Retailers honored at Golden Hammer Awards

Ray Griffith, Rocky’s Ace Hardware and Builders were honored at the 29th Golden Hammer Awards ceremony event in Las Vegas Wednesday morning. All three acceptance speeches emphasized that the hardware business is a people business. 

Griffith, the recently retired CEO of Ace Hardware, entered the Home Channel Hall of Fame. Griffith said it was a pleasure to see some old friends in the room.

“I think our industry is in a really good position. I couldn’t have landed in a better spot,” said Griffith. “The best thing about this industry is the people, and it’s an industry in good shape for years to come.”

Accepting for the Retailer of the Year honoree, Springfield, Mass.-based Rocky’s Ace Hardware, was Rocco Falcone II. “It’s the folks in the stores that make it happen,” said Falcone. “They set the attitude for the store and they drive the business, on behalf of them.”

The Tools of the Trade winner was Builders of Kearney, Neb., operators of a home center, lumberyard and builders showroom.

“Our team members’ dedication to achieving customer expectation makes everyone’s job at Builders easier,” said general manager and executive VP Chris Borrego, accepting on behalf of Builders.

The event also recognized more than 30 vendor honorees across four product categories. The Hall of Fame induction was sponsored by Safety Works.