Hardware Connection July/August 2025 by NHPA

Orgill EVP Shares 7 Smart Hiring Tips

IHI Conference Preview: Beacon Awards Product Reviews, New Products & More!

CLEANING UP WITH CLEANING SUPPLIES

Chris Cunningham, owner of True Value America in North Tampa, Fla., has built a thriving niche in cleaning supplies while revitalizing a onceoverlooked retail block.

C.C. Gibbs Owner of Gibbs Hardware Grayson, Kentucky

When the team at Gibbs Hardware realized growing the business might require a change in direction, they partnered with Orgill and Orgill delivered.

From providing strategic guidance with long-term growth plans to helping the store save $80,000 in freight costs in just one year, the benefits Orgill brought to the table were apparent to the Gibbs team from day one!

“They showed us a better path, and it paid off,” says owner C.C. Gibbs. “Orgill didn’t just save us money— they worked with us to fit how we do business.”

Discover what Orgill can do for your business at Orgill.com/opportunity.

True Value America owner Cunningham purchased an entire block in North Tampa, transforming a tired feed store into a fullservice hardware destination aimed at revitalizing the neighborhood.

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX

SHELF LIFE Build Teams, Build Momentum

It was early December many years ago, and I was preparing for a lean Christmas. My kids were little, and every dollar counted. That’s when the managing director of what was then the National Retail Hardware Association, John Hammond—now Hardware Connection ’s senior business advisor—walked into my office. He handed me a bonus check. I hadn’t expected it. It was the first bonus I’d ever received. That check made sure my kids had a great holiday. But more than the money, it made me feel appreciated. Someone had noticed the work I was putting in. It stuck with me.

Years later, I’m reminded of that moment every time I talk to independent hardware retailers who are trying to build stronger teams. Sure, competitive pay is important, but just as critical is making employees feel seen, heard and like they’re part of something that’s growing.

That idea—and a conversation with Laura Freeman, Ph.D., Orgill’s executive vice president and chief human resources officer—is what sparked this issue’s Special Section on People. In “

By Doug Donaldson

7 Hiring Tips for Hardware Retailers

in Today’s Marketplace ,” Freeman outlines ways to connect your HR decisions to your broader business strategy, making your store a place where talent wants to stay and grow.

You’ll find that article on page 64 and whether you’re hiring your first employee or your 50th, it’s full of practical guidance to help your people feel the way I did that day: appreciated. Another article that really struck a chord with me this issue is Grant Leavitt’s Retailer2Retailer, “ Managing vs. Leading: Why the Difference Matters More Than You Think .”

Grant is the owner of Marcus Lumber in Northwest Iowa, and his thoughtful piece explores the difference between managing and leading. One thing he said in particular resonates deeply: “Leadership is caring more about who the person is becoming, rather than what they are doing.” That simple idea can be transformational—especially in an industry in which relationships and team longevity matter. His reflections on how leadership shapes culture and empowers individuals show why

Amazing but TRUE

HARDWARE STORIES

Just before closing, I get a call: “You got an angle grinder? I need help— fast.” Curious but helpful, I say sure. Then comes the twist: “Can you meet me . . . behind the store?” Mildly alarmed but intrigued, I grab the grinder and head to the alley. There, in the dim glow of a streetlight, are two people—handcuffed together and very much not dressed for a trip to a hardware store.

Ten minutes of grinding (metal, mind you) later, the cuffs are off.

“No charge,” I say. “Just let me tell this story forever.”

Tom Christopher Sr. Christopher’s Hardware Sandy Springs, Md.

My dad always marveled at how many people walk into a hardware store with total confidence—and absolutely no idea what they’re doing. One winter, right after a brutal ice storm, a customer came in, pointed outside and said he needed to rent a stump grinder. My dad asked what kind of job he was tackling.

“Clearing ice off my driveway,” the guy said.

Dad blinked. “You want to grind the ice?”

“Yeah,” the man replied, dead serious. “The shovel’s not cutting it.”

Needless to say, we did not let him rent it. But the guy was genuinely confused. He just couldn’t understand why turning a spinning, 300-pound machine loose on his icy driveway wasn’t a good idea. It’s one of those moments where you have to say no— not just for liability, but for the customer’s own good.

Dalton Meny Meny’s True Value Hardware Ferdinand, Ind.

