Denver-based Kodiak Building Partners announced Wednesday the combination of Kodiak and New England Building Supply to expand their merged business in the eastern U.S. market. 

Denver, Col.-based PRO Group, a hardware industry merchandising and marketing organization, announced an ownership change that makes president and CEO Steve Synnott the new owner.

Allied Lumber Dealers, a wholesale door distributor in Denver, has been purchased by Meredian, Ohio-based Hoff Cos. The purchase price was not disclosed. Allied will be merged with Hoff’s Trimco’s Millwork distribution division. 

ProBuild Holdings, the nation's largest pro dealer, has decided to close down some of its newly built facilities in the Pittsburgh area, as well as operations in Hagerstown, Md. 

An HCN confirmation of an internal memo by ProBuild CEO Rob Marchbank last week showed that the Denver-based pro dealer has revisited its decision to operate three brand new LBM facilities in the Pittsburgh region. 

An attempt to reach ProBuild for comment or explanation received no response.

Denver-based Kodiak Building Partners has acquired the assets of Gulf & Basco, a specialty dealer of building products based in Houston. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The one-unit pro dealer sells windows, kitchen cabinets, appliances, countertops and doors. A family-owned operation, Gulf & Basco has been in business for 75 years. 

Last year, the original 50 Home Channel News Hardware Store All-Star honorees established a high bar and a hard act to follow. But the 2012 crop rises to the challenge. This year’s Hardware Store All-Stars, one from each of the 50 U.S. states, have at least one thing in common: Ask them what makes them special and you can bet they’ll include “excellent customer service” in the answer. From there, every path to stardom is unique.

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 of operations will report directly to Marchbank.

U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) commended Denver Lumber for stocking and selling beetle-killed lumber for construction -- and called on home builders and other lumber distributors to do the same. 

"Denver Lumber is filling a much-needed niche in Colorado by supplying beetle-killed wood to home builders,” Udall said in a statement. “I applaud their leadership in putting beetle kill to use and supporting rural economies that depend on our forests." 

The list of improving U.S. housing markets tracked by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) almost doubled in January 2012 with the addition of 40 new metro areas. The NAHB’s First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) now counts 76 improving markets, up from 41 in December, with 31 states and the District of Columbia represented by at least one entry.

While in Denver for its annual retailer convention, Ace Hardware surprised Ayla Charness, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Colorado Champion, with a complete bedroom makeover. 

Beacon Roofing Supply, the Peabody, Mass., distributor of roofing and other housing exterior materials, has announced the acquisition of Fowler & Peth, a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories headquartered in Denver.

Founded in 1948, Fowler & Peth has six locations in Colorado, two in Wyoming and one in Nebraska. Annuals sales are approximately $60 million.