Two JSMG Represented Factory Products Named Top 100 Best New Home Products of 2017

This Old House Names Top 100 Best New Home Products 2017

America's most trusted home improvement brand picks the best products of the year, including the 2-in-1 Laser Tape Measure (LTM1) from General Tools and Sika® FastFix Rapid Patch for concrete. See complete list here

NEW DIGITAL TOOL!
The 2-in-1 Laser Tape Measure is an innovative product from General Tools that combines two accurate measuring tools into one product. It is a 50ft laser distance measurer with a 16ft tape measure. Now you can quickly and easily get both long distance measurements and short-span precision from the same tool! Both DIYers and professionals will turn to this tool for its one person, one hand ease of use operation. This 2-in-1 Laser Tape Measure is affordable, durable, compact and gives you the freedom to work at your own pace and get the job done. Quickly measure the length of a room, determine the width of a table, or hang a picture frame.

See LTM1 product video and spec sheet HERE

Find LTM1 on General's website HERE

NEW FROM SIKA!
Sika FastFix Rapid Patch is a 2-part, pre-proportioned cementitious mix for repairing spalls and holes in concrete. It is specifically formulated and packaged to be an easy, mix-in-the-bag, high-strength product. Dries in 30 minutes to 1 hour, depending on temperature and humidity.

- Ideal for concrete balconies, driveways, and walkways
- Requires no water or specialty tools to apply
- Dust and mess free convenient mixing
- Clear back of the packaging allows you to see when it's well mixed
- Ideal for time sensitive projects

See Rapid Patch product video and product spec sheet HERE

Find Rapid Patch on Sika's website HERE

House-Hasson Summer Market Attendance Increase

| HBSDealer.com

House-Hasson Hardware reported an increase in attendance of at least 15% at its recent summer dealer market, which took place June 15-17 at the Wilderness of the Smokies Resort in Sevierville, Tenn.

The mojo behind the boost? More product offerings and stronger vendor partnerships, said Don Hasson, the company’s president.

“There’s a greater appreciation among vendors that we have a common goal, and that working with us in partnership for the benefit of our hardware store and lumberyard dealers is in vendors’ interest as well,” Hasson said. “Dealer profitability is our daily focus. Our vendors understand that and work with us to bring about greater dealer profitability.”

“Infusing new offerings into the deals offered on the market floor was a boost to the vendor base,” said Jason Monroe, House-Hasson’s vice president of merchandising.

“We branched out at this market with more vendors offering products for outdoor living, outdoor cooking, and for sporting goods,” Monroe said.

“We had an expanded number of vendors offering eco-friendly products,” he added. “In the past dealers have had the impression that eco-friendly products weren’t as good or cost too much. They’ve seen that these products have improved, are high quality, and there’s a real market for them.”

The approximately 600 vendors at the House-Hasson dealer market also saw many new dealers’ faces, said Pat McCutcheon, House-Hasson vice president of sales.

“What stood out at the market apart from an increased number of vendors were the new faces among our dealers who came to the market for the first time,” McCutcheon said. “Some of them were dealers who have converted to House-Hasson, who are learning about us as we expand our outreach in Louisiana and Texas, and others were dealers we’ve had for some time who we’ve been encouraging to come and enjoy the House-Hasson experience.”

McCutcheon said he’s also seeing a generational changeover among dealers.

“Among some of the dealers we’ve been working with for a long time I’m seeing their sons and daughters come to the market either because they’ve been handed the baton and assumed responsibility for the family business or are being groomed for the role.”

http://www.hbsdealer.com/article/house-hassons-summer-market-gets-boost

New Orgill DC is open for business

ORGILL BEGINS SHIPPING TO CUSTOMERS FROM NEW IDAHO DISTRIBUTION CENTER
June 9, 2017

Orgill, Inc. has announced that its Post Falls, Idaho, distribution center is now fully operational and has begun serving retailers in five states throughout the Northwestern U.S., as well the company’s growing customer base in Western Canada.

Orgill first announced the acquisition of the Post Falls distribution center in August 2016 and began retrofitting the facility immediately. The decision to acquire this newest facility was driven by Orgill’s desire to provide faster and more efficient service to its growing customer base.

