Lowe's Grows

Lowe's Companies Inc. (Mooresville, N.C.) has announced it will expand its operational structure to support its ongoing nationwide growth.

The home improvement retailer will expand to five operational divisions nationally — Northeast, Southeast, North Central, South Central and West — up from its three current divisions. The changes will be effective Jan. 1, 2004.

“Our ability to execute key initiatives in the stores and maintain our high customer service standards day-in-and-day-out is one of the key components of Lowe's success over the years,” said Larry Stone, senior vp, operations. “This divisional expansion and realignment will allow us to maintain our sharp focus on the stores . . . as our rapid store growth continues nationally.”

As part of this plan, Lowe's is promoting two long-time store operations veterans to senior vp. Rick Damron will oversee the company's new Northeast Division; Robert Wagner will now run the company's Western Division.