Content about Best Corp.

Corbin Prows has joined Do it Best Corp. as the retail program manager, responsible for the creation and implementation of marketing strategies to increase co-op member participation in a variety of key retail programs.

Prior to joining Do it Best Corp., Prows spent the previous 18 years at Centennial Wireless in Fort Wayne, which later became AT&T Mobility. 

The co-op structure presents to the hardware industry one of the most interesting financial instruments in all of accounting: the end-of-year rebate.

San Antonio-based Alamo Lumber is a small regional lumberyard company serving 14 south Texas markets with a mix of building supplies and hardware store merchandise.

Do it Best Corp. promoted of Don Randolph to the position of retail performance manager.

In his new role, Randolph will oversee and lead co-op efforts in aiding the growth and improvement of member stores through enhancement of retail performance programs. 

Randolph is a nearly 10-year veteran of Do it Best Corp., serving as a territory sales and business development manager in the southwestern United States. 

Do it Best Corp.’s 2012 vendors of the year include a variety of companies representing categories from lumber to lawn and garden.

The Do it Best Vendor of the Year Award is based upon revenue growth, fill rates, new product innovation and other important criteria.

Three special category honorees were Simpson Strong-Tie for overall sales growth, Master Lock Co. for collaborative forecasting and replenishment, and Milwaukee Electric Tool for outstanding products and services. 

Do it Best Corp. has awarded Simpson Strong-Tie its 2012 Vendor of the Year award for Overall Sales Growth. This is the first time the Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op has given the distinction to the same company two years in a row.

Indianapolis -- Do it Best Corp. reported sales growth of 11.2% for fiscal year 2012, and celebrated its ninth consecutive year of $100 million-plus in member rebates.

The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op reported sales of $2.68 billion for its fiscal year ending June 30. Even more interesting to members was the size of the member rebate, which exceeded $100 million for the ninth year in a row. The $115.7 million rebate marks an increase of 9.4% over last year’s end-of-year rebate, and stands as the fourth highest ever. 

One of the challenges facing independent hardware stores in late 2012, as an election looms and uncertainty reigns, can be classified under the headline: “Good problem to have.” Specifically, it’s the challenge of managing a business through an upswing.

Cleaning supplies are big business. And the major hardware co-ops are showing by their actions, their words and their shelf space that they mean business in the cleaning business.

Officials from Do it Best Corp. put shovels to dirt Thursday morning as they officially broke ground in Sikeston, Mo., at the site of what will be the co-op’s newest and most technologically advanced Retail Service Center (RSC).

Indianapolis -- Hockey legend Jim Craig, the goalie from the gold-medal winning U.S. Olympic hockey team of 1980 delivered the keynote speech during the Do it Best Corp. May Market here. Craig’s message of teamwork was similar to that of Do it Best CEO Bob Taylor. 

Do it Best Corp. CEO Bob Taylor accepted the Home Channel Hall of Fame award during the Golden Hammer Awards at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. Safety Works VP safety sales John Shields introduced the inductee.

As the National Hardware Show kicks off in Las Vegas, the Golden Hammer Awards program enters its 28th year.

Wednesday morning at the show, the Home Channel News Golden Hammer event will honor the best of the best among home improvement suppliers and recognize outstanding achievement in the retail field. A twist for 2012: A Golden Hammer panel discussion with the working title: “The recovery: Is it real? And what to do about it?”