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Do it Best company history timeline

1945

When the meeting to incorporate was held on June 28, 1945, there were 96 subscribers.

In 1945, he left his job as a hardware salesman to start Hardware Wholesalers, Inc. (HWI), a co-op based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, serving locally-owned hardware and lumber stores in the tri-state area.

1947

In 1947 the firm constructed its first warehouse facility in Fort Wayne.

1955

In 1955 revenues were nearly $3 million, and rebates to members amounted to nearly $170,000.

In 1955 it created its own fleet, initially consisting of two trucks, to make deliveries.

1966

By 1966 revenues reached $31.5 million, rebates to members were $1.2 million, and the number of members reached 619.

1976

By 1976 HWI's merchandise market events had become too large for Fort Wayne, and they were moved to Indianapolis.

1977

In 1977 another distribution center was built in Medina, Ohio, that became HWI's highest volume distribution facility.

1982

The Do it Center program was introduced at the fall market in 1982.

1995

A new store format, Do it Best Vision, was introduced in October 1995.

1996

HWI's annual sales for fiscal 1996 (ending June 30) were $1.6 billion, compared to $218 million for Our Own Hardware.

2000

After becoming president of his family’s chain of hardware stores in Virginia Beach, VA, Taylor served on the Do it Best Board of Directors before joining the co-op in 2000 as senior vice president.

2002

President & CEO in 2002.

2016

Dan Starr succeeded Bob Taylor as Do it Best President & CEO in 2016.

Following Taylor’s retirement in early 2016, Dan Starr became the company’s fifth president and CEO.

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Founded
1945
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Headquarters
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Founders
Arnold Gerberding
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Do it Best competitors

Company nameFounded dateRevenueEmployee sizeJob openings
United Hardware1945$39.0M145-
Bon-Ton1898$2.7B23,30015
Walgreens1901-210,50019,644
Big Lots1967$4.7B22,900-
Kroger1883$147.1B465,0008,522
Casey's1959$14.9B16,891403
True Value1948$1.5B2,5002
Shamrock Foods1922$3.5B7,500120
Roundy's Supermarkets1872$3.8B14,00031
Crater-$830,00050-

Do it Best history FAQs

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Do it Best may also be known as or be related to Do It Best Corp., Do it Best, Do it Best Corp and Do it Best Corp.