HBSD-0221

FEBRUARY 2021

Vol. 47 No. 2

THE

DECKING ISSUE Thanks to demand and innovation, the deck business is in a pretty good place.

HBSDEALER HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY

16 Independent Profile

Meet Main’s new micro lumberyard: Lumbery

MARKET INSIGHTS 34 The NLBMDA’s 2021

National Policy Agenda

36 California regulates a

pressure-treated problem

38 Lowe’s Bill Boltz shares

the ‘Spirit of Life”

40 Top Women in Hardware &

Building Supply: Stanley’s Tabata Gomez

PRODUCT CATEGORIES 30 Outdoor living news 32 Sustainability 33 Green, clean and sustainable

18

Cover Story: Decking is in Demand 2021 is already shaping up to be another strong year for deck sales

FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS & ANALYSIS

8

10 84 Lumber rolls out

Highlights from the first ever LBM Finance & Development mixer

10 Cleanliness and COVID-19,

the stats

12 Modest remodeling On the Cover: Photo Courtesy Of: Deckorators/ Renew It Deck & Outdoor Living Location: Charlevoix, Michigan Products: New Deckorators Voyage Tundra 9-1/4” mineral-based composite (MBC) decking with Voyage Sierra 7-1/4” MBC decking in a single-side grooved profile for the picture frame.

33

a showroom

expectations

14 Marvin Ellison’s Lowe’s

playbook

IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Stat of the Month 12 News Map 14 Product Knowledge 41 People in the News 42 Quikrete Industry Dashboard

Hardware + Building Supply Dealer (ISSN 2376-5852) is published monthly, except for July/August and November/December, which are double issues, by EnsembleIQ, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Subscription rate in the United States: $110 one year; $200 two year; $14 single issue copy; Canada and Mexico: $130 one year; $235 two year; $16 single issue copy; Foreign: $150 one year; $285 two year; $16 single issue copy; in all other countries (air mail only). Digital Subscription: $75 one year; $140 two year.

Periodical postage paid at Chicago, IL., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to HBSD, Circulation Fulfillment Director, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Copyright © 2021 by EnsembleIQ. All rights reserved.

4

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

HBSDealer.com

FEBRUARY 23 - 26, 2021 Join us for the Emery Jensen Edge, our semi-annual trade show featuring top vendors, great promotions, and pricing to drive your profitability.

Attend our 4-day virtual event February 23-26 and gain an edge over your competition!

Not just a buying event, but a complete digital experience:

Broadest assortment in the industry Massive savings on our biggest promotions of the year Vendor demonstrations on the newest products in the market To learn more about the Emery Jensen Edge and to register, visit emeryjensendisribution.com/edge.

HERE’S WHAT’S ONLINE

See more and share more when you follow us on Facebook.

The Tradition Continues Nominations are open for the 2021 ProDealer of the Year program, including Independent award for dealers with five or fewer units.

Visit HBSDealer.com for more.

The honorees will be recognized at the May 19-21 ProDealer Industry Summit.

Visit ProDealer.com.

The ever-expanding Webcast library Visit HBSDealer.com/webinars for access to a host of repeat performances, including: The 2021 LBM Finance & Development replay The Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply Investing in eCommerce Success

Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply

The polls are open. Your voice is counted.

HBSDealer publishes weekly poll questions on pressing industry matters, and other topics. For instance:

Q

11%

Unfazed

39%

No change in attitude

11%

Fearful

As Covid-19 surges, what best describes the attitude of most frontline employees?

Follow us @HBSDealer

Poll questions and results appear every week at HBSDealer.com.

39% Wary

Source: HBSDealer Survey

6

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

HBSDealer.com

FROM THE EDITOR

HBSDEALER HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY

Acquisitions in the Mix

Hardware + Building Supply Dealer An EnsembleIQ Publication 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60631 hbsdealer.com HBSDealer On The Web • HBSDealer Info Services SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT (HBSDealer, Drug Store News, Chain Store Age) John Kenlon, jkenlon@ensembleiq.com, 212-756-5238

This article is about mergers, acquisitions and the first-ever HBSDealer LBM Finance & Development event.

During the course of writing this short article (just 400 medium-to-wellchosen words), no fewer than two acquisitions hit the news wires. The first involved BTU Do it Center of Las Vegas, N.M., which joined the Nation’s Best family. A few beats later, US LBM acquired Villaume Industries just outside the Twin Cities in Minnesota.

It’s a safe bet that more acquisitions will be reported by HBSDealer.com by

Taking care of business: Screen shot from the HBSDealer LBM Finance & Development event.

the time this article reaches you in print.

What’s driving these deals? Our elite panel of experts from Day One addressed that question, and many others. (Watch the replay at HBSDealer.com.)

Jon Davis, who has participated in acquisitions on both sides of the business (Davis Lumber, Star Lumber) and now heads up Davis Consulting, says it’s a matter of striking while the iron is hot. “Single-family construction has really exploded,” he said. “You combine that with high commodity prices, which have also risen to levels I’ve never seen, and dealers have had remarkably strong years, both ins sales and profitability. That has

8

Ken Clark Editor in Chief

positioned them to where they feel like this is a good time to sell.”

Panelists also pointed to the aging industry of independent lumberyard owners as a driver of deals. Larry Morgan, manager of Mountain States Acquisitions, explained the dynamic in a way that brings to mind the Roman poet Seneca’s classic work, “On the Shortness of Life.”

“My dream seller is someone who is 75 and has had his third heart attack,” he said. “Believe me, those guys are out there. Over the years, I’ve lost three guys who have actually died in the lumber yard. They waited too long to sell.”

Recent M&A activity is also fueled by forces affecting buyers, too. Paul Hylbert, the chairman of Kodiak Building Partners (and former CEO of ProBuild Holdings), identified a big one. “One thing that is really unique to this period of time is the inexpensive level of debt,” he said. “Debt is really cheap, and that means you can pay more and still get a good return. That’s something that is really driving buyers.”

The first-ever HBSDealer LBM Finance & Development Event, presented through HBSDealer’s innovative Mix and Mingle platform built for networking, also featured expertise on business valuation, the insurance marketplace and many other aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Check out the replays at HBSDealer.com.

And tell us what you think. HBSD

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

EDITOR IN CHIEF Ken Clark kclark@ensembleiq.com, 212-756-5139 LBM EDITOR Andy Carlo acarlo@ensembleiq.com, 845-891-5108 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ken Ryan ryankgr@aol.com, 516-567-3034 Editorial Inquiries: Direct questions to Editor in Chief Ken Clark.

ADVERTISING SALES

Midwest & Southeastern States SENIOR REGIONAL MANAGER Amy Platter Grant agrant@ensembleiq.com, 773-294-8598 Northeast and Great Lakes States REGIONAL MANAGER Greg Cole gcole@ensembleiq.com, 317-775-2206 AUDIENCE

LIST RENTAL MeritDirect Marie Briganti 914-309-3378 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES/CUSTOMER CARE TOLL-FREE: 1-877-687-7321 FAX: 1-888-520-3608 contact@hbsdealer.com PRODUCTION/ART

VICE PRESIDENT, PRODUCTION Derek Estey destey@ensembleiq.com, 877-687-7321 DIRECTOR OF PRODUCTION Michael Kimpton mkimpton@ensembleiq.com, 647-557-5075 CREATIVE DIRECTOR Colette Magliaro cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com ART DIRECTOR Bill Antkowiak bantkowiak@ensembleiq.com PRODEALER INDUSTRY SUMMIT APRIL 13-16, WASHINGTON D.C. WWW.PRODEALER.COM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NLBMDA, WWW.DEALER.ORG CONTACT: AMY PLATTER GRANT agrant@ensembleiq.com, PDIS DIRECTOR OF SPONSORSHIPS PERMISSIONS: NO PART OF THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL, INCLUDING PHOTOCOPY, RECORDING, OR INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM, WITHOUT PERMISSION IN WRITING FROM THE PUBLISHER. FOR REPRINTS, PERMISSIONS AND LICENSING, PLEASE CONTACT WRIGHT’S MEDIA AT ENSEMBLEIQ@WRIGHTSMEDIA.COM OR (877) 652-5295.

CORPORATE OFFICERS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Jennifer Litterick CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Jane Volland CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER Tanner Van Dusen CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER Ann Jadown EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, EVENTS & CONFERENCES Ed Several SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CONTENT Joe Territo

connect with us

HBSDealer.com

PRODEALER INDUSTRY SUMMIT

MAY 19 - 21, 2021 VIRTUAL SUMMIT

PRESENTED BY

www.prodealer.com The ProDealer Industry Summit is presented by HBSDealer and the National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA)

NEWS + ANALYSIS

At 84 Lumber, a new look with an old partner 84 Lumber has opened its first-ever Andersen Window & Door Showroom in Rockville, Md. The showroom is an extension of the Mt. Airy 84 Lumber store, serving the greater Washington, D.C. metro area, and it showcases the latest example of 84 Lumber’s expansion efforts.

“This is the first showroom of its kind, and we’re excited to work with Andersen on this new concept,” said 84 Lumber Chief Operating Officer Frank Cicero.

“Andersen is a fantastic long-time partner of ours, and we truly believe in their products. We look forward to opening this location and hope it’s the first of many Andersen product showrooms for 84.”

Customers will have the opportunity to speak with a specialist on their specific project needs and see a variety of window and door displays including:

STAT OF THE MONTH

Cleanliness, by the numbers The international battle against germs continues to rage, even with the roll out of COVID-19 vaccinations. That battle has generated big demand for cleaning supplies — especially kitchen surface cleaners, according to Ibotta a cash-back platform that has frontrow seat on transaction data.

