Lowe's is buying Foundation Building Materials, a distributor of drywall, insulation and other products, for approximately $8.8 billion as the home improvement retailer intensifies its focus on professional builders.

Lowe's Cos said on Wednesday it has agreed to buy interior building products distributor Foundation Building Materials for nearly $8.8 billion, stepping up its expansion into the business that serves contractors and builders.

Lowe’s Cos. agreed to buy Foundation Building Materials, a North American distributor of drywall and other building products, for about $8.8 billion in cash.