Golden Hammer strikes in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada -- Two retailers and a home improvement industry icon received their Golden Hammers Tuesday night during a customer-centric running of the Golden Hammer Awards ceremony.

The event, now in its 31st year, was held during the National Hardware Show here in a packed room of retailers and suppliers on the show floor. 

The 2015 Retailer of the Year Award went to Orchard Supply Hardware of San Jose, California. The Tools of the Trade Award, given each year to a high-performing independent, went to Miami, Florida-based Shell Lumber & Hardware. And the 2015 Golden Hammer Hall of Fame award went to Joe Scarlett, who led remarkable growth at Tractor Supply Company until his retirement in 2007.

Speaking on behalf of Orchard Supply's team, president Bob Tellier talked about the importance of embracing change in the retail industry and taking a stand for quality products. More importantly, he said, is the understanding that business starts with people.

"Orchard Supply Hardware is famous for legendary customer service," he said in his acceptance speech. "From the moment customers enter the store till the moment they leave, it's neighbors helping neighbors."

Orchard Supply is a 78-store West Coast chain, under the ownership of Lowe's, but operating as an autonomous business. The company is on track to expand to 100 stores and $1 billion in sales by the end of 2017.

Jesus Guzman, president and COO of Shell Lumber & Hardware, accepted the 2015 Golden Hammer Tools of the Trade award.

"This Golden Hammer Award is only possible because of all the golden nails out there, our customers, and our suppliers," Guzman said.  "We are very well aware of the fact that we exist for our customers."

During his turn at the podium, Golden Hammer Hall of Fame inductee Joe Scarlett congratulated both Guzman and Tellier. He also pointed out that early in his career, he worked at the same New Jersey-based discount retailer as 2004 Hall of Fame inductee Bernie Marcus, who became famous as a founder of The Home Depot. 

Of course, Scarlett also spoke about Tractor Supply, where he worked for nearly 30 years. One key to the Brentwood, Tennessee-based retailer's success was consistency. "The people may change, but Tractor Supply has the same mission, the same value structure and the same methods of doing business," he said.

Also during the Golden Hammer event, 12 vendor companies were recognized as Golden Hammer honorees, based on a Hardware & Building Supply Dealer survey of retailers and distributors. Here are the honorees, described as "most outstanding partners" for 2015, and their categories:

Hand Tools: Stanley

Fasteners: Midwest Fastener

Building Products: Georgia Pacific

Power Tools: DeWalt

Electrical: Leviton

Decking: Trex

Ready-mix Concrete: Quikrete

Paint Accessories: Wooster Brush

Safety: 3M

Plumbing: Fluidmaster

Lawn & Garden: Scotts

Paint: Valspar

The Golden Hammer Awards dates back to 1985, when winners included Lowe's, Payless Cashways and Star Lumber.