Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC today completed a transaction in which CD&R-managed funds acquired a 42.5% ownership interest in Univar, a leading global distributor of commodity and specialty chemicals to a broad array of end markets. The transaction values Univar at approximately $4.2 billion. Funds advised by CVC Capital Partners will retain a 42.5% stake in the business. The remaining equity is held by Univar management and other existing investors.

With 2009 revenues of $7.2 billion, Univar is a market-leading distribution platform serving highly fragmented and diverse markets and customers. The company operates a network of 179 distribution facilities and distributes more than 11,000 products and 110,000 SKUs to over 80,000 customers in more than 100 countries. Univar has the #1 market position in the U.S. and Canada and the #2 position in Europe.

John Zillmer continues as Univar’s President and Chief Executive Officer. CD&R’s advisory operating partner William S. Stavropoulos, former chairman and chief executive officer of The Dow Chemical Company, has assumed the role of non-executive Chairman of Univar.

In October, Univar announced an agreement to acquire Basic Chemical Solutions, L.L.C., a global distributor and trader of commodity chemicals for the chemical manufacturing, water treatment, food & beverage, pulp & paper, energy, and general manufacturing end markets. BCS serves 6,700 customers and approximately 10,000 ship-to locations in 57 countries. The BCS acquisition, which is expected to close by year-end, will further strengthen Univar's ability to provide value in the supply chain between chemical producers and end-users as well as reinforce Univar's global sourcing capabilities.