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• Earth Augers

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PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT

FROGTAPE REMOVEABLES™

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COAST EAL40R RECHARGEABLE LANTERN

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MIDWEST

How’s Business?

How are sales and customer counts so far this year? They’re a little up over last year, not quite flat. But sales seem to vary month to month. The weather has been a little better this spring than last year. And we had a little bit more ice and snow than last year. All our commercial customers are consistent. We cater to specialty industries, a little different than the average hardware store. We’re deep in farm supplies, supporting farmers with everything from fasteners to pesticides.

What new initiatives do you have planned for the rest of 2025?

We’re a True Value store, so we’re trying to figure out what’s going on. So far, it’s been good for the most part. We keep learning and we’re trying to take it month by month.

Above: From hard-to-find filters to farm supplies and key services, Meny’s True Value Hardware has built a reputation for going deeper than the average retailer— especially for its rural and commercial customers.

Right: Whether it’s a tricky key copy or a filter no one else stocks, Dalton Meny says his company has built a reputation for saying yes to requests other stores can’t handle.

What are your strongest niche categories? At our main location, we’re known for key services. Everyone comes to us to have their keys cut. Also, we do a lot of filter sales because we carry sizes no one else does.

Dalton Meny Meny’s True Value Hardware Ferdinand, Ind.

NORTHEAST

How are sales and customer counts so far this year? Extremely good.

Just guessing, I’d say we’re up about 10 to 15 percent. The bulk of what we do is in the lumber business, so it varies from job to job. We may get a $100,000 job that swings our numbers higher.

What’s unique about your business? We’re independent and have a lot of product. We have about a 50/50 split between pros and homeowners. We have a wide selection of plumbing, nuts and bolts, hardware and electrical supplies.

Tanner Lumber has been serving Broadalbin, N.Y., for over a century with an extensive inventory that serves both pros and DIYers.

What are your strongest niche categories? Not specific, just our large inventory in general. We’re in a tiny village and have been here 100 years. We’re the place people come to if you can’t find it anywhere else.

James Hare Tanner Lumber

DEALER PROFILE

By Doug Donaldson

IN

NORTH TAMPA,

FLORIDA,

CHRIS CUNNINGHAM’S TRUE VALUE AMERICA DELIVERS HOMETOWN SERVICE WITH PRO-LEVEL JANITORIAL AND COMMERCIAL SUPPLY EXPERTISE.

CLEANING UP

C

hris Cunningham’s interest in business was shaped early during the years he spent living with his grandfather, James H. McGee—the first Black mayor of Dayton, Ohio. Cunningham watched how McGee treated people in his community and made sure their needs were met, instilling in him a lifelong belief that business and service could go hand in hand.

A decade after graduating from Florida A&M, Cunningham chased that belief head-on. He started with seasonal tax-preparation offices and eventually launched Dry 24 Water Restoration, a

Chris Cunningham brings deep remediation experience from his restoration company, Dry 24, turning that know-how into a cleaning supply department tailored to contractors and commercial clients.

WITH CLEANING SUPPLIES

DEALER PROFILE

company that tackled water, fire and mold damage. The restoration company thrived on urgency— calls at 3 a.m. often meant crews on-site before dawn. That discipline shaped Cunningham’s approach to entrepreneurship: Meet the need, solve the problem and earn the trust.

By 2023, Dry 24 Water Restoration was thriving, and Cunningham began looking for a new opportunity—one that could anchor his business portfolio while serving a part of Tampa he felt was often overlooked.

NOT JUST A STORE—THE WHOLE BLOCK

When the third-generation owner of Shell’s Feed & Garden Supply decided to retire, he put a rare piece of Tampa real estate on the market: a full 1.9-acre city block on North Nebraska Avenue. The property included a storefront, a warehouse, two outbuildings and a furniture shop—all on one parcel.

“It was a diamond in the rough,” Cunningham says. “The store hadn’t been updated in decades, and as soon as I walked in, I could sense and feel the past years of it being a feed store. I almost walked away because of the significant capital improvements needed, but the store had great bones.”

Cunningham curated a product mix he calls “urban rural”—pairing pro-grade tools and janitorial supplies with pet food and feed-store staples to serve a wide range of North Tampa customers.

The size of the opportunity was too big to ignore. Owning the entire block would let him transform not just a store but the surrounding space. He purchased the property in late 2023 for $1.6 million. What began as a promising real estate deal soon became the base for a hardware store designed to serve the neighborhood in ways the big boxes couldn’t.

