Products

• Built stronger than standard insect screens.
• Fine-wire design improves visibility for sharp, clear exterior views.
• Allows superior airflow while still providing insect protection.
• Suitable for fabrication in conventional screening applications such as windows, doors, and porches.
• Safe to use with pressure-treated lumber.
• Offers outstanding durability.
• Ideal for coastal applications.
• Standard widths available 36 inches to 60 inches, and standard roll length 25 feet to 100 feet.

Phifer

Phifer.com

205-345-2120

• Made with high-quality coated polyester webbing.
• Durable and resists wear and abrasion while also resisting water absorption and freezing.
• Strap can handle tough weather conditions and daily flatbed operations.
• Efficient ratcheting design allows for quicker operation and can reduce tensioning time up to 33 percent.
• Pair of durable, 2.5-inch flat hooks on either end of the strap make it easy to securely attach the strap to anchor points.
• Flat hooks feature edge guards in the web slots to prevent wear and abrasion to the webbing.
• Black powder-coat finish protects the hardware from rust and corrosion.
• Hardware complies with WSTDA T-1 standards and meets or exceeds WSTDA T-4 standards.
• Custom lengths and a wide variety of end hardware available.

ANCRA CARGO

ancracargo-ci.com

800-626-8353

• Plant-based, non-toxic, odorless solution with USDA Certified 96 percent bio-based ingredients.
• Three times the lubricating power of the leading petroleum brand.
• Uses include mechanics and automotive purposes, outdoor gear, bicycles, home repairs, small electronics, and parts.
• Two-way nozzle is easy to use.
• Safe around kids and pets.
• Apply to moving parts to restore smooth operation.
• Available in 3-ounce and 11-ounce sizes.

Gear Hugger

gear-hugger.com

844-920-2333

STIHL KMA 80 R

• Includes 14 optional attachments that are interchangeable between both KombiMotors.
• Runs on a brushless motor for a virtually maintenance-free experience.
• Versatile, able to perform a wide range of yard maintenance tasks with one powerhead.
• Max speed of 7,000 RPM for powerful performance.
• Adjustable front handle can be moved 360 degrees for comfort during any yard work.
• Quick-release coupling system allows for easy switches between Kombi attachments.
• Able to be quickly dismantled for easy transport and storage and reassembled without tools.
• Multi-function control handle provides easy access to all controls.
• Loop handle mounted on shaft provides support and to control the machine in different positions.

STIHL

stihlusa.com

800-467-8445

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, a man named George Lucas created one of the most successful movie franchises in cinema history—”Star Wars.” He set a 2012 Guinness World Record for film merchandising success and earned $4.05 billion after selling the rights to Disney. The movie franchise has become so popular that May 4th is celebrated as “Star Wars Day,” as a spinoff of the movie’s popular saying, “May the Force be with you.”

If you watched the news this May 4th, you most likely saw Star Wars actor Mark Hamill meeting the President and participating in the daily news briefing. The question is:“How do independent hardware stores capitalize on the trend?”

The answer is the same one Lucas himself discovered: branded merchandise. During the spring markets, I had the opportunity to discover the Uncanny Brands company. Its mission is simple: “to find new ways to bring fun and fandom into everyday life. To make the ordinary (making waffles) into the extraordinary (making waffles in the shape of Bob Ross’ face).” The company offers more than 30 different Star Wars-branded kitchen merchandise ranging from an R2-D2 Popcorn Maker to a Darth Vader Light-Up toaster. Full disclosure: it was the Darth Vader toaster that first caught my attention in the booth.

A few months later, the company shipped us an R2-D2 Popcorn Maker and toaster for review. The timing was perfect, both personally and professionally. Our May issue was on the horizon, and my 11-year-old son asked to celebrate May 4th by watching a few Star Wars movies. When I told him that not only could we celebrate with a few movies, but we also had an R2-D2 Popcorn Maker to review, I thought his head would explode.

The officially licensed R2-D2 Popcorn Maker uses hot air to pop 98 percent of the kernels; no oil is required. The popper includes a measuring cup and an inside chute for popped kernels, and R2-D2’s head comes off, creating the bowl. The finished product was an outstanding, fun and healthy snack. The process is so easy that R2-D2 has made us a few additional bowls post-May 4th.

Retailers are always looking for ways to set their stores apart from the ordinary, and branded merchandise could be one tool. Branded merchandise also helps create potential customer events like a “Build your own Lightsaber Night.”

Having resided in South Florida for over a decade, I’ve witnessed firsthand the varied impacts of tourism on local communities—both beneficial and detrimental. Over time, I’ve developed a strong aversion to single-use products and the waste they generate.

