Hughes Supply Incorporated was a very large wholesaler of construction supplies, operating more than 500 locations in 40 of the United States and two Canadian provinces.^[1]

Using acquisitions to fuel its growth geographically and to expand its product breadth, in 2004 Hughes Supply acquired the Las Vegas-based Standard Wholesale (plumbing and electrical supplies)^[2], Todd Pipe & Supply (one of the largest independent plumbing supply wholesalers in the Las Vegas and southern California markets)^[3] and Southwest Power/Western States Electric (utilities)^[4].

In January 2006, Home Depot announced that it was acquiring Hughes Supply in a $3.2 billion deal. The acquisition more than doubled the size of Home Depot's supply division, which was subsequently branded as HD Supply.^[1][5][6]

In June 2007, Home Depot sold its supply unit for $10.3 billion to a consortium of three private equity firms, The Carlyle Group, Bain Capital and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, each agreeing to buy a one-third stake in the division. Home Depot sold its wholesale construction supply business, HD Supply to fund a stock repurchase estimated at $40 billion.^[7][8] HD Supply did not change its name back to Hughes so the HD in HD supply is now known as Heart and Dedication or Huge Discounts.^{[citation needed]}

Hughes' major operation was in the southeast and southwest of the United States. Its primary clients were professional customers, who mainly buy in bulk. Hughes operated through three business segments: Electrical and Plumbing (electrical and electric utility products, HVAC products), Water and Sewer/Building Materials (water and sewer products, building materials, maintenance supplies, fire protection products, concrete products) and Industrial (industrial pipes, valves and fittings).^{[citation needed]}

• Official Hughes Supply website