In Indy, Do it Best emphasizes teamwork

Indianapolis -- Hockey legend Jim Craig, the goalie from the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic hockey team of 1980 delivered the keynote speech during the Do it Best Corp. May Market here. Craig’s message of teamwork was similar to that of Do it Best CEO Bob Taylor. 

The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op introduced a variety of program enhancements during the May 19-21 event. “We see a lot of enthusiasm, excitement and positive momentum among our members,” said Taylor. Specifically, total purchases through the third quarter of the fiscal year were up 8.9%, and the co-op expects double-digit sales increase by year-end, along with a ninth consecutive annual member rebate totaling more than $100 million.

Member purchases surpassed $7.9 million during 90 minutes of Sneak Peek sales, a new market record for the annual Friday night event, according to the co-op. Top sales vendors were Reliance Water Heaters, DeWalt and Dap. 

Taylor recognized the service of long time executives Dave Dietz and Dave Haist, who are retiring at the end of June. Dan Starr, currently VP of human resources and general counsel at Do it Best will replace Haist as EVP and COO, and Doug Roth, currently the director of financial reporting will fill Dietz’s position as VP of finance.

A paint and primer in one was promoted at the show. Do it Best in partnership wit Sherwin-Williams introduced the enhanced-paint performance in its Best Look and Color Solutions paint lines. During the market, Do it Best promoted its plans to improve its Best Rewards program by introduction, among other things, a web site to allow consumers to check their point status.

Do it Best also promoted its Online Advertising Sales Information System (OASIS), designed to help dealers budget, plan, create and distribute advertising materials. 

The May Market also included a Saturday evening performance of comedian Jim Gaffigan, and a Sunday lunch presentation called “Creating moments of truth: the changing rules of customer service.”