Home Depot to Buy Orange County Firm

Home Depot Inc. said it would expand its reach to contractors with the acquisition of White Cap Construction Supply Inc. of Costa Mesa.

Terms were not disclosed, but Home Depot said White Cap, a privately held distributor of specialty hardware, hand tools and safety equipment, had annual sales of about $500 million. The deal is expected to close within 30 days.

Home Depot has acquired maintenance and flooring companies in recent years to broaden its Home Depot Supply division, which caters to home builders and other contractors, a market the retailer values at $410 billion.

Shares of Home Depot fell 90 cents to $34.36 on the NYSE.