OPTIMISM EVIDENT AT GROUP MERCHANDISING CONFERENCE

Manufacturers and distributors were highly optimistic during the Group Merchandising Conference organized by PRO Group, Inc. and Val-Test Distributors, June 14-16, 2010 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Atlanta.  Steve Synnott, CEO of PRO Group, Inc. said that many of the attending distributors experienced solid growth January through May, which energized the conference, adding to the industry’s anticipation of stronger sales in the second half of 2010.  PRO Group hosts the Group Merchandising Conference annually; this is the fourth year distributors from the Schaumburg, Illinois-based Val-Test have participated. Attendees included 49 Distributor team members, PRO Group and Val-Test corporate office personnel and 95 individuals representing vendors. Read Full Press Release Here.

George Hebert, President of Blackstone Supply Company, a PRO Group member, discusses products with Tor Andre Skeie, CEO, and Morton Kristiansen, Sales Director, of Tape Invent, a PRO Group vendor from Bergen, Norway.

Toledo, Ohio based, Bostwick-Braun is pleased to announce the Bostwick-Braun Board of Directors has elected Christopher E. Beach to the office of President – Chief Operating Officer of The Bostwick-Braun Company, effective July 1, 2010.  Chris becomes the twelfth person to serve as President in the 155 year history of our organization.  In this new position, Chris will continue to oversee all marketing and logistics functions for the Bostwick-Braun core operations, while gaining additional knowledge about all other aspects of the business.  Chris started his career with The Bostwick-Braun Company in 1989 upon graduation from the University of Toledo.  After spending several years managing an Industrial sales territory in the Detroit market, he was promoted to Field Sales Manager in the late 90’s and elected to the office of Vice President – Industrial Sales in 2000.  Chris was tapped for greater responsibility in 2008 when he was named Chief Marketing Officer.  One year later, he was elected to his present position; Executive Vice President – Chief Operating Officer.  Chris and his wife Lori reside in Sylvania, Ohio with their two children, Zack and Catlin. 

PRO STAFF AND PRO-AFFILIATED DISTRIBUTORS SUPPORT NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW

The National Hardware Show®, in May, at the Las Vegas Convention Center closed on a high note, with a 20 percent increase in attendance; exhibitors reported brisk traffic at their booths and significant orders booked.  Many PRO-affiliated distributors’ staff members attended the show, participating in pre-show merchandise planning meetings as well as advertising and marketing meetings. Meeting topics included key vendors, and PRO buyers made recommendations on specific manufacturer programs for distributors to check out on the show floor.  The advertising meeting featured a preview of the 2011 program, soliciting feedback from attending distributors.  Shari Kalbach, managing director of PRO Group, said the show itself and the pre-show meetings serve a valuable purpose for PRO and the distributors.  Brendan Sullivan, director of merchandising for PRO Group was quoted in the show's official press release, saying, "It’s been a great Show – real positive with a lot of great vendors. I’ve been going to the Hardware Show for many years, and I’ve been so impressed this year with the atmosphere, attitude and management of the Show."  The National Hardware Show and the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) will co-locate the NRHA Annual Convention with the National Hardware Show beginning with the 2011 event, May 10-12, in Las Vegas. The 2011 National Hardware Show to be held in conjunction with the NRHA All-Industry Convention will host delegations from the International Hardware Association – the first time the IHA has held a meeting in the U.S.

Source: National Hardware Show and PRO Group, Inc.

HOUSING STARTS AND PERMITS TUMBLE IN MAY

Home construction plunged last month and building permits also fell, the latest signs that the construction industry won't fuel the economic recovery. Builders are scaling back now that government incentives have expired. The biggest evidence of that trend: single-family homes tumbled 17 percent, the largest monthly drop since January 1991. The struggle in the housing industry is a concern for the broader economy because fewer homes mean fewer jobs across various sectors. Read the Full Story Here.

BUILDING PERMITS

Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 574,000.

HOUSING STARTS

Privately-owned housing starts in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 593,000.

HOUSING COMPLETIONS

Privately-owned housing completions in May were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 687,000.  Find more information about May 2010 here

CONSUMERS READY TO SPEND ON HOMES

According to a survey conducted by American Express, Consumers are more than willing to fix up their homes, and they’re prepared to spend, on average, $6,200 on improvements. The online survey, conducted from March 30 to April 2, found that 62% of respondents planned to embark on some kind of renovation project in 2010. The majority (53%) involved indoor remodeling, with cosmetic work (36%), redoing a room (25%), and installing a new floor (14%) topping the list.  While 14% of homeowners described themselves as DIYers, 47% said they planned to hire a professional to do the job.   Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) homeowners said they will finance their projects with cash, check or savings, or use a charge card with the intention of paying the balance off in full before interest rates kick in (28%). Another 10% planned to use their income tax refund.  “Consumers are largely financing home improvement projects with money they have versus various forms of loans, such as home equity lines (9%) or revolving balances on credit cards,” the survey noted. Read the Full Article at Home Channel News.

PRO RETAILER NAMED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce recently named Electrical Outlet Home & PRO Hardware “Business of the Year.” Owner and president, Anthony Alexander, said he’s been building his business since he was just a teenager.  “I was honored to have gotten that award,” says Alexander. “The community has been good to me; business has been good for me.” At age 19, Anthony Alexander opened Electrical Outlet Home & PRO Hardware in Moulton, Alabama. The store was less than 5,000 square feet, and his father helped him finance it.  Thirty years later, the store expanded so much that in 2007 Alexander purchased an empty Wal-Mart building. Wal-Mart was expanding into a Super Wal-Mart and relocating, and Alexander saw a great business opportunity. Read the Full Story Here.

HOW TO: HAVE FUN GARDENING WITH KIDS

It seems that just working in the garden will motivate your children to garden with you. Whether their mimicking your every move or gardening on their own, it's a wonderful way for them to learn. From preparing the soil, selecting the plants, planting seeds, watching them grow to finally harvesting the crops, gardening is great family entertainment.  Learn How to Garden with Kids Here.