The Home Depot (NYSE: HD), the world's largest home improvement retailer, today announced plans to integrate two of its nine divisional offices to form a new division that will service its stores in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S. and Caribbean.
Effective immediately, the company says it will combine its Mid-Atlantic Division, currently based in South Plainfield, N.J., and its Southeast Division, currently based in Atlanta, to become one operating division that will be named the Eastern Division. The new division will service more than 450 Home Depot store locations and have more than 90,000 employees, will be headquartered in Atlanta. The company says it still plans to maintain a facility in New Jersey.
"As Home Depot continues to grow and implement new systems and processes, we always keep an eye towards optimizing our operating efficiencies," said Bob Nardelli, chairman, president & CEO of The Home Depot. "This integration will allow us to have more consistent execution and implementation in this key region."
Tom Taylor, a 19-year Home Depot veteran, will lead the new organization. Taylor had been the company's president, Southeast Division, since January of this year. Previously, he served as the company's senior vice president, professional business and was president, Northwest Division, from 1999 to 2000. Since joining the company in 1983, Taylor has held virtually every operating position, including store manager, district manager, and regional vice president.
John Wicks, president, Mid-Atlantic Division, will join the merchandising team in Atlanta reporting to Jerry Edwards, Executive Vice President. "I want to thank John for all of his efforts in positioning the business for further growth, said Nardelli. "We're looking forward to leveraging John's expertise as a part of our merchandising organization."