Do it Best hires process excellence veteran Scott Morrison to lead OPEX initiative

Hardware, lumber and building materials giant Do it Best has appointed experienced process optimization leader Scott Morrison as its dedicated member operational excellence (OPEX) manager.

In the newly created role, Morrison will provide members with hands-on expertise to streamline operations, enhance productivity and provide profitability in their home centers, lumberyards and manufacturing components.

Headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN, the Do it Best Group is the world’s building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With nearly US$6 billion in annual sales, it supports thousands of independently owned locations across the US and in more than 60 countries worldwide.

Partners in the company have the flexibility to operate under the Do it Best, True Value or their own local store identities, offering a range of branding options to best serve their communities.

Streamlining operations and boosting profitability

As part of Do it Best’s new OPEX strategy, members and dealers will be able to engage Morrison on a project-by-project basis, leveraging his expertise to streamline operations and boost profitability, the firm stated.

They will be able to tap into his deep experience in process optimization, facility layout design and manufacturing efficiency as well as receive expert analysis and strategic recommendations to improve manufacturing workflows, maximize lumberyard productivity and enhance overall operational efficiencies, it added.

Morrison’s work will include:

• Conducting truss plant and door shop manufacturing efficiency assessments.
• Evaluating and optimizing lumberyard layouts for improved productivity.
• Designing layouts for new lumberyards and manufacturing facilities.
• Identifying and eliminating operational bottlenecks through data-driven analysis.

Leading business process optimization initiatives

In direct support of members, Morrison will also lead business process optimization initiatives, including quote-to-cash analysis, benchmarking and improving information flow across organizations. Additionally, he will develop and deliver educational programs, including Lean events, market seminars and roundtable discussions – all aimed at reinforcing Do it Best as a leader in OPEX, according to the company.

“Scott’s appointment reinforces our commitment to supporting our members with practical, results-driven solutions,” said Russ Kathrein, VP of lumber and building materials at Do it Best. “His deep industry knowledge and hands-on approach will provide members with actionable insights that improve workflows and drive long-term success. His leadership will be instrumental in helping our members enhance their operational efficiency and strengthen their businesses for the future.”

The power of OPEX

OPEX is a key component of business success. Its main purpose is to enable an organization to operate as efficiently as possible through optimized businesses processes and a culture that supports continuous improvement.

OPEX also plays a key role in maintaining strong customer relationships. Organizations that have a reputation for quality and reliability create customer connections that last longer and are more productive. In contrast, inefficient processes and poor OPEX can lead to late delivery, overruns and other factors that contribute to client dissatisfaction, which can be a hammer blow to brand loyalty

There are various technologies and trends that are shaping what OPEX means in 2025, with increasing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation playing significant roles. That said, the integral principles and concepts of OPEX – continuously improving processes to deliver the highest levels of service and quality – are timeless.

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