Personnel Update:
Do it Best Corp. announced that Amanda Harmeyer, the former Associate Merchandise Manager for Housewares, has been promoted to Merchandise Manager for Cleaning Supplies and Storage, a newly created position.
Haverty Furniture Companies, INC., announced that Clarence H. Smith has been elected chairman succeeding L. Phillip “Phil” Humann who was elected lead director.
Orchard Supply Hardware announced thatSenior VP and Chief Marketing Officer Thomas Carey has left the company to become Senior VP, Chief Customer Officer, a newly created position, for The Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack.
Mergers and Acquisitions:
Interline Brands, Inc. announced the completion of its acquisition by affiliates of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners (“GS Capital Partners”) and P2 Capital Partners, LLC (“P2 Capital Partners” or “P2”).
Industry Insight:
Ashley Furniture Industries Inc. plans to open about 50 bedding stores, under the Zzz’s By Ashley banner in 2012. The sleep shops will average about 4,500 sq. ft. each, and will offer a wide selection of mattresses and sleep accessories.
Barr Lumber Co. Inc., a pro dealer that recently operated five Southern California locations, has closed three locations and now operates from two locations.
McCoy’s Building Supply announced plans to open its first new location since 2007, with a store in Tyler, Texas. The store will mark the regional company’s 84th unit overall as it celebrates its 85th anniversary. The new store will also feature a new store design that focuses on energy conservation while decreasing its construction timeline.
A smaller, more efficient store further supports McCoy’s fundamental belief that its customers want to get in, get out and get back to building as quickly as possible. Construction on the store broke ground in August.
Orchard Supply Hardware opened a 50,000-sq.-ft. store in Torrance, Calif., showcasing the company’s new store format. Orchard’s newest location is at the site of a former Kmart store and marks the company’s 89th store in the state of California.
ProBuild Holdings Inc., cut 127 corporate positions across its operations nationwide “to reduce costs and better serve customers. The job cuts were across all departments and geographic areas, although most of the cuts were administration positions, including jobs in finance and human resources.
Westlake Ace Hardware has closed one of its two stores in Independence, MO.
Green Initiatives/Sustainability:
Home Depot has begun selling EcoScraps, which is composed of overripe produce that would otherwise have rotted is the feedstock, for the startup manufacturer’s organic compost and potting soil.
