Technology

Sulphur Springs, Texas — “Let me show you something.”


That’s how an employee at Fix & Feed Sulphur Springs Hardware greeted a reporter who was visiting the store about 80 miles east of Dallas on a hot July weekday. She marched to a back room of the 20,000-sq.-ft. hardware store to a door marked “Keep this door closed at all times,” and led the visitor inside. 


“Here is where we make the fudge,” she said. 


Sales were up but net earnings were down for Stanley Black & Decker, the maker of construction and DIY tools, security and industrial products.

New Britain, Conn.-based Stanley Black & Decker first quarter sales increased to $2.65 billion, up 12% from $2.36 billion in the same quarter last year.

The company said the sales growth was attributable to volume (+2%), price (+1%), currency (-1%) and acquisitions (+10%). Last year, Stanley announced it would acquire Niscayah Group AB, a Swedish commercial security company.

Tax services giant H&R Block has named Home Depot's Marvin Ellison and Tractor Supply's James Wright as prospective members of its board of directors.

Ellison, 46, is Home Depot's executive VP U.S. stores. He has been with the Atlanta-based home improvement retailer since 2002, and previously held management positions with Target Corp. 

Wright, 61, is CEO of Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply Co. He was also CEO of Tire Kingdom.