Technology

“The concept of consistent, incremental improvement applies to just about everything we do,” said Ron Beal, the CEO of Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill.


In that sentence, Beal captured the essence of the distributor’s spirit of improvement. There’s no single hero, no silver bullet and no rainmaker. Instead, Beal describes an environment of measuring, benchmarking and improving. And the results were impressive in 2010, a difficult year for home products. Orgill posted 2010 sales of $1.179 billion, up 9.3% over $1.079 billion in the prior year. 


Its nickname is "the Walmart of weed."

Described as the nation's only hydroponics franchise that openly talks about medical marijuana, weGrow opened a 21,000-sq.-ft. store in Phoenix earlier this month. 

At its LBM User Conference, Epicor launches BisTrack Price Checker and offers BisTrack Warehouse Management application for Android devices.

Boise, Idaho-based BMC appointed Keith Costello, a 26-year veteran of the construction business and former Orco Construction Supply executive, as its VP sales. 

The discount giant’s innovation gala presented a glimpse into the future of retail.

There are great hardware stores in every corner of this country. Home Channel News has identified 50 -- one for each state -- in its May issue. 

Continuing the report of all-star hardware stores in order alphabetical, here are Florida, Georgia and Hawaii:

Here’s how Westlake Ace Hardware CEO George Smith describes the Lenexa, Kan.-based chain’s Project North Star: “It’s our vision for the future of Westlake and the foundation for all the decisions we make.”