Personnel Updates
• 84 Lumber named the individuals who will head up three of its four newly realigned divisions – Billy Ball (VP, Southeast), Dave Dahl (VP, Mid-Atlantic) and Rob Woodrow (VP, Southwest).
• Ace Hardware Corporation appointed Lisa Doyle (formerly of Lowe’s) as Head of Retail Training.
• Cedar Creek Inc. brought in Mike Wardlow as Director, Engineered Wood Products.
• Do it Best Corp. named John Wade to the newly created post of National Product Sales and New Business Development Manager.
• Huttig Building Products named Kevin Brennan as its new VP, West Region.
Industry Insight
• 84 Lumber has reorganized operations into four divisions, Central, Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Southwest.
• Sears Canada entered bankruptcy and announced the closing of 45 stores, including Sears, Sears Home and Sears Outlet locations.
• True Value has dismissed reports of a potential sale of the company as “rumors,” while both Ace Hardware and Do It Best Corp. have made statements of interest should the rumors prove true.
• Westlake Ace Hardware reached the 100-store milestone with the acquisition of two Omaha-area stores.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• ABC Supply Co. acquired Capstone Supply, expanding its reach in the Cincinnati and Columbus, OH markets.
• The Home Depot is set to acquire longtime partner Compact Power Equipment in a deal that will close in Q2.
• Lowe’s Companies completed the acquisition of Maintenance Supply Headquarters.
Real Estate
• Kuiken Brothers completed the expansion of its Emerson, NJ facilities.
• Sears debuted a new banner – Sears Appliances & Mattresses – in Pharr, TX.