Content about 2nd millennium

Quikrete, a manufacturer of packaged concrete products for the building and home improvement markets, has announced the six winners of the Quikrete “What America’s Made Of” sweepstakes. The winners, who entered the contest at DannyLipford.com, each received a copy of the "Quikrete Guide to Concrete" book and up to $599 in Quikrete products to help build a patio, BBQ fire pit, walkway or outdoor kitchen.

Home builder Lennar Corp. reported revenues of $796.4 million for its second fiscal quarter, a 23% jump from revenues of $649.8 million in 2011. Revenues were higher primarily due to a 20% increase in the number of home deliveries, excluding unconsolidated entities, and a 2% increase in the average sales price of homes delivered. New-home deliveries increased to 3,192 homes in the second quarter of 2012, from 2,652 homes last year.

It’s called a 20-20 double-double, and among business metrics it’s a grand slam multiplied by a slam dunk. The definition is sales and earnings growth of at least 20% in the same quarter.

Not only did Winona, Minn.-based Fastenal achieve a 20-20 in the first quarter — $769 million in sales, up 20.0%, and $100 million in net earnings, up 26.0% — but the company has scored a 20-20 double-double for eight consecutive quarters.

Morrison Supply Co., the fourth-largest distributor of plumbing and HVAC supplies in the United States, has sold a majority share to private equity firm Advent International.

Founded in 1917, Morrison is now the largest distributor of plumbing supplies in the southwestern United States. The company has 77 branches and showrooms, located in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas. Morrison has several lines of business, including plumbing, heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC), industrial pipes, valves & fittings, oil & gas and waterworks.

As part of the kickoff event of a home renovation and youth education project, Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed presented YouthBuild Schenectady with a $100,000 grant in support of the organization’s green building education and job-training program for low-income youth.

While in Denver for its annual retailer convention, Ace Hardware surprised Ayla Charness, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Colorado Champion, with a complete bedroom makeover. 

Owens Corning has added John Williams, the president and CEO of Domtar, as its newest director, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Williams was elected after the Owens Corning board decided to increase its size by one member. His term expires in 2014.

Williams will serve on the audit and finance committees.

Domtar Corp. is a Montreal-based producer of paper and pulp products. 

The National Association of Home Builders has released a new monthly index that examines metropolitan areas that have shown sustained economic improvement. Called the NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), the new index measures three key economic areas -- housing permits, employment and housing prices -- during a six-month or more period.

The list of metro areas on the IMI’s inaugural list include:

According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, the market dynamics of the Pittsburgh area are enticing ProBuild into western Pennsylvania. 

Not many people know about Amedeo Obici’s business history. But if they did, they could definitely learn from it.


Born in Oderzo, Italy. Migrated to America in 1889. His voyage was intended to take him to live with his uncle and his family in Scranton, Pa. But unable to speak any English, he was misdirected, or lost his way, and ultimately ended up in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where other Italians, the Musantes, took him in.


The May issue of Home Channel News compiled the first-ever Hardware Store All Star list. Here are three more of the 50: standout stores from Arkansas, California and Colorado.

Do it Best Corp. has extended its contract with DemandTec, a provider of software for sales promotions. The Fort Wayne, Ind.-based co-op uses two of DemandTec’s products, DemandTec's Promotion Planning & Management and Promotion Execution.

"With 4,000 member stores to support, it is very important for us to give each location as much autonomy as possible in communicating to their customers," said Tim Miller, VP marketing at Do it Best Corp.