Page 1 - January FN 2020

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Find, Friend & Follow Us Issue 1 | 2020

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CELEBRATING 75 YEARS OF SUCCESS

Do it Best is a leader in the independent home Mike McClelland became President & CEO in 1992 and his drive
improvement business. With thousands of to serve our members resulted in a period of tremendous growth
successful member-owners that span the globe, we have a lot despite intense competition from big boxes. HWI combined with
to be proud of. We are also thankful for the leaders, staff, and Our Own Hardware, a regional co-op based in Minnesota, to
strategic decisions over the past 75 years that have shaped our become Do it Best Corp.
company into what it is today.
In 2002, Bob Taylor took over as President & CEO after joining
In 1945, founder Arnold Gerberding had a vision for a the co-op as a member-owner in 2000 and then serving on our
wholesale distribution system that better served independently- board of directors. Through Taylor’s broad retail experience, he
owned stores who were facing tough competition from large sharpened the focus of Do it Best programs and services to help
department stores. After selling the idea to dealers in the our members grow and achieve their dreams.
Midwest, 75 stores signed up to join Hardware Wholesalers Inc.
(HWI). Fast forward to 2016 when Dan Starr was named President &
CEO. Under his leadership, the company has continued to grow
Gerberding and his small team worked tirelessly to get the and change in many new and exciting ways as we commit to
company off the ground. In 1947, he and 13 staff broke ground strengthening Do it Best as the first and best choice in home
on the Nelson Road warehouse and corporate office in Fort improvement.
Wayne. With a centralized warehouse, HWI began offering To recognize our 75th anniversary, Do it Best staff will be
private truck deliveries to member stores.
celebrating all year long with coordinated events. For each
In 1967, Don Wolf succeeded month in 2020, the employee
Gerberding as President & boards at each location will
CEO. Wolf took the co-op facilitate a commemorative
from a regional company to activity that shares elements
a multinational corporation of our company’s rich history.
by establishing warehouses in Each monthly activity will
other parts of the US. Panama correspond with a specific
Do it Center became the decade, starting in January
®
first international member in with the 1940s. Activities will
1979, and in 1982 HWI culminate in a
revolutionized celebration at
the look of our banquets in
home centers 2020 October.
by introducing
the Do it Center 1945
design.

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