Where the growth is for House-Hasson

House-Hasson Hardware is crediting a boost in dealer market attendance to its recent growth into two new sales territories.

A recent expansion into Arkansas and Louisiana — plus a growing sales effort in several other states — led to a 13% attendance increase at the market held in Nashville, according to president Don Hasson.

“We had good participation from two new sales territories in Arkansas and Louisiana,” Hasson said. “Our salesmen in those areas were there with new customers in hand. We expected 10% attendance growth, but the final number is 13%.”

House-Hasson previously had no presence in Arkansas, which means its footprint now spans 19 states (in addition to the Caribbean Basin).

“The number of inquiries we were receiving from Arkansas hardware store and lumberyard dealers was an indicator that there was enough interest to go into Arkansas with salesmen who know the state and its people,” he said.

“They are extremely good hires who are bringing new customers to the company,” Hasson said.

The company recently named Jamey Merritt, of Slocomb, Ala., as a new regional manager to supervise Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Florida. “Jamey has been a business development person for us since our 2009 acquisition of Moore-Handley hardware distributor,” Hasson said. “He’s done an excellent job, establishes strong relationships with customers, and we’re looking forward to what he’ll accomplish in his regional manager’s role.”

“Louisiana is doing quite well. We’re seeing good growth in Pennsylvania, in part because of continuing expansion in the number of our Amish customers. We’re now up to two buses bringing them from their homes to our dealer markets. Florida is attractive because of its population size, if for no other reason.”