HOME IMPROVEMENT DISTRIBUTORS STRATEGIZE ON BUILDING
BUSINESS FOR 2010

Distribution America and PRO Group, Inc. Combine Conferences in Florida

Marco Island, FL, November 4, 2009… Two distribution groups are creating a blueprint for growing business in 2010 during the annual Executive Planning Conference at the Marco Island Marriott Resort in Marco Island, Florida.

By conducting the conference jointly the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. reduce costs while increasing value for both manufacturers and wholesalers in attendance at the event, held November 2-4. The combined annual sales volume of Distribution America and PRO Group member distributors exceed $5 billion.

The Executive Planning Conference enables 30 distributors from both companies to brainstorm and strategize during 3,010 one-on-one meetings with 147 manufacturing companies.

During one-on-one sessions distributors and manufacturers discuss topics such as new product and program launches, prior year fill-rates, order turn-around time, promotional effectiveness, return on asset performance, new business opportunities and how to gain market share with key customers in 2010

Jeannette Kellogg is VP, sales and marketing for Genova Products and said the conference helps Genova ensure that the company is aligning its business with its customers. “Times are challenging and in a short amount of time we are able to meet with many of our key customers and look at what is important to them and be sure we are working well together. We just can't operate the way we always have. All of our companies – manufacturers and distributors – need to be looking for opportunities.”

Dave Christmas, president, Distribution America, said this is a crucial time for taking advantage of the slowly recovering economy. “The overall ttitude among the DA membership going into the Executive Planning Conference is one of guarded optimism. They feel that the bottom has been reached and things will get better when the employment picture improves. They believe this will not be a quick recovery,” said Christmas. "All of the DA members are well positioned to take advantage of the recovery.” Christmas added that 2010 will be a prime time for being a regional distributor because familiarity with the market will be an invaluable asset in coming months. “In times like these the value of regional distribution, operated by people who understand the marketplace, is proving to be crucial to the success of local hardware stores, lumberyards and home centers,” he said.

Corey Jensen, director of sales for Black & Decker/DeWalt said the annual conference is an ideal time to introduce new products and consult on best practices. “It’s a way to build upon the successes of the past to keep the business momentum moving in the right direction,” Jensen said. “This is a very powerful group of independent distributors with unbeatable potential for growth.”

Jonathan Mize, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Blish-Mize, and a Distribution America distributor member, took the opportunity to discuss different sales tactics for the coming year. “The main purpose for attending this event is for our buyers to visit with the key principals and sales executives from the vendor community to discuss any concerns, as well as new ways that we both can grow together.”

For Rick Brambley, VP Hardware Sales of Coleman Cable, Inc., getting away from day-to-day business to meet with top management at distributors and review performance and goals is crucial.

Doug Miller, president of Jensen Distribution Services, a Distribution America member, said, "So many vendors have cut back on expenses and not as many come to meet with us at our Spokane, Washington headquarters. Being here is an efficient use of our time and travel expenses. Our business is based on relationships and this is one of the few venues left for us to build relationships with our vendors. We are meeting with existing vendors and new vendors to discuss opportunities." Miller said he and his team are looking for sales opportunities for key retailer customers as well as new products and programs.

Distributors also ranked products in a new product awards area and visited with executives from the North American Retail Hardware Association and National Hardware Show. The conference also offered attendees many opportunities to mix and mingle and recognize vendors and members.

Next year’s conference is scheduled for November 15-17, 2010 In Tucson AZ.

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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HOUSE-HASSON HARDWARE GETS BIGGER WITH PARTNERSHIP

House-Hasson Hardware has partnered with Kansas-based distributor Blish-Mize Co. to acquire Hardware House Products Co., a private label brand of tools and building products.

Hardware House Products Co., which now will become Hardware House LLC, was launched in 1999 as an alternative to brand names for retailers, with better profit margins for retailers, according to a statement from House-Hasson and Blish-Mize. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hardware House was a subsidiary of Moore-Handley Inc. of Pelham, Ala., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July and subsequently was acquired by House-Hasson for $14.5 million, according to Alabama news reports.