The company tracked spending during the second half of 2019 and 2020. Here’s the growth.

10

Contemporary-styled patio and big doors, including pivot, folding, MultiGlide, pocket and passthrough options, Modern-style windows with custom colors, dramatic sizes, dynamic shapes, exotic woods and more, Smart Home enabled products featuring Verilock security sensors and Yale Home locksets, Andersen’s full portfolio of replacement products for home remodeling and renovation.

“For customers who desire the tactile experience of seeing products in person, this new showroom offers customers the opportunity to discover products of unmatched quality and design and fully immerse themselves in an experience that helps bring their dream projects to life,” said Grant Davis, vice president and general

A concept image of 84 Lumber’s new Andersen Window & Door Showroom in Rockville, Md.

manager of Andersen’s Residential and Commercial Pro Division.

The two companies have maintained a relationship for more than 60 years.

“The opening of this one-of-a-kind shopping experience marks a key milestone for both Andersen and 84 Lumber,” Davis added.

Increase in Cleaning Supplies During Covid Bathroom Cleaners

6% 49%

All Purpose Cleaners

68%

Kitchen Surface Cleaners

12%

Dish Detergent and Soaps Laundry Supplies

5%

Cleaning Tools

Source: Ibotta research

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

19%

Cleaning supplies are up 14% overall nationally, and some products, like kitchen surface cleaners are up a whopping 68%.

CONFIDENCE

PROJECTS BUILT TO LAST

TRUSTED BY PROS SINCE 1936.

For over 80 years, Sakrete has been dedicated to delivering concrete solutions to construction challenges.

From new construction to renovation and repair, when there’s a job to be done, the pros turn to Sakrete solutions to get it done right.

SAKRETE.COM

VISIT SAKRETE.COM/DEALER TO LEARN HOW SAKRETE PRODUCTS CAN HELP BUILD YOUR BUSINESS. © COPYRIGHT 2021. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

NEWS + ANALYSIS

Modest expectations for remodeling growth in 2021 While remodeling spending is expected to rise in 2021, growth will not be as strong compared to the prior year.

Annual gains in spending for improvements and repairs to owneroccupied homes are expected to be modestly higher in 2021 compared to last year, according to the Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) released by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) of Harvard University.

The LIRA projects an uptick in yearover-year growth of home renovation and repair expenditure from 3.5% at the close of 2020 to 3.8% by year-end 2021.

“The remodeling market continues to benefit from a strong housing market—including accelerating growth in homebuilding, sales, and home equity,” says Chris Herbert, managing director of the JCHS. “In addition to routine replacement and repair projects, homeowners are likely to pursue more and larger discretionary home improvements this year as the broader economy recovers.”

But new data has prompted the JCHS to increase its estimated size of the overall remodeling market.

“With the release of new benchmark data from the American Housing Survey, we’ve raised our projection for market size in 2021 by about $4

Remodeling spending could increase by 3.8% in 2021, according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.

billion, or 1%, to $352 billion,” says Abbe Will, associate project director in the Remodeling Futures Program.

“Spending in 2018 and 2019 was slightly more robust than previously estimated, growing 12.8% over these two years compared to 11.5% as estimated.”

News map: Openings, closings & acquisitions Illustration of retailers and dealers in various stages of coming and going. For more retail news, visit HBSDealer.com.

OPENING

CLOSING

ACQUISITION

wisconsin

Madison

Isthmus True Value Members of a groove rock group Full Vinyl Treatment with hardware retailing experience opened a 3,000-sq.-ft. hardware store in a former bank building in the Wisconsin capital city. The owners intend to keep the drive-thru banking window operating as a drive-thru hardware pickup feature.

wyoming

Afton

Bomgaars Sioux City, S.D.-based farm-andranch retailer Bomgaars Supply opened in the site of a former Shopko building. The 36,000 sq. ft. store celebrated its grand opening in December, bringing the chain’s store count to 95.

12

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

new york

Niskauyuna

Hatchet Hardware Hatchet Hardware opened its fifth hardware store in upstate New York, ocated roughly 20 miles north of Albany. “We’re excited to get to know the community and start working with creators from around Niskayuna to bring in new local goods,” said Taylor Clement, buyer and merchandiser. A member of the Ace Hardware co-op, Hatchet Hardware opened its first location in 2014.

delaware

New Castle

US LBM US LBM has opened a new Universal Supply Co. roofing and siding location in New Castle, Del. The location is US LBM’s eleventh new roofing and siding focused greenfield to open since 2018 and the company’s first location in Delaware.

HBSDealer.com

NEWS + ANALYSIS Product Knowledge Product: Social Distancing Tape Manufacturer: Intertape Polymer Group Knowledge: Indoor marking tape (blue and orange) is designed to adhere to hard indoor surfaces and maintain clean removability. Outdoor marking tape (red and yellow) is durable enough to withstand foot traffic and resist the elements. Products are made in USA, with U.S. and globally sourced materials.

Quote: “Social distancing is proving to become a lasting effect from the global pandemic and will continue to be practiced even while restrictions are being lifted,” said Nick Park, IPG’s VP of consumer sales.

14

Marvin Ellison shares his playbook, and his background Lowe’s infrastructure has come a long way in two years, says CEO Marvin Ellison. But the corporate accomplishment that sparks the most pride in the Lowe’s CEO, he said, is the way the Mooresville, N.C.-based company has supported communities and employees during a difficult 2020.

Speaking during a virtual presentation at the National Retail Federation’s virtual Big Show in January, Ellison hit on at least a half-dozen keys to retail success in less than a half hour. And it all began by comparing retail operations with home construction.

“It starts with a really stable and solid foundation,” he said. “If you don’t have a robust labor management system, if you don’t have a strong stable IT infrastructure, if you don’t have an eCommerce platform that gives you agility, if you don’t have products that speak to customers from a value and quality perspective, it’s really difficult to be effective in retail — whether its 2021 or 1921.”

The CEO said that when he came to Lowe’s (from J.C. Penny, and before that from Home Depot), he knew that he was arriving at a company with a strong balance sheet and a great brand.

But he was surprised by some of the things Lowe’s couldn’t do.

“Two years ago we couldn’t even offer a customer an eReceipt,” he said. “Two years ago, it was virtually impossible for us to have an associates’ schedule in a store that basically fit customers’ shopping and demand patterns, much less the associate’s lifestyle. We had schedules literally being templated at the corporate office for every store in the company, and just pushed them down to the field.

“And as recently as last year, our eCommerce platform was on a decade-

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay (left) discusses Lowe’s retail strategy with company President and CEO Marvin Ellison.

old infrastructure. So think about your computer today vs. your computer 10 years ago, and that’s the equivalent of what a multi-billion dollar eCommerce platform was sitting on.”

In an interview with NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay, Ellison celebrated his family background that helped shape his management style. Ellison grew up in a working class, family in rural West Tennessee. And that environment, he says, has given him a perspective on the needs of the frontline employees.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is that in probably the most challenging year both professionally and personally that many of us have lived through, in 2020 as a company we wanted to make a difference,” Ellison said. “I’m proud to say that we’ve dedicated and committed over $1.1 billion in assistance to our associates, to our communities to first responders, to small businesses with grants, and a litany of other constituencies, because we believe it’s just the right thing to do.

“Big companies have the ability to step in and help out where they can,” Ellison continued. “We definitely can’t solve all the problems. But I’m proud we took enormous steps to make sure we played a role in making this very difficult year a much better one for people who need it the most.”

HBSDealer.com

Greener fences Greener pastures

WolmanizedÂŽ Outdoor Wood has a lower carbon footprint than metal, composites or cement.

Find out more at WolmanizedWood.com

WolmanizedWood.com

INDEPENDENT PROFILE

Lumbery: Maine’s new micro lumberyard A new yard focuses on locally harvested lumber.

By Andy Carlo

A

s industry heavyweights continued to conduct big acquisitions in the last year, a new lumber dealer stepped into the ring as well.

Lumbery, located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine just a few miles south of Portland, opened its doors in late 2020 and prides itself on carrying lumber products that are locally sourced.

Co-founder and CEO Michael Friedland describes the business as a “micro lumberyard” with a micro-brew formula that is designed to get people to think differently about lumber. The company is situated on just one-half of an acre with a 2,000-square-foot store.

About 85% of the lumber carried by Lumbery is directly from Maine with more regional products on the way, including plywood.

The ​moral concept​behind Lumbery is based on the chain-ofcustody model championed by Yvonne Chouniard, the founder of

“Our goal is to get people to think differently about lumber.”

—Michael Friedland, Co-founder and CEO,

The ownership and management team at Lumbery includes (from left to right) Ryan Holland, Alex Bettigole, Jennifer Stora, and Michael Friedland.

16

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

Patagonia. It asks a few basic questions such as where did an item come from and what are the social, environmental, and economic impacts associated with the item?

In the case of Patagonia, it can relate to a shirt, according to Lumbery. Where was the cotton grown? Who picked it? Where was it processed? How are the workers treated and who benefits from the mill or factory?

And how was it transported and from where?

Friedland began to ask these questions while operating his prior company, Willard Square Home Repair. That business grew into the largest handyman service in the greater Portland market, with gross sales of more than $1 million.

But Friedland began to question where the origin of the materials he was using.

He said he felt that he was depriving local communities and Maine mills of revenue while adding unnecessary carbon emissions to the environment due to the transportation involved in out-of-state products.

