Wrought Iron Gate Hardware
1996 Hardware Show: one of the industry's biggest shows grows - National Hardware Show - includes a related article on new products at the showRichard Halverson
CHICAGO -- The National Hardware Show for 1996 will be another marathon event for buyers, with all 856,000 sq. ft. of space (net) in McCormick Place East and North leased and more exhibitors on a waiting list.
If that isn't enough, the National Building Products Exposition offers an additional 106,000 sq. ft. of exhibits at the Navy Pier. The combined shows comprise what is called Hardware Industry Week, with the Building Products Expo running, Saturday, Aug. 10 to 13, and the Hardware Show, Sunday, Aug. 11 to 14.
But wait until next year when the South Building is completed at McCormick Place, boosting exhibition space to a total of 1.2 million sq. ft.
The American Hardware Manufacturers Association, the show's sponsor, will move the Building Products Exposition to McCormick Place. It is hedging its bets, however, and retaining contractual rights to the Navy Pier, in case all three McCormick buildings are sold out for '97.
To ease the traditional transportation crunch--worsened this year by construction at McCormick Place and the Lake Shore Drive--show management has chartered several subway trains to supplement bus and taxi transportation. Subway trains will provide free service every 15 minutes to and from the North Building to two downtown stops that are within walking distance or an easy cab ride from many hotels.
Showing that Sears retains a strong interest in hardware--despite its recent focus on its "softer side"--chairman and ceo Arthur Martinez will present the keynote address at this year's show. Martinez will talk from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 12. "Sears has always been synonymous with hardware and home improvement products, and now, with the rollout of off-the-mall Sears hardware stores, this image is being enhanced even further, said William Farrell, AHMA president. By yearend, Sears will be operating 150 freestanding hardware stores. Pre-registration is running neck and neck with 1995, said show manager Dennis MacDonald. He expects attendance to again hit 70,000.
The 3,000 exhibitors will show a record 1,400 new products at the new products showcase in McCormick East, MacDonald said.
One of those attendees will be Mark Wittenberg, manager of home improvement for The Andersons, Maumee, Ohio. A five-store chain, The Andersons specializes in heavy DIY hardware products.
In general, "the hardware business has been good," Wittenberg said. "There is no particular category that we're trying to expand or fill out.
"I have nothing in mind that has to be changed, but maybe I won't know about something that needs to be changed until I get there."
Vendors are just now getting out information about their show offerings, Wittenberg said. The Andersons is sending its usual eight-man delegation to the show.
Hills also is approaching the show without preconceived notions about what it needs to buy, said Howie Gerstein, gmm, hardware.
Since Hills is minimizing its hardware department to basics, it mainly uses the show to cement and build relations, Gerstein said.
Hills will send its usual delegation of four hardware, three lawn & garden and three housewares buyers.
They will be on the lookout for hot promotional items that Hills can use during the Christmas season, he said.
Chris Huban, one of Hills' lawn & garden buyers, will especially be looking for new looks in patio furniture.
Coming off two lackluster years, outdoor furniture makers are pouring a great deal of money into research and development for new items and new looks, Huban said.
Just back from a buying trip to China, Huban said that he hadn't seen or heard much about exciting new products while he was there.
Dollar General, enjoying 25% per year growth, will be looking for new vendor partners, said Ken Fitzpatrick, hardware and auto buyer.
As Dollar General grows, it is concerned that vendors won't be able to keep up with its pace, Fitzpatrick said. Hence it might have to split its business if it outgrows existing suppliers, he said.
Dollar General has no specific game plan for the show, he said, except to talk with paint vendors and explore reentering the gallon paint business, perhaps next year.
Since 85% of its customers are women, Dollar General offers many of the same basic items year after year, with an emphasis on seasonal goods, such as hoses and fans, Fitzpatrick said.
Dollar General uses the Hardware Show to plant seeds about developing products especially for the chain. Generally, "we don't shop from the manufacturers' list of products," Fitzpatrick said. "We might like a product and then talk about how the manufacturer can develop a special product for us that will hit a price point."
Dollar General hopes to establish relations with vendors of pet supplies, a new category. Several hardware manufactures display their lines of basic products at the show, such as collars, chains and leashes, he said.
Dollar General also is expanding its lawn & garden offerings, said Bruce Taylor, seasonal buyer.
Dollar General will buy mainly smaller items that can be stacked out in center aisles, endcaps and in sidewalk displays, Taylor said.
On his shopping list will be items like resin chairs and end tables, as well as charcoal grills that will sell for $10 for tabletop and $20 for standup models.
Among the new products, Stanley Tools will be featuring a new line of ergonomically designed carpenter's hand tools intended to enable users to "work smarter, not harder," said Lee Wilkins, manager of product marketing.
