Ehlis S.A.

What Ehlis S.A. does

Ehlis S.A. is a Spanish B2B distribution company founded in 1898 in Barcelona, specializing in hardware, DIY, gardening, and homeware products. The company operates two complementary go-to-market layers: the Cadena 88 purchasing and services group, which aggregates over 1,600 independent hardware stores under centralized purchasing and shared marketing infrastructure, and direct distribution to over 4,000 distributor customers across Spain. Distribution is supported by a logistics network exceeding 100,000 m² across six facilities (Barcelona, Illescas, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Valencia, Mallorca), with a new automated 60,000 m² center under construction in Illescas that will materially expand capacity and reduce unit logistics cost.

The company's product portfolio includes seven own/private-label brands (Lista, Habitex, EHS, EHL, Duolec, Ratio), exclusive distribution rights to the international Tajima brand, and over 500,000 SKUs from leading manufacturers. Ehlis generates revenue through three streams: product distribution markups across 4,000+ customers, centralized purchasing benefits shared with Cadena 88 affiliates, and physical Cash & Carry wholesale centers in Valencia and Mallorca. The technology stack consists of an e-commerce platform (launched 2019), a private authenticated ordering portal (pedidos.ehlis.es), digital marketing tools for affiliates, Space 360 commercial fit-out services, and conventional warehouse logistics — with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities.

Ehlis is a privately held family business under fourth-generation management (Alejandro and Ignacio Ehlis, in place since 2006). Recent strategic activity includes minority stakes in CECOFERSA (2022, industrial supplies, Spain/Portugal) and BdB (2024, construction materials, Spain/Portugal), extending reach into adjacent verticals and the Portuguese market. Annual turnover is disclosed at €249M+, with no public listing and no disclosed external institutional investors.

Name

Ehlis S.A.

Legal name

EHLIS, S.A.

Website

https://ehlis.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Ehlis S.A. is a Spanish B2B hardware, DIY, and homeware distributor founded in 1898, serving 1,600+ Cadena 88 affiliated independent stores and 4,000+ distributor customers via 100,000 m² of logistics infrastructure across Spain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

San Andrés de la Barca, Cataluña / Catalunya

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution and Sales: Ehlis generates revenue through the distribution of hardware, DIY, gardening, and homeware products to over 4,000 distributor customers. The company markets its own brands (Habitex, EHS, EHL, Duolec, Ratio, Tajima), products from leading manufacturers, and exclusively distributes international brands. Revenue comes from markup on product sales and centralized purchasing benefits across the Cadena 88 network of 1,600+ affiliated stores.
2. Centralized Purchasing and Services: Revenue is generated through centralized purchasing for affiliated stores under the Cadena 88 brand, providing competitive conditions, marketing tools, and services. Ehlis also earns through shareholding investments in CECOFERSA (industrial supplies purchasing group) and BdB (construction materials purchasing group), strengthening its market position in Spain and Portugal.
3. Cash & Carry Operations: Cash & Carry centers in Valencia and Palma de Mallorca offer over 15,000 items for immediate purchase by businesses, generating revenue through direct retail sales of products in quantities needed by customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ehlis S.A. is a B2B distributor of hardware, DIY, gardening, and homeware products in Spain. The company operates Cadena 88, a purchasing and services group serving over 1,600 affiliated independent hardware stores, and directly supplies over 4,000 distributor customers through a logistics network spanning more than 100,000 m² across four regional platforms (Illescas, Barcelona, Tenerife, Gran Canaria).

Product overview

Ehlis S.A. is a B2B distribution company operating a multi-channel platform for hardware, DIY, gardening, and homeware products in Spain. The core platform consists of Cadena 88, a purchasing and services group for independent hardware stores with over 1,600 affiliated points of sale, supported by four logistics platforms (Ehlis Illescas, Ehlis Barcelona, Ehlis Tenerife, and Ehlis Gran Canaria) spanning over 100,000 m². The offering also includes an online sales platform and authenticated private ordering portal (pedidos.ehlis.es), a Cash & Carry wholesale channel in Valencia and Mallorca, and Space 360 commercial fit-out services. The product portfolio includes seven own brands (Lista, Habitex, EHS, EHL, Duolec, Ratio) and the exclusively distributed Tajima international brand. Ehlis also holds strategic stakes in CECOFERSA (industrial supplies purchasing group) and BdB (construction materials purchasing group), extending coverage into Portugal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Habitex: Home and garden brand
• EHS
• EHL
• Duolec
• Ratio
• Tajima

