In 1978, the company launched a professional electronic and computer equipment distribution branch and diversified into the industrial supplies business.

[citation needed] Beginning in the 1980s, CDME began its expansion into European and international markets by setting up in Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Benelux, West Germany, Singapore and Canada.

In 1988, it had sold most of its professional electronics distribution interests and in 1994 it separated from its subsidiary GDFI, France's largest distributor of industrial supplies.

[6] The PPR (Pinault-Printemps-Redoute) Group announced the sale of Rexel, which was finalized on March 16, 2005, with the Ray Investment consortium acquiring shares in the company.

[citation needed]The consortium members included Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, Eurazeo and Merrill Lynch Global Private Equity.

In addition to the 29 small and medium-sized acquisitions it made over the period, in 2006 the group bought the American distribution subsidiary of General Electric, GE Supply, which it renamed Gexpro.

In March 2008, Rexel acquired the majority of Hagemeyer's European assets (Elektroskandia in Scandinavia, ABM in Spain and Newey & Eyre in the United Kingdom).

[11] In 2014, the group announced it was purchasing Esabora, a software company that publishes sales and administrative management tools for electricians.

[12] In 2015, the Group strengthened its position in the multi-energy sector in France with the acquisition of Sofinther, a distributor specializing in thermal, heating and control equipment.

In February 2016, as part of its acquisition policy, Rexel purchased Brohl & Appell, an American company specialized in industrial automation and MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) services.

In July 2016, Rexel changed its governance structure and separated the functions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.

In February 2017, Rexel announced a new strategic plan intended to refocus its activity on the most promising countries and market segments in order to accelerate the group's organic growth, by promoting the digital transformation of electrical equipment and hardware, including connected objects.

In November, 2021, Rexel closed on the acquisition of Mayer, a major distributor of electrical products and services operating in the Eastern part of the United States.

[16] Rexel turned down an offer to be acquired by QXO Inc., an American building materials company led by Brad Jacobs, for $9.6 billion in September 2024.

This Cloud-based software suite allows companies to access studies (3D blueprints, BIM), site management, personalized pricing and online purchase monitoring.

[23] The company launched a single web and data platform for all its brands, offers and customers in the United States, a region whose sales account for more than 30% of total revenue.

In 2016, the Rexel Group continued updated its governance structure by separating the functions of Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer.

Patrick Berard was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group and Ian Meakins was named Chairman of the Board of Directors.