MARKET INSIGHTS
Top Guns take aim at Industry issues If you can buy it, buy it. That’s the distilled advice given by a panel of award winning retailers who took on a variety of issues during the recent NHPA Top Guns Awards event in Las Vegas. Supply chain challenges and labor shortages were top topics for the retailers, who represent a long history of business success through the Top Guns program. The 2021 class, who assembled here during the National Hardware Show, also represent a wide variety of businesses:
Mike Brackin, president of HomCo Lumber & Hardware of Flagstaff, Ariz.;
Ian McNaughton, owner of Gravenhurst Home Hardware, in St. Jacobs, Ontario; and
Top Guns in Las Vegas. Left to right: Brackin, McNaughton and Templeman.
Greg Templeman, president of Sunpro, a pro-focused dealer with 16 locations in Utah and Idaho.
Each explained that they were feeling new types of business pressure from supply chain disruptions. “Well, if my father knew how much our value of our inventory was right now, he’s turning over in his grave a few times,” said Brackin of HomCo Lumber. Brackin added that his team
includes specialists who “are constantly looking for product” to fill gaps. “Not just a week supply or two week supply, but maybe even a sixmonths supply,” he said. “Luckily, we have the space to handle it.” High performance during a supply chain crunch requires effort to stay ahead of the curve, he added, and it can also involve “getting creative on merchandising. “Patience is key during these times.”
CONGRATULATIONS ALLISON LOW
Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager for Direct Raw Materials
2021 Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply: Business Excellence © 2021 Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. All rights reserved. LP is a registered trademark of the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation.
21-LP-0058 M1mp LP Corp Womens Congrats Ad.indd 1 40 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
9/24/21 12:59 AM HBSDealer.com
