The company announced yesterday its presence in the twin cities would be centred on its Albury store in the airport industrial estate.

But there will be no job losses as the Wodonga staff of about 11 will relocate to the Albury store in Bennu Circuit.

In a statement, the company said the tough economic climate and slowdown in the housing market had forced a review of its operations.

The company will continue trading in Wodonga as close to July 8 when the two businesses will exist solely in Albury.

“The opening of the freeway bypass (in 2007) has very much changed the logistics of delivering to both markets and the need to maintain two sites is no longer necessary,” it said.

“Another factor that has influenced this decision is the age of our Wodonga site.

“To provide an acceptable level of service and safety, a complete re-build of the store would have been required.

“This was not a viable option.”

Dahlsens, a family-owned business that began at Bairnsdale in 1877, arrived on the Border in 1994 with the purchase of Wodonga Timber and Hardware.

Twelve years later, the company announced it would build a $5 million home improvement centre in the Albury industrial estate.

Last year, Dahlsens shed at least six jobs with a change in focus away from selling lifestyle products, such as barbecues, plants and outdoor settings to concentrate on the hardware market.

Dahlsens major competitor is Bunnings, which has large outlets in Albury and Wodonga.

The arrival of a Masters megastore on the Border has been delayed with the opening of a $20 million store at Wagga this month.

Dahlsens also has stores at Myrtleford and Deniliquin.