SUPERVALU

HR Plays Leading Role in Preparing for a Major Acquisition

When SUPERVALU acquired Albertson’s, they went from a Fortune 100 to a Fortune 50 firm overnight. It was critical that they create the right leadership team from the start.

Challenge

SUPERVALU needed to evolve from a distribution mind-set of standardization, operating efficiency, and cost reduction to a more nimble, market-focused, innovation-driven retail mentality, while maintaining its highly disciplined, cost-effective edge. This would require new leadership.

Solution

To help define the key challenges the new leaders would face, the competencies needed to meet them, and the assessment process that would provide a level playing field, SUPERVALU turned to PDI Ninth House. In one and a half months, PDI Ninth House delivered a two-day Business Unit Leader assessment process to sixty individuals in multiple locations.

Results

The assessment process enabled SUPERVALU’s top team to make their decisions with confidence, speed, objectivity, and fairness. When the deal was finalized, the new senior management team was in place, ready to hit the ground running. In the first two quarters post-acquisition, the stock price rose significantly, surprising Wall Street by beating their projections.

Learn more about leadership assessment solutions from PDI Ninth House.