Each community clean-up invariably uncovers the same assortment of items—beverage containers, Styrofoam (cups, coolers, etc.), and disposable propane cylinders. Once discarded, these cylinders contribute significantly to the waste filling our landfills. Some individuals resort to the risky practice of refilling disposable tanks, a choice with potentially dire consequences.

Flame King, the leading provider of propane storage solutions, has introduced refillable propane cylinders in the most commonly used sizes, along with a safe refilling system. These refillable tanks boast high-grade steel construction, undergo X-ray and hydrostatic testing, and are powder-coated for enduring exterior protection. Click here for a brief company video.

Upon receiving samples of Flame King’s refilling kit and refillable tanks in various sizes (quarter, half, and 1 pound), we distributed them to users accustomed to single-use canisters. Initial reactions from the group were marked by astonishment at the sturdiness of the refillable tanks compared to their single-use counterparts. One tester admitted to having previously refilled a single-use canister and feeling fortunate that it hadn’t exploded upon realizing the stark contrast in construction between the two products. All testers reported that the refill process was swift, straightforward, and cost-effective.

If your store currently offers or utilizes single-use propane canisters, consider adding Flame King’s refillable kit to your inventory. Stores operating in environmentally sensitive areas should consider establishing an exchange program for customers—click here to learn more.

• Available in handy, resealable contractor pack that includes star-drive bit.
• Has a Type-17 cutting tip with a sharp, pointed design and cut-out flute to remove waste, allowing a self-drilling function, no pre-drilling required.
• Ideal deck screw for affordable quality and engineered to be cost-effective.
• Exterior coating is recommended for treated lumber and outperforms hot-dipped galvanized steel (HDG) deck screws.
• Coating also protects against the elements, helps prevent corrosion and resists wet weather.
• Star drive head helps ensure secure, snug placement and prevents stripping of screw heads, slippage or cam-outs.

Midwest Fastener

Fastenerconnection.com

800-444-7313

As a child in the early 1980s, I was surrounded by toys with one common component—replaceable, disposable batteries. I constantly swapped old batteries for new ones, with the discarded battery going into the trash. We even tried various rechargeable options, but everything required additional charging units or the performance was far below average.

Fast forward to now, and honestly, the landscape has not changed too much. Until Pale Blue, most rechargeable batteries required a bulky recharging kit and provided subpar performance. Pale Blue’s batteries are recharged using a micro-USB port directly on the battery connected via a USB-C cable. Users can expect to charge AAA batteries within an hour or less. Charging time does vary by the battery size and USB power output, with larger batteries taking a few hours. Pale Blue offers a wide selection of rechargeable batteries, including AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, and CR123A.

Our testers were given a four-pack of AA batteries for review. Each tester referenced the absence of a traditional charger and the convenient design of the sleek four-pack, which includes the USB-C plug. One tester’s comment on the recharging system stood out the most: “Eliminating the bulky charger greatly expands how and where the battery can be used.” He went on to explain it allowed for almost unlimited charging opportunities compared to requiring a dedicated 110-volt device.

All hardware stores selling batteries should consider adding the Pale Blue line of rechargeable batteries to their inventory. Solving the recharging issue with a common USB-C plug is a potential game changer. 

• Repels mosquitoes, ticks and other insects for up to 12 hours with DEET-free ingredients.
• Active formula idea for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, cycling, fishing, camping or golf.
• Dries quickly with clean-feel formula that won’t damage fabrics or plastics.
• Long-lasting protection and doesn’t need to be reapplied during the day unless you go into water.
• Unlike other insect repellent aerosol sprays, the Shübug 360° Bag-on-Valve (BOV) can be applied from any angle without inhibiting ability to disperse contents.
• Unscented formula utilizes Picaridin, which is considered comparable to DEET in effectiveness.
• Available in 5 oz. spray can with attractive in-store merchandising options.

Shübug

shubug.com

833-474-8284

• Built-in detergent injector makes washer an ideal choice for cleaning dirt and grime off concrete driveways, siding and vehicles.
• Includes quick-connect nozzles (15º, 25º) and detergent nozzle along with a 25-foot x 3/8-inch, wire-braided hose.
• Comes with two-piece, 36-inch lance with professional-grade trigger gun.
• Warranty of one year for the Mi-T-M pump and three years for the Mi-T-M engine.
• Durable frame is powder-coated steel and includes 10-inch flat-free tires.
• Equipped with Mi-T-M Pressure Relief Start, thermal relief value and in-line water strainer.
• Several accessory options, including hose upgrades, rotating nozzles and 50-foot hose lengths.

Mi-T-M Corporation

mitm.com

800-553-9053