“Our goal is to get people to think differently about lumber,” Friedland told HBSDealer.

The other side of the coin is convenience within the local market.

Friedland previously found himself having to leave job sites for longer than he wanted when the need for additional materials arose. Lumbery fills the practical needs of contractors and homeowners who don’t want to take a 30-minute-plus drive to obtain materials.

“It’s amazing — everyone that walks in says you just saved me a trip to Home Depot,” Friedland notes.

Although lumber is a point of focus, Lumbery also carries a wide array of tools, hardware, and building products, ranging from paint to housewrap.

“We sell all types of products that are used in home repair,” Friedland says. “We are sort of a hybrid model.”

Lumbery also features a “Tool Library.”

Once a customer joins the library through an annual membership fee, they can check out any of the tools they need for a project without having to buy or rent the product.

Borrowers can check out two items at a time for 48 hours, depending on the demand or the tool.

According to Friedland, the tool library provides contractors and DIYers alike with access to “essential” tools for most jobs.

“We have literally any tool, including extension cords,” Friedland says.

HBSDealer.com

DECKING IS IN DEMAND 2021 is already shaping up to be another strong year for deck sales.

By Andy Carlo

n January, Trex opened a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility next to its Winchester, Va. headquarters.

The 200,000-squarefoot plant represents the culmination of a $200 million investment in ramping-up production. Announced in 2019, the plan also included improvements and expansion to manufacturing facilities in Nevada.

Essentially, Trex has placed a big, heavy bet on decking sales; and they’re not alone.

As pressure treated lumber prices rose in 2020, and lumber supplies became an issue, more homeowners and deck builders began making

18

the switch to wood-alterative or composite decking.

“We saw, even before the COVID-19 pandemic, more sales convert from wood decking to Trex decking,” Adam Zambanini, president of Trex Residential Products, told HBSDealer.

“We are expecting to see nice growth in 2021. We see more and more companies expanding capacity and I think it will lead to tremendous opportunity in the category.”

There are roughly 40 million-plus wood decks in North America that are over 20 years old. Compounding that statistic are hot existing-home sales, which are a ticket to deck sales.

Existing-home sales finished 2020 at a seasonally-adjusted rate of 6.76 million in December, rising 22.2% on a

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

year-over-year basis compared to 5.53 million in December 2019. This marked the highest level for existing-home sales since 2006.

“The incredible demand for decking in 2020 has extended into 2021 with little signs of slowing down,” says Jase DeBoer, senior marketing manager for Deckorators. “While many homeowners completed projects in 2020, many building professionals are already booked well into the summer of 2021 with decking and outdoor living jobs.”

DeBoer notes that with the increase in home offices, children and teens learning from home, and restrictions for restaurants and travel, homeowners will continue to invest in their outdoor living spaces to create added living areas and

HBSDealer.com

a getaway in their own backyard.

Additionally, DeBoer doesn’t see supply chain issues for decking in 2021. “Manufacturers have a better opportunity to plan for demand compared to the unpredictable demand of 2020,” he says. “While supply chain is likely to be more steady in 2021, the demand out of the gates in 2021 is strong, and dealers would do well to be proactive on orders and inventory.”

At Envision Decking, there’s a similar forecast for sales in the next year.

“Everything we are seeing points to high demand continuing through 2021,” says Chase Mortiz, marketing manager at Envision. “There’s still a backlog of projects that builders are working through, and homeowners are still planning more projects around their homes for this year, so demand is still very high.”

Mortiz adds that even as the nation gets back to a “new normal” more people will continue working from home than ever before. And they will continue spending more time at home throughout the year instead of going on vacations like they normally might.

MoistureShield says that it expects to see significant category growth in 2021 based on the expected increases in the sales of outdoor living products.

“We’re poised to meet high-demand and offer meaningful features and benefits with on-trend looks to meet the needs of homeowners and contractors,” says Molly Werner, senior brand manager at MoistureShield.

What’s in demand Today’s deck buyers are looking for a variety of characteristics in new decks, including value, while expanding their outdoor living experience and bringing elements of the home’s interior to the exterior.

“Homeowners looking to trade up to an entry-level composite are still seeking a high-performance, highvalue product,” DeBoer says. “They are looking for beautiful decking without forfeiting durability and supporting warranties. For homeowners seeking premium decking, important features include interior design trends and

HBSDealer.com

elements like enhanced traction.”

Potential deck buyers are also seeking innovation in both entry-level and premium decking.

“People are getting more extravagant in the decks they are building and combining them with pools, hot tubs and lighting,” Zambanini says. “We really see consumers expanding outside their homes and the cheapest spot to invest in your home is really outside; it feels like your living room is moving outside.”

Looking ahead, DeBoer says the sales breakdown among quality tiers of decking will see a squeeze on the mid-tier options with heavy sales for entry-level and premium options.

“Many homeowners are seeking simple deck replacements or repairs, and the option to trade up to a lowmaintenance composite from wood,” DeBoer explains.

Trex has seen deck buyers quickly make the transition from an entrylevel price point to a premium product once they realize that stepping up in product lines isn’t as great of a cost as they first thought.

“WE REALLY SEE CONSUMERS EXPANDING OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES AND THE CHEAPEST SPOT TO INVEST IN YOUR HOME IS REALLY OUTSIDE; IT FEELS LIKE YOUR LIVING ROOM IS MOVING OUTSIDE.”

#1 Rated Brand of Railing Systems

Simply Beautiful!

See what Homeowners and Contractors across North America are talking about!

@regalideas

@regalideasinc

@regalideas

Award-winning CrystalRail system shown below

—Adam Zambanini, Trex Residential Products

Werner says that markets will vary, but MoistureShield’s entry-level series tends to level the playing field with pressuretreated wood, creating opportunities for contractors and homeowners to step up to the low-maintenance benefits of composite decking.

“The number of years homeowners are remaining in their home has steadily increased in recent years leading to an increase in renovation and remodeling,” DeBoer says. “As remote working, virtual learning and restaurant restrictions continue into 2021, homeowners will continue to invest in outdoor living.”

FIND YOUR LOCAL Pro! See how DeckStars can grow your business and market share today! deckstars.com more ideas at regalideas.com

Expanding its popular Ridge Premium collection to meet market demand, Envision Building Products announces the addition of its new 20-foot length square edge board and 16- and 20-foot grooved edge boards for decking. With the addition of both the longer 20-foot length and the grooved edge option, Envision’s Ridge Premium is now an ideal choice for any sized project and any skill level — DIY or Pro. Crafted using Envision’s proprietary Compress Technology, Ridge Premium’s high-density cap and EverGrain Core are physically bonded together with tremendous heat and pressure to squeeze out air pockets and create the deep grain Envision decking is known for. Ridge Premium is available in three softly blended colors — Black Walnut, Gunstock, and Vintage Oak — with 12-, 16-, and 20-foot square edge and 16- and 20-foot grooved edge boards. Companion skirting is available in all three colors. Envisiondecking.com

Deckorators has introduced Trailhead low-maintenance composite decking for the 2021 deck building season.

The new wood-plastic composite decking family is an entry-level composite offering incredible value including an industry-leading 25-year structural, 25-year stain-andfade and 25-year removal-andreplacement limited warranty.

With an expected average retail price in the low $2-per-linealfoot range, Deckorators Trailhead composite decking offers not only affordability, ease of maintenance and peace of mind, but also a rugged, trend-setting appearance. Trailhead comes in Ridgeline (gray), Pathway (brown) and Canyon (red-brown) — three lightly streaked colors with natural, flat-grain embossing.

While many competitive warranties for entry-level composite decking include only structural and stain-and-fade coverage, Deckorators also backs Trailhead with its signature 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty. Unique to Deckorators, the 25-year removal-and-replacement warranty covers the labor costs to remove and replace the product if it fails due to a manufacturing issue. The 7/8-inch-by-5½inch Trailhead boards are available in 12-,16- and 20-foot solid and grooved-edge profiles and feature a shallow scalloped profile with four lobes. In addition to the warranty, competitive advantages include a highly compressed core, a durable, scratch-resistant polyethylene cap on three sides through the grooved edge, a 16-inch-on-center joist span. Deckorators.com

20

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

MoistureShield has launched Meridian capped wood-plastic composite decking for a natural wood look with minimal upkeep. Meridian combines the moisture protection of MoistureShield’s Solid Core manufacturing process with its new TruTexture Surface that evokes the authentic look and feel of real wood.

MoistureShield’s Meridian deck boards are now available in the Northeast and will roll out to additional regions in 2021. TruTexture Surface produces a true wood-grain finish and reduced pattern repetition for a more natural look, with the added scratch resistance of a capped composite. With a beautiful, durable aesthetic, Meridian is available in three premium colors: Citadel, a cool Atlantic gray with a subtle patina; Shoreside, a subtly variegated golden sandy blonde and Mariner, a timeless dark brown with rich undertones. Citadel and Shoreside offer proprietary CoolDeck technology, which reduces heat absorption by up to 35% compared to traditional capped composite boards in a similar color, for a more comfortable deck. As with all MoistureShield deck products, Meridian features the proprietary Solid Core manufacturing process for protection against moisture absorption, warping, rotting, and damage from insects. It is well-suited for installation in the ground, on the ground or even underwater. Meridian is offered in square edge and grooved 1x5.4 deck boards and in 12’, 16’, and 20’ lengths.

Moistureshield.com

HBSDealer.com

www.railfx.net

If you’re not a RailFX dealer, you may be working too hard.