"Hardware House now has the stability and strength to move forward because of this acquisition," John H. Mize, president and CEO of Blish-Mize Co., said in a statement about the Hardware House purchase. "We are now able to offer retailers one of the broadest private label lines in the marketplace."

Hardware House sells builder's hardware, cabinet hardware, lighting, ceiling fans, bath hardware, plumbing, hand tools, power tool accessories, locks, paint tools and vinyl flooring, among other items.

"This partnership strengthens the support to our retail and wholesale partners by increasing fill rates and on-time deliveries of quality products, " Don Hasson, president and CEO of House-Hasson, said in a statement.

House-Hasson, founded in Knoxville in 1906, is a wholesale distributor of hardware, plumbing, electrical supplies, lawn and garden products, tools, housewares and building materials to hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards in the United States and abroad.

House-Hasson has operated three distribution centers - a central warehouse and Southern Kitchen in Knoxville, and Persinger Supply Co. in West Virginia.

The company, which is among the oldest in Knoxville, was in a bidding contest with Bostwick-Braun Co. of Ohio for Moore-Handley. The Pelham community supported Bostwick-Braun's bid, which proposed to retain up to 190 Moore-Handley employees and maintain offices and a warehouse in the community, according to reports.

However, a U.S. Bankruptcy judge ruled for House-Hasson, saying the Knoxville company's $14.5 million bid was the best offer to satisfy creditors. House-Hasson bought the company on Oct. 2. Moore-Handley, a rival of House-Hasson in the wholesale hardware distribution business, blamed its financial woes on national commercial lender CIT Group Inc., which Moore-Handley said was having difficulty providing financing. According to reports, Moore-Handley owed CIT Group $16.6 million for loans taken out during the housing slump.

Since House-Hasson's 1980 relocation from downtown Knoxville to Forks of the River Industrial Park, the company has had four major expansions, with the most recent addition completed in 2002. In 2007, House-Hasson purchased Persinger Supply Co. of Prichard, W.Va.

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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HOME IMPROVEMENT DISTRIBUTORS GATHER WITH VENDORS TO
BUILD BUSINESS

Tucson, Az., November 16, 2008… Positioning wholesalers and manufacturers to gain market share in the year ahead is the central goal for this week's Executive Planning Conference at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona.

Thirty-two distributors representing the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. are conducting 3,443 one-on-one meetings with 145 manufacturing companies at the November 16-19 event.

The distribution groups conduct the conference jointly to reduce costs and increase value for attending manufacturers. Bruce Fischer of the Werner Company said the conference is especially valuable given the current economic environment. "These are our distributor partners. There is nothing more important that we can do right now than to be discussing plans, ideas and a strategy of how to best position going into what appears to be a tough year ahead."

Steve Synnott, CEO of PRO Group, Inc., said, "PRO Group positions the annual Executive Planning Conference as a venue to conduct strategic meetings between top-level manufacturer and distributor executives. The turbulent economy combined with an anemic financial forecast for 2009 have amplified the importance of the event's objective. Everyone seems to be focused on cutting waste while improving service levels, inventory turns and lead times. The conference facilitates the strategic and tactical discussions necessary to realize stronger channel efficiency."

According to Dave Christmas, CEO of Distribution America, DA Member meetings with key vendors during the conference will provide a sturdy foundation for future success. Member owners have continued to succeed, despite the economic downturn. "The DA group had a significant increase in sales during the third quarter and a year-to-date increase of 2.4 percent," Christmas said. "While difficult times are likely to continue for a while, independently owned business are positioned to break the bonds of their big box competition and prosper, doing what they do best, serve their local communities with products right for their markets with exceptional, personal service."

Marty Owens of Gerber Legendary Blades said he looks forward to building a long-term strategy with decision makers at the distributor level. "For 2009, it is only through clearly understanding customers' needs that we can provide them with what they are looking for to take advantage of opportunities this economy will provide. When opportunities come up my hope is that they will look to us first."

