Vendors honored with Golden Hammers

Las Vegas -- The 2013 Golden Hammer Awards ceremony recognized home improvement suppliers in 31 categories during a Wednesday morning ceremony at the National Hardware Show here. 

The awards were based on an electronic survey of retailers and distributors conducted earlier this year. Retailers and distributors were asked to select one vendor per category that exemplifies excellence through their commitment to category management, inventory management, new product innovation and quality control.

The following companies won Golden Hammers in the Hardware Tools & Supplies categories:

• Cleaning Supplies – 3M


• Electrical Supplies – Leviton


• Fasteners – The Hillman Group


• Floor Care – Shop Vac


• Hand Tools – Irwin


• Gloves & Apparel – Carhartt


• Home Security and Safety – First Alert


• Paint Supplies and Tools – Wooster


• Plumbing Supplies and Equipment – Fluidmaster


• Power Tools – DeWalt

The following vendors received Golden Hammer awards in the home decor categories:

• Decorative Hardware & Locksets – Kwikset


• Decorative Lighting & Fixtures – Hunter Fan


• Plumbing Fashion and Fixtures – Moen


• Home Organization – Closetmaid


• Major Appliances – Whirlpool


• Paint: Wall Treatments and Stains – Valspar


• Small Appliances – KitchenAid

The following companies received awards in the LBM categories:

• Bathroom Vanities – Kohler


• Building Materials – Boise Cascade


• Insulation & Housewrap – Owens Corning


• Caulking & Sealants – Dap


• Doors – ThermaTru


• Lumber & Plywood – Georgia Pacific


• Windows – Anderson 

The following companies earned Golden Hammers in the outdoor living categories:

• Barbecue – Weber Stephens


• Decorative Landscaping – Oldcastle


• Garden Accessories – Design House


• Lawn & Garden Organics/Chemicals – Scotts


• Lawn & Garden Tools & Irrigation – Ames True Temper


• Outdoor Power Equipment – Husqvarna


• Pools Supplies – ARCH (HTH)

“It’s important to stress that these winners are selected by their retail customers -- the toughest judges available,” said Nigel Maynard, editor in chief of Residential Building Products & Technology -- a sister publication of HCN -- who unveiled the Golden Hammer winners during the ceremony. “And that’s why we can safely call our Golden Hammer winners the best of the best for 2013.”