PRO HARDWARE ANNOUNCES 2008 PAUL L. COSGRAVE MEMORIAL AWARD WINNER & 2007 PRO HARDWARE RETAILERS OF THE YEAR

Denver, July 07, 2008… Denver-based PRO Hardware has named Poultry Electric PRO Hardware of Winchester, Tenn. the winner of the 2008 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award. Poultry Electric is also the 2007 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for Wallace Hardware Company.

Owned by Dale and Thelma Goodwin, Poultry Electric PRO Hardware is thriving amid a changing market in rural Winchester, Tenn. The store is one of a few hardware stores in the country that have successfully integrated poultry supplies.

The Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award, presented annually to a PRO Hardware retailer, recognizes superior commitment to the principles and ideals of effective hardware merchandising developed by PRO Hardware founder Paul L. Cosgrave.

Dale Goodwin purchased the store after traveling for two decades as a top salesman of poultry equipment. While he grew up helping his father with construction projects, this was his first venture into the retail business. His wife, Thelma, is a registered nurse who also helps in the business.

Immediately after purchasing the store, located next to a Wal-Mart, the Goodwins learned a new smaller format Home Depot (complete with a gas station, drive-through car wash and even a mini-mart) was moving a mere half-mile away.

The Morristown, Tenn.-based Wallace Hardware Company worked closely with the Goodwins to retrofit key departments and adjust the store’s marketing to compete profitably.

Marvin W. Wiley, field sales manager and PRO Hardware program director for Wallace Hardware, said, “The Poultry Electric PRO Hardware team, led by Dale and Thelma Goodwin, has done an excellent job adjusting to the market and they are already planning for their next niche.” Wiley said the owners focused on the key elements of the PRO Hardware marketing program, which include identification, complete promotional programs, group purchasing power, store modernization, inventory management and retailer value-added services.

“Each department was tweaked to the marketplace and we also incorporated all of the necessary updated and modern inside and outside signage,” Wiley said. “We added additional endcaps and promotional displays to improve traffic flow and increase the store’s appeal to the customer.” 

The store also stepped up and refocused its PRO Hardware advertising program. Other recent changes included a market study done by the Wallace Hardware sales team, featuring an expansion of the plumbing and electrical departments and a complete store reset. Goodwin also found an opportunity to help poultry producers upgrade chicken houses.

Goodwin’s next move is expanding an existing remodeling niche for kitchens and bathrooms. “Our parking lot is seldom empty and most of the time customers are buzzing in and out of here,” Dale Goodwin said. “When I heard we won the Paul L. Cosgrave award, I was speechless.”

Goodwin gave much of the credit for the store’s success to his employees, many of whom have been with Poultry for many years. “Our employees truly are the key to our success. They are the real winners here and we are pleased we were able to retain the key people that were on board when we purchased the store. We have an excellent staff of intelligent, honest, dedicated employees,” he said. “My transition to the role of retail business owner without our team and the help of the Wallace Hardware family would have been much more difficult. We have four team members certified with the North American Hardware Association (NRHA) and hopefully will have all of them certified soon.”

Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award Finalist

The 2008 Paul L. Cosgrave Award finalist is McClain PRO Hardware of Hanover, Michigan. McClain PRO Hardware is also PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for The Bostwick-Braun Company, which is based in Toledo, Ohio.

Owner Ron McClain, along with his son Brian McClain and daughter, Robin Meyers, have set their business apart from other area hardware stores through several niche departments. These specialty items appeal to the consumer and help keep dollars local. The store carries items such as giftware, greeting cards and toys. They also have a strong commercial business and cater to the large agricultural community. McClain’s also showcases an impressive automotive display.

Damian Nicholson, dealer promotions manager for The Bostwick-Braun Company, said McClain PRO Hardware is a progressive store with aggressive store hours and strong niche departments. “They are willing to listen to new ideas and concepts, while also listening to the needs of their customers,” Nicholson said. “Ron McClain and his staff know that this is the only way they’ll continue growing.”

Brian McClain, store manager, said, “It’s always nice to be recognized by the industry.” As fuel prices have soared, the McClain family’s generous hours (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. six days a week and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays) have paid off now more than ever, with locals thinking twice about making trips to big box stores out of town. “Our customer counts continue to increase,” McClain said.

Additional PRO Hardware Award Winners

The 2007 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for Horizon Distribution, Inc. is Welches Mountain Building Supply of Welches, Oregon. Mike Dawson of Horizon Distribution, Inc. said owners Bill and Rochelle Simonds not only took every opportunity to learn from the store's former owner but also took SBA courses on small business management and have attended virtually every seminar and learning opportunity Horizon Distribution offered them."They brought a fresh set of eyes to the store and the result has been award-winning customer service, record sales and broad inventory,” Dawson said. “They truly have a heart for service and that has made them an integral part of the community. We at HDI are proud to be their supplier and prouder of all that they have accomplished."

The 2007 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for Long-Lewis Hardware Company is Danny's PRO Builder's Supply of Centre, Ala. Jane Blythe, PRO director for Long-Lewis, said Long-Lewis is honoring Dan Johnson of Danny's PRO Builder's Supply for the third year as a Retailer of the Year because of the retailer's excellence and dedication to the PRO Hardware program. The store's customer service extends throughout its operation, she said. "The way they cater to customers is really amazing and earns them repeat business. Customers say they don’t mind driving by the competition because of the help they receive at Danny's PRO Builder's Supply, where personal customer service is 100 percent.” Blythe said, “As soon as a person walks in the front door they are greeted and asked what they need. That employee then walks with the customer to where the merchandise is located and discusses the project."

PRO Hardware Retailers of the Year are selected based upon merchandising, inventory management, PRO key supplier support, advertising, store identification, sales and financial performance.
 

Dale and Thelma Goodwin, Poultry Electric PRO Hardware

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Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc. www.pro-group.com www.pro-group.com is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 40 Member Distributors.

Note: Photos of award winners available upon request to Elissa Motley, PRO Group, Inc. at elissa.motley@pro-group.com.  (303) 792-3000.

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