Products and services

• Cadena 88 Membership (Purchasing & Services Group) A purchasing and services group for independent hardware stores in Spain, managed by Ehlis. Provides members with centralized purchasing power, access to over 500,000 products, marketing tools, financial support, and digital services to boost competitiveness against large retail chains.
• Online Sales Platform and Digital Services (Cadena 88) E-commerce platform providing online ordering and digital services to Cadena 88 affiliated stores and distributor customers, enabling digital purchasing across the network.
• Private B2B Ordering Portal (pedidos.ehlis.es) Authenticated B2B ordering portal for Ehlis distributor customers and associated points of sale, accessed via SimpleSAMLphp single sign-on, enabling direct product ordering and account management.
• Cash & Carry Wholesale Centers Self-service wholesale centers in Valencia (Paterna) and Palma de Mallorca offering over 15,000 items for immediate pickup in desired quantities by business buyers.
• Space 360 – Commercial Space Design and Fit-Out 360-degree commercial space design and fit-out service for partner clients, including store layout design, modular shelving installation, and product presentation optimization to enhance point-of-sale profitability.
• Digital Marketing Services Marketing support services provided to Cadena 88 partners and affiliated stores, including specialized marketing tools and digital marketing assistance to boost competitiveness and commercial success.
• 24/48-Hour Logistics and Fulfillment Services Nationwide logistics and fulfillment operations offering 24-48 hour delivery to distributor customers, supported by over 100,000 m² of logistics space across Spain (Barcelona, Illescas, Tenerife, Gran Canaria).
• Ehlis Own-Brand Product Portfolio (Habitex, EHS, EHL, Duolec, Ratio, Lista) Portfolio of Ehlis's own private-label brands covering hardware, home, garden, and DIY product categories, marketed and distributed through the Cadena 88 network across Spain.
• Tajima Exclusive Distribution (International Brand) Exclusive distribution in Spain of the internationally recognized Tajima brand, marketed through the Cadena 88 network of independent hardware stores.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over €249M annual turnover demonstrates commercial scale and market leadership in Spanish hardware distribution.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• BdBcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024In 2024, Ehlis acquired a stake in BdB, a central purchasing agency for construction materials operating in Spain and Portugal. This investment further expanded Ehlis' market presence and complemented its hardware distribution business with construction materials purchasing power.
• CECOFERSAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022In 2022, Ehlis acquired a stake in CECOFERSA (Central de Compras de Suministros Industriales), a purchasing group for industrial supplies operating in Spain and Portugal. This strategic investment enabled Ehlis to strengthen its leadership position in Spain and expand into the Portuguese market through synergies with CECOFERSA's network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• E/D/E (Einkaufsbüro Deutscher Eisenhändler): German purchasing and services central for independent hardware retailers, operating a comparable affiliate-network model with centralized purchasing, marketing services, and logistics support for member stores.
• Point.P (Saint-Gobain Distribution): Saint-Gobain's distribution arm for building materials and hardware serving professionals and affiliates across Europe. Closely aligned with Ehlis' B2B distribution model and product categories.
• BigMat: European purchasing group of independent building materials and hardware retailers with a similar affiliate/cooperative model to Cadena 88. Directly comparable in terms of category coverage, customer segment, and central purchasing structure.
• Würth: Global B2B distributor of hardware, fasteners, tools, and consumables, with proprietary brands and exclusive distribution arrangements. Comparable product mix and B2B distribution model, though much larger and broader geographically.

Broad incumbents

• Toolstation: UK-based trade-focused hardware and tool retailer with cash-and-carry-like service and growing Iberian presence. Comparable in serving professional trade buyers and competing in similar product categories.
• Sonepar: Global B2B distributor of electrical and related products operating through a network of affiliated branches. Comparable B2B distribution-with-affiliates model, though focused on electrical rather than general hardware.
• Leroy Merlin: Largest DIY and home improvement retailer in Spain, directly competing with Cadena 88 affiliates for end-consumer DIY spend. Represents both a competitive threat and a benchmark for the broader Spanish home improvement market.
• Kingfisher (Brico Dépôt parent): Pan-European DIY home improvement group operating Brico Dépôt and other banners. Comparable in product category and Spanish/Portuguese market overlap; broader and more diversified geographically.
• Brico Dépôt (formerly Bricomart): Iberian cash-and-carry DIY and hardware retail chain serving professional and individual buyers. Overlaps with Ehlis' product categories and Cash & Carry customer segment, but operates retail-owned stores rather than an affiliate model.

Others

• BdB: Central purchasing agency for construction materials in Spain and Portugal in which Ehlis holds a strategic stake. Adjacent and thematically related, but also a portfolio/investee relationship rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/Cadena88oficial
• Facebookfacebook.com/Cadena88oficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ehlis
• Instagraminstagram.com/cadena88_

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ehlis S.A.