Content about WIS

May 25, 2012
Menards looking at St. Louis market

Menards may become the first anchor tenant in a vacant St. Louis mall, one of local several sites the Midwest retailer is eyeing for expansion, according to an article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The developer of the Northwest Plaza shopping center told the County Tax Increment Financing Commission on May 23 that Menards is interested in purchasing 17 acres of the site to build a 160,000 sq. ft. store.

May 10, 2012
True Value brings rental ideas to Midwest demo day

True Value Co.’s rental team brought together more than 100 supplier representatives, rental operators and store associates to take part in its second regional Rental Demo Day event in Menomonee Falls, Wis.

April 12, 2012
Hardware stores, others, confront new Facebook

Social media marketers are learning a few new tricks now that Facebook is rolling out a new interface design called “Timeline."

They have to. Consider the following Facebook posting from Milton, Wis.-based Dave’s Ace Hardware about the new Timeline format offered by the social media network:

March 28, 2012
The name ‘Yardworks’ officially taken by Menards

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) officially issued the trademark for a variety of Menards lawn and garden products.

The Eau Claire, Wis.-based home center retailer filed its application Aug. 2, 2011, and was officially given the trademark March 20.

The yard and lawn applications include lawn mowers, mechanical spreaders for seed and dry lawn chemicals, and mechanical lawn aerators. The brand also applies to power tools such as blowers, edgers, lawn trimmers and hedge shears.

March 7, 2012
Technology provider launches installed sales program

Cilio Technologies, a Brookfield, Wis.-based specialist in automated order distribution and management of installed sales for the building materials industry, has announced the launch of the Cilio Partners Portal, a Web platform for home improvement retailers and manufacturers. The cloud-based software solution gives all trading partners real-time visibility and insight into orders and the sales channel, according to the company.

February 27, 2012
Andersen begins conversion to cleaner fleet

Andersen Corporation opened a new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling station near the company’s Menomonie, Wis., plant. 

Located at the Cedar County Cooperative Cenex, this station provides a new alternative fuel source for Andersen as it begins to convert its transportation fleet to CNG, reducing both operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions for the company.

November 3, 2011
ABC Supply names new operations executive

ABC Supply, the nation’s largest distributor of roofing, has promoted Mike Boggs to director of operations, a newly created position. In his new role, Boggs is responsible for championing, developing and implementing critical operational initiatives, including continued improvement of the company’s Customer Service Delivery System (CSDS), inventory management, fleet optimization, outside sales management, response to storms, and the leveraging of technology to enhance internal service quality and customer service. 

November 3, 2011
Lyman Lumber joins US LBM Holdings

Lyman Lumber, the Excelsior, Minn.-based pro dealer, has been acquired by BlackEagle Partners, the parent company of US LBM Holdings. Serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area as well as parts of Wisconsin, Lyman Lumber includes lumberyards in Chanhassen, Minn., and Eau Claire, Wis., as well as Carpentry Contractors Corp. and Automated Building Components.

September 27, 2011
ABC Supply names promotions

ABC Supply Co., the nation’s largest distributor of roofing, siding, windows and other exterior building products, has promoted 20 branch managers around the country to managing partners. They are Steve Colton of Neenah, Wis.; Ray Coxe of Delran, N.J.; Jamie Crawford of Salisbury, Md.; Gregg D’Angelo of Youngstown, Ohio; Dennis DeBolt of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Stephen Duggan of Conley, Ga.; Mark Forbes of Rockford, Ill.; Bob Gieseman of East Peoria, Ill.; Brian M.

September 27, 2011
ABC Supply names promotions

ABC Supply Co., the nation’s largest distributor of roofing, siding, windows and other exterior building products, has promoted 20 branch managers around the country to managing partners. They are Steve Colton of Neenah, Wis.; Ray Coxe of Delran, N.J.; Jamie Crawford of Salisbury, Md.; Gregg D’Angelo of Youngstown, Ohio; Dennis DeBolt of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Stephen Duggan of Conley, Ga.; Mark Forbes of Rockford, Ill.; Bob Gieseman of East Peoria, Ill.; Brian M.

August 3, 2011
Empire Level commits to "Made in USA" approach

Mukwonago, Wis.-based Empire Level Manufacturing Corp. said "Made in USA" products are playing a bigger role in its performance and marketing.

The company pointed to stats showing an increase of 20% in revenue from "Made in USA" products, compared with five years ago. Also, 80% of Empire Level’s products are now manufactured and assembled entirely in the United States.

August 1, 2011
Paul Menard enters winner's circle in Indianapolis

Driving a Chevrolet sponsored by the home center chain founded by his father, Nascar driver Paul Menard won his first race. 

