TheNew York Postreported on
its Web site today that the complicated HD Supply distribution business is
affecting Home Depot Inc.’s attempts at selling the wholesale arm of the retail
giant.
While the country’s housing slump remains a factor, how HD
Supply was put together is what’s making it a tough sell.
“It’s a hairball - a roll up of a roll up,” the paper quotedColin McGranahan, an analyst for Sanford Bernstein. Home
Depot built HD Supply by acquiring a number of distributors catering to the
expansive construction industry.
All that rolling up is making it difficult for bidders to
determine what exactly they are buying. TheNew York Postreported that three private investment groups are still interested, but a
fourth has dropped out of the bidding.
Home Depot announced last February that they would
consider unloading HD Supply. Analysts have valued the business at more than
$10 billion.
May 22, 2007 - 'Hairball' Roll Up Affects HD Supply Sale
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