Bearing Distributors, Inc.

Overview

Deal Type Mergers & Acquisitions
Client & Transactional Partners Bearing Distributors, Inc.
Kelso & Company
Our Role Exclusive Financial Advisor

Summary

On July 31, 2026, KeyBanc Capital Markets (KBCM) successfully advised Bearing Distributors, Inc. (BDI or the Company) on a strategic growth investment from Kelso & Company (Kelso). KBCM served as Exclusive Financial Advisor to BDI on the transaction.

KBCM’s advisory relationship with BDI, and its CEO and controlling shareholder, spans over 25 years. Accordingly, KBCM ran a high-touch process to drive a compelling outcome, while allowing the CEO and his team to align with a preferred partner with a shared vision for the Company. This partnership provides BDI with enhanced access to capital and operational resources to accelerate organic and inorganic growth. KBCM was selected based on its decades-long relationship with BDI, commitment to identifying attractive partnerships for founder- and family-owned businesses, industry-leading specialty distribution investment banking practice, access to like-minded potential investors, and proven M&A execution capabilities.

BDI is a leading distributor of bearings, power transmission and fluid power products, and related industrial solutions, serving a broad and diversified customer base across end markets in 11 countries. Led by its CEO, Carl James, BDI is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, with over 205 locations globally. The Company has built a strong reputation for technical expertise, deep supplier relationships, and a solutions-and-productivity service model that has made it a trusted partner to its customers.

Kelso is a North American-focused middle-market private equity firm founded on the principles of partnership and alignment of interest championed by Louis Kelso, the inventor of the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Kelso’s unique history drives a deep commitment to aligning the interests between the firm’s partners, management teams, strategic partners, and limited partners. Since 1980, Kelso has invested approximately $20 billion of equity capital in over 140 transactions. Kelso benefits from a successful investment track record, deep sector expertise, long-tenured investment team, and reputation as a preferred partner to management teams and corporates.

KeyBanc Capital Markets is a trade name under which the corporate and investment banking products and services of KeyCorp and its subsidiaries, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC (“KBCMI”), and KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank N.A.”), are marketed. Securities products and services are offered by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and its licensed securities representatives. Banking products and services are offered by KeyBank N.A.

Recent Deals

September 2026

icario

acquired by

vitality

Sell-Side Advisor

icario-acquired-by-vitality
August 2026

myers industries

divested

myers tire supply

to

lion equity partners

Exclusive Sell-Side Advisor

myers-tire-supply
August 2026

warhorse

$40 Million

Incremental Senior Secured Credit Facility

$340 Million

Aggregate Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Joint Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner
Syndication Agent

warhorse-gaming-llc
August 2026

safeway

a portfolio company of

cs industrial

acquired by

point 41

Exclusive Sell-Side Advisor

safe-way-garage-doors
August 2026

bookmark

acquired the Michigan assets of

villagemd

Buy-Side Advisor

bookmark-medical-village-medical
July 2026

avantus

$1.05 Billion

Corporate Credit Facility

Lead Arranger

avantus
July 2026

bdi

received a strategic growth investment from

kelso

Exclusive Financial Advisor

bearing-distributors-inc
July 2026

via

VIA

$16.5 Million

Freddie Mac (Floating-Rate Loan)

via
July 2026

pointe grand byron

Pointe Grand Byron

$44.9 Million

Freddie Mac (Floating-Rate Loan)

pointe-grand-byron
July 2026

mont 44

Mont 44

$16.6 Million

Freddie Mac (Floating-Rate Loan)

mont-44
July 2026

lithia springs estates

Lithia Springs Estates

$15 Million

Fannie Mae (Fixed-Rate Loan)

lithia-springs-estates
July 2026

evolution

and

true sports

combined and acquired by

o2

Advisor

evolution-physical-therapy
July 2026

strive medical

acquired by

cardinal health

Sell-Side Advisor

strive-medical-cardinal-health
July 2026

bethel retirement community

Bethel Retirement Community

$17.25 Million

Life Company

bethel-retirement-community
July 2026

brookdale portfolio

Brookdale Portfolio

$185 Million

Freddie Mac (Fixed-Rate Loan)

brookdale-portfolio
July 2026

villages of windcrest

The Villages of Windcrest

$11 Million

Life Company

the-villages-of-windcrest
July 2026

american greetings

a portfolio company of 

elliot

american greetings

$1.1 Billion

Revolving Credit Facility, Senior Secured Term Loan B, Senior Secured Notes

Joint Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner

american-greetings
July 2026

Stop & Stor - Bay Ridge

$18 Million

CMBS Fixed-Rate Loan

stop-stor-bay-ridge
July 2026

little arrow outdoor resort

Little Arrow Outdoor Resort

$17.9 Million

CMBS Fixed-Rate Loan

little-arrow-outdoor-resort
July 2026

the campus

The Campus

$19.3 Million

CMBS Fixed-Rate Loan

the-campus
July 2026

exus renewables

$356 Million

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Coordinating Lead Arranger
Administrative Agent
Collateral Agent
Depositary Agent

exus-renewables-pa
July 2026

us fertility

$1.068 Billion

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Joint Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner
Administrative Agent

us-fertility-senior-secured-credit
July 2026

athenahealth group

$1.038 Billion

Senior Secured Add-on Term Loan

$500 Million

7.5% Senior Secured Notes due 2032

Joint Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner

athenahealth-group
July 2026

newark public schools

$112 Million

Senior Secured Loan Facility

Sole Lead Arranger

newark-public-schools
July 2026

Forgent Power Solutions, Inc.

$2.5 Billion

Follow-On Offering

Joint Bookrunner

forgent
June 2026

smileamericapartners

acquired by

kaltroco

Sell-Side Advisor

smile-america-partners-kaltroco
June 2026

personal care medical associates acquired

acquired by

Undisclosed Buyer

Sell-Side Advisor

personal-care-medical-associates
June 2026

worthington-steel

acquired

klockner

$1.2 Billion

Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility

$700 Million

Senior Secured Term Loan B

$700 Million

Senior Secured Notes

Joint Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner

worthington-steel
June 2026

California Resources Corporation

$550 Million

Senior Notes

Joint Bookrunner

california-resource
June 2026

nutrisense

acquired by

dexcom

Financial Advisor

nutrisense-dexcom
May 2026

vsp

$500 Million

5.4% Senior Notes Due 2033

$500 Million

5.65% Senior Notes Due 2036

Active Joint Bookrunner

vsp-issues-public-bonds
May 2026

seatgeek

$200 Million

Senior Secured Credit Facilities

Left Lead Arranger
Joint Bookrunner
Administrative Agent

seatgeek

Connect With Us

Find an Expert