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Woodstream is changing how it distributes its portfolio of pest control, animal control and wild bird products, ending its relationships with Do it Best Group and Orgill as the two wholesalers prepare replacement assortments for independent retailers.
Orgill confirmed to the North American Hardware and Paint Association (NHPA) that it received an Aug. 31 letter from Woodstream informing the wholesaler that their relationship will end Jan. 1, 2027.
“We have enjoyed a great relationship with Woodstream and supported their growth for many years,” Orgill says in a statement. “We will adjust our assortment with competitive products to deliver better value to the more than 13,500 stores of the roughly 22,000 hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards in the U.S. that we currently serve and look forward to continuing to grow the independent channel.”
Do it Best Group separately confirmed that Woodstream recently notified the company of its decision to “consolidate distribution with another provider.”
Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based Woodstream is a privately held manufacturer and marketer of pest and animal control, lawn and garden and wild bird products, with a portfolio of 13 brands. Its brands include Victor, TERRO, Havahart, Safer Brand and Perky-Pet.
“We will continue purchasing Woodstream products through November, which gives us time to manage existing inventory and transition assortments,” a Do it Best spokesperson told NHPA.
According to Do it Best, alternative products and brands are already in place for more than 80% of the affected assortment, while merchandising teams are developing replacements for the remaining products.
“For our members, the focus is on maintaining strong assortments, product availability and competitive margins,” the spokesperson says. “Where additional alternatives are needed, we’re using the transition period to build out those programs and inventory appropriately, with the goal of minimizing disruption for members.”
The change will also be visible at the Do it Best and True Value Fall Market in Indianapolis, Sept. 24-28. Woodstream will not exhibit at the event, and its products will not be included in Market promotions. Do it Best says retailers will instead see alternative products and programs from other suppliers, along with new category solutions and planograms for rodenticides and insect and pest control.
Questions remain about Woodstream’s distribution strategy after its relationships with Do it Best and Orgill end. Do it Best says Woodstream is consolidating distribution “with another provider,” but Woodstream has not publicly identified that provider or detailed the scope of its new distribution arrangement.
Ace Hardware and other wholesalers were contacted and did not respond to requests seeking additional information about Woodstream’s distribution plans. Woodstream was contacted through LinkedIn and by phone but had not responded by publication time.
Do it Best and Orgill both say they are preparing alternative assortments for retailers affected by the change.
“We have a deep supplier base and considerable choice in these categories,” the Do it Best spokesperson says. “Our focus is making sure retailers continue to have access to strong products, programs and margins that support their businesses.”
