PLATINUM EQUITY INVESTS IN R&B WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS

Leading regional home appliance distributor looking to expand its reach

Transaction extends momentum of Platinum Equity's Small Cap team

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Platinum Equity announced today a significant investment in R&B Wholesale Distributors, Inc., a leading distributor of home appliances in the southwestern United States.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Ontario, California, R&B was founded in 1968 by Bob Burggraf and is a leading distributor of major home appliances in California, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.

The company carries one of the largest selections of appliance brands in the industry, with an emphasis on kitchen and laundry products, including refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, and washer and dryers. The company sells primarily through the dealer, builder, and property management channels and serves the multi-family, single-family, and light commercial end markets.

"R&B has built an impressive, diversified business over the past 57 years with an opportunity to expand its reach and increase its scale," said Platinum Equity Co-President Jacob Kotzubei. "We have tremendous respect for everything the Burggraf family has achieved and appreciate the entrepreneurial spirit that continues to drive the company today. Platinum has a lot of experience helping founder-led businesses sustain their culture while leveraging our operational expertise and M&A capabilities to maximize their potential."

The Burggraf family retained a minority ownership stake in the company and R&B executives Connie Espina and Chris Burggraf will continue to lead the business.

"I am proud of the legacy we have built over the years and of the hard work of so many dedicated employees that have contributed to our success," said Bob Burggraf. "Joining forces with Platinum will provide us with additional financial and operational tools, enabling us to continue to grow with both our valued customers and suppliers and to preserve our legacy for generations to come."

The R&B investment was led by Platinum Equity's Small Cap team.

"R&B is a well-established distribution platform that offers an impressive product range, high-touch sales support, and flexible delivery and installation in order to provide the highest quality services to customers," said Platinum Equity Managing Director Dan Krasner. "We believe that further investing in the company's go-to-market capabilities, technology, and footprint will position us well for continued success. We look forward to partnering with the company's leadership team to grow the business organically and through prospective M&A."

Raymond James & Associates served as financial advisor to the Burggraf family and Nelson Mullins served as the family's legal counsel on the investment by Platinum Equity.

Massumi + Consoli served as legal counsel to Platinum Equity on the transaction.

About Platinum Equity
Founded in 1995 by Tom Gores, Platinum Equity is a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O^® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 29 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions.

Contacts:

Dan Whelan
Platinum Equity
[email protected]

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SOURCE Platinum Equity