News Updates from July/August
New Stores:
• Chris Hyatt has opened Hemly Hardware in Thompson, Ohio.
• Century Club retailer Higginbotham Brothers & Company is opening a new branch in Liberty Hill, Texas, the company’s 40th location.
• Hatchet Hardware opened its fourth store in Palatine Bridge, N.Y.
• Westlake Ace Hardware is acquiring Brandt & Sons Ace Hardware in Maryland Heights, Mo. Westlake is also opening a new store in Lenexa, Kan.
• Gillman Home Center has broken ground on a new store in Gas City, Ind.
• Amanda and Gerald Rutledge and Gerald and Jahron Strother opened Van Alstyne True Value Hardware in Van Alstyne, Texas.
• R.P. Lumber Company has acquired Build Rite Do it center locations in Rawlins and Saratoga, Wyo.
• Nation’s Best has acquired Halls Hardware in Milton, Fla.
Kudos To:
• Steamboat Ace Hardware in Steamboat Springs, Colo., owned by the Swanson family, has been awarded the Yampa Valley Community Foundation’s Business Philanthropist of the Year award.
• Ace Hardware ranked “Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Home Improvement Retail Stores” in the J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction StudySM. Ace Hardware has achieved this ranking 13 out of the last 14 years.
• T&T True Value Hardware in Escanaba, Mich., is celebrating its 85th anniversary.
• Durfee Hardware in Cranston, R.I., is marking its 90th anniversary.
• Frentz & Sons PRO Hardware in Royal Oak, Mich., still owned by the Frentz family, is celebrating its 95th anniversary.
• Huskey Truss & Building Supply in Franklin, Tenn., is marking its 75th anniversary.
• Martini Hardware in Houston is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
• Beckerle Lumber, with four locations in New York, is marking its 80th anniversary.
• Tarter Farm and Ranch Company is celebrating its 75th anniversary.
Foley Hardware»
• Foley Hardware in Larchmont, N.Y., is marking its 90th anniversary.
• Westlake Ace Hardware partnered with The Salvation Army for their 14th annual fan drive. A record-setting $130,000 was donated in just 18 days, equating to more than 9,100 fans for needy residents.
• Hess Lumber and Home Center in Malad City, Idaho, is celebrating its 85th anniversary.
People On the Move:
Casey Kralovetz»
• STIHL Inc. has promoted Casey Kralovetz to branch director of STIHL Northwest.
Marc Hamer»
• Orgill has hired Marc Hamer to fill the newly created role of executive vice president, Chief Digital and Information Officer.
• Do it Best Corp. promoted Rachel Evans to category management planner, Sam Faulkner to business analyst, Howard O’Neal to product sales manager–Spruce, Pete Partin to EDI communications specialist, Jessica Waggoner to merchandising systems and pricing manager, Donnevin Wolfe to sales support coordinator, Coley Arnold to sales support supervisor, Brad Seelig to product sales manager-panels, and Dusty Weinzierl to product sales manager-roofing/insulation.
Melissa Kersey»
• Tractor Supply Company named Melissa Kersey executive vice president and chief human resources officer.
Alison Dowell»
• Ace Hardware Corp. has promoted Alison Dowell, current vice president of operations to president and general manager of Emery Jensen Distribution, a division of Ace Wholesale Holdings LLC.
Wholesalers in the News:
• Ace Hardware Corp. has announced plans to relocate its Retail Support Center (RSC) in Tampa, Fla., which has been in operation since 1977. A new RSC is being built in Plant City, Fla., that will add 315,000 square feet of space. Construction is expected to begin in October 2020 and be completed in November 2021.
• Orgill announced that it will be harnessing the latest in interactive meeting technology to make its upcoming e-Volution online buying event (August 24-September 4) a more immersive and interactive experience for attendees. Orgill is partnering with Zoom to integrate the company’s meeting technology into its e-Volution platform. “By partnering with Zoom and utilizing their state-of-the art technology within our e-Volution platform, we will be able to create efficient and seamless interactions between our customers, our sales representatives and vendors participating in the event,” says Boyden Moore, Orgill president and CEO.
• House-Hasson Hardware conducted a Virtual Summer Dealer Market June 25-26 that enabled dealers to speak to vendors and House-Hasson staff via video chats while taking advantage of online product specials.
• True Value Company has converted part of its paint plant in Cary, Ill., into a retail store, Paint Plus Hardware.
• PRO Group hosted a virtual Group Merchandising Conference June 22-24 with 40 PRO Group member distributors and 63 vendor attendees participating in 1,140 scheduled, one-on-one appointments.
Other News:
• ECI Software Solutions announced significant enhancements to its Spruce® and RockSolid MAX® software for hardware retailers and lumber and building materials businesses. With these new updates—which offer more convenient, omni-channel retailing experiences—users will be able to improve productivity, efficiency and competitive advantage.
• General Electric is selling its GE Lighting unit to Savant Systems.
• Century Club hand tool manufacturer Mayhew Steel Products has announced production of full-face safety shields.
• The National Hardware Show has canceled the 2020 event in Las Vegas, which was planned to be a celebration of the 75th anniversary of NHS. NHS plans to host a virtual trade show later in the year.
• Westlake Ace Hardware now carries Benjamin Moore premium paints in its 138 stores nationwide.
In Memory:
• Carl Muller, who owned Carl’s True Value Hardware in Torrington, Conn., died June 29 at the age of 72. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, the highest award bestowed by the Rotary Club. He co-founded the Torrington Rotary Golf Tournament in 1989, which has raised more than $1.25 million to support college scholarships, local nonprofits and international humanitarian projects. The creation of the Cara and Carl Muller Fund for Community Support is a direct result of his passion for giving. Carl is survived by his wife, Cara Muller; children Cory Muller (Vanessa) and Erin Barber (Rory); and grandchildren Layla and Avery Muller, Cole and Caledonia Barber.
Full Story
• Melaco Sisters Hardware & Supplies in Cut Off, La., explains how the Paycheck Protection Program loan has helped their business. Click here.
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