A Golden Hammer goes to Shell Lumber

Coconut Grove, Florida-based Shell Lumber & Hardware will accept the Tools of the Trade Award at the 2015 Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas May 5 during the National Hardware Show.

The Tools of the Trade award is designed to honor a business that captures the spirit of independent retailing and makes the most of technology, marketing and human resources.

"To say I was excited when hearing the news would be a complete understatement," said Jesus Guzman, president and COO of the high-volume single-unit retailer. "It is just another opportunity to acknowledge the amazing job my team does day after day. We feel very honored to have been selected amongst so many prestigious retailers in the country. It will be my pleasure to accept the award on behalf of my employees, customers and the entire management team."

 The Miami-area company's intentionally lofty slogan -- "the world's number one home improvement store" -- was selected to inspire both customers and employees, Guzman said. Its ambitious customer service goals are combined with a continuous effort to adjust, measure and optimize its merchandise mix. The results are impressive: Sales per square feet are well above $800, he said.

The company, located just off of U.S. Route 1, receives about 70% of its business from pros, and 30% from DIYers. 

The 2015 Golden Hammer Awards Ceremony will take place on the show floor of the Las Vegas Convention Center May 5 during the National Hardware Show. In addition to the Tools of the Trade Award, the ceremony will also recognize the Retailer of the Year, Orchard Supply Hardware, and the Home Channel Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Scarlett, retired chairman of Tractor Supply Co.