March 28 Reuters Home Depot will buy building materials supplier SRS Distribution in an 18.25 billion deal, in the top U.S. home improvement chain39;s largest deal as it looks to broaden its professional customer base to better tackle tepid demand.

The company and rival Lowe39;s Cos have projected a slower recovery this year as U.S. consumers pause big home remodeling and renovation projects due to sticky inflation.

This has put pressure on the DoItYourself DIY segment, which makes up about half of Home Depot39;s business, and the company has sharpened its focus on Procustomers such as professional builders, contractors, handymen to drive sales.

Thursday39;s deal will expand Home Depot39;s total potential market by about 50 billion to roughly 1 trillion, the company said. In 2020, Home Depot had bought back industrial materials wholesaler HD Supply Holdings in an 8 billion deal.

SRS, a portfolio company of private equity firms Leonard Green Partners and Berkshire Partners, serves Procustomers including roofers, landscapers and pool contractors. It will operate as an independent unit within Home Depot under its current leadership team.

Leonard Green had bought a majority stake in SRS in a 3.55 billion deal in 2018, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.

Last December, Leonard Green allowed some of its fund investors to cash out of SRS at a valuation of about 16 billion, including debt, the source said, adding Home Depot agreed to the deal…