In a shakeup in the U.S. Midwest home improvement hardware market, retail-driven Do it Best and United Hardware intend to merge.

Hardware, lumber and building materials buying cooperative Do it Best (Fort Wayne, IN) and wholesale hardware distributor United Hardware Distributing Co. (Maple Grove, MN) said March 4 that the two companies will combine to create an industry-leading cooperative aimed to support the independent entrepreneur.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A co-announcement noted that the boards of directors of both companies have approved the merger, with United Hardware shareholders to vote on making the transaction official in the coming weeks.

“We are embarking on a significant milestone in our journey as a cooperative that will change our future for the good,” United Hardware President & CEO Chad Ruth said in a news release. “By aligning with a like-minded co-op, we’re better positioned to serve our members and help them win in the marketplace.”

“We believe deeply in the power of the co-op model. It’s about partnership, mutual growth, and shared success,” added Do it Best President & CEO Dan Starr. “United Hardware joining us is not just a merger. It’s a declaration of our belief in this model, a belief in partnering with our members to compete and win.”

Do it Best had 2023 annual sales of nearly $5 billion. The co-op serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and in more than 50 countries. United Hardware services retailers from its distribution center in Milbank, SD and delivers an extensive product line to more than 700 stores in the Midwest.

Do it Best services industrial distributors through its INCOM Distributor Supply program.