Do it Best Group to Close Montgomery Distribution Center, Shift Volume to Wilkes-Barre
Do it Best Group will cease operations at its Montgomery, New York, distribution center in the second quarter of 2027, shifting the facility’s volume to the company’s 1.4 million-square-foot distribution center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
The company announced the move Sept. 1 as part of its continuing integration of the Do it Best and True Value distribution networks following Do it Best’s acquisition of True Value. The company says it is evaluating facilities across the combined network based on capacity, geography, transportation efficiencies and retailer needs.
“Bringing Do it Best and True Value together has required us to look carefully at how we operate and how we can build a more effective distribution network,” says Ty Sordelet, vice president of logistics at Do it Best Group. “We recognize the impact decisions like this have on our team members and the communities that have supported us, and we do not take that impact lightly.”
Do it Best is discussing opportunities at the Wilkes-Barre facility with the about 300 Montgomery-based employees and will offer relocation packages to eligible team members interested in moving.
The announcement follows an Aug. 5-6 open house at the Wilkes-Barre distribution center, where Do it Best executives outlined progress integrating the Do it Best and True Value businesses, including distribution, merchandising, sales, technology and other operations. The Montgomery consolidation was among the most visible examples, with executives detailing investments underway at Wilkes-Barre to accommodate the additional inventory and volume.
During the open house event, chief merchandising officer Jason Stofleth said Wilkes-Barre currently handles about 69,000 SKUs and expects that number to increase to more than 80,000 as Montgomery inventory moves into the facility.
The 1.4 million-square-foot Wilkes-Barre operation has also been adding capacity and infrastructure for the consolidation. Recent investments include a dedicated flammable-storage room, new conveyor installations, additional shipping diverts and automation designed to increase throughput as the combined Do it Best and True Value operations are integrated.
COO Nick Talarico described the broader goal during the August open house as creating “one set of customers, one distribution center network, one fleet of trucks, one set of IT systems, one optimized assortment.”
Do it Best says the transition of Montgomery volume to Wilkes-Barre is being planned to maintain service continuity for retailers.
“This is about ensuring we have the right facilities, in the right locations, with the right capacity to serve our retailers today and well into the future,” Sordelet says. “Building a distribution network around those needs will allow us to operate more effectively, continue investing in our capabilities and provide the level of service our retailers need as we grow.”
The company says it will continue evaluating its combined distribution network as the integration progresses.
