Family Farm & Home joins True Value

True Value Co. announced the addition of its newest affiliate member, Family Farm & Home.

Headquartered in Muskegon, Mich., with a warehouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., the chain will bring its wholesale buying for 27 existing stores in Michigan and Indiana to the co-op, effective Nov. 1.

True Value Co. announced the addition of its newest affiliate member, Family Farm & Home.

Headquartered in Muskegon, Mich., with a warehouse in Grand Rapids, Mich., the chain will bring its wholesale buying for 27 existing stores in Michigan and Indiana to the co-op, effective Nov. 1.

Since the Fansler family opened the first Family Farm & Home store in 2002, the company has opened more than two dozen stores across Michigan and two in neighboring Indiana. Plans for the family-owned business include a continued focus on organic growth from their current operations, while exploring new growth opportunities with additional locations. A new store is set to open in Cadillac, Mich., before the end of November 2013. 

“We chose True Value Co. as our wholesaler for the co-op’s solid financial position, hardware product selection, logistics and support, and True Value’s increasingly popular farm, ranch, automotive and pet categories,” said Tim Fansler, VP merchandising for Family Farm & Home.

While the co-op’s affiliates operate independently under their own retail identity, Family Farm & Home will benefit from True Value’s wholesale buying power, and an annual patronage dividend. True Value has seen its sales to affiliate members grow by 4% to 6% each year for the past several years. 

“The addition of Family Farm & Home to our affiliate program increases the buying power of the co-op, and we are looking forward to growing along with them,” said True Value president and CEO John Hartmann.