HARDWARE STORES

Bartlett’s Lumber & Hardware had been a successful lumber and hardware store, serving the Texas Panhandle for nearly 75 years, but, until recently, its pricing decisions were mostly guesswork.


During a long economic downturn and encroaching big-box competition, VP Terrill Bartlett knew that “guessing” didn’t cut it anymore when talking about the bottom line. 


Towson, Md.- based Black & Decker announced Monday that it has re-launched its website blackanddecker.com after an extensive upgrade.

The new site aims to provide an improved resource for its DIY customers, the company said.

The site features new additions, such as an interactive project section where visitors can contribute projects and questions to other DIYers. The new project section also features step-by-step project guides and provides before and after images.

Natchez, Miss.-based Central Network Retail Group (CNRG) added Chapel Hill, N.C.-based Town & Country Hardware as a new partner.

Town & Country Hardware operates eight hardware stores in the North Carolina cities of Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Cary. Craig Ward, president of Town & Country Hardware, has also been added to the board of directors at CNRG. 

The Hillman Cos. agreed to buy Toronto-based fastener distributor H. Paulin & Co. for $103.7 million (C$103 million).

“We are excited to become an integral part of the Hillman organization,” said Richard Paulin, who will continue as president of the new division of Hillman Canada. “This acquisition joins two great and complementary industry leaders with over 140 years of combined fastener knowledge.”

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013.