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PRO HARDWARE ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS

Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award Winners, Rita and Stan Stumbo of Hindman ProMart with Shari Kalbach-PRO Group, Inc. and Eddie Flynn-Wallace Hardware

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PRO DISTRIBUTOR - MEYER SEED COMPANY CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL    At first, the Meyer Seed Company on Caroline Street doesn’t look like much. The mulch-scented store has a few aisles of gar­den supplies, fertilizer and lawn-care tools. But then you notice the details: The walls lined with seed-filled draw­ers, resembling a giant apothecary chest; the customer who receives her change and says, “See ya next time”; the black-and-white photograph on the wall of two men, outside the store in the late ’60s at its previous location. That’s when you start realizing that there’s much more to this store, which has been open since 1910. Even the 50,000-square-foot warehouse behind the store can’t hold all of the century-old store’s history.  Read the Full Story Here.  Source: Baltimore Magazine

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PRO GROUP CHAIRMAN ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

PRO Group Chairman of the Board, Richard Paige, will retire from PRO Group on December 31, 2010, after 21 years of service. He will continue serving as managing member/CEO of two PRO-affiliated companies: PRO Group Distribution, operating in the grocery industry, and PGM Integrated, a full-service advertising agency.Paige has spent 38 years in the hardware industry. He joined PRO Group in 1989 as senior vice president of marketing and operations, then progressed to president, CEO and, finally to his current position.Reflecting on his 21 years of service, the chairman says that one of the fundamental business tenets he adhered to throughout his career is: “To build a sustainable company it is important to hire people with character, intelligence, enthusiasm and maturity—everything else is teachable.” Paige went on to say, “This is especially important in a service business where the staff typically becomes a key competitive advantage.”  Read the Full Story Here

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ENCOURAGE HEALTH & WELLNESS TO LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS 

The responsibility of lowering health care costs now falls squarely within the employers’ camp. Keeping people healthier longer and returning people to better health sooner are some of the best ways possible to lower employer health care costs. The fewer and less intensive health services utilized, the lower health costs become.  In order to conquer the health cost curve, we must get a handle on the growth of chronic health care conditions (like diabetes and asthma) that travel in combination by twos, threes or more. Employers can already reward participation in wellness plans with lower insurance premiums and, under the new law, will be able to increase those rewards. Retailers as diverse as Zale Corp. and J.C. Penney have already taken steps to get their employees healthier. It is good for employees and good for business. Go to NRHA to Read the Full Story.

SOURCE: National Retail Federation

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CONSTRUCTION JUNCTION

BUILDING PERMITS: Privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 586,000.

HOUSING STARTS: Privately owned housing starts in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 549,000.

HOUSING COMPLETIONS: Privately owned housing completions in June were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 886,000.

Learn More About June Residential Construction Here

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EX-PILOT FOR 84 LUMBER ON TRIAL

Nicholas Ludi, the former chief pilot for 84 Lumber, has been ordered to stand trial on charges of using his position with the Pennsylvania-based dealer to fraudulently obtain $260,000, according to an article on the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.  The 62-year-old pilot has been accused of theft by deception, unlawful use of a computer and corruption. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing after prosecutors dropped a number of other theft-related charges. The crimes alleged occurred from 2003 to 2006, according to the newspaper report. Victims include Aero Innovation and Landmark Aviation, according to authorities. SOURCE: Home Channel News

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GRIFFON CORP. BUYS AMES TRUE TEMPER

Castle Harlan, Inc., the New York private equity firm, has announced that Castle Harlan Partners IV has agreed to sell Ames True Temper, Inc. for $542 million to Griffon Corp., a diversified management and holding company based in New York.  Ames True Temper is the leading North American manufacturer and global marketer of non-powered lawn and garden tools and accessories and has been in business since 1774.  Based in Camp Hill, Penn., Ames True Temper’s customers include national retailers such as The Home Depot, Lowe's and Wal-Mart, as well as major hardware chains throughout North America.  Read the Full Press Release Here. SOURCE Castle Harlan, Inc.

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STANLEY ACQUIRES OIL PIPELINE SUPPLY COMPANY

New Britain, Connecticut based Stanley Black & Decker announced it has acquired CRC-Evans, a global supplier of specialized tools, equipment and services for the construction of oil and natural gas transmission pipelines for $445 million. The company said the acquisition will further its portfolio diversification strategy and represents the first step in expanding its infrastructure solutions growth platform. The company said the acquisition will be immediately accretive to earnings. Read the Full Story Here.

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FARM FRESH FLASH: HOW TO HARVEST AND GROW HERBS

The harvest time for an herb is best determined by its growing condition, rather than by a specific date or month. Most herbs are ready to be harvested just as the first buds appear. That’s when leaves contain maximum oils as well as the most succulent taste and fragrance. Harvest and dry herbs during the summer and fall in order to extend the use into the winter months. Learn how here.