The Biggest Home Improvement Chains in the World

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Home Improvement chains offer all of the standard needs for people to keep their houses in working order; anything that revolves around fixing or touching up can be found at these places and they are very helpful. Certain companies have been fortunate enough to turn their hardware stores into massive chains that bring in massive amounts from their thousands of stores. Here are the biggest home improvement chains in the world.

5. Stock Building Supply Holdings – $436 million

Stock Building Supply Holdings is a company that owns a bunch of subsidiary stores that sell home improvement materials and items. The company sells all of the typical hardware store supplies such as lumber, windows, moldings and more. They are the fifth largest publicly held home improvement company that pulls in a market cap of $426 million from all of its stores.

4. Wolseley – $14.2 billion

Wolseley is actually located in the United Kingdom and is the largest heating and plumbing distributor. The company was started back in 1887 but has now grown so large that can be found in 25 different countries. The company spreads itself across many hardware industries and even builds sheep shearing machines commercially. They currently have 39,000 employees and their U.S. branch operates through Ferguson Enterprises.

3. Sherwin Williams – $20.6 billion

Sherwin Williams was originally just a paint related product company but eventually expanded to cover all home improvement and building needs. The company was founded by Henry Sherwin and Edward Williams out of Cleveland, Ohio but now operates primarily in North and South America as well as Europe. Although they are mainly known for their painting supplies, Sherwin Williams now offers all hardware materials to commercial, industrial, professional, and retail customers.

2. Lowe’s – $47 billion

Lowe’s was created in North Carolina back during 1946 and has always been a home improvement and appliance store. Lowe’s has absolutely excelled in the industry and can meet the hardware needs of almost any consumer with their wide variety of tools and products. The company operates throughout America, Canada, and Mexico and didn’t begin expanding until 2007. They currently have 1,754 stores within all of those locations and are the second largest home improvement chain globally.

1. Home Depot – $110 billion

The Home Depot was established in 1978 and offers just as many, if not more, products than Lowe’s. They are the largest home improvement chain in the world and can be found all across the United States and Canada as well as certain parts of Mexico. The company also owns subsidiary stores in China and have been discussing acquiring stores in the United Kingdom. They are very dedicated to being environmentally friendly and do anything in their power to expand and increase their customer base.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Written by Blaise Hopkins

Feel free to contact Blaise on Twitter @Blaisehopkins or check out his blog Man and His Movies.