Retail Achievement: PRO Hardware Names 2011 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award Winner and 2010 Hardware Retailers of the Year

Denver, July 29, 2011… PRO Group, Inc. today announced this year’s Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award winner, finalists and PRO Hardware Retailers of the Year. Winners include Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware, Welches Mountain Building Supply, PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply and Danny’s Builder’s Supply.
The awards, presented annually to PRO Hardware retailers, recognize superior commitment to the principles and ideals of effective hardware merchandising. The Paul L. Cosgrave award is named for PRO Hardware’s founder.
Shari Kalbach, managing director for PRO Group, said this year's honorees are great examples of retail innovators. "This award program helps us spotlight independent retailers across the nation who excel in their markets and offer customers a viable alternative to big box stores," Kalbach said.

Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware

PRO Group, Inc. named Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware of Sugarcreek, Ohio, the winner of the 2011 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award. The store is also the 2010 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for The Bostwick-Braun Company, based in Toledo, Ohio

Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware, owned by Mark Schrock, began as a simple sawmill serving a small Amish community, 50 miles south of Akron, Ohio. It’s grown to fill the community’s and surrounding industrial needs. Schrock’s traditional belief system has inspired Stony Point’s management to diversify and focus on key niches. The store is a master distributor of important products such as Empire gas heaters, Tucson gas grills, Lifetime tables and chairs, as well as items such as natural gas-powered refrigerators, stoves and more.

Manager Leroy Raber, who has worked at Stony Point for 11 years, said he’s proud that the store won the award. “We were honored to learn about the award,” said Raber. “The recognition shows our employees that their hard work is paying off."

Raber added that being a part of the PRO Hardware family has been helpful to the store. "PRO Hardware is showing us the power of being part of a group. The PRO signage adds to our identity and shows customers we are part of PRO Hardware. We can customize the circular flyers that PRO offers us and distribute them. That’s been very effective for us," said Raber.

According to Damian Nicholson, The Bostwick-Braun Company PRO program director, Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware sets an unrivalled example for hardware stores. “Deeply rooted in the Amish community, they still know that being progressive and trying new things is the key to their growth. New categories, new items and expanding advertising allow them to reach out to new customers, and they continually look at their store to try to improve their current offerings. Plus, they offer great customer service and really know their customer base,” said Nicholson.

Nicholson said that as the store’s manager, Raber has taken a number of business risks, and they’ve paid off. He’s focused on category expansion, advertising and customer service, and, in doing so, significantly increased business in just a few short years. Nicholson adds that the store and its customers rely on frequent PRO circular ads to keep the community informed of new products and specials.

In addition, Stony Point Supply and PRO Hardware is heavily invested in its Sugarcreek, Ohio community, supporting the local schools and fire department.

Welches Mountain Building Supply

Welches Mountain Building Supply in Welches, Oregon, is a finalist for the 2011 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award and the 2010 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for Horizon Distribution, located in Yakima Washington.

Mike Dawson, Horizon Distribution’s retail sales manager, said that Welches Mountain Building Supply plays an important role in serving the community surrounding Mt. Hood. “Their business is successful because they live by the Golden Rule - they treat customers how they would want to be treated,” said Dawson.
Owners Rochelle and Bill Simonds said they are proud to be recognized. “It’s exciting, because it’s a validation of all the hard work that we put in,” said Rochelle Simonds. “We go out of our way to try and help customers.”
Simonds said the store has been heavily involved with the community since her aunt, Renee Knapp, purchased the family business in 1988. Over the years, the community has grown to rely on the hardware store for far more than plumbing or electrical items. It’s become a true gathering place and community resource.
In addition, the owners are heavily involved within the community. Rochelle is part of the Volunteer Support Group for the Hoodland Rural Fire Department, providing meals when the firefighters need them. The store is also involved with supporting local schools, the Mount Hood Area Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club International, Boy Scouts of America and more.

Grateful for the store’s success, Simonds said that PRO Hardware and Horizon Distribution have played a large role in its continued success. “They are awesome. We’re a small store trying to provide everything our customers need, and they are so supportive and so helpful,” she said. “Without them, we couldn’t have done this.”

PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply

PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply in Millwood, West Virginia, is a 2011 Paul L. Cosgrave Memorial Award finalist and the 2010 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for Wallace Hardware Company, based in Morristown, Tennessee.

According to Richard Snowden, senior vice president of marketing for Wallace Hardware Company, PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply sets a high bar for other hardware stores to follow. “Owner Jeff McCoy is very good at using good business practices to build a strategy and execute performance in a retail environment,” said Snowden.
Owners Jeff and Stephanie McCoy opened PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply in 2007 in hopes of serving both the industrial arena and the residents of Millwood. Jeff McCoy said that he is thrilled and humbled by the recognition. He credits the store’s success - sales were up 3 percent last year - to what he calls “customer care,” adding that the store’s mission is to be “the friendliest, most helpful and convenient retail store in Jackson County, West Virginia.”
In addition, McCoy said that PRO Group’s “Six Pillars of Success” are the foundation of PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply. Those pillars include identification, merchandising, low-cost buying programs, inventory control, advertising and value-added services. He said that PRO’s marketing has been instrumental to the store’s success.

Beyond fulfilling the community’s hardware needs, McCoy said that PRO Hardware and Industrial Supply is working to make the community, itself, a better place. The store sponsors sports teams, purchases three to five hogs each year at the junior fair to benefit Future Farmers of America, supports the Jackson General Hospital Foundation and more.

Danny’s Builder’s Supply

Danny’s Builder’s Supply in Centre, Alabama, is the 2010 PRO Hardware Retailer of the Year for the Birmingham, Alabama-based Long-Lewis Hardware Company. Owner Dan Johnson credited the award to long-time employee and store manager, Alicia Blalock. “Hard-working doesn’t even begin to describe her,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t succeed without Alicia.”

Jane Geggus, PRO program director for Long-Lewis Hardware Company, said many of the store’s customers pass by the competition to shop at Danny’s because of the exceptional service they receive. “The key to success is being consistent,” said Geggus. “Danny has been a part of the PRO program for seven years, and never once wavered from his commitment to informing his market about his business and services.

Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc. www.pro-group.com is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 30 Member Distributors.

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Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc., www.pro-group.com<http://www.pro-group.com>, is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 30 Member Distributors.

Note: Photos of award winners available upon request to Stephanie Pedersen, PRO Group, Inc. at stephanie.pedersen@pro-group.com (303) 792-3000.

For More Information Contact:

Shari Kalbach, PRO Group, Inc.

(303) 792-3000 shari.kalbach@pro-group.com

Additional media contact:
Ruth Furman, ImageWords (702) 255-8288