DISTRIBUTORS/CO-OPS

True Value partners with Boys & Girls Clubs
Atlanta – Before the True Value Reunion here, Brent Burger spent some quality time with kids from an Atlanta area Boys & Girls Club. On Saturday afternoon, he announced a national partnership between True Value and the youth organization.
Stanley Black & Decker to buy Craftsman
Sears Holdings plans to sell its Craftsman brand to tool giant Stanley Black & Decker for $550 million cash up front, $250 million at the end of year three, plus various annual payments.

Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based Sears said the move is part of an effort to stabilize its operating performance. The struggling retailer also intends to close an additional 150 non-profitable stores – 109 of them under the Kmart banner.

[Click here for the list of upcoming store closures.]

Hardware All Stars: New Jersey & Oklahoma

"All Star" is no ordinary designation
True Value grows its Home & Garden Showplace

Home & Garden Showplace, the garden center business unit of True Value Company, today announced Primera as its newest member.

Established in 1999, Primera represents the nation’s largest distribution cooperative in the professional turf and ornamental industry. Currently, over 60 owner-distributors serve thousands of markets through their collective national distribution across the U.S.
Farm & ranch steams ahead

It’s not just Tractor Supply that’s riding a wave of growth in the sector for hobby farmers and backyard ranchers.

This is not an article about Tractor Supply.

But let’s face it. You can’t write about the farm-and-ranch retail sector without referring to the Brentwood, Tenn.-based giant either as a competitor or as a role model.
Do it Best Corp Market preview, a Q&A

Do it Best's executive team weighed in on some pre-market story lines heading into the co-op's May Market in Indianapolis, including a major anniversary, buy-one-get-ones and e-commerce initiatives.

The market kicks off Friday with merchandising updates and a deep-discount Sneak Peek sales event at the Indiana Convention Center. The event runs through Monday.

Here is the interview, conducted via email, with the co-op's Rich Lynch, VP marketing and Steve Markley, VP merchandise.
Sold: Downes & Reader Hardwood Co.

Rugby Holdings LLC., a subsidiary of Langley, British Columbia-based Hardwoods Distribution Inc., purchased Downes & Reader Hardwood Company Inc. Downes & Reader is a distributor of hardwood lumber with four locations in the US Northeast and annual sales estimated at $25 million.

Downes & Reader services both the wholesale and retail customer segments.
HBSDealer Q&A: Guardian of the New Business Model

It was a pivotal decision in the long history of Guardian Building Products, but it paved the way for what new President and COO Jim Becker describes as a focused and committed company.
Sullivan Hardware & Garden is expanding

Indianapolis hardware icon Sullivan Hardware & Garden plans a dramatic expansion of its flagship location.
ABC finalizes deal with L&W Supply

After announcing the transaction in late August, ABC Supply Co. has finalized its purchase of L&W Supply from USG Corporation.

L&W Supply was formerly USG's building product distribution business and is a specialty distributor of drywall, ceiling tile, steel framing and other building materials used by commercial and residential contractors.