On March 31, John Venhuizen will step from behind the scenes into one of the most front-and-center posts in the hardware business — that of CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. After standing and delivering a motivational presentation to thousands of dealers at the co-op's Spring Convention & Exhibits in New Orleans, he sat down with HCN.

HCN: What worries you as you step into the CEO role?

Energizer Holdings has announced a multi-year restructuring plan designed to save the company approximately $200 million, improve profitability and drive long-term growth. The St. Louis, Mo.-based manufacturer expects that a substantial portion of the actions necessary to achieve the targeted savings should be completed by the end of fiscal 2014 and the total savings are expected to be fully realized in fiscal 2015.

ProBuild Holdings, the nation’s largest pro dealer, has announced a restructuring that will eliminate several high-level management positions, lay off a number of people and institute a hiring freeze at its Denver headquarters.

In an internal memo obtained by Home Channel News, ProBuild’s CEO Rob Marchbank outlined the new leadership and reporting structure of the Denver-based company. The executive VP operations layer of management will be eliminated, and all senior VPs operations will report directly to Marchbank.

Newell Rubbermaid is consolidating its current three operating groups into two -- Newell Consumer and Newell Professional.

The move, part of its previous realignment of its global business units as part of its Project Renewal initiative, will also see 13 global business units roll into nine. These changes take effect Jan. 1, 2012.

Orchard Supply Hardware has gone through a lot of changes in its 80-year history, but the California chain — now numbering 89 units with $660.7 million in annual sales — has weathered them all. Changes in ownership, leadership, store design, color scheme and signage have come and gone. But the stores’ customers — known for their exceptional loyalty — have generally stuck with the chain. 


Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Universal Forest Products has announced that CEO Michael Glenn is retiring due to health reasons and to make way for new leadership to "build on Universal's strengths and prepare for future opportunity." The board of directors is currently in the process of evaluating candidates for the position. Glenn, who was appointed CEO in 2006, has agreed to stay on until a new CEO is named.

Bellavita Tile by DM Connections, the Vancouver, Canada-based supplier, has officially executed a name change as part of a restructuring. 

In combination with opening a new manufacturing facility with advanced capabilities in porcelain floor and wall tiles to increase its product matrix, the company will now operate exclusively as Bellavita Tile, Inc.

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's is hiring 50,000 seasonal employees to handle the spring rush. That's on top of the 8,000 to 10,00 weekend employees that the company is bringing on board permanently as part of its recently announced restructuring.

A Lowe's spokeswoman confirmed the figures, which had previously been reported in various media outlets.