Recognizing Industry Stars

HARDWARE & TOOLS/SUPPLIES WINNERS

These peer-recognition awards recognize best-of-field excellence in the broad merchandise categories of LBM and Durables, Hardware Tools and Supplies, Outdoor Living and Home Decor.

What began with Bono, ended with successful retailers and retail partners (See page 26). Also recognized were a group of communications award winners. Monkey Hook (point of purchase); O’Keeffe’s Co. (packaging); Osmose (business-to-business advertising); MSA Safety Works (business-to-consumer advertising); and Mail Boss (signage).

Westlake Ace Hardware received an inaugural retailer-to-consumer advertising award.

HOME DECOR WINNERS

COMMITTEE CHOICE WINNERS

Of the 32 vendor companies recognized for excellence during the Golden Hammer Award ceremony, five of the companies were further honored with a “Committee Choice Award.”

These awards are bestowed by the Golden Hammer’s six-member retail committee and are based on each winning company’s performance, service and overall quality. The 2009 honorees are:

Dap, in category management, for superiority in total category approach to its product area that maximizes turns and profits for the retailer’s entire department.

Stanley, in inventory management, for resourcefulness in utilizing technology and electronic data interchange to simplify reorder systems, meet deadlines and improve overall efficiency.

Bona US, in new product innovation, for keeping its merchandise assortment fresh and bringing the latest products to market quickly.

Leviton, in quality control, for the highest level of total quality that reduces returns and increases the dealer’s customer satisfaction.

Valspar, as Vendor of the Year, for the best overall job of serving retailers’ needs—from new product development to supply chain management to helping sell their products to end-users.

By the nature of the selection process, the Golden Hammer Awards reflect the respect of industry peers.

The selection process for the vendor awards began with an e-mail blast of ballots to buyers and merchandise managers of America’s top 500 home centers, building material dealers and retailers.

Retailers and dealers were asked to select a single supplier from each of the 32 product categories based on the criteria of category management, inventory management, new product innovation, quality control and ability to serve the pros. The vendors receiving the most votes within their respective category are awarded the Golden Hammer Award.

OUTDOOR LIVING WINNERS

LBM WINNERS

RAISING THE BAR IN RETAIL

One of the traditions of the Golden Hammer Awards is to recognize achievement of retailers and retail partners. At the 2009 event, a new category was unveiled—“Tools of the Trade” award, recognizing a hardware retailer that champions best practices across their operation to generate top and bottom line results. All American Home Center of Downey, Calif., a Do it Best dealer, took home this inaugural award.

The “Innovative Retailer of the Year” award went to Nelson True Value of Viroqua, Wis. Orgill CEO Ron Beal accepted the Retail Partner of the Year Award on behalf of the distributor that showed a 4% sales gain in a difficult 2008.

“It’s a real honor and a privilege, given the number of quality companies there are in this industry,” Beal said.

HALL OF FAME PERFORMANCE

During his Hall of Fame induction speech, True Value president and CEO Lyle Heidemann took a moment to encourage a co-op member in the audience to open another store. It was evidence of his multitasking ability and leadership skills, two attributes honed over a 42-year career in the hardware industry.

“It’s kind of ironic that I started as a Sears management trainee selling hardware,” he said. “I never thought that 42 years later I’d still be selling hardware.”

John Shields, director of retail for MSA Safety Works, detailed Heidemann’s career in his introduction: “Heidemann has helped revitalize True Value within the hardware business.”

Before joining True Value in 2005, Heidemann directed some of Sears’ most profitable and successful operating units, including 249 Sears Hardware and Orchard Supply Hardware stores. His mantra today: Help every member be the best hardware store in town.

“I’ve seen a lot of change in my career, but the local entrepreneur is still a very significant part of this industry,” he said.

PAST HONOREES