True Value Co.’s rental division recognized its top suppliers at the hardware co-op’s Spring and Rental Market in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 31. During the rental general session, True Value honored three suppliers in the categories of lawn and garden, tools and equipment, and party and event.
Billy Goat Industries, a manufacturer of a full line of lawn and garden products, was recognized as the 2010 Lawn and Garden Supplier of the Year. Based in Lee’s Summit, Mo., the family-owned and operated company has been serving the rental industry for more than 40 years with a strong focus on product innovation, durability and quality.
True Value chose Husqvarna Construction Products as its 2010 Tools and Equipment Supplier of the Year. Part of Husqvarna AB, Husqvarna’s North American office is located in Olathe, Kan. This company is a global provider to the construction and stone industries, with an extensive construction product range that includes machines, diamond tools and all accessories needed for cutting, sawing and drilling, and floor polishing.
P.R.E. Sales Inc., a wholesale supplier of banquet chairs, folding chairs, folding tables and party rental equipment, was selected as True Value’s 2010 Party and Event Supplier of the Year. The San Diego-based company employs its own staff in China to perform quality control at all stages of the manufacturing process.
True Value has recognized its outstanding suppliers for more than 10 years. The co-op looks at several criteria in determining who qualifies as an outstanding supplier, including sales performance and market, website and training support. The judging committee looks at the top 10 suppliers by sales or, in the case of new vendors, by overall impact on the business. The list is then narrowed down to three finalists for each category and the committee then chooses one supplier for each award.
“True Value’s business partners are dedicated to helping our retailers and operators succeed,” said Lyle Heidemann, True Value’s president and CEO. “These three companies represent an exceptional group of focused individuals, and we’re pleased to honor them for their outstanding contributions, dedication to quality and positive financial impact on our rental business.”
True Value is one of the world’s largest retailer-owned hardware cooperatives with sales of $1.8 billion in 2009. The co-op’s Grand Rental Station and Taylor Rental Centers are full-line franchise general rental businesses offering tools, party and event supplies, lawn and garden and contractor equipment to the homeowner and professional contractor. Just Ask Rental, the in-store rental model carried in True Value retail locations, is also a part of the more than 900 total rental entities that are part of the True Value co-op. Additional information is available at www.truevaluecompany.com.