“We are very happy to announce that this facility is now up and running and represents a significant enhancement to our distribution network. We look forward to the efficiencies this new distribution center will offer our customers throughout the coverage area,” says Ron Beal, Orgill chairman, president and CEO.

Not only will this new facility offer more efficient deliveries to these customers, retailers will also be able to rely on a consistent delivery schedule and quality service from Orgill’s driving team and additional features like heated trailers to protect products from freezing.

“We will be using our own fleet of trucks and drivers to deliver the majority of shipments out of Post Falls,” says Randy Williams, Orgill’s general manager of distribution. “This is important because it means customers will be able to rely on regular shipments from a driver who is familiar with their business and runs on a consistent, reliable pre-scheduled delivery route.”

The Post Falls location will primarily service customers in five states throughout the region including Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and Alaska as well as customers in Western Canada. Previously, customers within this area had been served out of other Orgill distribution facilities.

The Post Falls distribution facility has already made a positive impact on the local community as well. Due to the job creation and positive community impact, Orgill was recently recognized when the Trade & Industry Development 12th Annual Corporate Investment and Community Impact (CiCi) Awards were announced and the Post Falls Orgill project was one of 15 to receive the Community Impact award nationally.

Founded in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1847, Orgill distributes hardware and home improvement products to customers in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and over 50 countries throughout the world. The Post Falls facility is Orgill’s seventh distribution center overall including sites in Tifton, Georgia; Inwood, West Virginia; Sikeston, Missouri; Hurricane, Utah; Kilgore, Texas; and London, Ontario.

Air King Earns 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award


Air King Earns 2017 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award

West Chester, PA – April, 2017 – has been named a 2017 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year – Product Brand Owner Award winner for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and educating consumers about energy efficiency. Air King’s accomplishments will be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. on April 26, 2017.

Air King America, LLC an ENERGY STAR partner, will be honored as a partner of the year for its dedication to producing energy efficient ventilation products including exhaust fans and kitchen range hoods.

Air King president, Jeff Kenkelen says, “We are very proud to again be recognized by ENERGY STAR as a Partner of the Year. Providing high quality, energy efficient products are at the core of Air King’s philosophy. Having this dedication acknowledged by ENERGY STAR is truly an honor.”

In 2015 alone, ENERGY STAR and its partners saved American businesses and consumers 503 billion kilowatt hours and $34 billion dollars on their energy bills, while achieving broad emission reductions.

For a complete list of 2017 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR’s awards program, visit www.energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About Air King
Air King has been developing ventilation products for over 40 years and is an industry leader of energy efficient ventilation solutions. Air King is receiving ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year recognition for its successful leveraging of the ENERGY STAR platform. Key 2016 accomplishments include:

  • Expanding its line of exhaust fans, introducing the D4 and DL4 series that were both recognized as 2016 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient. The DL4 series has a top efficiency CFM/Watt of 19.0, making it the most efficient ventilation fan on the market today.
  • Introducing light-emitting diode (LED) lighting options for the AK series and ECO series exhaust fans, continuing efforts to convert all exhaust fan/light combination units to ENERGY STAR certified LED by the end of 2016.
  • Using its online and social media following to promote the Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR pledge; as a result, Air King is in the top 10 for amount of greenhouse gas emissions saved among pledge participants.
  • Presenting to over 100 division heads at some of the country’s top builders about the importance of ENERGY STAR and showing how CalGreen, ASHRAE 62.2, and other local and national codes can be best met using ENERGY STAR certified products.

Air King’s corporate headquarters and main manufacturing facility are located in West Chester, PA. For more about Air King, LLC visit www.airkinglimited.com.

About ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR has 16,000 partners working to protect the environment through greater energy efficiency, including manufacturers, retailers, public schools, hospitals, real estate companies, and home builders. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners have saved American families and businesses $430 billion on their energy bills and 4.6 trillion kilowatt-hours of energy, while achieving broad emissions reductions—including 2.8 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

ENERGY STAR® is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For 25 years, EPA’s ENERGY STAR program has been America’s resource for saving energy and protecting the environment. Join the millions already making a difference at energystar.gov.

