The Home Depot, Atlanta, Ga., signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Georgia Lighting Supply Co., Inc., also of Atlanta. With sales of about $40 million, it is ranked 136th among the industry's 250 largest electrical distributors and is one of the largest specialty lighting retailers and distributors in the country. Financial terms of the cash acquisition were not disclosed.
The acquisition is The Home Depot's first move into electrical distribution outside its retail home centers. Georgia Lighting's president, Harry Gilham, said the primary reason Home Depot is buying Georgia Lighting is to gain the company's 40 years of expertise and knowledge in the lighting industry. Georgia Lighting's general manager, Ray Gardner, will continue to manage the Georgia Lighting operations for The Home Depot.