Management shake-up at Lowe’s
Lowe's has announced a restructuring in both in-store operations and merchandising organizations that will thin the ranks of its management and consolidate both its regions and divisions.
Lowe's merchants have been reorganized into two product divisions, each led by a senior VP/general merchandising manager. Both will report to executive VP merchandising Robert Gfeller Jr.
Troy Dally, previously SVP/GMM hardlines/building products, will lead the new building and outdoor products division.
Clinton (Clint) Davis, previously senior VP/gmm kitchen and bath, will lead the new kitchen, bath and home decor products division.
Three SVPs have left the company. They are Theresa Anderson and Robert Wagner, previously senior VPs operations, and Patricia Price, previously SVP/GMM home decor.
As announced in July, Eric Sowder, SVP/GMM outdoor living, will retire from Lowe's on Sept. 9.
The company's U.S. store operations organization will now operate under three divisions -- North, South and West. In addition, the divisional structure will be streamlined to 14 regions nationally, from 21, to ensure greater consistency and efficiency. Details regarding the new regional structure will be finalized at a later time, the company said.
Each division will be led by a SVP operations, reporting to Rick Damron, EVP store operations:
William (Bill) Edwards, senior VP operations – south division (Edwards was previously senior VP – south central);
James (Jim) Frasso, senior VP operations – north division (Frasso was previously senior VP – northeast); and
Brent Kirby, senior VP operations – west division (Kirby was previously senior VP – north central) .
"This new organizational structure reflects the company's future direction to better serve customers whenever and however they wish to shop with us. These leaders are well positioned to take on new and challenging roles to help lead our company forward," said Damron and Gfeller in a prepared statement. "We would also like to thank Robert, Theresa and Patti for their many years of dedication and service to Lowe's. We wish them well in the future."
Lowe’s also said, in its announcement, that the consolidation was designed “to improve efficiencies, increase speed to market for new products and services, and enhance the shopping experience for customers.” A spokesperson for Lowe’s told Dow Jones Newswire that Damron and Gfeller have been looking at ways of streamlining the company’s operations since January 2011, when the two assumed leadership roles as executive VPs. Company president and chief operating officer Larry Stone announced his retirement that same month, on Jan. 28, after four decades at Lowe’s. By February, the company had decided to eliminate the positions of 1,700 middle managers, most of them at the store level.