a leading facility services company in the U.S., from Nautic Partners, L.L.C. and other minority shareholders.
GS Capital acquires Interline/AMSAN
Interline Brands, a distributor of repair products for professional contractors, agreed on Tuesday to sell itself to the private equity arm of Goldman Sachs and P2 Capital Partners for about $1.1 billion, including debt.
AMAZON Supply launches facility supplies online
In an announcement that is sure to gain the attention of industrial distributors doing business online, Internet powerhouse Amazon.com announced the release of a Beta Web site called AmazonSupply.
The new Web site is dedicated to offering a broad selection of parts and supplies to business, industrial, scientific and commercial customers at competitive prices.
Diversey is acquired by Sealed Air
Sealed Air Corporation (“Sealed Air”) (NYSE: SEE) and Diversey Holdings, Inc. (“Diversey”) announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Sealed Air will acquire Diversey, a leading solutions provider to the global cleaning and sanitization market, in a transaction valued at $4.3 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed in 2011 and is expected to be accretive to earnings in the first full year following completion.
