Do it Best Corporation

Do it Best Corporation
Name	Do it Best Corporation
Type	Cooperative
Founded	1945
Founder	Wholesale Hardware
Headquarters	Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Industry	Retail, Hardware
Num employees	1,600 (approx.)

Do it Best Corporation is a member-owned hardware, lumber, and building materials cooperative headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The cooperative supplies independent retailers, dealers, and contractors with a range of products and services, operating through a distribution network and corporate offices while participating in industry associations and trade shows. It has grown from a regional buying group into a global cooperative competing with national chains and working with manufacturers, logistics providers, and financial partners.

History

Founded in 1945 as Wholesale Hardware, the cooperative emerged amid post-World War II expansion alongside contemporaries such as Ace Hardware, True Value, and Home Depot-era competitors. During the 1950s and 1960s the organization navigated relationships with manufacturers like Stanley Black & Decker and 3M Company while adapting to shifts exemplified by the rise of Walmart and the growth of big-box retail in the 1980s and 1990s. Strategic rebranding and mergers reflected trends witnessed by Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Lowe's Companies, Inc., positioning the cooperative within trade networks including the National Retail Federation and participation at trade shows such as National Hardware Show and International Builders' Show. Expansion into distribution centers and international sourcing paralleled moves by IKEA and Tractor Supply Company, and leadership transitions have been compared to governance changes at firms like Johnson Controls and Caterpillar Inc..

Corporate structure and ownership

The cooperative operates under a member-owned structure similar to structures at REI and regional cooperatives like Ace Hardware Cooperative LLC, with a board of directors elected by dealer-members and executive management based in Fort Wayne. Corporate governance reflects practices found in organizations such as General Motors (board oversight), Procter & Gamble (brand management), and Costco Wholesale Corporation (member relations). Financial oversight interacts with institutions like Wells Fargo and auditing practices comparable to those described by the Securities and Exchange Commission for public disclosures, while legal compliance aligns with frameworks used by companies such as Kimberly-Clark and 3M. Strategic partnerships and supplier contracts resemble arrangements seen at The Home Depot, Inc. and Lowe's, blending cooperative purchasing with centralized services.

Products and services

The cooperative supplies hardware, tools, lumber, plumbing, electrical, paint, gardening supplies, and seasonal merchandise sourced from manufacturers including Bosch (company), DeWalt, Milwaukee Tool, and Benjamin Moore. Service offerings encompass private-label brands, merchandising support, point-of-sale systems, and vendor-managed inventory reminiscent of services at Ace Hardware and Tractor Supply Company. Dealers access marketing programs, supply-chain solutions, and e-commerce integrations that parallel platforms used by Amazon (company), eBay, and retail software vendors like Oracle Corporation and SAP SE. Warranty programs, product recall coordination, and safety standards reflect collaboration with industry bodies such as Underwriters Laboratories and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Distribution and logistics

Distribution relies on regional warehouses and centralized distribution centers with logistics strategies influenced by practices at FedEx, United Parcel Service, and XPO Logistics. The cooperative's supply chain engages international sourcing from exporters in regions associated with China and Vietnam, while freight management uses carriers comparable to Maersk and C.H. Robinson Worldwide. Inventory management and demand forecasting employ technologies and methods similar to those implemented by Walmart and Target Corporation, with transportation planning that reflects standards from American Trucking Associations. Seasonal demand spikes and disaster response coordination have been managed in ways akin to responses by Home Depot during events like Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts.

Membership and dealer network

Member dealers range from single-store operators to multi-store groups, mirroring dealer models present at Ace Hardware and regional chains such as True Value Company-affiliated stores. Membership benefits include cooperative purchasing, marketing co-ops, and business consulting services comparable to offerings by Independent Grocers Alliance and franchise support provided by organizations like Subway (restaurant franchise). The dealer network participates in cooperative governance and regional conferences similar to meetings held by National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors and trade councils connected with Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Financial performance and milestones

Revenue growth and milestone announcements have placed the cooperative among leading independent hardware distributors, with financial trajectories that invite comparison to public disclosures from The Home Depot and Lowe's. Capital investments in distribution and technology echo initiatives by Amazon and Walmart to modernize fulfillment, while acquisitions and private-label expansions reflect strategies used by Ace Hardware and True Value. Financial reporting adheres to standards observed by firms interacting with Deloitte and Ernst & Young for audits, and performance metrics such as same-store sales and inventory turnover are tracked in a manner similar to retailers like Target Corporation.

Community involvement and sustainability

Philanthropic and sustainability efforts include community giving, charitable partnerships, and environmental initiatives paralleling programs at Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation and Home Depot Foundation. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable sourcing align with practices championed by organizations such as Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Forest Stewardship Council for lumber procurement. Volunteerism, disaster relief support, and local sponsorships follow patterns set by corporate foundations like those at Walmart Foundation and Caterpillar Foundation, while reporting on corporate responsibility mirrors frameworks from Global Reporting Initiative and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board.

Category:Retail cooperatives in the United States