Home Centers

Maine Gov. Paul LePage, along with business groups and other supporters, are trying to repeal a 2007 law that requires communities to consider the economic impact of "big-box" stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Walmart before issuing building permits. 

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's is making a big shift in its in-store work force, favoring part-timers over middle managers.

The move will cut about 1,700 middle management jobs in the stores, but will lead to an additional 8,000 to 10,000 part-time workers, according to Chris Ahearn, Lowe's VP public relations. The shakeup is expected to take effect Jan. 29.

Nexxus Lighting's Array brand of LED light bulbs will be offered on Lowes.com and in 1,100 Lowe's stores across the United States beginning June 2011.

Lowe's will offer 17 different Array products, including Par 38, R30, R16, GU10 and MR-16 bulbs that have qualified for the Energy Star rating.

MasterForce, the private-label line of power tools made for Menards, has announced a new offering in the circular saw category: a 6-1/2-in. model powered by either an 18-volt lithium ion or NiCad battery. The cordless saw delivers 4,500 rpms, according to its manufacturer, and contains a bevel adjustment that tilts the blade from 0 to 45 degrees.

Most saws are equipped with a general purpose 18-to-24-tooth, carbide-tipped blade, and incorporate an LED work light to help illuminate the work surface.

RISI, a leading provider of information about the forest products industry, has announced the appointment of Wade Camp as senior wood products economist. Camp comes to RISI from the Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association, where he held the title of director of economic services. 

Camp's career spans three decades and multiple roles from production to economic modeling, working for companies and associations such as International Paper, Georgia-Pacific and the Southern Forest Products Association. 

A Menards store planned near The Heartlands subdivision of Owensboro,  Ky., would be the first Menards store to open in Kentucky.

Representatives from Eau Claire, Wis.-based Menards met with home owners this week, according to the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. Tom O'Neil, from Menards real estate division, told the newspaper: "As the overall plan evolves, we'll be able to submit the development plan, and at that point we can show the site plan to the homeowners."

The Home Depot announced today it will hire more than 60,000 seasonal associates in time for its second annual Spring Black Friday event.

Like the traditional Black Friday that occurs the day after Thanksgiving to unofficially start the holiday shopping season, The Home Depot's Spring Black Friday marks the start of home improvement's busiest shopping season -- the spring. 

A Home Depot store in Concord, N.H., reopened late on Jan. 24 after a pick-up truck drove through the wall of a local residence and landed in the living room. According to the story in the Union Leader, the driver of the pick-up lost control of the vehicle on a 90-degree curve in the road and plowed completely through the living room wall. The occupants of the home -- a man and his 7-year-old twin daughters -- escaped injury. But they needed to repair the damage enough to get through the night.