HQ Merging With Hechinger's

Hechinger Co. is combining its Hechinger Stores and Home Quarters Warehouse operations under one management team.

The move is designed to gain increased leverage with vendors, combine the talents of both management teams, best practices of both organizations, and eliminate overlapping functions, which should save about $20 million annually once the merger is completed by late 1996.

John W. Hechinger, Jr., pres. and ceo, Hechinger Co., will become chairman of the board and continue as ceo of Hechinger Co. Kenneth J. Cort, pres. and ceo, Hechinger Stores Co., will become pres. and c.o.o. of the consolidated company. W. Clark McClelland will continue as exec. v.p. and c.io. of Hechinger Co. Frank C. Doczi, pres. and ceo, Home Quarters, becomes special advisor to the chairman. John W. Hechinger, Sr., chairman of the board, becomes chairman of the executive committee.

Most of the management and administrative functions will be consolidated at Hechinger's existing facilities in Landover, Md. Certain infor- mation systems and accounting functions will remain at or near HQ's current Virginia Beach, Va., offices.

As a result of the change, the company expects to record a charge of approximately $20-$25 million pretax in 4th quarter 1995, covering the costs of severance, the write-off of certain assets, and other related costs.

Brown Moulding, MW Sold

Fenway Partners, Inc., has agreed to purchase five companies from U.S. Industries, including Brown Moulding, Montevallo, Al., and M.W. Windows, Rocky Mount, Va., for $200 million.

With two production/distribution sites and five additional distribution locations, Brown Moulding is a leading processor and distributor of architectural wood mouldings in the Southeast, while M.W. Windows is said to be the largest manufacturer of windows in the Southeast.

The transaction, expected to close mid-month, also includes Valley Recreation Products. Teters Floral

Products and Halkey-Roberts Corp.

U.S. Industries, recently spun off from Hanson PLC (see July, p. 50), retains 29 other companies, including Jacuzzi, Ames Garden Tools and Lighting Corp. of America.

Outlawed Door ln Redesign

Peachtree Doors is redesigning its Newport hberglass entry door following a U.S. District Court ruling that existing design elements infringed on a patent of competitor Therma-Tru.

Peachtree has been enjoined from marketing doors incorporating certain design elements after Oct. 26, 1995, after which the company will introduce a redesigned fiberglass door.

"We are disappointed with the legal outcome, having thought we had won the case in 1991. However, our ongoing product development has carried us beyond the designs in question. We can now focus our resources on serving our loyal customers and on marketing the redesigned product rather than disputing seven-year-old designs," said Ken Waldron, president of Caradon Doors & Windows Group, manufacturer of Peachtree products.

In business since 1955, HooverTreatedWood Products, Inc., is the premier full-line pressure treater in North America. In addition, Hoover's fire retardant formulations are licensed to a select gloup of licensee treating plants.

Hoover has had the same American ownership since 19&f and the same executive team for over20 years. Stability and experience assure the indust{s most effective prcducts and support.

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