Robert Brady of Robert Bosch Tool Group, said the conference format allows him to get out a consistent message in a very short period of time. "We have several new programs that we are unveiling to the wholesalers, including a new member of our group, CST/berger."

Sherman Weiss of Great American Marketing said his company considers Distribution America and PRO Group as valuable channels for getting the company's products to market. "These functions bring us closer together each year," said Weiss, who is promoting new paint brushes and roller covers. "Results include not only expanding our product listings with all of the member/distributors, but also working closely with their marketing, merchandising and sales teams to ensure sell-through to retail and beyond."

Representatives from the National Retail Hardware Association and the National Hardware Show are presenting at the conference as well. The event also includes a golf tournament and the Wallace Hardware Company Prayer Breakfast.

In meetings with its distributor members, PRO Group is rolling out its new online brokerage commission reconciliation project and cover the Distribution Center Workshop, Hardware Show Members Meeting and Group Merchandising Conference, as well as discussing vendor updates. Distribution America member meetings include discussions on expanding categories for retailers, including outdoor living, to accommodate the needs of "staycationers," and farm and ranch. DA is also previewing the new DA Connections virtual merchandise mart.

Both Distribution groups use the conference format to reward and recognize distributors and manufacturers. For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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DISTRIBUTION AMERICA, PRO GROUP, INC. PRESENT VENDOR, DISTRIBUTOR AWARDS

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HANDY HARDWARE FULLY OPERATIONAL AFTER HURRICANE IKE

(Sep. 19) Less than a week after Hurricane Ike struck the Texas Gulf Coast, Handy Hardware Wholesale, is operating at full capacity, the Houston-based company announced.

“We have resumed all normal delivery schedules and continue to focus on the service to our member-dealers, as well as our employees in the aftermath of such a horrible natural disaster,” Handy Hardware president Tina Kirbie said.

According to Mickey Schulte, vp-marketing and purchasing, there was minimal damage to the operation, which allowed the distributor to focus on the needs of its member-dealers. “Our fleet suffered no damage, and we had limited damage to our inventory. The minor repairs to the roof of our 560,000-square-foot warehouse are already complete,” he said.

Established in 1961, Handy Hardware Wholesale operates in 10 states, mostly in the South and Southeast.

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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EMERY-WATERHOUSE OPENS NEW DC

(Sep. 12) Emery-Waterhouse, a Portland, Maine-based distributor of hardware and building materials, held an open house Sept. 10 to celebrate the opening of a new distribution center in Northeast Pennsylvania.

During the event, held at the Emery Building Materials distribution center in Pittston, Pa., customers and vendors had the opportunity to meet with Emery’s staff and learn more about its state-of-the-art inventory and warehouse management systems.

The facility, which began operations in June, is located at the CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park in Pittston. While at the open house, vendors were able to spotlight new products and offer specials on select items, while customers had the opportunity to purchase select merchandise at discounted rates.

“Thanks to the support of customers, suppliers and our team, this was a very positive event which is the beginning of some nice growth opportunities for all of us,” said Steve Frawley, president of Emery-Waterhouse.

Last year, Emery expanded its building materials product line and established its presence in the Mid-Atlantic region with the acquisition of the Morgan Distribution Co., a specialty distributor in the building supply business. Additionally, Emery expanded its building materials product offering to include the Stallion Fastener line and additional exterior and bulk home building product.

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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HANDY HARDWARE SALES UP 40% AT FALL MARKET

(Aug. 28) Handy Hardware, the Houston-based co-op with just under 1,200 members, showed a 40 percent increase in warehouse sales during its recent fall market in San Antonio. Attendance was also up 8 percent at the market -- Handy’s first-ever held outside of Houston.

“Inflation is a small part of it, but our economy is still pretty good in this region,” said Mickey Schulte, vp-marketing and purchasing. “When property values were going through the roof, ours went up some but not a lot, so we’re not experiencing as much of a housing slump.”