The ergonomically designed tools, intended for daylong use by contractors and heavy DIY consumers, feature softer grips on items like saws, hammers and screw-drivers, as well as vibration dampers on saws and hammers, Wilkins said.
All Stanley divisions will offer interactive displays at their booths with touch-screen computer programs to provide information about new offerings.
Carbon monoxide detectors remain a hot category, with American Sensors, Toronto, introducing a new battery-operated CO detector that runs for one year on four AA batteries, said Brian Peat, director of marketing.
Intended to retail for about $49, the new detector employs a new low-power drain variation of its semi-conductor technology that sets American Sensors apart from competitors, Peat said.
In housewares, Bemis will be introducing its new line of electrostatic home air purifiers, an expansion from its home humidifier line.
In another new wrinkle, First Alert is introducing a plug-in CO detector that features the first digital display readout of actual carbon monoxide levels, in addition to the audible warnings.
Also in fire safety, First Alert is introducing a new line of four fire extinguishers that feature its SureGrip trigger design, said Rich Timmons, vp of marketing. The easy-to-use squeeze grip design is included on models for home, boat, garage and recreational vehicles, with retail prices ranging from $10 to $15.
Elmer's is branching out from consumer glues into a new line for professionals and contractors that it calls ProBond. The ProBond line includes wood filler, professional-strength wood glue and polyurethane glue that bonds wood, ceramic, brick, glass and most plastics.
Outdoor furniture vendors are introducing a wide variety of styles and colors in resin, aluminum and wrought iron patio furniture.
Also in the North Building, Easy Gardener is introducing a new decorative garden border called Terra Cotta Tiles. Made of high-density polyethylene, Terra Cotta Tiles resemble Old English stone tiles.
RELATED ARTICLE: New products abound at hardware show
CHICAGO -- The following is a sampling of the more than 1,400 new products to be shown at the National Hardware Show that may be of special interest to discounters:
* LongBow, Hyde Manufacturing, a wallpaper shaver with changeable blade and ergonomic handle;
* Cage Cooler, Great Idea Products, a battery-operated fan for dog cages;
* Rolly's Tool, Innovative Manufacturing, a combination lawn edger, tile remover and driveway ice remover;
* Magic Patch Lawn Repair Kit, INTAGra, a mix of seeds, mulch and fertilizer for patching bare spots;
* EasyTrac Workshop Power Outlet Kit, Intermatic;
* Painters' Helper Wipes, Klean-Strip;
* Gate Guard, Lambo Products, a water- and weather-proof gate alarm for swimming pools and Jacuzzis;
* Raintight While in Use Cover, Leviton Manufacturing, an outdoor cover for electrical devices;
* Bitty Booster Cable, Northeastern Plastics, a glove box-size battery booster cable;
* Tap Water Tester, Olin Corporation, for tabletop use;
* Hamburger Cooking Thermometer, JL Sims;
* Lawn Boy, Toro, a 36-volt battery-powered mower;
* Plantsitter 10, Waternet, a plant watering system for up to 10 plants;
* Havahart dog home, Woodstream, a cage that opens into an exercise pen;
* Permascope for trees, Aqua Pore, decorative landscaping made from recycled tires;
* Deck Wash Pressure Washing Formula, Armor All, for cleaning stains and mildew from decks;
* Extend Turn-a-Light bulb changer, B&B Energy, for changing light bulbs without a ladder;
* Ponds for Patios, Beckett Industries, ponds designed for patio use;
* Tru Fit Safety Gate, BRK Brands, a climb-resistant child's safety gate with spring-loaded bumpers;
* Easy Gardens Designer Garden Roll, Biomat, preseeded planting strips for flower gardens;
* Power Filter litter box air filter, Biostrike Filters, a fan and filter gadget to curb litter box smells;
* Five-horsepower Cordless Mulching Mower, Black & Decker, the company's first five-horsepower battery-powered push mower;
* Gorilla Grip Fold-Up Tool Sets; Bondhus, with resin handles;
* Mister Pocket Penguin Water Misting Fan, Circulair, a battery-operated miniature water misting fan;
* Bullfrog portable electric generator and battery booster, Coleman Powermate, provides power to jump-start cars in two minutes;
* Portable Carbon Monoxide Detector, Coleman Safety and Security, portable for using outside the home;
* Miracle Sharp, Emson, liquid to resharpen dull tools;
* Work Center, Flambeau, a foldaway work center;
* Intellicode Screwdriver Garage Door Opener, Genie, changes door opening code after each use to thwart thieves who steal codes.
COPYRIGHT 1996 Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group