Home Depot honors its innovators
The big winner in The Home Depot’s innovation award program goes to a line of cordless outdoor power equipment fueled by a 58-volt battery.
The Atlanta-based retail giant says the annual award recognizes, in its words: “the most revolutionary new products that provide true benefits to consumers and the companies that exceeded expectations in sales, service and program execution.”
The TTI Homelite / Echo won the retailer's 2015 Innovation Award for its Echo 58-volt line of outdoor power equipment. Runner-up honors were awarded to Wink, Inc. for its Smart Home Hub and American Standard for its Optum VorMax Tall Height Elongated Toilet.
"The Home Depot's goal is to offer customers the most innovative, groundbreaking products that will help them improve their homes while saving them time and money," said Ted Decker, executive VP of merchandising for The Home Depot. "Our merchants consistently work with our manufacturing partners to develop pioneering products that differentiate The Home Depot and attract customers."
Additionally, Solar City won Environmental Partner of the Year for its Residential Solar and Liberty Hardware won Marketing Innovation for its Monthly DIY Project Posts, Content & Social Campaign.
The TTI Homelite / Echo award-winner came to market in 2015 with the launch of Echo 58-volt. This professional-grade system uses a 58-volt battery platform to operate five outdoor tools, combining the power of gas and the convenience of cordless. The system carries one of the industry's most powerful lithium-ion battery packs and a competitive charge time. Each unit comes equipped with a brushless motor customized for that particular tool.
The line includes a string trimmer, hedge trimmer, blower, mower and chain saw.
The Home Depot recognized the companies that round out the top 10 product innovations:
• Milwaukee Tool FUEL Bare Tools
• ITW Paslode Pneumatic Fastening Gun
• ETi Solid State Lighting Linkable LED Shop Light
• Toro Custom Z-Builder
• Broan NuTone EZ Fit Bath Fan
• JELD-WEN Architectural Fiberglass Door
• LG Side-by-Side Refrigerator