HCN gets a new name
In 1964, four musically gifted friends from Liverpool changed their collective name from the Quarrymen to the Beatles. They went on to a successful career.
In 1971, Lew Alcindor changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He went on to set the all-time scoring record in professional basketball.
In 1776, the 13 original colonies of Great Britain here on the Atlantic Coast changed their name to “The United States of America.”
Ladies and gentlemen, name changes can do a world of good.
Coming in January, you will see the new name of our editorial enterprise: Hardware + Building Supply Dealer. Online, you can find us at HBSDealer.com. And if you currently receive our HCN Daily e-newsletter, you will soon begin receiving our HBSDealer Daily.
There are many valid, strategic reasons supporting the decision to change our name. Here is the main one: It immediately describes our audience — no explanation necessary, no confusion possible.
Some things won't change. Our editorial team will continue to serve our market as its news leader. Our digital products will continue to evolve, experiment and deliver new and valuable information. We have even made mobile viewing easier with our new responsive design e-newsletters. And our flagship magazine will continue to bring analysis, products and insights to hardware stores, lumberyards, and farm and ranch dealers.
"Home Channel News" and its predecessor, "National Home Center News," have served this industry since 1975. We have covered the rise and the domination of the big-box home center. We have witnessed the greatest housing market boom-bust cycle since records have been kept. And we have covered the challenges and triumphs of an immense variety of business operators.
Here's a secret: Every issue and every article started as a clean slate. The hard-working teams of editors and reporters during the late 20th century built this brand one story at a time.
We're going to continue that work. We're going to chase our mission to be on the desk or digital desktop of every decision-maker in the hardware, farm and ranch, and building supply industry. Only from now on, we'll have a better name.