National Hardware Show preview
As home building begins to rebound after a five-year slide, the National Hardware Show is celebrating with an expanded Building Products category that calls out exhibitors with special signage to make them easy to pick out on the show floor. Among those scheduled to represent this enhanced category are GRK Fasteners, Louisville Ladder, CoverGrip Corporation and Dumond Chemicals, and pro dealers planning to attend include Gahahl Lumber and BMC.
"Timing is everything, and we are confident that this is the right time to welcome traditional hardline building products back to the Show," said Sonya Ruff Jarvis, VP attendee programs for Reed Exhibitions. "We will offer building products that complement the core hardware category, such as tarp, twine, rope, blades, tools, fasteners, power tools, metal framing and more." Dumond Chemicals, in its 22nd year at the National Hardware Show, will unveil new environmentally friendly paint removal products, Catch-N-Cover microfiltration membranes and graffiti removal products. "Being under the Building Products umbrella, it's going to be good to have a dedicated space to introduce new products to the dealers and heighten their awareness of these new products, which can ultimately lead them into new customer segments," said Dumond president and CEO John Petroci.
Also for the first time this year, the Farm & Ranch category will have a dedicated area of 20,000 sq. ft. on the show floor and will feature such exhibitors as Hengjin Electron Co., MaxPower Precision Parts, Solo Inc. and The Cordage Source. Megan Menzer, owner of Newton's True Value in Cherryvale, Kan., is happy to see the expansion of Farm & Ranch at the Hardware Show, which reflects what's been happening in her own two stores.
"Farm and ranch is big in our area, and we recently started a dedicated section in our stores," said Menzer, who opened her second location in October 2012 and carries such products as cow tags, electric fences, minor medical supplies, herbicides and pesticides. "Instead of having special Farm & Ranch stores, you're now finding the category is present in more diversified locations, including many hardware stores. Fifty years ago, that's what the hardware store was — a farm and ranch supply store — and I think that's coming back."
In other developments, Made-in-the-USA products will have their own area on the show floor and include displays from more than 50 companies; the Pet Pavilion has been expanded and features special signage; and the Energy Efficient Products section, being sponsored by Polaroid and Intelligent Green Products, has been beefed up and will include exhibitors Heat Controller, Niagara Conservation Corp. and Polaroid Lighting.