Menard Case

Menard, Incorporated is a retail giant located in the Midwest. The company was founded in 1958 originally to fill the need for economical agricultural buildings. The company has since branched off into the retail business, creating many sub-companies in the process. Today, Menards has grown into the multi-billion dollar business covering 14 states with over 280 stores. There is a lot to know about the company that not many people realize. Working there for over ten years has taught me a great deal about the culture and organization of the company as well as background information.

Menards is privately owned and plans to remain that way. John Menard, Jr. started the company and his brothers, Larry and Charlie, helped maintain it. Each brother focused on different aspects of the company. John Menard began slowly expanding, while Charlie was buying land all over the Midwest for expansion or resale. Menards has zero debt, each building is paid in full upon breaking ground, all distribution centers are paid in full, and all machinery and equipment is paid in full upon purchasing. Menards overall analysis can be broken down into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The strengths and weaknesses discuss the internal company, things that can be changed if need be. This may be reputation, patents, locations, culture, etc. Opportunities and threats are external of the company, things that cannot be changed. They can be the market, current economy, suppliers, competitors, demographics, etc. Reviewing the SWOT analysis helps develop the business’s strategy and points out where the business stands in the marketplace.

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