TRUE VALUE KICKS OFF THE SEASON SIX PREMIERE OF CBS’S HIT SERIES ‘UNDERCOVER BOSS’
November 19, 2014
CHICAGO, Nov. 19, 2014 – True Value Company President and CEO John Hartmann goes undercover on the season six premiere of “Undercover Boss” airing on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.
Hartmann traveled across the United States, from Massachusetts to Oregon, working in disguise under the alias “Louis Lapresi.” While undercover, Hartmann visited several True Value locations and got his hands dirty on the front lines of the co-op. He took on various roles from retail sales associate at a True Value store to a forklift driver in stocking and receiving at one of the cooperative’s distribution centers.
“My ‘Undercover Boss’ experience was nothing short of incredible,” said Hartmann. “I had the opportunity to engage in several key jobs, and although I wasn’t great at each task, I learned along the way from my True Value associate mentors. I gained a newfound understanding of the jobs each of these hardworking professionals do each day.”
Hartmann joined True Value in the spring of 2013, bringing with him more than 15 years of corporate experience, including 11 years in the home improvement/hardware retail sector. As one of the world’s largest member-owned hardware cooperatives, True Value represents independent retailer locations in more than 60 countries with retail sales in their communities totaling approximately $5.5 billion with 13 regional distribution centers and approximately 2,500 True Value associates.
“When I joined the co-op, I spent several months traveling the country meeting with members and associates to learn what makes the operation tick,” Hartmann commented. “‘Undercover Boss’ was a great extension of that initiative, providing me further opportunity to engage with the people that make True Value successful.”
Under Hartmann’s leadership, True Value is committed to an aggressive plan for growth, ensuring the future success of its diverse family of retailers and associates is in line with the cooperative’s recently announced strategic plan.
Created by Stephen Lambert and produced by Studio Lambert/All3Media America, “Undercover Boss” is a two-time Emmy Award-winning reality series that follows high-level executives as they slip anonymously into the rank-and-file of their own organizations.
About True Value
True Value Company, based out of its Retail Support Center in Chicago, is one of the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperatives. The True Value cooperative represents independent retailer locations worldwide with retail sales in their communities totaling approximately $5.5 billion. Store identities include True Value, Grand Rental Station, Taylor Rental, Party Central, Home & Garden Showplace and Induserve Supply. Additional information on True Value Company and its retail identities is available at www.truevaluecompany.com.
For more information, contact:
Jean Niemi
Senior Director Corporate Communications
773-695-5253
jean.niemi@truevalue.com