RailFX manufactures railing systems homeowners want most. Our systems are made-to-order by project and delivered complete with rails, posts and infill. Contractors love RailFX systems for their easy, intuitive installation. And dealers appreciate having nothing to stock. Plus, RailFX provides all take-offs and estimates to make your dealers lives even easier.

Learn more about becoming a RailFX dealer. Contact sales@railfx.net

The Nuvo Iron Louver Kit is designed to upgrade a variety of outdoor spaces. Every small detail is designed so you can take back control of your environment. From privacy walls to hot tub enclosures, pergola roofs and more, it’s perfect for maintaining privacy without obstructing your view or noise reduction and, by easily adjusting the slats, the ability to manipulate rain, sun and airflow. Each kit holds up to 11 boards, completes a 4’ x 4’ section and includes stainless steel screws. From wood, vinyl, composite and more, choose whichever material best complements your project. Made of durable polyoxymethylene, the same material frequently used in the automotive field for parts requiring reliable stiffness, it withstands warping, peeling and chipping — whether in warm and sunny climates or extremely cold conditions. NuvoIron.com

Light up your deck and pathways with Regal ideas new LED Accent Lighting. This energy-efficient LED light is available in 3 light colors; white, blue, and gold. No splicing or hard wiring is required; just simply “plugand-play” using Regal ideas LED Transformer that plugs into a regular outdoor outlet. These lights can be used alone or incorporated into any existing Regal ideas LED or Crystal Rail system. Make your outdoors come alive with Regal ideas LED lighting.

Regalideas.com.

TurboClip is a universal hidden deck clip that works with all major brand composite decking boards including Trex, TimberTech, and Fiberon. As the first universal hidden deck clip on the market that comes as a stick of clips, a Turbo Clip stick includes sixteen universal hidden deck clips plus one grip clip at the end of each stick — ensuring there are no wasted deck clips. Each deck clip on the TurboClip stick comes preloaded with a stainless-steel screw. It’s the fastest and easiest deck clip on the market, according to the company.

Insert the Turbo Clip into the side groove of your decking board, drive the preloaded screw through the Turbo Clip and into your deck support, then snap off the remaining TurboClip stick. Turbo Clip says users can cut deck board installation time by up to 60%, saving hours and money. TurboClipUSA.com

Fortress Building Products offers a virtual outdoor visualizer: FortressView.

The interactive 3D platform guides users through the deck design process from start to finish, making it easy to bring dream outdoor living spaces from concept to reality. Users can preview framing, decking, lighting, stairs and railing materials in a 3D setting and customize dimensions, products and colors. An auto-generated bill of materials, costestimator and the ability to save multiple layout concepts bring function and efficiency to the deck design and planning process.

Contractors and homeowners alike can utilize the virtual tool to streamline communication and collaboration between clients and builders. To ensure all parties are aligned on the deck design concept prior to installation, a 3D detailed image replaces time-consuming explanations or flat drawings; and saves valuable time when changes arise. Users can also communicate and visualize deck plan modifications by simply editing the 3D design.

The exterior home design tool’s intuitive user interface goes a step beyond providing required building materials and offers a holistic view of the complete deck system. Fortressbp.com

22

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

HBSDealer.com

YellaWood® brand pressure treated pine is sought after by all the best builders, especially those with leather tails, buck teeth and nature’s highest building standards. Our proven reputation for having high quality products drives demand for the Yella Tag. The five-star service and unrivaled support of the YellaWood® brand puts dealers in position to meet their customer’s specific needs. See how the YellaWood® brand delivers at YellaWood.com.

IF IT DOESN’T HAVE THIS YELLA TAG, YOU DON’T WANT IT.

YellaWood® brand pressure treated products are treated with preservatives (the “Preservatives”) and preservative methods, and technologies of unrelated third parties. For details regarding the Preservatives, methods, and technologies used by Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated, see www.yellawood.com/preservative or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. Ask dealer for warranty details. For warranty or for important handling and other information concerning our products including the appropriate Safety Data Sheet (SDS), please visit us at www.yellawood.com/warranties or write us at P.O. Box 610, Abbeville, AL 36310. YellaWood® and the yellow tag are federally registered trademarks of Great Southern Wood Preserving, Incorporated. All other marks are trademarks of their respective owners and are used with their permission.

RailFX has simple tool kits available to make your installation easy. This new RailFX Installation Kit contains everything necessary to easily install cable railing kits for its aluminum cable railing system. The kit is available for use with the RailFx Professional and Basic cable kits. RailFX also offers a Combo Wrench that is designed to simplify the tensioning process for its FlexFX face-mounted tensioners. Its shortened profile allows the wrench to make complete revolutions between cable fittings that have been spaced 3-3/16” on center, the recommended spacing for RailFX systems. It’s as simple as sliding the wrench onto the flats on the tensioning fitting to keep it from turning while tensioning the cable. The wrench can be used with our 300 and 500 series cable railing kits and FlexFX tensioners for both 1/8” and 3/16” cable. RailFx.com

Royal Building Products has launched a new Zuri Premium Decking color — Hickory — and the addition of two new Zuri Premium Decking accessories: fascia boards and prefabricated corners. Zuri Premium Decking combines the natural beauty and warmth of exotic hardwood with the unsurpassed durability and exceptionally low-maintenance requirements of PVC. Unlike competitor composite decking that does not look like wood, Zuri’s PVC substrate is capped with a photo-realistic wood-grain print and a clear acrylic that resists stains, scratches, fading, and moisture. All Zuri products are backed by a 25-year Color Fastness Warranty against color shifting. Hickory is a true midtone brown. The new shade will be the sixth color offering in the decking line, which already includes Chestnut, Walnut, Pecan, Brazilia and Weathered Gray.

Decorative Zuri fascia boards are now available in 8” and 12” profiles. Zuri has also launched new prefabricated corners, which allow for easier installation and greater ability to customize a deck design. Corners are packaged and sold with two corners per box. Royalbuildingproducts.com

Simpson Strong-Tie has upgraded its online Deck Planner Software and Pergola Planner Software, including the addition of a dealer locator to help builders effectively manage project logistics and costs. The Dealer Locator function in the Deck Planner and Pergola Planner tools generates a Dealer Location page listing the nearest dealers within a five-mile radius of the user’s zip code, and is included as part of the normal report output, which already includes a list of all materials needed to build the deck and pergola projects. Featuring 3D software, design guides, and an in-app user tutorial, Deck Planner and Pergola Planner are free, web-based design solutions to help contractors, lumberyards, and homeowners quickly and easily design dream backyards. The programs provide a suite of intuitive tools and resources for designing and building stronger, more beautiful pergolas, decks, and outdoor spaces. Strongtie.com/outdoor-living

26

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

HBSDealer.com

RDI by Barrette Outdoor Living is expanding its Avalon Aluminum Railing product line with the addition of horizontal cable rail for 2021. The Avalon cable rail system is a total solution including a comprehensive range of posts, beams, cables and fittings in multiple sizes and lengths. The new Avalon cable rail provides a high-end modern look for railing. It is an attractive cable railing system available in white, matte black and matte bronze finishes in both 36” and 42” rail heights. Beam kits for cable come in 6’ and 8’ lengths for both level and stair applications. Avalon’s cables are 316 grade stainless steel and are offered in lengths of 10’, 20’, 30’ and 50’. In addition, all three of the stylish Avalon top rail options — Pellinore, Tristan and Oberon — can be utilized with the cable rail infill. Avalon cable rail is also an easy-to-install cable railing system.

The end, mid, and corner posts are pre-drilled and the end posts have routed holes to anchor the fittings at the end run of cable. The 316 grade stainless steel cable fittings are factory swaged for a secure fit and pre-attached to one end of the provided cable to make installation easier. The new cable rail program is code approved for both residential and commercial applications, and is supported with a limited lifetime warranty. Like all Avalon Aluminum Railing, the horizontal cable rail system has exceptional strength, is made of rust resistant, sleek, powder-coated aluminum and is AAMA certified. With over 10,000 hours of salt spray testing, all Avalon aluminum products perform at more than 3 times the industry standard of 3,000 hours. This durable material can stand up to the harshest of weather, and requires very little maintenance. Additionally, the cable rail end and corner posts are heavy duty to support the load of tensioned cable, providing even more durability to an installation. Barretteoutdoorliving.com

HBSDealer.com

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

27

Experience budgetfriendly, durable Good Life decking from Fiberon in a new on-trend color.

Part of the Escapes Collection, Good Life Cabana is the multichromatic greige hue homeowners have been asking for.

Cabana pairs well with a wide variety of Fiberon products and stays cooler in direct sunlight compared to darker colors, making it even easier for you to create the perfect outdoor living space. The Good Life Escapes Collection includes a palette of multi-tonal colors that resemble exotic hardwoods. Good Life composite decking features an authentic wood look with distinct grain patterns, protected by a three-sided cap layer that resists staining and fading. Fiberon.com

New for the 2021 outdoor living season, Fairway has expanded its CP310 and CP315 Composite Railing Series to include the trendsetting Horizontal Baluster Infill with a choice of a textured black or anodized finish. A sleek and modern design inspired by leading Architectural designers, Fairways Composite Railing with Horizontal Balusters is rust and scratch resistant and provides unobstructed views with the strength of aluminum — making it an inviting and timeless choice for the home.

