Technology

Towson, Md.-based DeWalt is launching a line of hand tools that will hit the market beginning June 2011. 

The company, known for its power tools, is getting into the hand tool category for the first time with products that include utility knives, pliers, wrenches, tape measures, hammers, saws and toolboxes, among others.

A man who worked at a Raleigh, N.C., lumberyard was arrested and jailed on March 9 for allegedly using a credit card belonging to his employer, according to an article in the News and Observer. 

Kendryl Direlle Garner, 42, was accused of making $797.40 in unauthorized purchases in April using the credit card of his employer, American Woodyards, a supplier of custom, cut and specialty lumber. 

For the first time since 2005, The Home Depot and Lowe’s Cos. both delivered positive comparable-store sales in all four quarters of 2010. Last year was also the first year both companies showed an increase in full-year sales since 2005. 


These trends are strong evidence that the worst of the economic cycle has passed for the two home improvement retail giants.


A study on major home appliances by The NPD Group showed overall growth in the category in 2010, with an 11% increase in dollar sales compared to 2009.

Although sales for most appliances did not reach pre-recession levels, dishwashers were one exception, showing a 22% increase in dollar sales over 2009, putting them on level with 2007. 

Full-sized refrigerators and range hoods both experienced double-digit unit and dollar growth, with laundry appliances coming in just under 10% in dollar growth. 

Most propane is treated with an ingredient that smells like spoiled eggs when the tank leaks. This safety measure helps consumers detect leaks. But some of the propane in about 700 rail cars of propane gas sold in portable cylinders from Morris Ill.-based Aux Sable Liquid Products do not have sufficient levels of the odorant.

As a result, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Aux Sable Liquid Products announced a voluntary recall of the propane cylinders. 

Denver-based ProBuild redesigned its website, adding new features and functionality to streamline information access and better serve its customers, the company said.

With research gathered customer focus groups, the Denver-based pro dealer added search capabilities to ProBuild.com that provide customers with specific product and service information down to the store level.

Consumers are spending less money — nearly 20% less — on tool storage, according to data from Port Washington, N.Y.-based The NPD Group. In the 12 months ended Oct. 31, dollar volume fell to about $480 million, down 19.9% from the prior year. The decline is far from shocking in a difficult hardware environment. By themselves, tool storage products don’t fix leaks or repair roofs. But try doing multiple home improvement projects without them.

Abbeville, Ala.-based Great Southern Wood Preserving formed an alliance with specialty building materials distributor U.S. Lumber Group.

Under the new alliance, an affiliate of Great Southern will become a minority investor in U.S. Lumber and customers of both companies will leverage the benefits of increased volume purchasing and sharing of "best practices." No jobs will be adversely affected, nor are management changes anticipated, the companies announced.