Content about forward

May 23, 2013

Perspectives on promotion and pricing of U.S.-made building products

WOLF applauds “Made in the USA,” the special section HCN published in March. As a company sourcing American-made cabinets, decking and railing, WOLF gained insight from both HCN’s original survey and the experiences of other “Made in the USA” brands.

May 23, 2013

The Parr Lumber Co. board of directors has appointed James Boyer president of the company and its subsidiaries. 

“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead this remarkable organization during a rapidly evolving and exciting time in our industry,” said Boyer. “The Parr Co., the customers and partners have been such an important part of my life; I am looking forward to the new role and additional opportunities to serve this company and the customers.”

March 28, 2013

An article in the New York Times examines the improvements in remote control home automation.

An article in the New York Times examines the improvements in remote control home automation.

Among the companies mentioned in the article titled: “Controlling the ‘Smart Home’ With Tablets and Smartphones,” are Nest, Belkin, Philips and Comcast’s Xfinity Home.

The article examines the issue of stand-alone performance versus whole-home connectivity.

March 8, 2013

The loss of sleep brought on by the daylight saving time change may increase workplace accidents and injuries, according to researchers.

At 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, 2013, most people across the United States set their clocks forward one hour to start daylight saving time (DST), so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically, clocks are adjusted forward one hour near the start of spring and are adjusted backward in autumn.

February 22, 2013

James Harrison is responsible for all of the company's home-building operations throughout Houston, from land acquisition and construction to sales and customer service.

KB Home has announced that James Harrison has been named president of its Houston division. Harrison is responsible for all of the company's home-building operations throughout Houston, from land acquisition and construction to sales and customer service. 

January 31, 2013

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the British maker of D-Con products refused to adopt the agency's safety standards.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is moving to ban the sale of 12 d-CON mouse and rat poison products produced by Reckitt Benckiser because these products fail to comply with current EPA safety standards.

December 13, 2012

Salt Lake City — Near BMC’s West Jordan, Utah, facility, a builder is planning 177 new homes on a single plat. The project is expected to take place during a six-month window of construction.

For John Osborne, BMC sales manager for Utah, it’s BMC time.

December 7, 2012

Canadian retailer RONA issued a set of strategic priorities on Dec. 6 that the company hopes will quell shareholder unrest and drive more profits going forward.  Dominique Boies, RONA’s acting CEO,  underscored the company’s focus on growing key customer segments, simplifying the organization’s business model through streamlined operations and processes, and achieving the right scalability.

November 2, 2012

Scotts’ way forward?
The following refers to the article, “Scotts Miracle-Gro names senior VP independent channel.”

August 30, 2012

Towson, Md.-based Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G).

The manufacturer describes the new product as “the world’s first motion-activated screwdriver.” It uses gyroscopic technology that allows users to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse.

The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control while screwdriving, the company said.

August 17, 2012

A fourth consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth at Walmart’s U.S. business helped the company achieve a slightly better than expected profit performance.

August 16, 2012

Black & Decker has introduced the GYRO 4V MAX Lithium-ion Rechargeable Screwdriver (BDCS40G), a motion-activated screwdriver that controls variable speed and direction. The variable speed feature and direction change that occurs with a twist of the wrist provide improved control.

With the screwdriver’s gyroscopic technology, users only need to rotate their wrist one-quarter turn to the right for forward or left for reverse. 

August 2, 2012

BlueLinx Holdings, the Atlanta-based building materials distributor, reported sales of $517 million for its second fiscal quarter, a 3.3% gain over sales of $500.8 million in the same quarter of 2011.

BlueLinx Holdings, the Atlanta-based building materials distributor, reported sales of $517 million for its second fiscal quarter, a 3.3% gain over sales of $500.8 million in the same quarter of 2011. The increase in revenue was attributed to increased underlying product prices for both specialty and structural product categories. Overall unit volume declined 1.3% compared with the same period a year ago as seasonal demand was pulled forward by favorable weather experienced during the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the company said.

