Fort Wayne, Ind.—Do it Best Corp. recently received honors for its commitment to business ethics and its commitment to serving its communities.

The Fort Wayne, IN-based hardware, home center, and building materials cooperative was honored at the Northeast Indiana Better Business Bureau’s first annual Torch Awards for Marketplace Ethics. The Torch Awards recognize companies that exemplify the BBB’s mission of promoting the highest ethical relationship between business and the public through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education and service excellence. Do it Best Corp. was the sole Torch Award winner among companies with more than 200 employees.

The Northeast Indiana Torch Awards are one of 80 local BBB recognition programs throughout Canada and the U.S. The Northeast Indiana BBB will submit an entry for consideration at the coveted BBB International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics, which will take place September 18 in Vancouver, Canada. The International Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics attracts over a thousand entries from businesses of all sizes throughout North America.

In addition to being recognized by the BBB, Do it Best Corp. was also honored at the 2006 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Service and Volunteerism, presented by the State of Indiana’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The co-op was recognized for its work with its corporate cause of choice, Habitat for Humanity, and other not-for-profit organizations like the American Heart Association, Junior Achievement, and United Way. The Governor’s Awards acknowledge the work of companies and individuals that contribute their time, talents, and resources to improve their communities.

Bob Taylor, Do it Best Corp. president and CEO, said that the receipt of these awards reflects the co-op’s long-standing commitment to its corporate philosophy, “serving others as we would like to be served.” “This recognition is a tribute to our employees and our members. Our dedication to upholding the highest standard of business ethics and giving back to the communities we serve starts with our people, and it’s reflected in the actions they take every day. We’re proud that these efforts have been acknowledged.”

Do it Best Corp. is the only full-service, U.S.-based, member-owned hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales approaching $3 billion, Do it Best Corp. is the second largest co-op in the industry, serving 4,100 member-retailers in the United States and in 45 foreign countries