Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (CD&R)[1] is an American private equity company. CD&R is the 24th oldest Private Equity firm in the world. CD&R has managed the investment of more than $30 billion in approximately 90 businesses, representing a broad range of industries with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $140 billion. Approximately half of CD&R's investments have involved corporate divestitures.
In June 2024, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice were ranked 11th in Private Equity International's PEI 300 ranking of the largest private equity firms in the world.[2]
Clayton & Dubilier was founded as a turnaround management shop by Martin H. Dubilier, Eugene Clayton and Bill Welsh in 1976.[3]Joseph L. Rice III, a deal professional, putting the firm into investment business, joined in 1978, and the firm became known as Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in 1992.[3] Clayton and Welsh retired from the firm in 1985 and Dubilier died in 1991.[4]
The firm executed a leveraged buyout in 1987 of Borg-Warner's Industrial Products Division, spinning the division off into a standalone company, BW/IP International.[3] Between 1987 and 1992 the firm added nine new partners, five of which had previous experience as CEOs.[3]
In 1990, CD&R formed Lexmark from IBM's printer and keyboard manufacturing business.[3] The deal was named one of the 30 Most Influential Private Equity Deals by Private Equity International in 2004.[8]
In 1998, Don Gogel was appointed CEO.[9] Also in 1998, CD&R established an office in London.[10][11]
In 2001, Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, joined CD&R as a senior advisor.[12]
In 2003, CD&R purchased the global provider of water treatment products and services, Culligan International, from Veolia Environnement SA of France for $610 million, which included $200 million in equity from a CD&R-managed fund and the remainder from senior debt and securities.[13] In 2021, during its bid to buy out the UK supermarket chain Morrisons, the firm faced accusations of Asset Stripping, leaving Culligans 'saddled with over $850 million of debt',[14] while UK politicians warned against leaving Morrisons prey to asset strippers.[15] CD&R denied the accusations. Centerbridge Partners acquired Culligan in 2012.[16]
In 2011, CD&R and Ingersoll-Rand announced a partnership relating to Ingersoll's Hussmann division in which CD&R would acquire a 60 percent interest.[18]
In 2012, Joe Rice stepped down as chairman, succeeded by Don Gogel.[19][4]
In March 2013, CD&R partnered with the family owners of B&M retail, acquiring a 60 percent stake.[20] In October 2013, the firm acquired a 60% stake in John Deere Landscapes (now SiteOne Landscape Supply) in partnership with Deere & Co., which retained a 40 percent stake.[21][22]
In 2015, CD&R sold Hussmann to Panasonic for $1.5 billion.[23]
Clayton Dubilier & Rice Fund X LP completed fundraising in 2017 with $10 billion of investor commitments.[24]
CD&R acquired a 60% stake of Capco from FIS for $477 million in May 2017.[25] In August 2017, the firm acquired the Waterworks division of HD Supply for 2.5 billion, and changed its name to Core & Main.[26][27]
In January 2018, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice acquired Ply Gem Holdings, Inc. and Atrium Windows & Doors.[28] In October 2018, the firm acquired a stake in SmileDirectClub after investing $380 million.[29]
In 2018 CD&R acquired a 60% stake from the family owners of greeting card maker American Greetings, establishing a partnership.[30]
In January 2019, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice invested alongside the founder of WSH Investments Ltd., Alistair Storey, to take a major stake in the business.[31]
In July 2019, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice were included on Inc.'s 50 Best Private Equity Firms for Entrepreneurs list.[32]
In September 2019, CD&R acquired a stake in Socotec in a deal valuing Socotec at $1.98 billion.[19]
In August 2020, CD&R bought Epicor from KKR for $4.7 billion.[33]
In January 2021, CD&R purchased Wolseley UK, the largest supplier of plumbing and building materials in the UK, from Ferguson plc for £308m.[34]
Also in July 2022, it was announced that CD&R were to acquire the facilities services business OCS Group.[39] This was then followed by the merger of OCS and the UK, Ireland and Asia operations of facilities management company Atalian.[40]
In February 2023, CD&R agreed to buyout Focus Financial Partners in an all-cash deal for a total enterprise value of over $7billion.[41]