SERVICE EXPERIENCE TURNS INTO RETAIL OPPORTUNITY

When buying cleaning supplies, Cunningham’s restoration business spent heavily at national chains—often without much assistance. “We’d walk in wearing company shirts and still had to chase somebody down the aisle,” he says.

True Value America owner Cunningham purchased an entire block in North Tampa, transforming a tired feed store into a full-service hardware destination aimed at revitalizing the neighborhood.

Frustrated by poor service, he started researching franchise options and saw that hardware stores consistently ranked high in Entrepreneur magazine’s Franchise 500 list. Owning a store offered both a strategic extension of his restoration work and a way to do retail differently: Own the real estate, tailor the mix and serve customers better. His vision was a modern, full-line hardware store with traces of the feed-store

tradition and multiple profit centers to attract everyone from contractors to pet owners.

He also liked the idea that, unlike many industries, hardware was still often a family-run business.

TRUE VALUE SHAPED STORE IN 3D

After shopping around for distributors, Cunningham turned to True Value, where he found flexibility and support for his ambitious plans.

DEALER PROFILE

Inspired by his grandfather, civil-rights attorney and former Dayton, Ohio, mayor James H. McGee, Cunningham views business as a way to serve and strengthen his community.

The co-op’s design team created a 3D layout that reimagined the outdated feed store into a retail space featuring 72 linear feet of Stihl and EGO power equipment, 20,000 SKUs and a dedicated janitorial aisle informed by his restoration experience.

In an unusual twist, True Value America’s website launched before the store itself, generating online sales early while renovations were still underway. With online income even before the doors had opened, Cunningham funded a $250,000 remodel—repolishing concrete, adding a veneer stone façade,

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DEALER PROFILE

5 SMART TIPS: TURNING REMEDIATION KNOW-HOW INTO CLEANING SUPPLIES SALES

Chris Cunningham’s years in the water and fire restoration business gave him firsthand knowledge of what commercial and DIY customers need to clean up big messes fast.

1. Lead with solutions, not mops. Restoration techs arrive when everything is soaked or covered in soot. Train floor staff to ask about the problem first—water stains, pet odors, construction dust—and then guide

shoppers to the exact cleaner, antimicrobial or absorbent pad. Problemsolving builds baskets and loyalty.

2. Stock contractor-size quantities. Commercial customers hate piecemeal buying. Keep five-gallon degreasers, 50-count microfiber packs and lots of trash liners near the pro counter or contractor entrance.

3. Bundle equipment with consumables. When a landscaper buys a backpack blower, offer a discounted

Allow your customers to view your inventory, pay invoices, and place pick-up orders.

Your digital store is automatically built and populated with images, descriptions, and

case of two-cycle oil, safety goggles and nitrile gloves. The convenience ups the ticket and introduces cleaning supplies as a natural add-on.

4. Build cleaning and janitorial trust outside the store. Cunningham makes it a priority to regularly meet with local businesses, getting to know property managers, schools and facility crews before they’re in crisis. That visibility builds confidence—so when there’s a cleanup emergency, they know exactly where to go and who they’ll be dealing with.

With firsthand experience handling the toughest messes, Cunningham stocks and staffs his cleaning aisle to meet exactly what pros and customers need— right when they need it.

5. Create a fast-lane fulfillment routine. Cunningham makes sure government and commercial clients can get in and out quickly. Many times, speed matters more than price for facilities crews racing against work-order clocks.

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STAYING CLOSE, MOVING FAST

ACE CEO JOHN VENHUIZEN ON DIGITAL TOOLS, LOCAL OWNERSHIP AND WHY SERVICE STILL WINS— EVEN IN THE CURRENTLY CHALLENGING MARKETPLACE.

As consumer expectations evolve and digital convenience redefines retail, John Venhuizen sees opportunity in integration—not balance. The president and CEO of Ace Hardware leads a network of more than 5,000 independently owned stores backed by a globally trusted brand. With three-quarters of the U.S. population living within 15 minutes of an Ace, Venhuizen views proximity as a core advantage— especially when paired with a digital strategy that gives local owners full credit for online sales.

Rather than treating e-commerce and brick-andmortar as competing channels, Ace blends the two

to meet customers wherever they choose to shop. That philosophy extends to technology, too: Venhuizen notes that the company has deployed more than 20 AI tools to fine-tune inventory, staffing, marketing and customer service.

