M&A Deal Summary

Diploma Acquires Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products

On September 22, 2020, Diploma acquired distribution company Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products from Northstar Capital for 357M GBP

Acquisition Highlights
  • This is Diploma’s 5th transaction in the Distribution sector.
  • This is Diploma’s largest (disclosed) transaction.
  • This is Diploma’s 4th transaction in the United States.
  • This is Diploma’s 1st transaction in Illinois.

M&A Deal Summary

Date 2020-09-22
Target Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products
Sector Distribution
Buyer(s) Diploma
Sellers(s) Northstar Capital
Deal Type Add-on Acquisition
Deal Value 357M GBP

Target

Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products

Bolingbrook, Illinois, United States
Windy City Wire Cable & Technology Products LLC is a distributor of high-end, low-voltage wire, cable, and related low-voltage devices (cameras, DVRs, relays, etc.) serving the security, access control, CCTV, fire alarm, and home automation markets. The wire and cable are sold under the SmartWire brand name. Windy City Wire was formed in 1994 and is based in Bolingbrook, Illinois.

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Buyer(S) 1

Buyer

Diploma

London, United Kingdom

Category Company
Founded 1931
Sector Distribution
Employees3,500
Revenue 1.2B GBP (2023)
DESCRIPTION

Diploma is a distributor and supplier of specialized technical products and services. Diploma was founded in 1931 and is headquartered in London, the United Kingdom.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 14 of 15
Sector (Distribution) 5 of 5
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 14 of 15
State (Illinois) 1 of 1
Country (United States) 4 of 5
Year (2020) 1 of 1
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 8
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2017-04-20 Abacus ALS Pty

Meadowbrook, Australia

Abacus is a long-established supplier of clinical diagnostics instrumentation and consumables to the Pathology and Life Sciences sectors. Abacus has particular strengths in Immunology and Biochemistry testing, supplying to both the public and private laboratories in Australia and New Zealand. Abacus also supplies to research and educational institutions, blood donor services and specialist centres including IVF and veterinary laboratories.

Buy AU$26M
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2023-03-17 TIE

Clinton Township, Michigan, United States

TIE is specialized in the repair, refurbishment, and replacement of industrial electronic parts. TIE was founded in 1992 and is based in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Buy -

Seller(S) 1

SELLER

Northstar Capital

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Investor Investor Investor Investor Investor


Category Mezzanine Finance Firm
Founded 1993
PE ASSETS 1.7B USD
Size Large
Type Sector Agnostic
DESCRIPTION

Northstar Capital is a mezzanine finance firm that provides junior capital to middle-market companies operating in the value-added distribution, light manufacturing, business services, financial services, education, and specialty healthcare sectors. Northstar's typical investment size is $5 to $30 million in businesses generating sales of $20 to $300 million with an EBITDA of at least $3 million. Prospective companies have stable cash flows and sustainable margins. Investments typically have maturities of five to eight years. Northstar does not invest in start-ups, real estate development, natural resource exploration, or high technology companies. Northstar Capital was formed in 1993 and is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


DEAL STATS #
Overall 55 of 80
Sector (Distribution) 4 of 6
Type (Add-on Acquisition) 18 of 27
State (Illinois) 8 of 9
Country (United States) 53 of 76
Year (2020) 3 of 3
Size (of disclosed) 1 of 9
PREVIOUS DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-07-31 Yale Cordage

Saco, Maine, United States

Yale Cordage is a designer and manufacturer of high-performance synthetic rope and rope systems for critical, high cost-of-failure applications. Yale Cordage was founded in 1950 and is based in Saco, Maine.

Buy -
FOLLOWING DEAL
DATE TARGET DEAL TYPE VALUE
2020-12-01 Vectair Systems

Memphis, Tennessee, United States

Vectair Systems is a manufacturer and supplier of hygiene products delivering sanitary solutions to customers and facilities worldwide spanning over 120 countries. Vectair Systems was formed in 1988 and is based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Buy -