Key Takeaways
- • Rexel, a French electrical parts supplier, has agreed to acquire GCG, a US infrastructure distributor, for $1.4 billion in enterprise value, with the transaction expected to add more than $1.1 billion in annual revenue to Rexel's operations.
- • GCG specializes in wire, cable, connectivity, power, and engineered products and services across critical infrastructure markets, with particular strength in data centers, utilities, and power distribution segments experiencing increased electrical investment.
- • Sidley Austin LLP represented Rexel as legal advisor in the acquisition, with the deal team led by Sara García Durán, Chris Barbuto, and Courtney Gilberg; GCG is being divested by current owner Audax Private Equity.
- • The acquisition expands Rexel's geographic footprint and product portfolio in the US electrical infrastructure market while positioning the company to capture growth in data center expansion and digital connectivity infrastructure investments.
Summary
Rexel, France's leading electrical parts supplier, has agreed to acquire GCG, a Chicago-based US infrastructure distributor, in a $1.4 billion transaction that significantly strengthens its position in North American specialty infrastructure markets. The deal, announced on September 25, 2026, represents a strategic expansion of Rexel's exposure to high-growth segments including data centers, utilities, power distribution, and digital connectivity infrastructure.
GCG brings specialized capabilities in the distribution of wire, cable, connectivity solutions, power systems, and engineered products and services to customers across critical infrastructure markets. The acquisition is expected to contribute more than $1.1 billion in annual revenue to Rexel, marking a material addition to the company's existing North American operations. Current owner Audax Private Equity is divesting the asset as part of the transaction.
The legal representation of Rexel in this acquisition was handled by Sidley Austin LLP, one of the leading global law firms advising on complex M&A transactions. The Sidley team was led by partners Sara García Durán, Chris Barbuto, and Courtney Gilberg, reflecting the complexity and scale of the diligence and transaction execution work involved in a deal of this magnitude.
Strategically, the acquisition positions Rexel to capitalize on significant infrastructure investment trends in the United States, particularly in electrical infrastructure tied to data center expansion, power grid modernization, and digital connectivity buildout. By acquiring GCG's established distribution networks and customer relationships, Rexel gains immediate scale and market presence across multiple high-investment infrastructure verticals, enabling the company to serve customers with increasingly integrated solutions across electrical, connectivity, and power management domains.
GCG brings specialized capabilities in the distribution of wire, cable, connectivity solutions, power systems, and engineered products and services to customers across critical infrastructure markets. The acquisition is expected to contribute more than $1.1 billion in annual revenue to Rexel, marking a material addition to the company's existing North American operations. Current owner Audax Private Equity is divesting the asset as part of the transaction.
The legal representation of Rexel in this acquisition was handled by Sidley Austin LLP, one of the leading global law firms advising on complex M&A transactions. The Sidley team was led by partners Sara García Durán, Chris Barbuto, and Courtney Gilberg, reflecting the complexity and scale of the diligence and transaction execution work involved in a deal of this magnitude.
Strategically, the acquisition positions Rexel to capitalize on significant infrastructure investment trends in the United States, particularly in electrical infrastructure tied to data center expansion, power grid modernization, and digital connectivity buildout. By acquiring GCG's established distribution networks and customer relationships, Rexel gains immediate scale and market presence across multiple high-investment infrastructure verticals, enabling the company to serve customers with increasingly integrated solutions across electrical, connectivity, and power management domains.
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