Anixter International makes two acquisitions

Industrial Distribution staff -- Industrial Distribution, 8/27/2008 11:54:00 AM

Anixter International Inc. acquired Sofrasar SA as well as interests and shares in Camille Gergen GmbH & Co., KG and Camille Gergen Verwaltungs GmbH.

Based in Glenview, Ill., Anixter is a distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire and cable, and fasteners.

Sofrasar, headquartered in Sarreguemines, France and Germany-based Gergen are fastener distributors. The combined annual sales of the two were approximately $110 million in 2008.

Anixter is paying approximately $40 million in cash and assuming approximately $19 million in debt for the two companies.

"The acquisitions represent important steps in the geographic expansion of our OEM Supply business in Europe,” said Bob Eck, president and CEO of Anixter. “The addition of these businesses will significantly enhance our OEM Supply business in Europe and add considerable depth to our footprint in the area as we will now be serving customers in 11 countries throughout the continent."

Earlier this month, Anixter acquired two other distributors: Chicago-based QSN Industries Inc., and Quality Screw de Mexico SA.