Upbeat mood at home center show

MOOD of excitement and hope for an improved building materials market was in the air at the National Home Center Show in Chicago last month.

Those in remodeling and repair related industries and retailers concentrating on home improvement were especially upbeat about things to come.

". industry is in a shakeout period," in other words "maturing," commented Mike Grossman, chairman and ceo of Grossman's lnc., the 1987 inductee into the Home Center Hall of Fame. Echoing

Story at a Glance

Remodeling & repair markets looking good.. . Grossman inducted into Hall of Fame ... praises employees, stres. ses attitudes and seruioe... Handyrnan, Lore's, Payless Cashways, Stipling-Blake Lumber top rctailer$ the show's "Focus on Today's Customer" theme in his talk. he said, "l don't think we do nearly as good a job (as we could) on the basics."

Warning that survival in the industry depends upon improved attitudes and service to customers, he slressed the important role of the employee. His support of Grossman's personnel during the difficult Chapter ll era in 1985 was praised during the ceremonies. As he became the sixth home center executive to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, he accepted the honor on behalf of all the Grossman people, many of whom were there.

Richard V. Wolohan. founder of Wolohan Lumber Co., Saginaw, Mi., was given the Pioneer Award for his entrepreneurial efforts.

Handyman Corp., San Diego, Ca.; Lowe's Companies, Inc.; Payless Cashways and Stripling-Blake Lumber Co., Inc., Austin, Tx., were among retailers honored as 1986 home center of the year award winners.

In viewing exhibits in the hall and talking with retailers, it became evident that the do-it-yourselfer is the inspiration for the majority of the products as well as the motivation for much of the merchandising. "The do-it-yourselfer is still king of the hill" is the way one retailer put it.

Ken Blanchard. author of "The One Minute Manager," got high marks from those attending the opening session. Bernard Marcus, Home Depot chairman and ceo, introduced Blanchard who keyed his comments to customer management. Focus groups were well received with retailers welcoming opinions from home center experts.

New Tennessee CEO

Anna Durham Windrow will become chief executive officer of the Tennessee Building Material Association on June l, replacing Stan Owens who is retiring after 27 years as head of the group.

"Mrs. Windrow's education, business and governmental experience coupled with her family background in the building material industry, make her an excellent choice for our association," said David McClain, chairman of the TBMA board.

A graduate of the University of the South at Sewanee, Tn., the new ceo has worked in the banking industry and real estate as well as on the staffof Senator Jim Sdsser as special assistant to the senator. She has also been active in her family's business, Durham Building Supply in Gallatin, Tn.

"Mrs. Windrow, a fourth generation member in the building material industry, has first-hand knowledge about the problems facing our industry," McClain said, "and that was a definite plus in our selecting her over a number of other applicants.