The CP310 and CP315 Composite Railing with Horizontal Balusters are available in Level and Stair Railing Kits for railing heights of 36” Residential and 42” commercial with railing length of 6’ and 8’. A low-maintenance design with natural charm, CP310 Composite Railing is engineered with proprietary crosspolymer material for superior core properties that won’t twist, rot or splinter. Featuring a classic silhouette with clean lines and hidden hardware, CP315 composite railing features a unique sub-rail that accommodates a deck board cap rail, providing a personal approach to transforming all outdoor spaces. Fairwayrailing.com

28

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

Designed for increased installation speed and accuracy, the Trex Hideaway One-Step Installation Tool can cut decking installation time in half. Perfect for both professional builders and DIYers, the tool properly activates fasteners and streamlines the tightening process. The Trex Hideaway One-Step Installation Tool holds the fastener at a 40-degree angle to keep the leading fastener lip down — allowing users to install the fastener in one easy step.

Lightweight and durable with a rotatable handle, the tool comes with a star-drive bit, conveniently located on the underside. A must-have for any deck building toolbox, the Trex Hideaway One-Step Installation Tool helps contractors increase their efficiency and speed on the job.

The tool can only be used with Trex Hideaway Universal Fastener system and will be available in April at participating Trex dealers. Trex.com

HBSDealer.com

Solving Big Problems, Inspiring Bold Ideas EnsembleIQ is a premier business intelligence resource that believes in Solving Big Problems and Inspiring Bold Ideas. Our brands work in harmony to inform, connect, and provide predictive analysis for retailers, consumer goods manufacturers, technology vendors, marketing agencies and service providers.

EnsembleIQ’s integrated suite of solutionsbased, total-market resources give you all the tools you need to achieve a strategic market advantage, giving you the insights, positioning, focus, and access, along with a team of dedicated strategic consultants to help you bring it all to life.

Magazines

Events

Digital Media Solutions

Research

Custom Content

OUTDOOR LIVING NEWS

Twist on showrooming: The home-owner’s backyard A California start-up and maker of outdoor furniture says it plans to expand its footprint to more than 1,000 Neighborhood Showroom locations in 2021.

What’s a Neighborhood Showroom?

Essentially, it’s someone’s backyard.

Santa Monica-based Outer is a direct-to-consumer outdoor furniture brand founded in 2019 and best known for its Outer Shell furniture cover. In January, the company announced a $10.5 million financing deal that it says will lead to expanded product lines and Neighborhood Showroom growth.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the model is the Neighborhood Showroom concept, which allows prospective customers to explore the products in the backyards of existing Outer customers, called “Hosts.”

Outer recruits Hosts by offering 10% discounts on products for those

who apply for showroom status. After that, Outer describes benefits such as “payments for virtual tours, payments for in-person customer showings, early access to new products and more.”

Currently, there are more than 100 Neighborhood Showrooms listed on the company’s website.

Because of the pandemic, all showroom visits are virtual. But Hosts continue to conduct showings through video or over the phone.

The company’s latest financing was led by Sequoia Capital China. In addition to expanding its Neighborhood Showrooms, Outer intends to expand its product line beyond outdoor sofas and rugs and strengthen its commitment to sustainability.

Outer says it is a committed partner of 1% for the Planet with the goal of advancing environmentally focused non-profits worldwide. In late 2020, Outer

Lawn and landscaping sets the pace for service spending Lawn and landscaping services are among the most affordable services around the house. And the grass is always growing.

Therefore, it’s no surprise that a survey of home owners found that the category of lawn & landscaping services is, once again, the most popular home care and maintenance service purchased.

Just under 19% of homeowners reported that they hired a lawn and landscaping professional in 2019. Also, homeowners spend, on average, $590 annually, that spend is spread out over an average of 8.9

30

purchases, making each purchase just over $66.

That data comes from The 2020 HIRI Product Purchase Track Survey (PPTS). The survey looks at trends in home improvement product and service purchases based on data provided biennially from homeowners across the United States.

The latest report covers 14 product categories, 238 individual products, 18 types of projects and 23 services, all purchased over the course of 2019 and analyzed in 2020.

Of the homeowners surveyed, 58% report making a home improvement

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

Outer was founded in 2019, and looks to expand with new a round of financing.

introduced its second product line, the eco-frindly 1188 Rug Collection — made from 100% recycled plastic water bottles.

The company predicts sales to exceed $12 million this year. But the founders say it is growing fast, and riding the wave of virus-induced spending on the home and “surprising growth” for the outdoorliving category. The company says its products speak to consumers who have found sanctuaries within their backyards, decks and porches.

“Growing more than 10x in year two of our launch and rapidly increasing word-of-mouth is a testament to our debut product, the Outer Sofa,” said Jiake Liu, Co-Founder and CEO.

service purchase in 2019. The top five categories were: 1) Lawn & landscaping services 2) Pest & insect control 3) HVAC repair & maintenance 4) Plumbing repair 5) Handyman services

Quality and convenience were big factors when making lawn & landscaping purchase decisions.

Homeowners hired service providers because they either couldn’t do the work themselves (30%), felt they would get better results (29%) or to avoid the work entirely (22%).

As to how the service was found, recommendations made up the majority of the referrals at 53%, as homeowners relied on suggestions from friends, neighbors and family to help them make their decisions.

HBSDealer.com

Think Engineered Wood

THINK INSIDE THE FENCE

All LP Elements® Performance Fencing is made with engineered wood to stand stronger and last longer than typical softwood alternatives. Tested to perform in even the harshest of conditions, this durable solution won’t twist, crack or warp—making your hard work well worth it. So stop worrying about the weather outside and start thinking inside the fence with LP Elements fencing.

DURABLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Unique zinc borate treatments

Visit LPCorp.com/Fence to take a look inside.

WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal protection. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood. © 2021 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved.

All trademarks are owned by the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.

Industrialgrade adhesive resins

Waterresistant waxes

Treated wood strands

SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

Tractor Supply hits green target, with years to spare Tractor Supply Company has highlighted recent progress on its commitment to advancing its environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives.

The Brentwood, Tenn.-based farm and ranch retailer reported that it has reduced carbon emissions from its facilities by 29% (compared to 2015 baseline). This surpasses the company’s original target of 25% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions on a per square foot intensity basis by 2025, established in December 2018, five years ahead of plan.

“At Tractor Supply, we are extremely pleased to announce we have exceeded our carbon emission reduction goal five years ahead of schedule,” said Ben Parrish, EVP, general counsel and corporate secretary of Tractor Supply. Parrish also leads the company’s ESG

strategy and Stewardship Program.

“Further, our TCFD report is a continuation of years of work to enhance the company’s environmental sustainability efforts and transparency around our environmental impacts,” Parrish said. “Driven by our commitment to the company’s mission and values, we continue to execute on our purpose-driven ESG efforts by evaluating and implementing policies, programs and projects that benefit all of our key stakeholders.”

Tractor Supply said that it is also committed to increasing its level of renewable energy purchased for electric

IKEA recharges its battery mix IKEA’s global headquarters in Almhult, Sweden reported that all non-rechargeable alkaline batteries will be removed from stores by October 2021.

The furnishings retailer said that its goal is to inspire consumers who frequently use batteries to make the switch to rechargeable ones, enabling them to both save money and reduce waste at home.

According to IKEA, several current comparative life cycle assessment studies show that the environmental impact of alkaline batteries is higher compared to rechargeable nickel

32

IKEA’s rechargeable LADDA.

metal hydride batteries (NiMH) when used in common household devices that have a high energy consumption and are therefore charged on a regular basis — such as toys, flashlights, portable speakers or cameras.

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

consumption. The company has set a goal to substitute existing electric consumption with verifiable, renewable electric power, setting the base year at 2019 with the goal to achieve this by 2022. The target goal is to achieve a baseline of renewable energy in contracted volumes of 80 million kWh. The retailer is also partnering with various utility companies in the United States to purchase solar energy for select store locations and to participate in community solar programs. Selected stores served by Pacific Gas & Electric are now receiving 100% solar energy, with an annual load of over 1.8 million kWh. This equates to a reduction of 1,302 metric tons of CO2 or the amount of carbon sequestered by 1,700 acres of US forest.

Tractor Supply operates more than 1,900 stores in 49 states along with 183 Petsense stores in 25 states.

After 10 charges of a rechargeable NiHM battery, such as the LADDA range sold in IKEA stores, greenhouse gas emissions are lower compared to using alkaline batteries to obtain the same amount of energy. After about 50 charges, the overall environmental impact of NiMH batteries is equal to or even less than the impact of alkaline batteries, the company said.

“Consumers who need to frequently use batteries can benefit by replacing alkaline with rechargeable batteries,” said Emelie Knoester, business area manager at IKEA Range and Supply.

“There are substantial savings to be made over time — on the environment as well as their wallets.”

Between September 2018 and August 2019, IKEA globally sold about 300 million alkaline batteries.

HBSDealer.com

Green, clean and sustainable Sustainability in the home takes many forms, including comfort, safety and simplicity as represented by the following products.

great for plumbing, drain cleaning, maintenance, and rental applications. The company says the lightweight and economical, futuristic Kinetic Water Ram generates a shock wave that instantly pulverizes stoppages in 1-1/4” to 4” lines — yet won’t harm pipes. Drainbrain.com

Airthings Digital Radon Detector

The Kinetic Water Ram From General Pipe Cleaners, the Kinetic Water Ram offers an alternative to chemicals. Just pump it up, insert into a drain — and snap the trigger. It requires no electrical power or CO2 gas. And it’s

ENGINEERED COMPOSITE FOOTINGS

The battery-operated Airthings Digital Radon Detector provides continuous short and longterm radon monitoring in any indoor space, all in the palm of users’ hands. The Airthings Digital Radon Detector cuts out the need for mail-in lab fees, hired contractors, and delayed, inaccurate data. Radon is a radioactive gas that poses a significant health and safety concern to homeowners, especially those located in high-risk geographic regions such as Colorado, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Illinois, Airthings said. Airthings.com

RESCUE! Ant Baits use a no-mess gel with separate protein and sugar compartments to lure ants to take the bait, no matter the season or type of ant. The RESCUE!® bait is housed in a child-resistant station that brings in ants, yet keeps the bait contained, off the floor, and away from kids and pets.