The CEO is quick to ground Ace’s success in its people. Independent retailers, he says, are Ace’s differentiator—and the co-op’s support structure, from early-order discounts to SKU rationalization tools, helps them stay nimble and profitable. Whether through Ace-branded stores or its Emery Jensen Distribution arm, the company’s pitch remains clear: Local hardware retailers can win on service, speed and smart assortments—if they

Left: John Venhuizen, president and CEO of Ace Hardware, sees proximity, inventory speed and digital integration as key to staying ahead in a rapidly shifting retail landscape.

Opposite: Ace Hardware headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois.

stay close to their customers and move quickly to meet their needs.

This interview with Venhuizen was conducted prior to the May 2025 announcement of Ace’s exclusive distribution agreement with Weber Grills. Hardware Connection has requested follow-up comments from Ace leadership regarding the implications of that agreement but has not received a response as of late June. What follows is an exclusive interview covering Venhuizen’s broader strategy, outlook and insights into the evolving hardware retail landscape.

Hardware

Connection : How do you perceive the current shifts in the hardware retail

industry,

and

Q&A: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

what strategies is Ace Hardware implementing to stay ahead in this evolving landscape?

John Venhuizen: Setting aside the current tariff tyranny, most of retail is facing the significant shift in consumers’ definition of convenience. Today, convenience has been redefined to largely be about inventory availability and speed. Seventy-five percent of the United States is within 15 minutes of an Ace store. This means that we have nearly $4 billion of inventory within

moments of most of America. So the combination of our physical assets— stores, inventory, trucks and 100,000 red-vested heroes—and our everimproving litany of digital assets affords Ace a strategic advantage we do not intend to squander.

Part

For retailers considering a change in affiliation, what unique advantages does Ace Hardware offer to support their transition and long-term success?

We continue to believe that we have two very attractive homes: namely, Ace-branded stores or Emery Jensen Distribution for independents that are not unified by a common brand. For Ace, the proposition has long been: best brand—globally trusted, locally embraced; assortment—largest assortment, most differentiation and exclusivity; cost—lowest cost of goods; supply chain—most distribution centers, best service to local owners; and best storelevel economics—most lucrative store model in the hardware industry.

For Emery Jensen Distribution, our proposition to independents in many retail verticals remains lowest cost, widest assortment, largest and best supply chain, best service.

Welcome to the Hardware Connection Century Club!

The Hardware Connection Century Club, sponsored by the National Hardware Show®, recognizes “The Innovators and Survivors Who Helped Build America.” Our Century Club currently includes 804 hardware and LBM retailers, 21 wholesalers and 207 manufacturers that were founded in the United States of America and remain in business after 100 or more years.

You can find the complete list of Century Club members including old store photos and links to company history by clicking here. We congratulate the following retailers who have been added to the Hardware Connection Century Club this past year:

Andrew Posey & Son Hardware, Jasper, AL—1924

Bourassa True Value Hardware, New Bedford, MA—1924

Bowling’s Feed and Hardware, Catlettsburg, KY—1924

Braun Building Center, Manitowoc, WI—1905

Carl Eliason & Company Lumber & Hardware, Sayner, WI—1924

Chairtown Lumber Company, Gardner, MA—1924

Clark Devon Hardware, Chicago, IL—1924

Congleton Lumber, Lexington, KY—1905

Denver Lumber Company, Denver, CO—1923

Gennett Lumber Company, Fletcher, NC—1901

Guy C. Lee Building Materials, Smithfield, NC—1924

Hamilton Building Supply, Hamilton, NJ—1924

Heller Lumber Company, Arlington Heights, IL—1924

Holman Supply Company, Moultrie, GA—1920

Howell Hardware, Millville, NJ—1924

Hunter’s Hardware, Berkley Spring, WV—1870

Q&A: THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

differentiation as a survival imperative. For longtime Ace stores with a strong legacy, how do you encourage change without losing the culture and community they’ve built?

Embedded deeply into the Ace culture is a strong embrace of change, particularly when it comes to serving the needs of our neighbors. Our local Ace owners have successfully navigated change for over 100 years now. The core proposition to win on service, convenience and quality remains principally the same, but the operational manifestation of that changes over time. Our retailers work mighty hard to identify where the consumer is headed, then race to beat them there.

