Weekly Industry Insights — 06/21/24
Do it Best Foundation Event Raises $1 Million+
Do it Best Foundation’s Fore the Cause charity golf tournament on June 10 raised more than $1 million to support youth enrichment and health nonprofit initiatives. This one-day event was hosted at four golf courses in the Fort Wayne, Ind., area. About 500 participated in the tournament and reception, and this year’s fundraising surpassed last year by 54 percent. In the past four years, the Do it Best Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations nationwide. “Our goal is to make a major positive impact in all of the communities where the Do it Best team lives, works and plays,” said Do it Best executive vice president of sales and marketing Nick Talarico, who is also president of the Foundation. For more information about the Do it Best Foundation, visit their website.
New QR Code May Mean Big Change for Retailers
An advanced QR code based on GS1 (also called Global Standards) may change how hardware retailers do business. This new QR code can be scanned at the sales counter, link to videos and information on websites, and assist in inventory tracking. Details of this new code were recently presented at the Global DIY Summit in Rome. For more information about the new retail QR code, visit Webb Analytics.
Rio Rancho True Value to Open New Store
Rio Rancho True Value in Rio Rancho, N.M., recently announced that it will be opening its second location, which will be called Rio Rancho True Value North in Enchanted Hills area of Rio Rancho, N.M. The company plans to open the store in fall 2024.
Hancock Lumber Hires Smith as New General Manager
Hancock Lumber, based in Casco, Maine, has announced that the company hired Mark Smith as the general manager of its Damariscotta, Maine, location. Smith is a Marine Corps veteran and prior to his new role at Hancock Lumber, he worked at Ring’s End, Seacoast Building Supply, Emery-Waterhouse, and Ware Butler. For more information, see Hancock Lumber’s press release.
Farmyard Store & True Value Rental Suffers Loss in Fire
In the early morning hours of June 14, a fire destroyed the recently opened contractor and equipment rental building of Farmyard Store & True Value Rental in Derby, Vt. No injuries were reported, and the store expects to rebuild as the Farmyard Store portion of the business remains open.
Owens Corning Rolls Out Mobile Training for Home Improvement Retailers
Called “Champion Your Project” Tour, Owens Corning has announced a new mobile training experience that will support home improvement retailers and their customers. Beginning mid-June and running through October, the tour will include events at retail hardware stores and home improvement centers in Dallas; Houston; Portland, Ore.; Seattle; Los Angeles; Charlotte, N.C.; northern New Jersey, and Toledo, Ohio. For more information, visit the tour site.
Tando Composites Hired Steve Schulz as Midwest Senior Territory Sales Manager
Tando Composites, a manufacturer of composite exterior cladding and shingles, has hired Steve Schulz as the senior territory sales manager covering the Midwest including Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. With extensive experience in the building materials industry, Schulz has previously worked for several national manufacturers, including Milgard Windows, TruExterior, WindsorONE, and Siding & Trim.
Ace Hardware Home Services Expands Nationwide
Ace Home Services, which provides professional repair and maintenance solutions to customers’ homes, recently announced the program is nationwide. These services are now available in more than 5,000 ZIP codes and at least one Ace Hardware store in all 48 of the continental United States. At the 2023 Ace Hardware Convention, CEO John John Venhuizen touted such continued expansion of services. For more information, see the Ace Home Services press release.