Place it anywhere around the home without worry of spilling, leaking, or child tampering. Rescue.com

BY

The Future of Footings

NO CONCRETE REQUIRED! EASY TO HANDLE

for Decks and Post Frame Buildings • Proven performance: over 400,000 in use • Meets or exceeds the load capacity of concrete • Accepted by building inspectors • Use with ground-contact-certified wood posts, and precast or poured columns Great add-on sale with higher margins than concrete.

Floor displays available.

Learn more or request a sample at footingpad.com

HBSDealer.com

ICC Building Code Compliant ESR-2147

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

33

NLBMDA UPDATE

Highlights from the 2021 Policy Agenda The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association (NLBMDA) has released its 2021 National Policy Agenda.

The comprehensive advocacy agenda for the year outlines important policy positions for the lumber and building material industry that will boost the housing and construction industry and support continued job creation across the U.S. economy, the NLBMDA said.

The document includes a letter to policy makers from NLBMDA Chair Robert Sanford, the president of Connecticut-based Sanford and Hawley. “NLBMDA applauds congressional action in recent years that has updated fiscal policies and improved the regulatory climate for businesses,” he wrote. “NLBMDA looks forward to continuing its work with Congress and the White House in 2021 to address regulatory red tape and pass common-sense policies that properly sustain the building supply industry and the Nation’s economy for the long-term.”

The 2021 NLBMDA National Policy Agenda is divided into nine different policy areas.

The 18-page agenda document (available at dealer.org) contains numerous principles and policies for each issue. Here are a few highlights:

1

Housing & Construction NLBMDA will continue to work with policymakers to support responsible lending practices that promote and preserve the value of home ownership.

2

Tax & Economic Policy NLBMDA supports the mortgage interest deduction and opposes efforts that would eliminate or substantially modify it.

3

Legal Reform & Consumer Protection Surveys of NLBMDA members have found that more than one in four has been the subject of a lawsuit over a product they sold but did not manufacture, alter, or install. Under current law, sellers

34

“NLBMDA looks forward to continuing its work with Congress and the White House in 2021 to address regulatory red tape and pass common-sense policies that properly sustain the building supply industry and the Nation’s economy for the long-term.”

—Robert Sanford, NLBMDA Chairman

can be equally and wholly liable for damages regardless of any wrongdoing. According to the Small

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

The NLBMDA and HBSDealer will co-host the 2021 ProDealer Industry Summit May 19-21.

Business Administration, it can cost as much as $100,000 to defend against a predatory lawsuit, which often forces dealers to settle the suit regardless of the merits of the case

4

Workforce Policy NLBMDA opposes any increase to the overtime pay eligibility threshold that does not factor into consideration regional variations in wages and cost of living, would decrease workplace flexibility, or make it more difficult to develop future managerial talent.

5

Environment, Health & Safety Safety of our employees is of utmost importance, therefore NLBMDA will support workplace safety regulations that effectively

HBSDealer.com

enhance health and safety and that are cost-effective and technologically attainable without imposing excessive costs or recordkeeping requirements on the lumber and building material dealers

6

Product Supply & Trade NLBMDA supports reaching an agreement on the longstanding U.S.-Canadian softwood lumber dispute that brings stability and predictability to the pricing and availability of softwood lumber without the imposition of duties. Additionally, we strongly urge the United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Commerce to consult with all stakeholders,

HBSDealer.com

including retailers and consumers of lumber products, in future discussions regarding any terms of trade in softwood lumber between the U.S. and Canada.

7

Energy Building material dealers rely on access to affordable fuels to transport products and make deliveries to customers and jobsites. Volatility in the price of fuel is an additional burden the industry can ill afford. Any new emissions regulations should take into consideration all associated costs and should not kill jobs, impact housing affordability, or create additional costs that will ultimately be passed on to consumers.

8

Transportation NLBMDA believes that the federal maximum weight limit for tractor trailers should be increased, coupled with an additional axle to improve safety, in order to more efficiently move freight on our roads.

9

Fleet Safety While building material dealers place considerable emphasis on driver training, drivers are also salespeople and product experts for whom driving is often only a portion of their job responsibilities. Compliance information must be made more readily available and user- friendly to support non-trucking businesses in understanding their obligations.

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

35

MARKET INSIGHTS

California’s pressure treated problem

By Andy Carlo Dealers, home builders and remodelers face a complicated hurdle when it comes to disposing of pressure treated waste.

The latest challenge to California’s lumber and building materials industry has surfaced in the regulations for the disposal of pressure treated lumber waste.

Following California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of 2020’s Assembly Bill 68, treated wood waste must be disposed of at Class I Hazardous Waste Landfills. The action took place on Jan. 1 and came as a surprise to many in the industry.

According to the West Coast Lumber & Building Material Association (WCLBMA), which represents California’s lumberyard community, commercial haulers have already notified the state’s Department of Environmental Health that they will be rejecting loads where they see treated wood in waste containers.

But finding a designated landfill for proper disposal is no easy matter.

“There is not a convenient way for people to deal with offcuts of pressure treated lumber from jobs including something as simple as building a fence,” says Augie Venezia, government affairs chair of the WCLBMA and the president of Fairfax Lumber & Hardware.

“The toxic disposal sites are few and far between,” Venezia told HBSDealer.

Venezia recently conducted a state search to find the closest

36

Pressure treated lumber remains popular in California for use in decks, fencing, and retaining walls.

hazardous disposal site near his business in Fairfax, Calif. The nearest location Venezia came up is about 4.5 hours away.

And that’s going to be a problem for other lumber dealers and builders throughout the state. A state variance previously allowed for landfills to accept pressure treated waste.

The California Department of Environmental Health is advising those disposing of treated lumber waste to separate treated wood from non-treated wood during demolition.

Further, it recommends cutting any removed treated wood during demolition so that it will fit into a container for storage.

The other issue is pressure treated lumber remains as popular as ever among home builders and remodelers in California. The cost is lower than redwood and it performs better for uses with ground contact.

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

That includes decking, fences, mudsills, and retaining walls.

Alleviation to the sudden quandary could be on the way, however.

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is looking to provide a new variance until state lawmakers find a new solution to the problem.

Additionally, several of the state’s lawmakers have proposed AB-332, a new bill that would reestablish previous disposal standards and act as a deterrent to illegal dumping.

In the meantime, here’s what the DTSC has said about how treated wood wasted should be prepared for disposal:

Treated wood should be placed in a container (including a cubic yard box, tri-wall, or 20or 40-yard roll-off bin;

Covered when not adding waste to the container;

Marked with the following information: The words “Hazardous Waste” Your company’s name and address The words “Treated Wood” The word “Toxic” The date you started putting the treated wood waste in the container Removed from your site by a hazardous waste hauler within 180 days

HBSDealer.com

MARKET INSIGHTS

Home Depot’s Dallas D.C. boosts deliveries The Home Depot has opened its latest distribution center in Dallas, Texas.

Measuring in at 1.5 million square feet, the new center will fulfill online and store orders and is designed to meet customers’ delivery needs through multiple channels. This includes items delivered to customers’ homes or items picked up at local stores.

Additionally, the supply chain site manages customer delivery and installation of large appliances such as washers, dryers, and refrigerators ordered in stores or online.

From the final sale to the removal of old appliances, the operation offers an improved purchase and delivery experience for Home Depot customers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the retailer said.

“We’re focused on creating an easier and more convenient shopping experience for our customers’

Home Depot’s new Dallas distribution center is handling online and in-store orders along with large appliances.

home improvement needs, whether they shop in stores or online,” said Stephanie Smith, senior vice president of supply chain for The Home Depot.

“Our supply chain is the foundation for delivering on our pro and DIY customers’ changing expectations, which is why we’re investing to offer same day and next day delivery to 90% of the U.S. population.”

Nation’s Best makes a deal Nation’s Best, the Dallas, Texasbased home improvement chain and joint-venture partner with Do it Best Corp., has acquired BTU Do it Center in Las Vegas, N.M. As part of Nation’s Best’s acquisition strategy, BTU Do it Center will maintain operations under its existing name with its key leadership team overseeing company operations.

Nation’s Best will provide the strategic and financial support necessary to continue to achieve optimal growth and profitability, the company said.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

“We are honored to count BTU Do it Center among the Nation’s Best family of businesses,” said Chris Miller, president

HBSDealer.com

BTU Do it Center in Las Vegas, N.M., is the newest addition to the Nation’s Best family.

and CEO of Nation’s Best. “Since 1984, the Sonchar family has built their home center’s reputation in the Southwest, serving the region’s hardware and lumber needs for everyone from DIYers to pro contractors. We’re excited to

This facility is part of the company’s $1.2 billion investment to expand its national distribution and delivery network. The Home Depot reported that the company’s supply chain footprint in the Dallas-Fort Worth area will grow from 2.1 million square feet to 4.5 million square feet and will create approximately 1,500 new jobs by the end of this year.

The company currently operates 20 distribution centers in Texas.

Last year, the company opened another delivery center at the new Dallas campus that delivers building materials and bulky products directly to DIY and Pro customers.

