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A Brief History of CDW

1984

CDW founded


1985

CDW runs first national advertisement in PC World magazine


1987

CDW publishes first catalog
CDW offers first services, helping customers set up their computers
CDW begins hiring coworkers with technical expertise


1993

CDW completes first IPO; lists on NASDAQ
Sales: $270M
Coworkers: 247


1995

CDW embraces online sales by introducing CDW.com
Sales: $628M
Coworkers: 539


1997

CDW establishes headquarters in Vernon Hills, IL; exceeds $1B sales mark
Sales: $1.27B
Coworkers: 986


1998

CDW•G founded to further support government and education customers
Sales: $1.73B
Coworkers: 1,504


2001

John Edwardson becomes CEO and chairman
CDW debuts on the Fortune 500 at No. 435 and on the NASDAQ 100
Sales: $3.96B
Coworkers: 2,783


2003

CDW purchases Micro Warehouse assets
Micro Warehouse Canada becomes CDW Canada
CDW launches dedicated Small Business team
Sales: $4.66B
Coworkers: 3,600


2005

CDW opens the Western Distribution Center in Las Vegas
Total distribution center space exceeds 950,000 sq. ft.
CDW launches CDW Healthcare
Sales: $6.3B
Coworkers: 4,300


2006

CDW acquires Berbee Information Networks, adding two new data centers and 11 new offices in six states
CDW employs more than 760 advanced technology specialists and engineers
Sales: $6.8B
Coworkers: 5,480


2007

CDW goes private, purchased by Madison Dearborn Partners and Providence Equity Partners
Sales: $8.1B
Coworkers: 6,300


2008

CDW becomes the official technology partner for the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour
Sales: $8.1B
Coworkers: 6,850


2009

Tom Richards joins CDW as president and COO
Sales: $7.2B
Coworkers: 6,250


2011

Tom Richards becomes CEO
CDW launches People Who Get IT campaign, focusing on how technology solves everyday business problems
Sales: $9.6B
Coworkers: 6,700


2012

CDW revenue exceeds $10B
CDW employs nearly 1,400 technology specialists and engineers
Sales: $10.1B
Coworkers: 6,800


2013

CEO Tom Richards also becomes chairman of the board
CDW launches the Technoliner, the ultimate technology vehicle
CDW ranks No. 267 on the Fortune 500 

CDW lists on NASDAQ

Sales: $10.8B
Coworkers: 7,000


2014

CDW completes a 35% investment in Kelway,  a leading U.K. technology services and solutions company
CDW ranks No. 265 on the Fortune 500
CDW hits cloud stride with more than 40 leading industry partners
Sales: $12.1B
Coworkers: 7,200


2015

CDW ranks No. 253 on the Fortune 500
CDW opens new Enterprise Command Center in Vernon Hills, IL, expanding managed services and cloud capabilities
Forbes names CDW to its inaugural America’s Best Employers list
CDW and Dell grow their partnership
CDW acquires U.K.-based solutions provider Kelway
Sales: $13.0B
Coworkers: 8,400


2016

CDW opens new Lincolnshire office
Kelway becomes CDW
CDW ranks No. 220 on the Fortune 500
Security solution sales exceed $1B 
Sales: $13.7B
Coworkers: 8,500


2017

CDW launches standalone Small Business unit
CDW ranks No. 199 on the Fortune 500
Sales: $14.8B
Coworkers: 8,700


2018

CDW opens new office in Nashville, TN
CDW ranks #189 on the Fortune 500
Sales of workloads delivered via cloud reach $3B
Sales: $16.2B
Coworkers: 9,000


2019

Christine Leahy becomes CEO
CDW acquires Canadian solutions provider Scalar Decisions
CDW ranks #191 on the Fortune 500
CDW acquires Aptris
Sales: $18.0B
Coworkers: 9,900


2020

CDW acquires IGNW, Aeritae and Southern Dakota Solutions
CDW launches Inaugural Environmental, Social, and Governance Report
Sales: $18.5B
Coworkers: 10,000


2021

CDW acquires  Amplified IT, Focal Point Data Risk, Sirius Computer Solutions
CDW revenue exceeds $20B
CDW ranks #161 on Fortune 500 
Sales: $21.0B
Coworkers: 13,900


2022

CDW launches HBCU-focused Legacy Excellence Program
CDW receives Frost & Sullivan Global Customer Value Leadership Award for 2nd year in a row
Sales: $23.7B
Coworkers: 15,000


2023

CDW acquires Locus and Enquizit
CDW rings Nasdaq Opening Bell to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of the 2013 IPO
Sales: $21.4B
Coworkers: 15,100