John Menard, founder of Eau Claire, Wis.-based Menards, celebrated the upset victory at the Brickyard 400 with his son at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The win was the first for Paul Menard, after 167 races.

July 7, 2011
Menards project approved with $1.6 million tax incentive

A 162,340-sq.-ft. Menards has received final approval in Howard, Wis., outside of Green Bay, in a controversial deal that included $1.6 million in tax incentives, according to an article in the Green Bay Press Gazette. 

June 29, 2011
STAFDA turns on new website

The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) has launched a new-and-improved website at stafda.org.

The Elm Grove, Wis.-based association's new site offers improved navigation and mobile device compatility. It went live on June 23.

STAFDA president Mike Kangas of Alaska Industrial Hardware in Anchorage, Ala., in his President's Message to STAFDA members said: "In today's business environment, being tech savvy and making the most of current technology is a must."

June 27, 2011
Menards plans new store for Green Bay area

According to an article in the Green Bay Gazette, Menards is planning a 162,340-sq.-ft. store for the village of Howard, near Green Bay, Wis. 

The project has already received the approval of the local planning commission. The store is slated for a 19-acre site near U.S. 41 on Woodman Drive.

June 21, 2011
Blain Supply begins headquarters addition

The supplier to Blain's Farm & Fleet has begun construction on a 43,000-sq.-ft. addition to its Janesville, Wis., headquarters, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.

Blain Supply serves 34 Blains' Farm & Fleet stores in Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.

June 7, 2011
A.O. Smith names new controller

Milwaukee, Wis.-based A. O. Smith announced that Daniel Kempken has been named VP and controller.

In his new position, Kempken will oversee the accounting, financial planning, internal audit and risk management functions for the global manufacturer of residential and commercial water heating equipment.

May 29, 2011
Ace's Motorcycle Mission rides again

For the fourth year in a row, the Ace Foundation's "Motorcycle Miracle Mission" is hitting the road to raise money for Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

The event generated $100,000 for the cause in the last three years. Riders will travel the 600-mile route from Oak Brook, Ill. -- headquarters of Ace Hardware -- to Marshfield, Wis., and back July 22-24.

May 9, 2011
Riding mowers recalled

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Kohler Co. of Kohler, Wis., has recalled 10,000 lawn tractors sold under the Cub Cadet, Troy-Bilt and Husqvarna brands because of the possibility of injuries to users.

A wire connector on the lawn tractors’ engine can become disconnected, causing the operator's seat switch to fail. When this happens, the blades will not shut down, posing a laceration hazard to consumer.

May 6, 2011
Master Lock partners with Dirty Jobs host

Master Lock has a new spokesman: Mike Rowe, creator and host of Discovery Channel's popular program, “Dirty Jobs.” 

The Oak Creek, Wis. manufacturer is launching a new line of security products designed to protect tools and equipment in the cargo area of pickup trucks and vans, especially those used by contractors and other professionals. Rowe will act as the spokesman for this new product line.

April 27, 2011
Attendance climbs at stair industry event

The Stairway Manufacturers' Association's (SMA's) annual conference in Charlotte, N.C., attracted 20% more attendees than last year's event in St. Louis, the SMA announced.

During the conference, the membership ratified a new mission statement: "To be the greatest resource of knowledge and tools contributing to the success of our members and the stair industry." The SMA is currently reviewing its advertising and display policy to determine if less restrictions would be beneficial to its mission.

April 18, 2011
After tornado, Lincoln Windows keeps working

With its Merrill, Wis., headquarters and final assembly plant hit by a tornado April 10, Lincoln Windows issued a press release indicating the company is continuing operations.

The company said its Timeline, Wis., facility was not damaged by the tornado and is fully operational now that shared computer operations have been restored. Production has already resumed on existing and incoming orders, according to the company.

April 18, 2011
After tornado, Lincoln Windows keeps working

With its Merrill, Wis., headquarters and final assembly plant hit by a tornado April 10, Lincoln Windows issued a press release indicating the company is continuing operations.

The company said its Timeline, Wis., facility was not damaged by the tornado and is fully operational now that shared computer operations have been restored. Production has already resumed on existing and incoming orders, according to the company.

April 14, 2011
Lincoln Windows thrown by tornado

Merrill, Wis.-based Lincoln Windows continues to struggle following a destructive tornado that hit the company's corporate offices and final assembly plant on April 10. 

The Sunday evening twister, luckily, caused only one minor injury, but it left the operation in shambles, as photos and Youtube videos attest.

April 8, 2011
Menards takes on Columbus

Home improvement retail Menards will open the first of two planned stores in Columbus, Ohio on April 12, according to an article in the Columbus Business Journal. 

The Eau Claire, Wis. retailer purchased the land for the site in 2008 but did not start construction until last May, according to the article. The company is also preparing to build a second location on the east side of Columbus.