CDW

CDW is a United States-based, multi-brand provider of information technology products and services. The company serves organizations in business, government, education, and healthcare, primarily across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Its offering spans computing devices, software, networking equipment, data-center infrastructure, security technologies, cloud-related solutions, and professional and managed services. The business began in 1984 under the name MPK Computing. Founder Michael Krasny and John Marks initially promoted a computer and printer through a small advertisement in a free-circulation newspaper. The company subsequently developed into Computer Discount Warehouse and later adopted the shorter CDW name. Its early model emphasized efficient distribution and competitive pricing for technology buyers, while its later development broadened the company into a solutions-oriented technology partner. CDW expanded through logistics investment, publishing, acquisitions, and the addition of higher-value technical services. It opened a large distribution center in North Las Vegas in 2006 and operated another substantial distribution facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Its acquisition of Micro Warehouse in 2003 strengthened its reseller and distribution platform, while the 2006 purchase of Berbee Information Networks added capabilities in the design, implementation, and support of IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft technologies. Berbee subsequently became associated with CDW's advanced technology services activities. The company also expanded internationally. CDW operates in Canada through CDW Canada Incorporated and developed a substantial United Kingdom presence through Kelway, a London-based information technology business. CDW first acquired a minority interest in Kelway and later purchased the remaining interest in 2015. In 2021, it acquired Sirius Computer Solutions, adding further enterprise technology consulting and services capabilities. CDW was taken private in 2007 by Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners in a transaction reported at approximately $7 billion. The company returned to the public markets through an initial public offering on Nasdaq in July 2013 under CDW Corporation, the parent-company structure established in 2010. CDW Corporation's wholly owned subsidiaries include CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation. Today, CDW combines product procurement with architecture, integration, security, cloud, lifecycle, and managed-service capabilities. Its scale, vendor relationships, distribution infrastructure, and specialized technical practices support customers that need to standardize, deploy, protect, and operate technology environments. The company was included in the Nasdaq-100 index in December 2023 and has been recognized as a Fortune 500 company. Wikipedia reported annual net sales of approximately $21 billion for 2023.

CDW traces its origins to 1984, when Michael Krasny and John Marks incorporated MPK Computing. The founders began with a simple direct-response sales idea: they placed a small advertisement in a free-circulation newspaper to sell a computer and printer. The venture evolved into Computer Discount Warehouse, a name that reflected its emphasis on computer products and value-oriented distribution, before the company adopted the shorter CDW identity. During its early growth, CDW built a business around making technology purchasing more accessible to organizational and individual buyers. Over time, its scope moved beyond individual products and accessories toward a broader portfolio of hardware, software, networking, infrastructure, and technology services. This expansion allowed the company to address the purchasing and deployment needs of businesses, public-sector institutions, schools, and healthcare organizations. CDW's development included both organic investment and acquisitions. In September 2003, it acquired Micro Warehouse, strengthening its reseller and distribution operations. In 2005, the company launched BizTech magazine, a quarterly publication intended to provide technology information and business-oriented content. In early 2006, CDW opened a 513,000-square-foot distribution center in North Las Vegas, Nevada. It also maintained a large distribution facility in Vernon Hills, Illinois, supporting inventory management and delivery operations. In October 2006, CDW acquired Berbee Information Networks Corporation for an all-cash consideration reported at $175 million. Berbee was a privately held information technology company with offices in several Midwestern and nearby U.S. states. It specialized in technologies associated with IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft and brought consulting, implementation, and support capabilities to CDW. Berbee became a CDW division and was later associated with the company's advanced technology services business. A major ownership transition occurred in 2007. Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners completed their acquisition of CDW on October 12 of that year. The transaction, reported at approximately $7 billion, took the company private. In 2010, CDW Corporation became the parent-company structure, with CDW LLC and CDW Finance Corporation operating as wholly owned subsidiaries. CDW subsequently prepared for a return to public ownership. On July 2, 2013, CDW Corporation completed an initial public offering on the Nasdaq market. Its public-company strategy continued to combine a large technology product catalog with professional services and specialized solution practices. International expansion became more prominent through Canada and the United Kingdom. CDW operates in Canada through CDW Canada Incorporated, based in Etobicoke, Ontario. In the United Kingdom, CDW built its presence through Kelway, a London-based information technology business. CDW initially acquired a 35 percent interest in Kelway and announced the purchase of the remaining 65 percent in August 2015. The company continued to add enterprise services through its 2021 acquisition of Sirius Computer Solutions. Sirius expanded CDW's capabilities in enterprise consulting and technology services, complementing the company's existing procurement and distribution strengths. This development reflects CDW's broader transition from a traditional reseller toward an integrated technology solutions provider. By the late 2010s, CDW was established as a Fortune 500 company; it ranked 189th on the 2018 Fortune 500 list according to the referenced material. Its customers increasingly use the company for coordinated technology lifecycle needs, including sourcing, architecture, deployment, security, cloud adoption, infrastructure modernization, and ongoing support. On December 18, 2023, CDW became a component of the Nasdaq-100 index. The company remains headquartered in Vernon Hills and serves business, government, education, and healthcare markets in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

1. 2023Added to the Nasdaq-100

   CDW becomes a constituent of the Nasdaq-100 index on December 18.

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2. 2021Sirius Computer Solutions acquisition

   CDW acquires Sirius Computer Solutions to broaden enterprise consulting and technology services.

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3. 2015Full acquisition of Kelway

   CDW announces the acquisition of the remaining interest in Kelway, expanding its United Kingdom operations.

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4. 2013CDW returns to Nasdaq

   CDW Corporation completes its initial public offering on July 2.

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5. 2007CDW goes private

   Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners complete their acquisition of CDW.

