Digital Editions

April 2024 Issue

The latest issue of Hardware & Building Supply Dealer is green all over, featuring "Sustainability Seekers" who are driving progress toward more sustainable building and retailing practices..

Also in the latest issue:

• The risk-reward of installed sales;
• Page Lumber's 100th anniversary in the Hudson Valley; and 
• A report from the International Builders’ Show.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

March 2024 Issue

As guardians of the Golden Hammer, HBSDealer is proud to present this year’s class of Golden Hammer Award winners, honoring the best new products of the year.

Also in the latest issue:

• Fasteners on the front line: The industry responds to demands for faster, better, easier;
• Do it Best report: Making moves in e-commerce; and 
• Top Women profile: Jodie Brixey administers healthy doses of leadership in California.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

February 2024 Issue

Cover story: The Decking issue illustrates and illuminates the trends, the products and the opportunities in what remains a bright category for home centers and prodealers. Plus: The Deck Supply builds a solid reputation in the Midwest.

• Thoughts on the Mount Rushmore of home improvement products;
• Wisconsin hardware store checks all the boxes when it comes to merchandising; and 
• Top Women profile: Megan Menzer of Newton’s True Value shares the meaning of “family.”

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

January 2024 Issue

Cover story: The All-American issue examines how veterans of the armed services have found a home in the. home improvement industry;

Also in the latest issue now available online:

• Independent Profile: Upstate New York’s Erie Materials maintains its forward course with an organic approach to growth. 
• The National Association of Realtors’.  Housing market forecast
• Technology: Do it Yourself lives at this hardware store’s checkout line.

And in every issue: Product Knowledge, People  in the News and the Quikrete Industry Dashboard.

December 2023 Issue

Cover story: Top Women of Hardware & Building Supply get top billing in the latest issue of HBSDealer. The industry showed up and showed out in Chicago as Top Women in Building & Supply continued its pursuit of opportunities and equity, and here are the highlights. 

Plus, a roll call of Rising Stars and Business Excellence award winners.

• A Shrining example of philanthropy, from the leader of Ferguson Lumber;
• Independent profile: By Air or By Sea: Browne’s Home Center, on San Juan Island off the Washington State coast, is the fourth TAL location to receive a major makeover; and
• Co-op Report: Ace Hardware builds on its Handyman Services program as it taps into the do-it-for-me trend.

October 2023

• Cover story: The 2023  ProDealer of the Year. Kodiak Building Partners, builds on the local market strengths of high-performance operators.
• Regulations gone wild: a defense of the tankless water heater. 
• News & Analysis: A merger of associations in the Midwest; lessons on loss prevention; Lowe’s nurtures its rural roots; and more. 
• Product focus: Exterior building products and technologies to raise roof sales. Plus: anti-theft in the power-tool aisle.
• Top Women Profile Series: Alisha Gray of Orgill shares her motivation and advice.

September 2023

• Meet Hilltop Lumber,  the 2023 Independent ProDealer of the Year. 
• Insights from Builders FirstSource on technology and the building process.
• Category coverage of decking and railing, as well as stains. 

• LMC’s Rachel Hoops, compoonents and B2B sales manager, offered the following advice to women entering the industry: "Once you’re here, find your allies and learn everything you can from them.”

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July/August 2023 Issue

• Highlights from the first fifty of the Top 150 Leaderboard of hardware and building supply dealers, ranked by sales. Plus: analysis from leading dealers as they reflect on 2022 and prepare for 2023 and beyond.
• Independent Profile: Parks Building Solutions looks to perfect its process in North Carolina.
• Windows and Doors: Including one industry leader’s market insights.
• True Value Report: A Mt. Pulaski retailer rises to the challenge of staffing. Also: the distributor digs for Project Green Freedom.
• Top Women Profile Series: Secrets to longevity from Idaho’s “Tin Lady,” Leila Crockett.

June 2023 Issue

THE TECH ISSUE: Store traffic, workforce support, customer centricity—it’s all included in the special report with some of the biggest names in the business. Included are reports from The Home Depot, Lowe’s, Builders FirstSource and more. Plus Five steps to boost your business’ tech performance.

• Independent Profile: Krogen’s celebrates 90 years in Wisconsin.
• Orgill CEO Boyden Moore offers a distribution update from Memphis and beyond.
• Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply features Katrina Ralston of Feeney.
• SPECIAL REPORT: Do it Best builds a better path to purchase. 

May 2023 Issue

On the cover: STIHL Hardware All Stars,  spotlighting retail excellence in all 50 states, including Graber Building Supply in Illinois. Also inside:

• Truck drivers in the spotlight: As freight volume increases, dealers look to attract carriers. It’s not an easy road;
• Runnings, the Midwest home, farm and ranch retailer, is picking up the pace with the acquisition of Edwardsville, Ill.-based R.P. Home & Harvest;
• Top Women Profile Series: Ann Welsh of Home Depot Rental takes ownership of inspiration;
• Product coverage: Science to the rescue for Rescue! insect repellent. Plus, experts weigh in on outdoor living trends, and much more.

April 2023 Issue

Cover story: “The Sustainability Issue.” For the hardware and building supply industry, it’s not only an opportunity to win loyalty from customers, it’s a chance to plant seeds for future customers and future savings. From Brinkmann's Paint & Hardware to The Home Depot, here are some highlights from around the industry. Also inside:

• Regulatory News from a legislative conference hosted by the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association:
• Major milestones for “Century Dealers:” Ward Lumber, Whitmore Ace Hardware and Christensen Lumber:
• Top Women in Hardware & Building Supply profile series: Margo Cronin of 84 Lumber; and
• People news, e-commerce report, market insights and more.

March 2023 Issue

Cover story: “Problems Solved” cover story looks into solution-oriented new products, including fasteners, siding, railing, roofing and other game-changing building solutions. Plus:

• Highlights from the Golden Hammer “Products and Purpose” awards event, celebrating the Golden Hearts of the industry;

• Market insights: a panel of industry leaders share insights on the status of the all-important supply chain;

•  Frattallone’s Hardware & Garden of Minnesota experience a brush with organized labor, and here are the highlights.

• Top Women Profile Series: Jailynne Jones, account representative at Metrie, embraces the role of change agent.