Winter hardware show improving

ORE attendance, more buying and generally favorable reviews-though not universally socharacterized the second annual Winter Hardware & Home Center Show. Held again at the Las Vegas Convention Center. more than 20,000 were present, 8390 identifying themselves as buyers, owners or management. Nearly three quarters were from the Western states, with California and Arizona predominating.

The word National in the show's name has generally been phased out, presumably indicating that the show organizers are positioning it as a western regional show, rather than a second national show. Held February 1ll3 this year, the third annual ver- sion will encore in Las Vegas, February 16-18, 1985, according to the Cahners Exposition Group, organizers of this show as well as the national show, held each summer in Chicago, Il.

Show spokesmen said there were approximately 800 exhibitors, down slightly from 1983. Exhibits varied widely, includifig hardware, lawn and garden products, building materials, housewares, kitchen and bath equipment, auto parts, furniture, and paints and finishes, among other items.

The floor traffic was characterized by many as being "quality, not quantity," referring to the buying abilities of the attendees. For some exhibitors, buyrng was brisk, for others merelY an opportunity to chat with customers and explain product lines.

Among the speakers at the seminars held during the show, Scotty's, Inc. preside4t Ray Cooney called for American industry to make the commitment and take the steps needed to return the "Made in America" label to pre+rninence in world markets.

Terrence L. Smith, president, California Hardware Co., described distribution changes and presented a fairly optimistic view towards business in the coming years.

The show is sponsored by the American Hardware Manufacturers Association.

Metal Stake Holds Benderboard

A new device for installing benderboard, Benderquik from JaVel, Inc. is made from l8 gauge cold rolled steel. A spring loaded, U-clamp head holds benderboard securely in place with a steel stake for easy insertion in the ground.

A person can reportedly install benderboard alone without nails and without the problems of sllitting the redwood stakes or the benderboard itself.

One stake is used every three to four feet. Fitting flush with the gound, the smooth metal surface will not interfere with power equipment. Tiiangular metal teeth retain the benderboard so it will not rise out of the gound.

Kit Simplifies Kitchen Design

"How to Design Your Own Kitchen" kit, part of Western Cabinet's new dealer support program, enables homeowners to layout a new or remodeled kitchen by placing peel-off cabinet and appliance pieces on a grid. The walls of the kitchen can be drawn on the grid. A pen comes with the kit for this purpose. The kit is part of a large dealer oriented program that includes a video newsletter and information about other product lines.

Simulated Wood Shingles

Regalwood is, a new fiberglass shingle from Johns-Manville with a deep woodJike texture obtained from an overlay application.

The 141/a" x 42" size means fewer panels have to be used for installation. The shingles, which reportedly do not promote rot, mold and mildew, are Class A fire and wind resistant. The product carries a 25 year prorated warranty.

Gas Leak Detector

Bonded Products, Inc.'s Epi-Seal Leak Seek for gas leaks improved by reformulation,is being packagedin a I oz. needle nosed, plastic squeeze bottle.

The product will not freeze on the fitting or in its containers. It is available in pints, gallons and 55 gal. drum slzes.

The new formula is ultra-sensitive to low pressure leaks and retains its bubble indicators for up to three hours.

Start at the Bottom

Oak parquet flooring from Norwood installs just like floor tile, using mastic adhesive to secure the parquet sections to a concrete or plywood subfloor.

The l!l%" x 9Yz" sections are stack-packed in polyurethane packages with installation instructions included.

Available in light or dark oak finish, the flooring has a surface which resists marks and scratches and reportedly requires only dustmopping and two or three annual buffings to maintain an attractive appearance.

Powerful Distribution

Dual-Lite's EZ-Flex modular power distribution system includes components for bringing convenience power to wall outlets. Previously, it was used for the distribution of lighting power in suspended ceilings.

The system offers architects, electrical contractors and building owners several advantages over conventional "hard wiring" of buildings. It can eliminate the time and labor involved in working with conduit and making connections since components of the system, except those that interface with conventional fixtures, are simply plugged in.

The cables can be unplugged and moved to a new location if needed. Components for single-circuit (2-conductor) or dual-circuit (4-conductor) applications are available. UL listed, standard modules for power distribution are designed for 120 volt applications, but 208 or 220 volt components can be supplied.