Spring 2013 Hardlines Strategies

VENDOR PROFILE

Builders of the Industry How Four Companies Have Earned Their Places in the Independent Channel I ndependent retailers know their success, in part, lies in having

way he can, especially when it comes to meeting the individual needs of a particular store. “Big-box retailers do things in a certain way, no matter what part of the country they’re in. But we realize that every market may be slightly different in what it needs,” he says. “We’re committed to helping those specific needs so both we as a company and independent retailers can be stronger.” At a Glance Vaughan & Bushnell Year Founded: 1869, by Alexander Vaughan President: Charlie Vaughan Headquarters: Hebron, Ill. Principal Products: Hammers, saws, pry-bars, axes

Four of those vendors have earned their places in the Blish-Mize warehouse, not only for the ways they’ve led the industry in innovation, but also for their support of the independent channel. “We are proud to be associated with these featured manufacturers of quality products,” Blish-Mize Chairman and CEO John Mize, a 50-year veteran of the industry, says. “In the 142-year history of our company, Stanley would be one of the first vendors that our founders bought from. Followed by at least a 140-year relationship with the family firm of Vaughan & Bushnell, whose quality striking tools have been in our catalog for those many years.  True Temper was our first source for long-handled items, starting back in the late 1800s. Naturally, Black & Decker came later, after the invention of power tools, and has been an important part of our growth. In the plumbing side of our business, Genova, another family firm, continues to be the source of choice for independent retailers all over this country.” high-quality products from reputable vendors. That’s why Blish-Mize anchored its product selection with name brands from vendors with long histories in the industry.

Vaughan & Bushnell: Side by Side The story of Vaughan & Bushnell is the story of a manufacturer and retailer working together. Five generations ago, young blacksmith Alexander Vaughan brought his new bride to Chicago along with an idea for a new tool: a post hole digger to help farmers who were starting to use more steel posts for their fences. Since he needed a blacksmith shop where he could do his work, he found a room behind a hardware store owned by Sidney Bushnell. In 1869, Vaughan received a patent for his new post-hole digger, and he began using Bushnell’s store as a place to sell it. In order to help the Vaughan business through the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Bushnell offered funding to help, and a few years later, in 1882, the company incorporated into Vaughan & Bushnell. By this time, products from Vaughan & Bushnell included custom tools for a variety of trades. Soon, the company staked its fame on the hammer. While Sidney Bushnell’s hardware store is now a part of history, Vaughan & Bushnell has made connections with the hardware retail community in new ways. “We’ve been selling to Blish-Mize for as long as I can remember,” Vaughan & Bushnell President Charlie Vaughan says. “We realized that in the late ‘90s, the coming of the big-box retailer presented challenges for the independent retailer. But we’ve discovered that the independent retailer is a loyal customer.” Vaughan says he is committed to helping independent retailers in whatever

Ames True Temper: Building the Country

Ames True Temper, founded in 1774 by Oliver Ames, is older than the U.S., and played a key role in building the country. “There are an incredible number of iconic American monuments, events or slices of Americana where Ames True Temper played a notable supporting role,” says Joe Saffron, director of marketing and product development for Ames True Temper. “Our tools were used in New York City, in helping build the subway, the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge.” The company also had a role in work on the Hoover Dam, Golden Gate Bridge

30 Spring 2013 • Hardlines Strategies