True Value Celebrating 75 Years of Hometown Values
By Chris Jensen —
True Value Company is undertaking a year-long celebration of its 75th anniversary and the continuing legacy of hometown values and building local communities.
John Cotter founded Cotter & Company in 1948.
Founded in 1948 by John Cotter with 25 member stores, the business has continued to grow and evolve ever since. Today, True Value serves more than 4,500 independent retail hardware stores under a globally recognized brand in over 60 countries.
Dealer markets used to be held at the Cotter & Company warehouse on North Clybourn Avenue.
“Our 75th anniversary is a significant achievement for the True Value name,” said Chris Kempa, True Value Company CEO. “We have a proud heritage of supporting the growth and success of independent retailers and doing it better than anyone else. That’s how we started, how we operate now and how we plan to innovate for another 75 years.”
To celebrate the 75th anniversary, commemorative events will highlight the brand’s pillars of hometown values and services while highlighting the innovation that company leaders believe will continue to propel True Value forward.
“Over the course of this year, True Value will mark its 75th anniversary with special sales events and celebrations with our vendors, our retailers and the communities they serve,” said Kelly Megel, senior vice president of marketing. “This is a terrific time to share True Value’s rich history while redefining future engagement with our iconic brand.”
Cotter & Company purchased rights to the True Value trademark in 1963, turning it into a national retail brand.
The company has launched an anniversary web page that shines a spotlight on many defining moments in True Value’s history, its mission and vision and a new 75th anniversary video. Click here to view the video.
True Value Company, headquartered in Chicago, currently operates 13 regional distribution centers, with about 2,500 associates serving more than 4,500 stores in over 60 countries. It also operates one of the largest paint manufacturing facilities in the U.S. in Cary, Ill., producing paint under the EasyCare® label.
