Iconic hardware wholesaler files for bankruptcy - with surprise twist in who its selling to

Hardware wholesaler True Value filed for bankruptcy on Monday, seeking to sell its business to its closest rival, Do It Best, for $153 million.

True Value, which has been around for 75 years and sells hardware, tools, lumber, plumbing and heating supplies, as well as other home improvement goods, said its retail stores are independently owned and not part of the bankruptcy process.

Founded in 1948, True Value has said it will continue to supply products to its 4,500 locations. 

True Value operates as a member-owned wholesaler cooperative that sells its products mostly to hardware sellers, garden centers, industrial distributors and other merchants.

Hardware wholesaler True Value filed for bankruptcy on Monday, seeking to sell its business to rival Do It Best for $153 million

The Chicago, Illinois-based company has between $500 million and $1 billion in total liabilities, according to its Chapter 11 petition in Delaware bankruptcy court

The Chicago, Illinois-based company has between $500 million and $1 billion in total liabilities, according to its Chapter 11 petition in Delaware bankruptcy court viewed by Fox Business.

Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Do It Best agreed to serve as a stalking horse bidder for True Values assets, which means that True Value remains open to higher offers. 

After a thorough evaluation of strategic alternatives, we determined that the sale of our business was the path forward to maximize value and best serve our retail partners and other stakeholders into the future, said Chris Kempa, True Values CEO. 

We believe that entering the process with an agreed offer from Do it Best, who has a similar decades-long history in the home improvement space and also operates with a focus on supporting members and helping them grow, is the most beneficial next step for True Value and our associates, customers, and vendor partners, Kempa added. 

Do It Best has agreed to pay $153 million in cash, take on about $45 million in contracts and other obligations, and hire some True Value employees by the end of the year.  

Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Do It Best agreed to serve as a stalking horse bidder for True Values assets, which means that True Value remains open to higher offers

True Value, which has been around for 75 years, sells hardware, tools, lumber, plumbing and heating supplies, and other home improvement goods

A successful acquisition of True Value assets would represent a strategic milestone for Do it Best and home improvement retailers around the world, said Do it Best president and CEO Dan Starr. 

Do it Best has a proven track record of driving profitability through the most efficient operations in the industry. 

This acquisition, if consummated, would provide True Value and independent hardware stores the strongest opportunities for growth for years to come, Starr said. 

Commercial bankruptcies have risen 20 percent in 2024 compared with the same time period last year. 

More than 22,550 businesses have sought protection from creditors.

Large corporations have also been failing, with 113 companies with more than $100 million in assets filing for either Chapter 7 or Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Among the factors cited by companies for going under are rising costs due to inflation and higher interest rates, together with a lingering impact from the pandemic.