The new distribution center features a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell charging station for material handling equipment and includes more than six miles of mechanized lines and automation technologies that enable increased product flow.

bring the strength of Nation’s Best to continue to provide excellent service to BTU do it Center’s valued customers.”

“Since 1984, our team has been on a mission to treat every customer with respect, honesty, and integrity,” said BTU President Wayne Sonchar. “By merging our rich traditions into Nation’s Best, we’re ensuring that our associates and our customers will continue to be supported in the very best way.”

Nation’s Best is a member-owner of Do it Best Corp. Founded in 2019, Nation’s Best operates 18 locations in 5 states under 7 banners and a variety of formats, including hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards.

The company’s banners include Connolly’s Do it Best, Groom & Sons’, Hall’s Hardware, Hometown Building Centers, Lambert Lumber, and Simms Lumber.

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

37

PROFILE

Sharing the ‘Spirit of Life’ In a year of uncertainty, honoree Bill Boltz brings a jolt of clarity.

M

uch remains unclear about the 2021 fundraising season for City of Hope. A pandemic has disrupted the logistics — as well as the date — of the Hardware/ Homebuilding industry group’s traditional February gala.

The virus has even curtailed visitation to the world-famous California disease treatment and research facility, around which the industry has rallied since deep into the last half of the last century.

There’s no trace of hesitation, however, in the 2021 Spirit of Life honoree’s approach to his new role as fundraising leader.

Bill Boltz, the Lowe’s executive VP of Merchandising and 38-year industry veteran, has a long acquaintance with City of Hope from his early days with Sears.

And he has a deep appreciation of its mission. He is one of many whose life and family have been thrown into battle with the disease that City of Hope is committed to beating.

Boltz spoke with HBSDealer about the industry’s unique position as a fundraising machine, and the importance of continuing to fight to find a cure for cancer, even during— especially during — a global crisis.

HBSDealer: Why is this “Spirit of Life” role important for you?

Bill Boltz: It’s personal to me. I lost my dad to cancer, and my mom and sister are both cancer survivors, so it’s touched me in different ways.

To watch the hardware and home improvement industry come together during these types of events and be able to raise millions of dollars to support it – it’s impressive. And the City of Hope has just gotten so many great folks involved.

HBSDealer: Many of those great people at City of Hope events are often great competitors during the work week. Do you sense that the gloves come off for charity?

38

Boltz: It’s great to see the industry come together for this common cause.

It’s not unlike how the hardware and home improvement industry tackles natural disasters.

We want to serve our local communities. But when you get competitors and suppliers and different folks in the same room, it’s pretty cool and unique.

HBSDealer: On a 1 to 10 scale of competitiveness, this industry would measure a 10, would you agree?

Boltz: It would be a 10-plus.

HBSDealer: Before the travel restrictions, you were able to visit the campus of City of Hope. What were your takeaways?

Boltz: Yes, I have visited City of Hope’s campus and was struck by just how peaceful it is and the passion of the doctors and staff.

It’s one of those visits that you never forget. And that has stuck with me.

When Kevin Courtney [City of Hope Senior Executive Director of Corporate Philanthropy] called and congratulated me for being the 2021 Spirit of Life recipient, I reminded him of my trip there and just how touching it was. And I think about it to this day.

HBSDealer: How did you first become involved with City of Hope?

Bill Boltz: This year marks my 38th year in home improvement, and I got involved during the earliest days of my career while at Sears.

As I was beginning my career in home improvement, I watched [former Sears Roebuck executive] Marvin Stern and many other home improvement leaders get recognized for this award, and I remember my very first City

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

By Ken Clark

of Hope event when we gathered in Chicago to celebrate with Marvin.

HBSDealer: Recent past Spirit of Life honorees Brad Paulsen (HD Supply) and Giles Bowman (Home Depot) fall into the category of competitors, how do you feel about coming together for this outstanding cause?

Boltz: There have been many heavy hitters who have received this award. Bob Tillman, Robert Strickland and Louis G. Herring are all former CEOs of Lowe’s and are on the list and I believe these 3 individuals were the first honorees from the City of Hope.

I’m honored that I’m able to carry that on for Lowe’s. And, as I said, it’s touched me personally because of what’s happening inside of my own family. So, I am excited about being able to make my presentation and get our vendor community rallied and the industry rallied around this cause again, in light of what’s going on with the pandemic.

Bill Boltz, executive VP of Merchandising, has had a long acquaintance with City of Hope.

HBSDealer.com

HBSDealer: In these unusual times, how would you describe the importance of corporate philanthropy?

Boltz: It’s important for our industry to come together to support organizations like City of Hope.

Additionally, we must do our part in these unprecedented times to support our associates and communities in near- and long-term ways.

For Lowe’s, giving back to the communities where we live, and work is an integral part of who we are and who we will continue to be.

Being on the frontline of responding to a crisis is in our DNA, whether it’s a natural disaster, community need or global pandemic.

To date, we have committed nearly $1.3 billion in COVID-related support for associates, store safety and community pandemic relief.

And serving communities is part of Lowe’s DNA - whether that’s being on the frontline for a natural disaster or being able to give back to our employees, the first responders, healthcare agencies during the pandemic — that kind of giving is central to our culture.

We’re excited about what we’ve been able to do. And this is one of those areas where the hardware and home improvement industry rises up and demonstrates who we are and what we do for the communities’ day in and day out.

It’s exciting to be a part of a company that gives back in this way.

Giving doesn’t stop.

A virtual endurance chllenge called “Miles for Hope” raised more than $1.5 million for City of Hope.

hike, ride, cycle, peloton, run, jog or swim.

We had more than 200 participants from our vendor community as well as members of our merchant team – each participant had individuals to sponsor each mile of their endurance activity – and I am proud to announce that this campaign kick-off raised $1.5 million, to support City of Hope’s life-saving mission!

Fundraising doesn’t stop because of a pandemic, and it’s probably even more of a

priority now than ever before.

The Spirit of Life event is usually held in February, this year I am thrilled to announce that the 2021 Spirit of Life will be a virtual event on Monday, May 10th.

I am looking forward to collaborating with the City of Hope Hardware/Homebuilding team as we build out an outstanding program to present to our industry.

HBSDealer: Anything else to add?

Boltz: It’s an honor to be able to work for an organization like Lowe’s that supports City of Hope and an industry that continues to be engaged and committed to the lifesaving efforts that the City of Hope stands for and then to be recognized, for me, this is just icing on the cake.

Please visit www.cityofhope.org/hhi for information regarding the upcoming City of Hope Virtual “Behind the Science,” on February 17th, and the “2021 Spirit of Life Virtual Celebration honoring William “Bill” Boltz, Lowe’s EVP Merchandising.

“Restore It - Don’t Strip It!” Restor-A-Finish is the perfect alternative for those customers who don’t want to strip and refinish. Kitchen cabinets can be restored in an hour with a can of Restor-A-Finish. It fills a niche by having the unique ability to penetrate wood finishes and enhance the luster and depth of grain. It will bring back color and luster to faded finishes and blend out scratches and blemishes with an easy wipe-on, wipe-off process.

HBSDealer: So, what are your next steps in your role as Spirit of Life honoree?

Bill Boltz: February 17 will be the annual City of Hope Honoree tour. This year will be unique in that the annual tour will be a virtual “Behind the Science” activity, visiting the City of Hope medical campus and hearing firsthand from a few of the doctors who will share their research endeavors.

Our fundraising doesn’t stop because of this pandemic, the Lowe’s team kicked off our fundraising campaign in December with a virtual endurance activity called “Miles for Hope,” an all-in challenge.

We asked participants in a peer-to-peer fundraising activity to take to the streets to

For Wholesale Pricing Call Howard Products, Inc. 800.266.9545 Or Visit Our Website www.HowardProducts.com

HBSDealer.com

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

Eliminates white heat rings, water marks, sun fade, oxidation, smoke damage, etc.

Available In: Neutral, Maple-Pine, Golden Oak, Walnut, Cherry, Mahogany, Dark Walnut, Dark Oak, and Ebony Brown

Customize a Rack for Your Store

~ Available Through Most Co-Ops and Distributors ~

39

A journey from cosmetics to power tools Top Women profile series.

By Lisa Goulian Twiste

Growing up in Mexico, Tabata Gomez dreamed of helping people by becoming Secretary General of the United Nations. Though life has taken her in different direction, she is using her role as Chief Marketing Officer, Global Tools and Storage at Stanley Black & Decker to help bring diversity and gender equality to the hardware industry. After spending almost 14 years marketing cosmetics and other products with Procter & Gamble and then Coty, Inc., she came to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, immediately piloting a successful re-launch of the Craftsman brand. In this interview with HBSDealer, Gomez shares some of the challenges she has faced, her pride in Stanley Black & Decker’s growing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and the lessons she’d like to pass on to her son about achieving success in the workplace.

On the transition from cosmetics to power tools: From a marketing standpoint, it’s exactly the same approach. I focus on the consumer or end user and providing experiences that delight them. It’s about addressing their needs and being tactical. I didn’t know a lot about tools prior to joining the company, but through my years here, I’ve learned a lot. Just last weekend, my boyfriend and I were doing some work in the house, and there I was, cutting two by fours and doing plumbing and dry wall, putting my new skills to work. It’s just something I had never had a chance to explore in the past.

On re-launching the Craftsman brand, her first task at Stanley Black & Decker: That was probably one of the biggest challenges in my career, but also one of my biggest accomplishments. What I did was make sure everyone understood the vision for what Craftsman was going to be, which made it a lot easier for them to rally around and be able to move their pieces of the project forward.