Handy Hardware’s sales are up 7 percent through the first seven months of 2008, including an 18 percent jump in July.

The market held Aug. 14 to 16, attracted about 750 vendors and featured special new products and green products sections. One of the busiest areas was paint and sundries, as Handy has done several conversions in the past three months, Schulte said. The company has carried PDG paint for 15 years and Valspar for the last three years.

“We have all the basic programs everyone else has, but with little or no fees,” Schulte said. “Our claim to fame is the lowest delivered prices in the industry.”

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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TOP 150 DISTRIBUTORS SCORECARD

Home Channel News released their Top 150 Distributors Scorecard in the July issue of their magazine.

Twenty of the 150 distributors are classified as hardlines distributors and coops generating 23% of the scorecard volume. Distribution America had 11 members/owners place in this list. Combining the DA members into a single group equals $1.3 billion in sales which would have been ranked as #12 overall and #4 in hard lines, just below three major industry coops.

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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CALIFORNIA HARDWARE HONORS 90 YEAR OLD RETIREE FOR 73 YEARS OF SERVICE

ONTARIO, CA, JUNE 30Tth 2008

Ontario CA. (June 30, 2008) - California Hardware is honoring long time employee John “Norm” Corvello this July with a special celebration in recognition of his service.

Kelley Hoskins, VP Sales & Merchandising for California Hardware states that Norm’s term of employment is unprecedented in the California Hardware organization and feels that 73 years must be “some kind of all time industry record”.

Norm, a veteran of the US Navy, began his career as a Sales Representative in the San Francisco/Northern California Territory on August 6, 1935. His starting salary at the time was $7 per week.

Norm, (a big fan of vacation cruises) and his wife Beverly, plan to spend their upcoming free time traveling the open seas.

California Hardware Company is a supplier of hardware and building materials, serving western states supply needs for over 100 years. We distribute materials to independent and chain retail stores. We believe in customer service and sell top quality merchandise. California Hardware is a Proud Owner/Member of Distribution America.



www.chcusa.com

For More Information Contact: Jody Maude, Distribution America
(704) 940-4806 email: jody.maude@daonline.com

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DA BEAT THE COMPETITION

The June issue of Home Channel news reported that many of the big box organizations have reported a loss in profits for first quart sales, some by as much as 23%. Distribution America Member/Owners netted an increase of 1.3% over the same period, which is larger than any of our competitors.

For More Information Contact: David Christmas, Distribution America
(704) 940-4801 email: dave.christmas@daonline.com

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EMERY-WATERHOUSE ANNOUNCES RESULTS FROM MARKETPLACE

PORTLAND, ME, FEBRUARY 5, 2008

Emery-Waterhouse, a Portland, ME based Pro Lumber and Hardware distributor, attributes a 13% increase in sales at Marketplace 2008 to innovative customers and growth-oriented programs. Despite winter weather on Friday, Steve Frawley, President & CEO of Emery, stated, “We had a strong turn out for the event. Customers were very engaged as they sought out opportunities that will translate into growth. Our results were strong as we exceeded our expectations for the event as well as sales figures from last year’s show. We have a resilient and innovative group of independent retail customers that are growing despite the economic challenges in the housing industry.”

The 2008 Emery-Waterhouse Marketplace took place at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI on January 18th-20th. The event was highlighted by the introduction of Emery’s Retail Concept Center showcasing some of Emery’s unique and customized programs and solutions to capture prevalent trends in the industry including Green Building Trends, Organic Gardening, and Category Solutions, which is Emery’s Shopper (contractor) based retail solution in Power Tools and Accessories. Industry experts including John D. Wagner, LBM Journal’s green editor, Paul Tukey from Safelawns.org, and Mike Guertin, contributing editor at Fine Home Building were on hand to conduct training sessions and speak with customers.

According to Tim Mathis, VP of Marketing at Emery, “It’s our vision to provide our customers with unique and customizable solutions and tools to help them profitably grow their business. It’s not enough to just offer good buying opportunities; dealers should expect more from their partners.”

