Home Depot acquires Hughes Supply

Home Depot is acquiring Hughes Supply, a US wholesale distributor of building materials, which achieved sales of US $ 4.4 bn (€ 3.6 bn) in fiscal 2004 with 500 locations in 40 states and 9 600 employees. The acquisition will allow Home Depot to more than double its Supply Division, which is targeted at professional customers. Sales of US $ 12 bn (€ 9.9 bn) are projected for 2006.