Do it Best update: No change in DC approach
WARN notices that marked two True Value distribution centers for closure were inaccurate, according to a True Value spokesman.
“I can tell you with certainty, we are not closing those centers on April 8,” said Randy Rusk, True Value director of communications.
The confusion over the fate of the two True Value distribution centers — one in Cleveland and one in Kansas City—emerged from notices issued by an entity representing the remains of the old True Value.
The WARN notices, legal requirements under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, were issued not by Do it Best, which acquired most assets of True Value Company in November. Instead, they were issued by the legacy True Value Company, which was created in the bankruptcy process to wind down the old True Value.
According to Rusk, Do it Best and True Value’s approach to managing the combined fleet of distribution centers — 12 True Value centers and 9 Do it Best centers — has not changed. The approach was described in a presentation in December.
During a Town Hall meeting, True Value President Dent Johnson and Do it Best CEO Dan Starr stressed that product will continue to flow through the combined network as normal, with the goal to avoid any disruption in business for True Value customers and Do it Best members.
"What’s clear is we're not going to need 20-plus distribution centers down the road, even with our ambitious growth plans to supply retailers,” Johnson said. "But in the very short term, they are all going to stay up and running.”
True Value operates 12 distribution centers, including two that were marked for closure before the Do it Best acquisition. Do it Best operates nine distribution centers, not counting its lumber re-load centers.
