Do it Best announced the successful acquisition of True Value. Do it Best said the transaction “represents a transformative milestone” for both companies and “the entire independent hardware industry.”
The acquisition brings significant assets to Do it Best, including inventory, brand rights, and paint manufacturing facilities. By acquiring these resources, Do it Best said it is poised for “substantial growth and increased capability to support independent retailers” while also bringing “operational stability to current True Value retailers.”
“This has been a challenging process,” Do it Best CEO Dan Starr said. “However, the shared commitment from our team and the True Value team has made today possible. We are now proud to be the world’s largest cooperative in our space, and that positions us to make a real difference for all our store owners.”
Starr said True Value will operate as a separate subsidiary, allowing Do it Best to maintain “high-quality service” while carefully integrating True Value’s operations.
“We’re excited to welcome True Value retailers and associates into the Do it Best family,” Starr said. “Our commitment to championing the independent retailer is at the heart of everything we do, and I know our True Value team joins us in this mission. This acquisition is about ensuring our collective success, now and in the future.”
To support the transformation, Do it Best has established a new leadership team dedicated to stabilizing and growing the True Value business while maintaining a focus on Do it Best member growth. Starr appointed Nick Talarico as president of Do it Best and Dent Johnson as president of True Value. Johnson’s True Value leadership team includes:
- Bill Habegger, vice president of information technology
- Justin Hanford, vice president of merchandising
- Eric Lane, senior vice president of marketing
- Tim Miller, senior vice president of logistics and distribution
- Chris Okapal, vice president of sales and business development
- Steve Rose, vice president of distribution
- Matt Saines, vice president of finance
- Rob Schmiedel, vice president of operations and sales enablement
- Ken Sorg, vice president of supply chain
- Celeste Stevens, vice president of human resources
- John Vanderpool, Senior vice president of manufacturing
- Jenna Grannan, director of marketing
- Randy Rusk, director of communications
“This is a generational opportunity that will shape the future of our cooperative and our industry,” Starr said. “We’re focused on taking our time to get it right. We ask for patience as we integrate True Value and help everyone grow and achieve their dreams.”