My proudest accomplishment on Craftsman was really making the brand relevant again, as well as and what we made the brand stand for. The tagline, “We build pride,” has helped us to shape this amazing brand that has grown to soon become a one-billion-dollar brand.

40

On the changing mindset at Stanley Black & Decker: In my earlier days at the company, we were getting ready to do a major trade show and I got a call asking for my shirt size so they could give me a shirt for the show. I said, “I appreciate the effort, but I will be wearing a black dress that looks very presentable for a woman executive and a pin with the Stanley Black & Decker logo. I won’t be wearing a men’s shirt and khakis going forward because I don’t think that’s inclusive of how I feel comfortable as a woman dressing for these types of events.” Really, all I did was challenge the status quo and that unconscious bias, and it opened peoples’ minds.

On the company’s commitment to diversity in the workplace: When I accepted the job, the leadership team in Global Tools and Storage only had one female leader. Today, this leadership team is 60 percent diverse, which is a huge difference in three years. At Stanley Black & Decker, we have a saying that “success for women means success for everyone.” And our company truly embodies that statement by actively working on gender parity strategies that we have put in place, including developing female mentorship programs, sponsorship opportunities, mitigating bias trainings, inclusion and flexibility, and several female leadership initiatives.

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

The best thing is that in 2019, our CEO Jim Loree signed on to Paradigm for Parity, a coalition that commits to closing the gender gap in corporate leadership by 2030. It’s a big commitment, but we do have actions that are happening all across the company to enable that. One quote that our CEO says a lot is, “Those who make the world need the creativity of an inclusive and collaborative team, because when you shut down the voice of one, you lose the power of all.” That always gives me goosebumps when I hear it.

On what she has learned from six-year-old son Alexander, and what she hopes to teach him: About a month ago, he told me that at school they were working on stereotypes. When I probed and asked him, “What is a stereotype?” he gave me the example of, girls like pink, and boys like blue, saying, “Girls and boys can like any color.” At this point, it is about helping him keep that open mindset, but I do hope as he grows older and understands more about the world, I can be a role model for him and continue to demonstrate that anybody can achieve success in the workplace – even a Mexican woman working in Corporate America in the tools industry.

Stanley Black & Decker’s Tabata Gomez.

PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Brown

Tractor Supply Company announced that Joy Brown has been appointed to the company’s board of directors. Brown currently serves as chief data officer at Verizon Media.

She brings over 20 years of experience leading large-scale technology organizations across multiple industries. Prior to her current role, Brown was the vice president of card technology for Capital One.

Ace Hardware Corporation announced that Jay Heubner, president and general manager of Ace International, is retiring on March 1 after 38 years with the Heubner Goh company. Heubner joined Ace Hardware in 1983 in the IT department and quickly rose up through the organization to become a director. Heubner was promoted in 2015 to the position of president and general manager of Ace International, a subsidiary of Ace Hardware. Effective April 5, David Goh will assume the role of president and general manager of Ace International. Goh is currently managing director of Robinsons Retail Holdings, one of the largest multiformat retailers in the Philippines.

84 Lumber has promoted Joe Weston to vice president of cost forecasting & pricing while Rich Scalise has been named as 84 Lumber’s new vice president of inventory management. Weston first started at the company in 1999 as a manager trainee. The position of vice president of cost forecasting & pricing Weston is a newly created position within the company. Scalise first started at 84 Lumber nearly 18 years ago as a manager trainee in Imperial, Pa. Most recently, he was the director of inventory management, a position he was promoted to in 2016.

Wilson

Building products distributor Russin has hired Skylar Wilson as the building products distributor’s new outside sales representative for New Jersey. In his new role, Wilson will cover the entire Garden State for Russin. He brings seven years of industry experience to the position.

HBSDealer.com

Boise Cascade Company reported that Nick Stokes, executive vice president of the company’s Building Materials Distribution (BMD) business, will retire on March 12 after Stokes Strom 42 years of service. He was promoted to vice president of BMD operations in 2001, to senior vice president in 2011, and to executive vice president in 2014. Jeff Strom, vice president and general manager of the BMDs Eastern Division, has been named as the company’s new president of BMD. The AZEK Company named Amanda Cimaglia as vice president leading the environmental, social and governance function at the company. Cimaglia will be responsible for continuing to drive the company-wide ESG strategy and initiative, as well as aligning AZEK reporting activities with industry standards, the manufacturer Cimaglia said. Cimaglia will also be assisting the investor relations team in implementing a comprehensive ESG/IR strategy and strengthening stakeholder engagement.

Tractor Supply Company named Matthew Rubin as its new senior vice president and general manager of its Petsense stores division. Rubin will join the company’s executive committee and report directly to Hal Lawton, president and CEO of Tractor Supply.

Rubin succeeds Steve Neibergall, vice Rubin president of Petsense, who has announced his intent to retire after a transition of leadership.

BlueLinx announced that it has promoted Cory Dukehart to general manager of the company’s Frederick, Md. and Denville, N.J. branches. Dukehart takes over after the previous general manager, George Zarick was promoted to regional vice president of Bluelinx’s East Region. The new general manager started his career Dukehart in distribution in 1999 at American Forest Products. He spent 16 years with American Forest Products in multiple roles including logistics, inventory procurement, and sales. Dukehart joined BlueLinx in 2015 and most recently served as an outside products manager.

HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2021

41

Residential Construction/Sales

Monthly Retail Sales, not adjusted

13 months of housing starts and existing-home sales

home centers and pro dealers (NAICS 444) and hardware stores (NAICS 44413)

Total starts

NAICS 444

(in thousands, SAAR) Dec.: 1,669,000

NAICS 44413

(sales in $ billions)

50

1700

(sales in $ billions)

3

1600

40

1500

2.55 38.8

1400

30

35.7 30.7

33.7

2

36.0

2.55 2.35

2.36 2.16

2.14

29.5

1300

20

1200

1

1100

10

1000

0

900

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

OCTOBER

D

2019

SOURCE: COMMERCE DEPARTMENT

Single-family starts

NOVEMBER

0

DECEMBER

SEPTEMBER 2019

2020

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

2020

SOURCE: MONTHLY RETAIL TRADE REPORT FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

(in thousands, SAAR) Dec.: 1,338,000 1400

HBSDealer Stock Roundup

1300

the percent-change performance of stocks based on Jan. 28 prices

1200

80

1100

DE

1000

70

900 800

TSCO

60

600

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

ANNUAL CHANGE

700

D

SOURCE: COMMERCE DEPARTMENT

Existing-home sales (in millions, SAAR) Dec.: 6,760,000 7

50 BLDR

40

LOW

30 SHW

20

6.5 6

10

SWK

WY

5.5

DJI

0

5

HD

BECN

-8

-6

-4

-2

0

2

4

6

8

10

4.5

MONTHLY CHANGE

4 3.5

BECN (BEACON); BLDR (BUILDERS FIRSTSOURCE); BMCH (BMC STOCK HOLDINGS); DE (DEERE & CO.);

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

HD (HOME DEPOT); LOW (LOWE’S); SHW (SHERWIN-WILLIAMS); SWK (STANLEY); TSCO (TRACTOR SUPPLY);

SOURCE: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS

WY (WEYERHAEUSER); DJIA (DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE)

Consumer Watch Unemployment rate

Consumer confidence

Gas prices

for the entire United States

indexed to a value of 100 in 1985

average price per gallon (regular)

8.0

10.0

4.0

80

42

Current Prior month

120

Prior year

16.0

6.7%

18.0

December 0.0

$2.50 $2.00

14.0

6.0

2.0

100

12.0

20.0

60

89.3

$2.42

January

Jan. 28

140

FEBRUARY 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER

$1.50

$3.00

SOURCES: LABOR DEPARTMENT, THE CONFERENCE BOARD, AAA

HBSDealer.com

SEALANTS AND ADHESIVES

Grip-Rite® branded Sealants and Adhesives are THE go-to products for contractors who need to: • • • • •

SEAL INSTALL ADHERE REPAIR FILL OR BOND

With a reputation for professional grade products offered at an incredible value, this new product line is specially formulated to tackle a wide range of interior and exterior projects.

New signature Grip-Rite packaging takes the guesswork out of the selection process with simple, easy-to-read icons on the cartridges and the case packs.

Get the job done right with

Grip-Rite Sealants and Adhesives are just a few of the over 20,000 products distributed

by PrimeSource Building Products.

Check out these other products available for immediate, combined shipments from PrimeSource Distribution Centers nationwide!

GLOVES

DRYWALL SCREWS

www.primesourcebp.com www.grip-rite.com www.pro-twist.com www.grxgloves.com ®

®

®

JOINT SEALANT

FLOOR PROTECTION

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PROMOTIONAL OFFERS RUNNING THROUGH 2/26!

CALL YOUR PRIMESOURCE REP OR OUR CUSTOMER CARE TEAM AT 800.676.7777

®

Grip-Rite, Pro-Twist and GRX , are exclusively distributed by PrimeSource Building Products, Inc. 1321 Greenway Drive, Irving, TX 75038-2504.

Visit www.primesourcebp.com for details, warranty information and limitations. © 2021 PrimeSource Building Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ®

PSS&AHBSAD0121

WE LEARNED FROM THIS.

TO MAKE THIS.

ANTS CAN ACCESS THE BAIT. CHILDREN CAN’T. There is nothing to open, which means there is no pesky push down and turn cap on these RESCUE!® Ant Baits. Ants get wiped out and kids stay safe.

What parent wouldn’t like that?

Visit AntBaits.com to learn more about RESCUE!® child-resistant ant baits.