July 10, 2012

The 2012 Home Channel News Pro Dealer Industry Scoreboard reveals that the nation’s top 200 leading lumberyards and building material dealers are collectively moving forward. There’s no doubt that pockets of pain remain in the lumber and building material retail and distribution industry, as housing construction advances ever so slowly from the record lows of 2011. But each day the positive news seems to take a step or two ahead of the negative news.

July 2, 2012

Springfield, Ohio-based Konecranes, maker of overhead cranes and lifting equipment, acquired Ameratronic Industries of Portage, Ind.

"We're very excited about this acquisition," said Bernie D'Ambrosi, VP and director, Region Americas Service, "and we look forward to continuing the high standard of service that Ameratronic Industries has established."

July 2, 2012

The 2012 Home Channel News Pro Dealer Industry Scoreboard reveals that the nation’s top 200 leading lumberyards and building material dealers are collectively moving forward.

There’s no doubt that pockets of pain remain in the lumber and building material retail and distribution industry, as housing construction advances ever so slowly from the record lows of 2011. But each day the positive news seems to take a step or two ahead of the negative news.

May 4, 2012

Last year, the original 50 Home Channel News Hardware Store All-Star honorees established a high bar and a hard act to follow. But the 2012 crop rises to the challenge. This year’s Hardware Store All-Stars, one from each of the 50 U.S. states, have at least one thing in common: Ask them what makes them special and you can bet they’ll include “excellent customer service” in the answer. From there, every path to stardom is unique.

May 2, 2012

Whirlpool Corp. has announced the opening of its new, state-of-the-art Riverview Campus in Benton Harbor, Mich.

"With the opening of this beautiful and spacious campus, we are looking forward to a continued future with the city of Benton Harbor, which we have been proud to call home for over 100 years," said Jeff Fettig, chairman and CEO. "The Riverview Campus allows Whirlpool Corp. to deliver on improvements in productivity, operations, energy efficiency and overall employee experience."

May 1, 2012

The National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI) decreased one point to 47 from the upwardly revised 48 in the previous quarter.

In the first quarter, the RMI component measuring current market conditions dropped one point to 49, while the component measuring future indicators of remodeling business fell two points to 44.

April 27, 2012

Whether it’s a product designed to bring efficiency to the home, save time for the DIYer or allow a consumer a chance to feel good about buying a Made-in-the-USA product, show organizers have taken steps to give permanence to the show-floor activity.

The May 1 to 3 event at the Las Vegas Convention Center will see a few new twists.

For the first time at the show, a “Made in the USA Pavilion” will showcase domestic-made products.

April 20, 2012

In the tradition of encouraging innovation, The National Hardware Show will give credit where credit is due through a series of awards ceremonies recognizing the best of the best in product design and innovation.

April 16, 2012

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes declined for the first time in seven months this April, sliding three notches to 25 on the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index. The decline brings the index back to where it was in January, which was the highest level since 2007.

April 11, 2012

Marking the one-year anniversary of the April 16 tornado that destroyed the retailers Sanford, N.C., store, Lowe’s today launched a “Give Back. Pay it Forward” event with American Red Cross.

From April 13-17, Lowe’s has set up collection areas in Sanford and online so people can donate to the relief organization. The American Red Cross will also host a blood drive on April 16 at the store.

April 10, 2012

Atlanta based outdoor furniture and umbrella company Southern Casual Living announced today a company name change to differentiate itself in the lawn and garden marketplace.  The new company name is ATLeisure.  Southern Casual Living, formally Southern Patio, has taken a new direction and will be marketing itself under their new logo and name starting in the 2013 season.

March 23, 2012

A federal district court decision on a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule requiring employers to post notices informing workers of their right to unionize could have a wide-reaching impact on most U.S. employers and their workers, according to experts.