On June 30, at the close its 2006 fiscal year, Do it Best Corp. reported a new milestone in total sales, surpassing the $3 billion mark for first time. With total member-owner purchases of $3,052,903,000, Do it Best Corp. sales grew by 3.44% over 2005.

According to Bob Taylor, Do it Best Corp. president and CEO, the co-op’s first $3 billion year is merely a reflection of its member-owners’ success. “This is a historic day for Do it Best Corp.,” Taylor said, “and it is especially satisfying because of what it says about our member-owners’ performance. We only grow when our members grow, and milestones like this one are only possible when our 4,100 member-owners worldwide are competitive and profitable.”

In 2006, Do it Best Corp. introduced and improved several programs, including the Signature™ Store Design Program, which was unveiled at the 2006 Do it Best Corp. May Market™. Signature provides member-owners with an innovative approach to branding and design, with strategies for both new construction and retrofits. The co-op also launched an enhanced member portal, mydoitbest.com, which uses the power of the internet to help members run their business more efficiently. The new mydoitbest.com gives members access to enhanced features that minimize the time they spend on paperwork and allow them to spend more time with their customers. Another highlight was the opening of a retail service center in Mesquite, NV, which is the largest and most technically advanced of the eight Do it Best Corp. RSCs nationwide. The Mesquite RSC delivered its first orders on January 3, 2006.

“Whether our members are adding new locations, expanding their stores, or introducing new products, they are all important contributors to the success of Do it Best Corp.,” Taylor said. “Everyone at Do it Best Corp. is excited about our members’ tremendous prospects for even greater growth in the future.”

Based in Fort Wayne, Ind., 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 of $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.