PORTLAND, Ore. - Johnstone Supply Inc.’s annual meeting - themed “Full Steam Ahead” and held in Atlanta - in part reflected the cooperative’s strong moves forward in implementing strategic initiatives to achieve its goal of reaching $2 billion in total sales by 2010. The 2008 annual meeting took note of the continuing strong growth of the cooperative in adding new stores and new members, the completion of its national distribution network, and sales figures that, for yet another consecutive year, were over twice the industry average.

Nearly 1,200 people attended this year’s event, and the week’s highlights included a vendor trade show with 150 vendor booths, the Johnstone awards banquet, and business-focused seminars for cooperative members focusing on products, marketing, and operations.

Recapping achievements from the past year, Johnstone noted many accomplishments including the completion of its five-facility regional Distribution Center network, which allows the company to provide approximately 87 percent of its stores with the ability to receive orders next day.

The cooperative reported strong sales in spite of rough national economic indicators. It also marked the seventh consecutive year that Johnstone has at least doubled the sales growth of the industry overall. The company also continues to expand its national store network, with the addition of 22 new stores opening since January of 2008, for a total of 338 to date.

Presentations made at the meeting included a range of member, store, and vendor awards. The John M. Shank Award was presented to Bruce Eckenberg, owner of the Paducah, Ky., store.

The Leadership Award was presented to long-time store group owner, board member, and six-year board chairman Greg Popma, who, after 16 years total serving on the board, stepped down in 2008. The Leadership Award has been presented only nine other times in the cooperative’s history. Johnstone’s most prestigious vendor honor, the Supplier of the Year Award, was presented to Arkema.

For more information, visit www.johnstonesupply.com.

Publication date: 01/12/2009