LESCO Responds to Syngenta’s Decision to End Relationship

CLEVELAND — Michael DiMino, LESCO’s president and chief executive officer, issued a statement in response to Syngenta’s decision earlier this week to conclude the relationship between the two companies over a transition period. (Read about this decision.)

DiMino said LESCO was blindsided by the decision.

“We are surprised and disappointed by Syngenta’s decision. This change is not something that we take lightly, but ultimately this will prove to be in our customers’ – and the industry’s – best interests,” DiMino said. “LESCO has spent more than 40 years building this business and the relationships that result in LESCO having more than 140,000 customers across the country. We are confident that our success thus far and these relationships result from the value, expertise.”

The two companies’ philosophical differences regarding the role of distributors in the marketplace contributed to this event, DiMino said.

Earlier this week, Bill Lewis, vice president of Syngenta Professional Products, explained Syngenta's reasoning behind this decision.

“After a valued relationship, Syngenta has determined that it is best for the business relationship to come to a close,” Lewis said. “We appreciate LESCO’s longtime support of Syngenta and its products and services. We have decided, however, that LESCO’s strategies in the marketplace are inconsistent with Syngenta’s.”