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6. 2006Distribution expansion and Berbee acquisition

   CDW opens a major distribution center in North Las Vegas and acquires Berbee Information Networks for reported consideration of $175 million.

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7. 2005BizTech magazine launches

   CDW launches the quarterly BizTech magazine as a technology and business publication.

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8. 2003Acquisition of Micro Warehouse

   CDW acquires Micro Warehouse, strengthening its technology reseller and distribution platform.

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9. 1984MPK Computing is incorporated

   Michael Krasny and John Marks establish the company that later becomes Computer Discount Warehouse and CDW.

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A broad technology procurement and solutions partner combining product distribution, vendor expertise, integration, consulting, and managed services for organizational customers.

• End-user computingHardware

  CDW supplies computers, notebooks, workstations, tablets, monitors, printers, peripherals, and related accessories for organizational users. These products support employee productivity, classroom computing, public-sector deployments, and healthcare workflows. The offering is typically combined with configuration, lifecycle, procurement, and deployment support rather than being limited to standalone hardware sales.

• Data-center and infrastructure solutionsInfrastructure

  This area covers servers, storage, virtualization-related technologies, data-center equipment, and infrastructure components. CDW works with major technology vendors and helps customers plan, source, integrate, and maintain environments ranging from conventional data centers to hybrid infrastructure architectures.

• Networking and securityNetworking and cybersecurity

  CDW provides network equipment, wireless infrastructure, connectivity technologies, identity and access tools, endpoint protection, and broader cybersecurity solutions. Its services can include assessment, design, implementation, security modernization, and support, enabling customers to address both infrastructure performance and risk management.

• Software and licensingSoftware

  The software portfolio includes operating systems, productivity applications, business software, security applications, cloud-related subscriptions, and licensing support. CDW helps organizations procure and manage software across multiple vendors and deployment models, including locally installed, hosted, and subscription-based environments.

• CDW Advanced ServicesProfessional services

  CDW Advanced Services represents the company's higher-value technical capabilities, including solution architecture, implementation, integration, modernization, and support. The service line grew in part from CDW's acquisition of Berbee and is intended for customers requiring assistance beyond product selection and fulfillment.

• CDW Amplified ServicesManaged services

  CDW Amplified Services is associated with managed and lifecycle-oriented technology support. Depending on the customer requirement, such services can help organizations operate, secure, optimize, and manage technology environments after acquisition and deployment.

• 2005BizTech magazine

  United States

  CDW launched BizTech magazine as a quarterly publication focused on technology and business topics, extending the brand's role from supplier to source of technology information.

  Outcome. The publication became part of CDW's ongoing content and marketing activity.

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• 2021Acquire Sirius Computer SolutionsM&A

  CDW aimed to deepen its enterprise consulting and technology services capabilities.

  What changed. CDW announced and completed the acquisition of Sirius Computer Solutions during 2021.

  Aftermath. Sirius expanded CDW's ability to provide enterprise-scale consulting and services alongside technology procurement.

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• 2015Purchase remaining Kelway interestM&A

  CDW used Kelway to expand its United Kingdom technology business.

  What changed. CDW announced the acquisition of the remaining 65 percent of Kelway after previously purchasing a 35 percent stake.

  Aftermath. The transaction gave CDW full ownership of the London-based technology business.

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• 2013Return to public marketsOther

  After several years under private-equity ownership, CDW pursued a public-market listing.

  What changed. CDW Corporation completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq on July 2, 2013.

  Aftermath. The company resumed public trading under the CDW ticker.

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• 2007Management-led private-equity acquisitionM&A

  CDW transitioned from public ownership to private-equity ownership.

  What changed. Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners completed the acquisition of CDW on October 12, 2007.

  Aftermath. CDW remained privately held until its Nasdaq initial public offering in 2013.

  Reported acquisition value. $7 billion (2007 acquisition)

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• 2006Acquire Berbee Information NetworksM&A

  CDW wanted to add deeper technical and enterprise services around IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft technologies.

  What changed. CDW purchased Berbee in an all-cash transaction reported at $175 million.

  Aftermath. Berbee became a CDW division and its capabilities were incorporated into CDW's advanced technology services activities.

  Reported acquisition consideration. $175 million (2006 transaction)

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• 2003Acquire Micro WarehouseM&A

  CDW sought to strengthen its reseller and distribution platform.

  What changed. The company acquired Micro Warehouse in September 2003.

  Aftermath. The transaction contributed to CDW's expansion as a large-scale technology distributor and solutions provider.

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• 2023CDW becomes a Nasdaq-100 constituent

  CDW was added to the Nasdaq-100 index on December 18, 2023, reflecting its position among large non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq.

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• 2023CDW reports approximately $21 billion in 2023 net sales

  The company was reported to have generated approximately $21 billion in annual net sales during 2023.

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• 2021CDW completes acquisition of Sirius Computer Solutions

  CDW acquired Sirius Computer Solutions, expanding its enterprise technology consulting and services capabilities.

  M&A
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• 2015CDW acquires the remaining interest in Kelway

  CDW announced the purchase of the remaining 65 percent of Kelway, following its earlier acquisition of a 35 percent stake in the United Kingdom technology business.

  M&A
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• 2013CDW returns to public markets

  CDW Corporation completed an initial public offering on Nasdaq on July 2, 2013, after having been privately held since 2007.

  M&A
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• 2007CDW is acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners

  The two Chicago-based private-equity firms completed the acquisition of CDW on October 12, 2007, in a transaction reported at approximately $7 billion.

  M&A
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• 2006CDW acquires Berbee Information Networks

  CDW acquired Berbee, a reseller and services provider focused on IBM, Cisco, and Microsoft technologies. The transaction added technical services and regional enterprise capabilities.

  M&A
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