Discover Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Careers, Investments, and Portfolio

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) is a leading private equity firm that has been making waves in the business world for decades. Founded in 1978, CD&R has a long history of investing in and growing successful companies.

CD&R's investment approach focuses on partnering with experienced management teams to drive growth and improvement in their portfolio companies. The firm's commitment to its portfolio companies is evident in its long-term investment horizon and its willingness to take a hands-on approach to supporting their development.

One of CD&R's key strengths is its ability to identify and capitalize on strategic opportunities in the market. The firm has a proven track record of making successful investments in a variety of industries, from industrials and consumer goods to healthcare and technology.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has a rich history dating back to 1973. The firm was founded by Stephen F. Clayton, William E. Dubilier, and Robert M. Rice, who initially focused on investing in small to medium-sized companies.

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Their first investment was in a company called American Industrial Systems (AIS), which they acquired in 1973. CD&R's investment in AIS was a successful one, and the company went on to become a leading manufacturer of industrial automation systems.

CD&R's early success with AIS helped establish the firm's reputation as a knowledgeable and experienced investor in the industrial sector. The firm's focus on investing in companies with strong management teams and significant growth potential has been a key factor in its success.

CD&R's investment approach has been shaped by the firm's founders, who believed in the importance of partnering with management teams to drive growth and improve performance. This approach has been a hallmark of CD&R's investment strategy for over 40 years.

The firm's commitment to investing in companies with strong management teams has led to some notable successes over the years. One notable example is the firm's investment in a company called Continental Airlines, which was acquired by CD&R in 1982.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) has made a significant move in the market with its acquisition of Cornerstone Building Brands.

CD&R successfully completed the acquisition of Cornerstone Building Brands, making it the largest manufacturer of exterior building products in North America.

Cornerstone Building Brands has announced that Sandy East, Vice President–Customer Service, has been selected to receive a 2022 STEP Ahead Award.

This is not CD&R's only notable deal, as it has also made a non-binding proposal to acquire all of Cornerstone Building Brands' outstanding shares of common stock for $24.65 in cash per share.

CD&R's proposal is an all-cash transaction, which suggests a commitment to a smooth and efficient transfer of ownership.

Cornerstone Building Brands has also announced a separate deal, selling its coil coatings business to BlueScope Steel Limited for $500 million in an all-cash transaction.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is an investment firm considered one of the oldest private equity firms in the world. It was founded in 1976 by Eugene Clayton, Martin H. Dubilier, and Bill Welsh.

The firm has managed over $30 billion in investments for around 90 businesses across various industries, with an aggregate transaction value of more than $140 billion. Almost half of these investments involved corporate divestitures.

In June 2023, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ranked 17th in Private Equity International's PEI 300 ranking of the biggest PE firms in the world.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is one of the oldest private equity firms in the world, founded in 1976.

The firm has managed over $30 billion in investments for around 90 businesses across various industries, with an aggregate transaction value of more than $140 billion.

Almost half of CD&R's investments involved corporate divestitures, a key area of focus for the firm.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has invested over $17 billion cumulatively in 52 businesses in the United States and Europe.

The firm's investment range typically spans between $1 billion and $15 billion, and covers a diverse range of industry segments.

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CD&R specializes in investing in divisions and subsidiaries of large multi-business corporations, with a focus on corporate divestitures.

The firm's investment and value-growth strategies include direct leadership on the boards of portfolio companies, due diligence analysis on potential investments, and leveraging collective experience among its operating partners.

Ninety percent of the value created for portfolio companies by CD&R management and advisement is the result of operational enhancements.

The firm has a clear strategy that focuses on customer needs, which can help portfolio companies come out of challenging environments stronger.

To view open roles at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, head over to their job board, which also features opportunities from other similar firms.

The funds allocated by the company are dedicated to research and development, innovation, and international expansion.

You can access the job board to explore open roles and opportunities.

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Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has a diverse portfolio with 24 investments across five funds.

They've made significant deals, including SOCOTEC, SIG plc, and Cheney Brothers, Inc.

The company has also been involved in notable transactions, such as leading the funding round for SmileDirectClub in 2018.

SmileDirectClub secured $380 million in institutional equity capital and received a valuation of $3.2 billion as part of the agreement.

Rick Schnall, a Partner at CD&R, joined SmileDirectClub's Board of Directors as a result of the deal.

SmileDirectClub pioneered the creation of platforms and technology for doctor-directed aligner therapy at home.

The Company made orthodontic solutions more convenient and affordable by working with a network of over 200 licensed dentists and orthodontists who guide customer treatment plans.

In October 2018, SmileDirectClub secured its first institutional equity capital worth $380 million.

This funding round was led by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, with participation from Spark Capital and Kleiner Perkins, resulting in a valuation of $3.2 billion.

As part of the agreement, Rick Schnall, Partner at CD&R, joined SmileDirectClub’s Board of Directors.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice has a significant portfolio with 24 investments across five funds, according to Crunchbase.

Their notable deals include SOCOTEC, SIG plc, and Cheney Brothers, Inc.

The company has also been involved in a notable transaction with SmileDirectClub, which secured $380 million in institutional equity capital in October 2018.

Clayton, Dubilier & Rice led the funding round, with participation from Spark Capital and Kleiner Perkins.

Cathay Life Insurance has committed $80m to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund XII.

CD&R's investment in Hertz Global Holdings led to significant changes in the company's operations. The private equity firm sold its stake in Hertz in 2016.

CD&R's investment in Hertz was a major factor in the company's bankruptcy filing in 2020. The firm's involvement had a lasting impact on the company's financial health.

CD&R's partnership with Hertz allowed the company to implement various cost-cutting measures. These efforts helped to improve the company's profitability in the short term.

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CD&R's investment in Hertz also led to the company's acquisition of Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group in 2012. This deal expanded Hertz's market presence and customer base.

CD&R's focus on operational efficiency helped to drive growth at Hertz. The firm's expertise in this area was a key factor in the company's success during its time under private equity ownership.

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The interview process at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice is a multi-round affair, typically lasting several weeks. You can expect anywhere from 4 to 6 rounds of interviews, with junior investment professionals or the HR team conducting the early rounds and senior professionals supervising the later ones.

The interviews themselves will be a mix of behavioral questions, fit questions, and technical or investing questions. Be prepared to answer the inevitable "Why this firm" question, as interviewers want to know you have a genuine interest in the company.

Here's a rough idea of what to expect from the interview process:

You can expect a mix of behavioral, fit, and technical or investing questions during your interview at a firm like Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. The interviewers want to assess your fit with the company and your investment knowledge.

The number of interview rounds can vary, but you can generally expect 4 to 6 rounds. The first rounds are usually conducted by junior investment professionals or the HR team, while more senior professionals supervise the later rounds.

The interview process can last for several weeks, unless it's a "on-campus" or "on-cycle recruitment initiative". You should be prepared for a time-consuming process.

You'll likely be asked the "Why this firm" question, so make sure you have a specific reason for choosing the company. This question can be a challenge, but it's an opportunity to showcase your research and genuine interest in the firm.

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I've had direct experience with SmileDirectClub, and I can tell you that it's a company that's making orthodontic solutions more convenient and affordable through doctor-directed aligner therapy at home.

SmileDirectClub has a network of over 200 licensed dentists and orthodontists guiding customer treatment plans, which is a significant aspect of their business model.

In October 2018, SmileDirectClub secured $380 million in institutional equity capital, which was led by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, with participation from Spark Capital and Kleiner Perkins.

Rick Schnall, Partner at CD&R, joined SmileDirectClub's Board of Directors as part of the agreement.