Rexel to Acquire Specialty Distributor GCG in $1.1 Billion Deal

GCG has scaled rapidly since 2019, reaching over $1.1 billion in revenue through a mix of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions, including firms such as Paige and Allied Wire & Cable. Operating through two core segments—Custom Engineered Solutions and Connectivity & Power Solutions—the company provides critical infrastructure components for defense, telecom, and industrial applications. This acquisition marks a successful exit for Audax Private Equity, which transformed GCG from a carveout of Genuine Parts Company into a major independent platform. For Rexel, the purchase is a strategic play to bolster its specialized product portfolio and deepen its technical capabilities in North American and European markets. Glenn Pennycook, CEO of GCG, noted that the partnership aims to maintain the firm's growth trajectory while leveraging Rexel’s extensive global distribution network. Financial advisors Solomon Partners and J.P. Morgan facilitated the sale, with legal counsel provided by Kirkland & Ellis and Fredrikson & Byron.