How is Ace exploring or implementing AI, automation or smart analytics to improve inventory management, merchandising decisions or customer service at the local level?

All three of these use cases you reference are both excellent and practical. We have over 20 AI applications already deployed at Ace. The existing and potential improvements in productivity are real and achievable. Inventory management, merchandising, marketing, labor force optimization and customer service are prime examples of business

At Ace’s Spring Convention in San Antonio, CEO John Venhuizen emphasized that differentiation isn’t optional—it’s survival. For longtime retailers, embracing change while staying rooted in service remains the formula for staying ahead.

areas that are already benefiting from AI at Ace.

What’s your bold prediction about a major shift you believe will reshape the hardware retail world within the next five years— and how is Ace preparing for it?

We’re already seeing the bifurcation of “winners and losers” within home improvement in general and hardware retailing in particular. My hope is that the Ace enterprise will continue to rapidly advance with a strong spirit of productive paranoia. We have incredibly large and impressive competitors and, significantly, evolving consumers who demand our passionate pursuit of continued improvement. n

BUSINESS INSIGHTS

By Craig Webb

WORKER PAYROLLS SQUEEZE HARDWARE STORE PROFITABILITY

HIGHER WAGES, FEWER HOURS AND INFLATION-ADJUSTED LOSSES ADD UP TO A GROWING CHALLENGE FOR HARDWARE STORE OWNERS BALANCING SERVICE WITH SHRINKING MARGINS.

The oft-told axiom that a hardware store’s most valuable assets walk out of the store at the end of every day is truer than ever.

Average hourly earnings at America’s hardware stores stood at $19.95 in April,

With average hourly earnings up 37 percent since 2019 and payroll now topping 20 percent of sales, hardware store owners face mounting pressure to manage labor costs strategically.

the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports. That’s a 37.2 percent increase from the same month in 2019. Average weekly earnings have gone up 24.2 percent over the same period to $552.62, in part because of a threehour drop in the average number of

Craig Smith (back row, right), CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, celebrates winning an Ace Hardware Pinnacle Award with his team. Smith says managing payroll comes down to strategy: “We have long employed a sales-per-labor-hour strategy that keeps our in-aisle service levels strong but also reflects consumer demand of each particular location.”

BUSINESS INSIGHTS

hours worked per week. (See table/ chart.)

Challenging as the rise in pay might be for hardware store owners’ finances, it still doesn’t keep up with inflation. To match the buying power provided by the average weekly wage of $465.43 in April 2020, a hardware store worker would have needed to take home $871.61 in April 2025.

Data from the North American Hardware and Paint Association’s

At A Few Cool Hardware Stores, payroll strategy is proactive, not reactive. “Some of our peers tend to stick to minimums and withhold team member increases, which I believe is not a good long-term play,” says CEO Craig Smith.

annual Cost of Doing Business (CODB) reports also suggest owners are feeling pinched. In 2020, hardware store participants in the CODB survey said nonowner payroll amounted to 13.7 percent of total sales. By the end of 2023, that share had risen to 15.1 percent.

Personnel costs have always been top of mind for Craig Smith, CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, with 13 locations in the Baltimore–Washington, D.C., area. “Cost of goods and labor are always our most critical and

controllable costs,” he says. “But we always make significant investments into them both to stay competitive.”

Both the BLS and CODB revealed the impact of the 2021-22 inflation surge on hardware stores’ budgets.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS

LABOR COSTS UP, BOTTOM LINES DOWN FOR HARDWARE RETAILERS

NHPA Cost of Doing Business data from 2020 to 2023 reveal that while hardware store sales increased, rising payroll costs significantly outpaced profits, cutting operating margins by more than half.

cities and counties will have a minimum wage topping $15.

“Some of our peers tend to stick to minimums and withhold team member increases, which I believe is not a good long-term play,” says Smith, whose territory includes areas where the minimum wage automatically goes up when inflation rises. “We have long employed a sales-per-labor-hour strategy that

keeps our in-aisle service levels strong but also reflects consumer demand of each location. Something along these lines is a must so you’re not too over- or understaffed.”

So far, minimum wage increases (or threatened tariff increases, inflation or recession fears, for that matter) haven’t dented the overall economy. Payrolls rose in June by a higher-than-expected

Sneade’s Ace Home Center in Owings, Md., joined the viral “Employee Action Figure” trend with this fully outfitted hardware store manager—complete with name plaque, YETI tumbler and a heroic ability to stretch payroll dollars. In an era of rising wages and tight margins, every accessory counts.

