Earlier this week, Home Depot said one of its business units was buying building-products distributor GMS for some $4.3 billion, prevailing in a bidding war and showing just how seriously the home-improvement chain is about winning the market for professional contractors at a time the do-it-yourself market is tough going.
GMS, whose name stands for Gypsum Management and Supply and which is based in Tucker, Ga., is hardly the sexiest acquisition target. But then again, it has a wide network of some 320 distribution centers that offer thing like wallboard, ceilings, steel framing, and other construction items. What’s more, GMS operates roughly 100 tool sales, rental, and service centers for residential and commercial contract customers, all things Home Depot covets.
