The report below gives a good overview of the first quarter M&A activity in the Wholesale Distribution Industry Sector. M&A activity for North American based target companies in the Wholesale Distribution sector for Q4 2018 included 129 closed deals, according to data published by industry data tracker FactSet.
One of the notable middle market transactions was announced in October when The Andersons, Inc. acquired the remaining 67.5% majority stake not already owned in Lansing Trade Group, LLC for US$305 million in cash, stock and assumed liabilities. Under the terms of transaction, The Andersons paid US$175 million in cash, US$130 million in stock and US$166 million in liabilities assumed to Lansing Trade Group. The acquisition enables The Andersons to further increase it product and services offerings. Located in Overland Park, Kansas, Lansing Trade Group engages in the distribution and trade of agricultural and energy-related commodities.
Industry Indicators
- The average US retail price for diesel and regular gas, a major operating cost for distributor fleets in the wholesale sector, rose and fell 8.6% and 2.6%, respectively, in the week ending December 10, 2018, compared to the same week in 2017.
- Total US manufacturers’ shipments, an indicator of demand for industries in the wholesale sector, rose 7.6% year-to-date in October 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
- (Note: Due to budget restraints the US Bureau of Economic Analysis discontinued production of quarterly travel and tourism estimates in 2017.)
- Total US wholesale sales, a measure of the wholesale sector, rose 9.5% in October 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
Posted by Jeremiah Hughes.
Read the Entire Wholesale Distribution 1st Quarter Newsletter Here