For More Information Contact: David Christmas, Distribution America
(704) 940-4801 email: dave.christmas@daonline.com

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DISTRIBUTOR, VENDOR EXECS CONVENE FOR ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING Planning for 2008 Underlying Theme of Conference

Marco Island, Fl. November 7th-9th, 2007

Marco Island, Fla., November 9, 2007… Distributors representing the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. gathered with manufacturers November 7-9 at the Executive Planning Conference (EPC) for nearly 3,500 separate one-on-one meetings.

New products and promotional programs were common themes at the joint event at the Marco Island Marriott in Marco Island, Fla., which drew approximately 500 home improvement industry executives. Thirty-two independent distributor companies were represented at the event, along with 150 key manufacturers.

Roger Hackman is vice president sales & marketing for Seymour Manufacturing of Seymour, Ind. The long-handled tool manufacturer just added a line of forged solid shanked tools and made packaging enhancements. He said he was looking forward to previewing these products with attending distributors, “We continue to add some specialized, niched products for the industrial contractor and nursery retailer.”

Distribution America and PRO Group host the conference jointly in an effort to increase efficiencies and reduce costs for attending manufacturers, who have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with distributor management teams.

Steve Synnott, president and chief operating officer for PRO Group, Inc. said the conference provides an ideal forum for addressing strategic planning, major marketing initiatives, financial performance and new product launches. “PRO Group’s goal at each EPC is to forge long-term partnerships that position the distributors’ retailers to more effectively compete with big box stores,” Synnott said.

Distribution America President, Dave Christmas said of the conference, “Once again this is proving to be one of the premier industry events. Our members have been offered more promotional buying opportunities than ever before.” Christmas added that business is picking up for Distribution America’s members. “October was a great month for us,” he said.

Prior to the conference, Doug Miller, president of the Spokane, Wash-based Jensen Distribution Services, said his company puts together business plans to help both Jensen Distribution Services and the vendor increase sales and profitability. “Our merchandise managers have specific goals in mind that differ for each vendor,” Miller said. “Two global issues we are working on with all of our vendors are increased co-op advertising funds and support of our company’s 125th anniversary in 2008.”

Doug Laird, director hardware sales, for the Apex, N.C.-based Cooper Hand Tools, said his goal going into the conference was to review mutual performance in the current year, uncover challenges or opportunities and establish a growth plan for the coming year. “This event allows us to meet key wholesaler and buying group personnel in one location and to plan future business activity,” Laird said.

Stanley Snowden, CEO of the Morristown, Tenn.-based Wallace Hardware Co., Inc. said, “Our goal is to come up with as many ideas as possible to generate profitable business for us and our vendors as well as any last minute promotional opportunities that may be available for our upcoming show at the end of November.”

William Bollin, CEO of The Bostwick-Braun Company, which is based in Toledo, Ohio, said his company’s strategy is to bring several teams to the conference in order to allow ample time to meet with both current vendors and prospective vendors. “We are able to step back from the day-to-day routine and explore broader issues that affect our business with executives from the vendor community.”

Allen Winn, vice president of merchandising of Knoxville, Tenn.-based House-Hasson said the House-Hasson buying team met prior to the conference to establish an agenda for the meetings and develop a business plan for the conference. “We would love to see more vendors participate,” Winn said. “The vendors at the EPC show they care about the success of our business and will remain in the forefront of our business.”

For distributor Lon Stephens, general manager of the Conklin, N.Y.-based Co-operative Feed Dealers, the EPC provides exposure to “products that we might not look at if we didn’t have appointments scheduled. We hope to come away with one or two opportunities to sell products that will exceed sales expectations and contribute significantly to the bottom line.”

Special conference events included the Wallace Prayer Breakfast with guest speaker Jim Lange, who authored Bleedership, Biblical First Aid for Leaders, a book that tells real stories of leadership from a business perspective, and a golf tournament pairing distributors with manufacturers.

