Product-driven: Awards recognize innovation

Successful retailers describe the Five Ps -- people, promotion, price, product and place, price -- as keys to growth. And the National Hardware Show delivered on most of them -- particularly product.

Awards programs at the National Hardware Show helped make innovation and improvements easy to spot -- from big brands to new players.

The Home Channel News Golden Hammer Awards ceremony held Wednesday morning at the show recognized the following companies, which were selected by a peer-voting process with ballots distributed to retailers before the event: 

• Cleaning Supplies – Simple Green


• Electrical Supplies – Leviton

• Fasteners – Midwest Fastener


• Floor Care – Bona Kemi


• Hand Tools – Stanley


• Gloves and Apparel – Wells Lamont

• Home Security – First Alert


• Paint Supplies & Tools – Hyde

• Plumbing Supplies and Equipment – Fluidmaster


• Power Tools – DeWalt

• Decorative Hardware & Locksets – Schlage

• Decorative Lighting & Fixtures – Design House

• Fashion Fixtures – Kohler

• Home Organization – Closetmaid


• Major Appliances – GE


• Paint Wall Treatments & Stains – Benjamin Moore

• Small Appliances – GE

• Bath Vanities – Kohler

• Building Materials – Boise Cascade

• Insulation & Housewrap – DuPont

• Caulking & Sealants – DAP


• Doors – Masonite


• Lumber & Plywood – Weyerhaeuser


• Windows – Andersen

• Barbeque – Weber-Stephen

• Garden Accessories – Design House


 • Lawn & Garden Organics/Chemicals – Scotts


• Lawn and Garden Tools & Irrigation – Ames True Temper

• Outdoor Power Equipment – STIHL

• Pool Supplies - ARCH 


The North American Retail Hardware Association recognized 26 products during the Retailers' Choice Awards Ceremony Wednesday in Las Vegas. These products, which were selected for recognition by a panel of retailer, are representative of the innovation available on the market today. The winners were: 

• Jeweler in the Dishwasher

• Grip-On HandsFree Flashlight           

• Can Converter

• Tie Boss Pulley

• TabletTape

• Grip-On HandsFree Flashlight,

• BugLit Nite Ize

• Cleaning Glove, Quickly Clean

• General Tools’ Cordless Precision Engraver

• Smart Tool Organizer

• The Deck Demon

• U Socket Power Outlet

• Sentry 300 Gate Opener System

• Tie Downs, S-Line

• Apex Tool’s Ratcheting Adjustable Wrench

• Life+Gear Glow

• T-Roc Gloves        

• Hot Air Balloon Spinner

• Decorative Children's Trim

• LED Tape Lights

• Solar Power Charger

• Envirohold, Envirohold

• Roto Rooter Plunger

• Hot Spot Glove

• Multifunnel

• Paint Protector