Nortek Holdings, parent company of Nortek Inc., signed a $1.75 billion agreement to be acquired by Thomas H. Lee Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm. Nortek had been owned by certain management and Kelso and Co. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2004 and is subject to customary closing conditions.

Nortek manufactures and distributes indoor environmental control products for residential and commercial markets, including: range hoods and other spot ventilation products, heating and air conditioning systems, indoor air quality systems, and specialty electronic products.