Home Depot’s trade distribution subsidiary SRS Distribution has reached an agreement to buy building-products distributor GMS for $110 a share in a deal totaling $5.5 billion, the companies announced Monday.

(Reuters) -Home Depot said on Monday unit SRS Distribution has agreed to acquire specialty building products distributor GMS for about $4.3 billion, stepping up its efforts to capture more demand from professional contractors. The deal also comes amid threats of a hostile takeover for GMS from billionaire Brad Jacobs-led rival QXO.

Home Depot (NYSE:HD) is in the spotlight after reportedly entering a competitive bidding process to acquire GMS (NYSE:GMS), a major U.S. building-products distributor specializing in drywall, ceilings,