Jack Link’s introduces breakfast snacks

Jack Link’s is carving a new niche in the meat snacks category with the launch of a breakfast range. Varieties include applewood bacon jerky, maple bacon jerky, original breakfast sausage and hot and spicy breakfast sausage. The products were unveiled at the 2016 NACS Show, hosted by the National Association of Convenience Stores and held Oct. 18-21 in Atlanta.

The first product line of its kind marketed for the morning occasion, Jack Link’s AM comes in response to growing competition in the $1.3 billion meat snacks category. As the market leader with 43 percent share and roughly $568,965,000 in sales, parent company Link Snacks Inc. aims to stay relevant by identifying new opportunities and occasions in the category, said Christian Fitchett, vice president of innovation.

“As the team and I think about innovation, we’re always trying to figure out how we help push the envelope on the category (and) pioneer new segments to grow the category,” Fitchett said. “Because, while it’s great to be the category leader, in order to get retailers really excited about what we’re trying to do here, we have to show them how we’re going to grow meat snacks and protein snacks more broadly.”

Jack Link’s AM not only expands consumption of meat snacks to a new day part; it also serves as a convenient, high-protein breakfast option for busy consumers.

“Meat snacks in general are more of an afternoon occasion primarily, but there are a lot of consumers who are really time starved in the morning for protein,” Fitchett said. “That, combined with … the trend of restaurants going all day on their breakfast menus, it just seemed like it was surprising to all of us that we haven’t thought of this before.”

The products are slated to hit shelves in March. Early feedback from consumer tests has been “excellent,” Fitchett said.

“One of the things we’ve noticed in our office is people taking product out of the bag and then popping it in the microwave 10 seconds to heat, and they’re really fantastic that way,” he added. “The flavors plus the ease of the product is filling a critical need for a lot of folks in the morning.”

Another new product range debuting at the NACS Show is Jack Link’s Extra Tender beef jerky in four flavors: hardwood smoked, teriyaki, black peppercorn and sweet and spicy.

“We know there are consumers that want a more tender option; we’ve seen that in some of our research,” Fitchett said. “We’re responding to the market interest.”

Link Snacks also offers a premium brand called Lorissa’s Kitchen, made with responsibly raised pork, 100 percent grass fed beef or chicken raised without antibiotics, in such flavors as Korean barbecue, ginger teriyaki, sweet chili and Szechuan peppercorn.

“The insight behind that was to bring a product that was seen as a natural, clean label, although Jack Link’s is a clean label product as well,” Fitchett said. “It has a softer bite. The flavors are a little more crafted, artisanal, in terms of the way they’re brought to life.”

Going forward, Link Snacks continues to explore opportunities to “pioneer new forms of protein,” Fitchett said.

“The great thing about being the category leader is we have a brand people trust,” he said. “While the category has certainly heated up, our retailers as well as our consumers are looking to us to provide that leadership on what products are great enough to come out under the Jack Link’s or Lorissa’s Kitchens banners. When we bring things out, they have great velocity.

“It’s our duty as the category leader to chart the new course for protein snacks.”

Orgill Spring 2017 Dealer Market Recap

(Feb. 22, 2017) Orgill, Inc. concluded another successful spring dealer market this past weekend in New Orleans, La., where thousands of retailers from across North America and around the world gathered to take advantage of promotional discounts, see the latest in retail programs, and learn about trends impacting home improvement retailing.

After receiving overwhelming positive response from customers both times the event has been hosted in New Orleans, Orgill has announced plans to add the venue into its rotation of host cities going forward.

“We were very encouraged by the energy and enthusiasm of our customers, especially those within the pro-oriented segment,” said Ron Beal, Orgill chairman, president and CEO. “Retailers are anticipating a good year, and judging by the activity and comments we heard from retailers at the spring dealer market, we have every indication that 2017 should be strong.”

Along with the special deals available in New Orleans, Orgill also highlighted four separate Product Showcase areas at two retail concept stores at the show.

Walnut Grove Hardware & Supply, a new 10,000-sq. ft. model store, had a focus on lawn and garden, outdoor living, farm and pet, while showcasing a variety of state-of-the-art merchandising techniques that allow retailers to maximize their floor space. The store also showed off a new Smart Home products display that was portable and could fit in any retail environment.