147,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent. The Society for Human Resource Management notes, however, that “outside of the pandemic year in 2020, this year has seen the weakest six months in hiring since the 2007-09 financial crisis.”

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UPCOMING EVENTS

JULY

Independent Home Improvement Conference

July 30-31, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando, Fla.

AUGUST

Ace Hardware Fall Convention

August 12-14, McCormick Place, Chicago

Emery Jensen Edge Fall Show

August 12-14, McCormick Place, Chicago

Florida Hardware Fall Dealer Market

August 15-16, Caribe Royale Resort, Orlando, Fla.

LMC Hardware Express

August 13, Chicago

Mid-States Fall Rendezvous

August 20-21, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix

Orgill Fall Online Buying Event

August 4-17

The Garden Center Show

August 12-13, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Ill.

SEPTEMBER

Blish-Mize Fall Customer Buying Market

September 11-13, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, Kan.

Bradley Caldwell Inc. Fall Trade Show

September 9-11, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, N.J.

Do it Best & True Value Fall Market

September 5-8, Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis

Horizon Distribution Fall Expo

September 11-12, Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Wash.

LMC Leadership Summit

September 23-25, Denver

PACOA Fall Dealer Market

September 6-7, Queens College, Flushing, N.Y.

OCTOBER

Epicor Insights for Building Supply and Retail 2025

Nov 19-21, Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Md.

Equip Expo

October 21-24, Kentucky Exposition Center, Louisville, Ky.

House-Hasson Fall Dealer Market

October 23-25, Sevierville Events Center, Sevierville, Tenn.

LBM Advantage Fall Planning Conference

October 20-22, Hyatt Regency, Indianapolis

Wallace Distribution Fall Dealer Market

October 1-2, Sevierville Events Center, Sevierville, Tenn.

NOVEMBER

Hardlines Distribution Alliance 2026

Executive Planning Conference

November 18-20, Marriott Sawgrass Golf Resort & Spa, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

LMC Expo 2025

November 3-5, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia

Orgill Winter Online Buying Event

November 3-16

INDEPENDENT

Discover actionable ideas and real-world strategies at the 2025 Independent Home Improvement Conference, happening July 30–31 in Orlando, FL. This two-day event is where independent retailers come to learn, connect and transform their operations. JULY

EDUCATION THAT MOVES YOUR BUSINESS FORWARD

Educational Breakout Session Experiences Covering:

Employee Engagement

Build stronger teams and workplace culture

Retail Operations & Technology

Improve efﬁciency with tools and technology

Marketing, Merchandising & Advertising

Drive trafﬁc, grow your brand and reach more customers

Executive

Leadership

Lead with purpose, strategy and conﬁdence

Hackathon

Fast-paced problem-solving for real-world retail challenges

Plus, hear from visionary keynote speakers, join high-impact networking and awards events, and connect with industry-leading service providers in our exhibit hall.

BLOCKBUSTER SUMMER FOR BIG BOXES

Home Depot and Lowe’s have each made major strategic moves this summer, signaling an intensified focus on the professional contractor market.

Home Depot’s SRS Distribution has agreed to acquire building products distributor GMS in a $5.5 billion deal that includes debt. The transaction values GMS at $110 per share, a 36 percent premium over recent trading prices. Once finalized, the combined network will include more than 1,200 locations and 8,000 delivery trucks. The acquisition follows Home Depot’s $18 billion purchase of SRS in 2024 and underscores the retailer’s effort to expand its reach among professional builders and remodelers.

Lowe’s completed its $1.3 billion acquisition of Artisan Design Group (ADG), a Dallas-based provider of design and installation services for homebuilders and property managers. ADG brings with it 132 locations and a network of over 3,200 installers across 18 states. Lowe’s expects the move to help grow its pro segment, which now accounts for about 30 percent of total sales, and strengthen its position in the $50 billion interior finishes market.

In a separate effort to reach new audiences, Lowe’s also announced its first

Home Improvement Creator Network, partnering with influencers including MrBeast to offer digital content and product showcases aimed at Millennial and Gen Z consumers.

