Key Stats
Founded: 1984 in Chicago, Illinois
Headquarters: Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States
CEO: Christine Leahy (since 2019)
Employees: Approximately 15,100
NASDAQ Ticker Symbol: CDW
CDW Corporation ranks among the largest technology solutions providers in the United States. The company delivers hardware, software, and integrated IT solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare customers across the U.S., United Kingdom, and Canada.
CDW operates through three primary segments: Corporate, Small Business, and Public. The company serves more than 250,000 customers and partners with over 1,000 leading technology brands including Dell, Cisco, and Microsoft.
As a Fortune 500 company and S&P 500 Index member, CDW generated $21 billion in net sales in 2024. The company provides end-to-end technology solutions from initial consultation through implementation and ongoing support services.
CDW Corporation History
The CDW Corporation story began in 1984 when Michael Krasny placed a small classified ad in a free newspaper to sell his personal computer. The response overwhelmed him. Krasny discovered buyers were reselling the computers at markups of $300 per machine, prompting him to enter the wholesale business himself.
Krasny founded MPK Computing from his Chicago apartment. The company later became Computer Discount Warehouse before shortening its name to CDW. The direct-sales model Krasny pioneered eliminated retail markups and allowed customers to purchase technology at competitive prices.
1984
Michael Krasny founded MPK Computing after a classified ad to sell his computer generated unexpected demand. The company operated from his Chicago apartment.
1993
CDW completed its first IPO on NASDAQ. Sales reached $270 million with 247 employees.
1995
CDW.com launched, embracing online sales early in the e-commerce era. Annual sales reached $628 million.
1998
CDW-G founded to serve government and education customers. The company established headquarters in Vernon Hills, Illinois.
2001
CDW debuted on the Fortune 500 at number 435 and joined the NASDAQ 100. Sales exceeded $3.9 billion.
2007
Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners acquired CDW for $7.3 billion, taking the company private.
2013
CDW returned to public markets through a second IPO on NASDAQ, raising $395 million.
2015
Acquired UK-based Kelway for approximately $523 million, expanding international operations significantly.
2019
Christine Leahy became CEO. CDW acquired Scalar Decisions to expand Canadian operations.
2021
Completed acquisition of Sirius Computer Solutions for $2.5 billion, the largest deal in company history at that time.
CDW Corporation Founder
Michael Krasny
Founded CDW in 1984 after discovering demand for computer resale through a classified advertisement. Krasny built the company from a one-person operation into a technology industry leader using direct sales and catalog distribution.
CDW Corporation Competitors
CDW Corporation operates in the competitive IT solutions and services market. The company faces competition from technology distributors, value-added resellers, and global consulting firms that serve similar customer segments.
| Company | Headquarters | Products/Services |
|---|---|---|
| Insight Enterprises | Tempe, Arizona | IT solutions, cloud services, digital transformation |
| SHI International | Somerset, New Jersey | Software licensing, IT infrastructure, cloud |
| Dell Technologies | Round Rock, Texas | Hardware, servers, storage, enterprise solutions |
| Zones | Auburn, Washington | IT solutions, cloud, managed services |
| Accenture | Dublin, Ireland | IT consulting, digital transformation, cloud |
| IBM | Armonk, New York | IT services, cloud computing, consulting |
| Softchoice | Toronto, Canada | Software, cloud solutions, IT services |
| Computacenter | Hatfield, United Kingdom | IT infrastructure, managed services |
| GHA Technologies | Phoenix, Arizona | IT hardware, software, cloud solutions |
| Kyndryl | New York, New York | IT infrastructure services, managed services |
CDW Corporation Revenue
CDW Corporation generated $21 billion in net sales during fiscal year 2024. The company derives revenue from hardware sales, software licensing, cloud services, and professional services delivered to corporate, public sector, and small business customers.
CDW Corporation Annual Revenue (in Billions USD)
CDW Corporation Acquisitions
CDW Corporation has grown through strategic acquisitions that expanded its geographic reach, service capabilities, and technology expertise. The company targets acquisitions that enhance its solutions portfolio and strengthen its position in key market segments.
In 2003, CDW acquired Micro Warehouse assets, expanding its product offerings and customer base. The Micro Warehouse Canada operation became CDW Canada, establishing the company’s first international presence. Three years later, CDW purchased Berbee Information Networks for $175 million, adding two data centers and 11 offices across six states.
The 2015 acquisition of UK-based Kelway for approximately $523 million marked CDW’s expansion into European markets. Kelway served 4,500 customers across the United Kingdom and provided international capabilities that enterprise customers increasingly demanded. The deal demonstrated CDW’s commitment to becoming a global technology solutions provider.
CDW continued building its international footprint in 2019 by acquiring Canadian solutions provider Scalar Decisions and Aptris. These purchases strengthened CDW’s presence in Canada and added specialized expertise in cloud services and IT consulting.
The December 2021 acquisition of Sirius Computer Solutions for $2.5 billion represented CDW’s largest deal. Sirius brought enhanced capabilities in hybrid infrastructure, security, digital innovation, and cloud managed services. The transaction added approximately 2,600 employees and significantly expanded CDW’s professional services organization.
CDW Corporation Marketcap
CDW Corporation maintains a market capitalization of approximately $18 billion as of late 2025. The company trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CDW and ranks among the largest publicly traded technology solutions providers.
CDW Corporation Market Capitalization (in Billions USD)
FAQs
When was CDW Corporation founded?
CDW Corporation was founded in 1984 by Michael Krasny in Chicago, Illinois. Krasny started the company after placing a classified ad to sell his personal computer generated unexpected buyer interest.
Who is the CEO of CDW Corporation?
Christine Leahy serves as chair, president, and CEO of CDW Corporation. She became CEO in January 2019 after serving as chief revenue officer and has led the company through significant growth.
What is CDW Corporation market capitalization?
CDW Corporation has a market capitalization of approximately $18 billion as of late 2025. The company trades on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol CDW.
Where is CDW Corporation headquarters located?
CDW Corporation headquarters is located in Vernon Hills, Illinois, United States. The company also maintains offices in Lincolnshire, Illinois and international locations in the United Kingdom and Canada.
What companies has CDW Corporation acquired?
CDW Corporation acquired Micro Warehouse (2003), Berbee Information Networks (2006), Kelway (2015), Scalar Decisions (2019), and Sirius Computer Solutions (2021) among other technology companies.