Founded in Memphis, Tn., in 1847, Orgill distributes hardware and home improvement products to customers in all 50 states, 10 Canadian provinces, and over 50 countries. Its fall market is set for Aug. 24-26 in Boston, MA.

http://www.building-products.com/February-2017/Orgill-Cleans-Up-in-New-Orleans/

House-Hasson Expects Boost in International and Amish Attendees at Dealer Market

House-Hasson Hardware will see its largest-ever contingent of international dealers at its upcoming dealer market. Plus and has also expanded its transportation program to enable more Amish customers to attend.

House-Hasson’s dealer market will be held Thursday, Jan. 26 through Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

“We’re going to see a significant increase, about 60 percent, in the number of international dealers attending the market,” says Don Hasson, president of House-Hasson Hardware, which serves more than 2,000 dealers in 18 U.S. states and the Caribbean basin. “Amish customers in Ohio and Pennsylvania will travel to the market in buses we’ve arranged for them because they don’t drive. This is the first year two buses will be used.”

Hasson attributes the increase in international and Amish customers and the overall market increase to territory expansion, the cost benefits to dealers of buying at the market and House-Hasson sales staff acting as hardware and lumberyard counselors for their dealers.

Continue reading here

Melanie Moul
HardwareRetailing.com

Orgill Prepping Northwest DC

(Sept. 30, 2016)  Orgill has begun renovations of a new 500,000-sq. ft. distribution center in Post Falls, Id., to serve the Pacific Northwest, Alaska and western Canada.

The company will install new racks and conveyors next month and expects to begin hiring in November, receiving product in December, shipping to Canadian dealers in mid-February, and to U.S. dealers in early spring.
Rick Junkin has been hired as facilities manager.

Orgill Fall Market Sets Attendance Records

RETAILERS FLOCK TO VEGAS FOR ORGILL, INC. FALL DEALER MARKET
August 30, 2016

LAS VEGAS (Aug. 30, 2016) – Las Vegas was the center of all things hardware last week as thousands of home improvement retailers came together for the Orgill, Inc. Fall Dealer Market, held Aug. 25-27 at the Sands Expo Convention Center.

All-time attendance records were set for an Orgill Fall Dealer Market with attendees traveling to Las Vegas from all 50 states, all 10 Canadian provinces and 50 countries worldwide. Canadian retailers showed their support of Orgill’s recent expansion into Canada, as the number of Canadian retailers on hand in Las Vegas was more than double the amount who attended the Fall Dealer Market last year.

Among the more popular attractions at the Market were the concept stores. This year’s event featured three fully merchandised stores: Continental Hardware & Building Supply, which focused on a 50-50 DIY-pro customer mix; Maple Ridge Home Centre, which focused on a 50-50 DIY-pro customer mix and carried Canadian-compliant products; and Vista Home & Garden Supply, which focused on the lawn and garden and farm and ranch categories.

The impulse items, lawn and garden and Worldwide Sourcing categories were also highlighted at the show through special product showcases that featured broad product assortments from a wide range of vendors as well as many ideas for effective merchandising.

With the Door Busters, Market Busters, Coupon Specials, New Items and Pallets, there were plenty of opportunities for retailers to make big purchases, and save some money along the way. The Market also included a special promotions area just for its Canadian customers—more important than ever since Orgill expanded its reach in Canada with its 2015 acquisition of Chalifour.

Learning opportunities included Brand Building and retail services clinics, lunch-and-learn seminars and educational workshops.

On the products side, one highlight was the unveiling of DEWALT’s new FLEXVOLT™ system, which featured the world’s first batteries that change voltage as the user changes tools. The FLEXVOLT™ batteries are compatible with 20-volt, 60-volt and 120-volt tools.

Up next for Orgill will be its Spring Dealer Market in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event will be held Feb. 16-18, 2017. For more information, please contact Orgill at 800-347-2860 or go to www.orgill.com.