NEW STORES

• Century Club retailer Carthage Hardware in Carthage, Mo., opened its second location on Java Road, also in Carthage, and the new store will serve as the company’s base for handyman services and small engine repair.

• Florida’s Sunshine Ace Hardware opened a new location in Winchester Center of East Naples, Fla. The company now has 17 stores in Southwest Florida.

• Chattanooga, Tenn.–based Elder’s Ace Hardware , which operates 27 stores in five states, has acquired Royall Ace Hardware in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

• The Helpful Hardware Company has acquired Jordan’s Ace Hardware in Union, S.C.— marking its 20th store in the

IN THE NEWS

• Eric and Heidi Brown , owners of Paullina Hardware in Paullina, Iowa, purchased Shea’s True Value in Primghar, Iowa.

• 66 Hardware Group , a group of five family-owned hardware stores in Oklahoma and Texas, recently broke ground on a new location in Lake Dallas, Tex.

• Barr’s Ace Hardware in Williamsport, Pa., has relocated to a new spot on Market Street in the city.

Barr’s Ace Hardware, Williamsport,

• In June, Bliffert Lumber merged with Jauquet Lumber Co. Inc., a family-owned business founded in 1905, expanding its presence in Northeast Wisconsin.

• Twins Ace Hardware owners and brothers Craig and Jeff Smith plan to open a second location in Crystal City, Va., this fall.

• This June, Sety’s Ace Hardware in Chewelah, Wash., reopened after a fire in August 2023 gutted the historic building.

• Clouse’s Ace Hardware hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting of its new store in Linton, Ind., in June.

• Curry Ace Paint & Hardware in Quincy, Mass., hosted its grand reopening celebration in June.

• Dubuque, Iowa–based Spahn & Rose Lumber Co. has agreed to acquire Whit Davis Lumber Plus, a family-owned building materials supplier with three locations in central Arkansas.

• McCoy’s Building Supply has broken ground on its new 25,300 - square-foot location in New Caney, Tex. The company’s 86th store, it is expected to open in early 2026.

• Aubuchon Company has acquired two Wolf Family Hardware stores in Woodbury and Watertown, Conn., boosting its portfolio to 130 locations across 10 states.

• Hancock Lumber has acquired Johnson Lumber , a family-run lumberyard in Salisbury, Mass., marking its first location in the Bay State and the company’s 12th yard.

KUDOS

• The Do it Best Foundation raised a record-breaking almost $1.4 million at its fifth annual “Fore the Cause” golf tournament in June, with 460 participants across four Fort Wayne, Ind., courses. The event supports nonprofits focused on children, families, the arts and community enrichment nationwide. The Do it Best Foundation also awarded over $93,000 in Q2 grants—bringing its

• Jason Plummer , president of R.P. Lumber , has been appointed to the LBM Advantage board of directors. R.P. Lumber was recognized with a 2023 Retail Beacon Award .

• Do it Best Group has named Marianne Thompson executive vice president of transformation and integration to lead the strategic unification of operations across Do it Best, True Value and United Hardware.

• Kuiken Brothers has expanded its leadership team with the addition of three regional managers— Matt Berger , Michael Kuiken and Jeff Wood and appointed Jose Silva as senior operations strategy manager for its nine New Jersey and New York locations.

business technical support, sales, order assistance, claims and accounts receivable. Read more here.

• Shurtape Technologies has earned seven Gold Safety Awards from the North Carolina Department of Labor, recognizing the company’s outstanding safety performance and commitment to maintaining incident rates well below industry averages.

• The MITER Foundation has committed to donating $200,000 over five years to support the new Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla.

• Ace Hardware has welcomed David Majure —president and founder of Southeast Ace —as a new member of its board and reelected Kristen Pellicer and chairman Steven Burggraf to serve additional terms; read more here for full details on the 2025 board lineup.

WHOLESALER, MANUFACTURER NEWS

• Do it Best has launched a dedicated Member Care Team, led by newly appointed director Jared Hufford, to centralize and streamline support across

MITER Foundation to donate $200,000 to Ronald McDonald House at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital.

• Sika has acquired Gulf Additive Factory LLC , a Qatari constructionchemicals manufacturer, strengthening its production capabilities in the region and capitalizing on the area’s infrastructure boom and rising demand for energy-efficient building solutions.

• Zircon , a Silicon Valley pioneer in

Shurtape receives Gold Safety Awards.

Jared Hufford

Marianne Thompson