Kroll’s Industrials Investment Banking Team Advised GradeEight Holdings on Its Sale to Distribution Solutions Group

On October 26, 2026, GradeEight Holdings, LLC (“GradeEight”), a multi-brand MRO distribution platform operating through a national network of franchisees and portfolio company of Shoreview, was acquired by Distribution Solutions Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSGR) ("DSG" or the "Company"), a premier specialty distribution company. 

Kroll’s Industrials Investment Banking team served as the exclusive financial advisor to GradeEight Holdings in connection with the transaction. 

 

About GradeEight Holdings

Founded in 1978, GradeEight is a distributor of fasteners and maintenance supplies that pioneered the franchise sales model in MRO distribution. GradeEight operates as a national distributor of maintenance, repair, and operations (“MRO”) products through its two divisions, Winzer and FastServ. Winzer is a general line distributor of fasteners and consumable maintenance supplies, offering more than 70,000 products from over 1,000 vendors. Winzer markets and sells through a network of approximately 300 independent, route-based franchisees, serving customers across industrial, automotive, institutional, government, military, and facility end markets. FastServ operates brick-and-mortar stores selling products similar to Winzer’s. 

 

About ShoreView

Founded in 2002, ShoreView is a Minneapolis-based private equity firm that has raised over $1.8 billion of committed capital across five funds. ShoreView partners with family- and entrepreneur-owned companies across many sectors, including niche manufacturing, value-added distribution, business services, residential services, industrial services, and aerospace/defense. ShoreView structures various acquisition, recapitalization, and build-up transactions, typically in businesses with revenues ranging between $20 million and $300 million.

Ballard Spahr served as legal advisor to GreatEight and Shoreview in connection with the transaction. 

 

About Distribution Solutions Group, Inc.

DSG is a premier multi-platform specialty distribution company providing high-touch, value-added distribution solutions to the maintenance, repair & operations (MRO), original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and industrial technologies markets. DSG was formed through the strategic combination of Lawson Products, a leader in MRO distribution of C-parts, including the Canada Branch Division; Gexpro Services, a leading global supply chain services provider to manufacturing customers; and TestEquity, a leader in electronic test & measurement and supply solutions.

Through its collective businesses, DSG is dedicated to helping customers lower their total cost of operation by increasing productivity and efficiency with the right products, expert technical support, and fast, reliable delivery to be a one-stop solution provider. DSG serves over 200,000 customers in several diverse end markets supported by approximately 4,300 dedicated employees and strong vendor partnerships. DSG ships from strategically located distribution and service centers to customers in North America, Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East.

Mayer Brown served as legal advisor to Distribution Solutions Group in connection with the transaction.