Jack Link’s Flame-Grills the Competition One Protein Snack at a Time

Fueling wild sides through continued flavor innovation,  Jack Link’s crafts five new awesome products

MINONG, Wis. (Aug. 16, 2016) – Jack Link’s, the global leader in portable protein, showcases category leadership through protein-powered innovation with the introduction of five new products. As the pioneer of the meat snacks category, Jack Link’s is always one Sasquatch-sized step ahead, providing carnivores with new protein packed snacks packed with protein on the regular. From flame-grilled jerky and strips, to BBQ and Small Batch Sticks, Jack Link’s has a tantalizing new flavor for everyone.

“Jack Link’s is the portable protein for everyday adventures, and we want each bite to tell its own untamed flavor story,” said Tom Dixon, chief marketing officer at Jack Link’s. “We stay close to market and flavor trends, and with our rapid innovation capabilities and flame-grilled technology, we are able to quickly beef up our portfolio with new flavors, like whiskey, to help our fans fill their innate need to feed their wild sides.”

 Meat lovers can perk up their palates with one of these new varieties, available now:

Jack Link’s Flame-Grilled Steakhouse Beef Jerky

Jack Link’s just raised the steaks. Bringing your favorite flame-grilled steak to your fingertips at all hours of the day, Steakhouse Beef Jerky is back and better than ever. With garlic, pepper and onion flavors, this jerky tastes just like the hearty steak you grill at home, flame-grilled to perfection. Jack Link’s flame-grilling technique is unique to the category – high quality meat is finished over an open flame, bringing out bolder and tastier flavors. Jack Link’s Steakhouse Beef Jerky is real food that will satisfy when hunger strikes. Find Flame-Grilled Steakhouse Beef Jerky at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $6.99.

Jack Link’s Limited Edition Flame-Grilled Whiskey Glaze Pork Strips

Get after it! Jack Link’s new Limited Edition Wild Side Whiskey Glaze Pork Strips are so neat they won’t be on the shelves for long. This Americana-inspired flavor is flame-grilled and infused with real whiskey that turns pork strips into a daring and satisfying way to fuel up for tailgating season and beyond.  Find Whiskey Glaze Pork Strips at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $6.99.

Jack Link’s Flame-Grilled Korean BBQ Pork Strip

Jack Link’s Korean BBQ Pork Strips bring your favorite sweet and spicy meat to a portable strip for easy snacking. Finished over an open flame, the sweet pork strip is a feast for the eyes, nose and tongue. The flame also provides globally inspired aromas highlighting bold flavors and sending taste buds wild with a hint of double-toasted sesame seeds and caramelized sugar. This savory and sweet combination of awesome will keep you protein-powered all day. Find the Korean BBQ Pork Strip at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1.79.

Jack Link’s Sweet BBQ Stick

Back at it again in the BBQ game, Jack Link’s brings you a delectable Sweet Barbeque Stick in the perfect handheld form, great for multitasking. Enjoy the Sweet BBQ Stick with one hand, while sipping on a beer at a tailgate or steering a bike with the other. Sweet BBQ is sure to cure any cravings, salty or sweet. Find the Sweet BBQ Stick at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1 for .8 ounces, and $1.99 for 1.5 ounces.

Jack Link’s Small Batch Artisanal Stick

The Small Batch product line celebrates Jack Link’s rich heritage, original family recipes, and a job well done. With over a century in the meat-snack-making business, the Link family launched Small Batch as a tribute to the recipes that started this iconic American brand. The addition of the Artisanal Stick to its Small Batch line brings together the old and the new to create a delicious high protein snack stick that’s handcrafted and slow smoked in a traditional smokehouse. Find Small Batch Artisanal Stick at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $1.29. 

For more information

Whether you’re hitting up your favorite gym class or crushing the cubicle game at work, Jack Link’s is the perfect snack to power everyday adventures. For more information on these new products and to purchase Jack Link’s visit www.JackLinks.com.

###

Jack Link’s® Feed Your Wild Side™
Jack Link’s is a global leader in protein snacks and the No. 1 meat snack manufacturer worldwide. Headquartered in Minong, Wis., Jack Link’s is a family-owned company that represents a heritage of quality and consumer trust, with the mission to Feed Your Wild Side. Jack Link’s offers more than 100 premium protein snacks in a variety of flavors, sizes and price points, appealing to nearly every consumer and occasion. Check out JackLinks.com for more information on the brand.