(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 has won a bidding war for GMS, striking a deal to buy the building-products distributor for $4.3 billion, or $5.5 billion including debt.

Home Depot is buying specialty building products distributor GMS for $4.3 billion, the second notable acquisition in a little over a year that emphasizes a deliberate push by the home improvement chai