Ace’s ‘Makers to Market’ winners

A biodegradable BBQ called Casus Grill and a 3D-printed phone case that holds four tools were winners in the Ace Hardware Maker to Market Contest. In the eyes of the judges, the two products stood out in a contest that attracted more than 60 “makers” – the fashionable term for creative inventors.

The winner from the New to Consumer Market category is Casus Grill, an inexpensive and biodegradable BBQ that retails for $12.99. The 2.2lb grill is portable, quick to heat and ideal for anyone in need of a temporary grill. It can be disposed of in a bonfire and leaves no trash.

The winner from the New to Hardware category is Stowaway™ Tools from the makers of Klecker Knives. The product is a 3D-printed phone case that holds four tools, all conveniently stored within the phone case.

Both winners will be given the opportunity to present and market their products at the upcoming Ace Hardware 2018 Spring Convention in Dallas.

“The goal of Ace’s Maker to Market event is to establish a pipeline of new, differentiated and innovative products from independent Makers,” said John Sommers, VP of merchandising, Ace Hardware Corporation. “We had an extremely successful first Maker to Market event, with a dynamic lineup of new products. We look forward to bringing many of them to market through Ace stores.”

The two featured winners pitched standout products grounded in key Maker to Market values, including sustainability and small business entrepreneurship. In addition to the category winners, Ace experts identified a number of new products from the 2017 Maker to Market event that will be pursued and brought to market through the Ace Hardware innovation platform. Distinguished products included Plugfones, Screw it again and Coverware, the company said.