Mike Braun and Tom Chasteen of The Hardware Industry Inc., presented information to attending distributors about a new program that provides product samples to retailers to preview, including the Library Card Program, the Market Test Program and the Request Show Specials Program. According to Chasteen, these initiatives are designed to help move product through the two-step hardware channel in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.

Dennis McDonald with the National Hardware Show also addressed attendees to promote the National Hardware Show’s return to Las Vegas.

The conference also features a popular new product display area. Distributor attendees selected the best new products and presented awards to the manufacturers for the Overall Best New Product and the Best New Product by major hardline categories.

The Overall Best New Product was awarded to Shop-Vac Corp. for the 18 Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Category winners included: Coleman Cable’s smart strip 7 Outlet Surge Protector (electrical); the Rechargeable 1 Watt LED Flashlight from Great Neck Saw Mfg. (tools); Custom LeatherCraft’s Mossy Oak 16-inch BigMouth Bag (hardware); Ames True Temper’s Sync-it Outdoor Water Station (lawn and garden); Rust-Oleum Corporation’s Porch and Floor Coating Dove Gray (paint); Plumb Pak Corporation’s Chrome and Porcelain Faucet Styled Tank Leather (plumbing), and the JacPac Regulator Kit from Supplierpipeline Inc. (power tools).

Synnott said the new product display gives suppliers an opportunity to test new products and packaging on a distributor audience. “While it is not a primary focus of the event, the Best New Product awards are coveted by DA and PRO Group suppliers,” Synnott said.

Kenny Beauvais, president and CEO of the Shreveport, La.-based HDW, Inc., said he was particularly impressed with the improved new product area. “This format allows us as distributors an opportunity to see many new items for the first time prior to their introduction for the new year,” Beauvais said. “This year more than 95 items were evaluated by distributors, which provided a great showcase for those participating manufacturers. This is a very cost effective way for manufacturers to show and tell us about their new offerings. This conference is the best value for our time to get business done.”

During separate membership meetings, both Distribution America and PRO Group, Inc. presented honors to distributors and manufacturers for achievements.

Distribution America Vendor Awards
2007 Vendor of the Year Award: Cooper Hand Tools
Automotive: Keeper Corporation
Hand & Power Tools: Cooper Hand Tools
Electrical: Feit Electric Company
Lawn & Garden: Boss Manufacturing Co.
Hardware: Midwest Fastener Corporation
Paint & Paint Sundries: Hyde Tools, Inc.
Plumbing: Genova Products, Inc.

Distribution America Member Achievement Awards
Outstanding Sales Growth: Jensen Distribution Services
Outstanding Asset Management: House-Hasson Hardware
Outstanding Service Performance: Emery-Waterhouse Company
Outstanding Inventory Management: Jensen Distribution Services
Soaring Eagle Award: Blish-Mize

PRO Group, Inc. Key Supplier of the Year Awards
Tools: Magna Industries, Inc.
Plumbing: LDR Industries
Hardware: Thermwell Products Co.
Paint Sundries: Aearo Company
Seasonal: Chapin International Inc.
Electrical: The Designers Edge
Overall Key Supplier (all categories): Genova Products, Inc.

PRO Group, Inc. Distributor Awards
FARM?MART Distributor of the Year: Wallace Hardware Company, Inc.
Best Increase in FARM?MART Group Sales: Co-operative Feed Dealers, Inc.
PRO Merchandising Distributor of the Year: Blackstone Supply Company
Best Target Vendor Support: Horizon Distribution, Inc.
PRO Hardware Distributor of the Year: The Bostwick-Braun Company

PRO Group Top Gun Awards
Chris Feather, Aearo Company
Elliot Piltzer, Great American Marketing, Inc.
Tommy Drinkard, Barker-Jennings Corporation

The Des Plaines, Illinois-based Distribution America www.daonline.com is a $2 billion plus buying and marketing organization, covering all 50 states with over 20,000 retail customers.

PRO Group, Inc.(www.pro-group.com) is a multi-divisional, international merchandising and marketing organization with corporate headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Its operating units include PRO Hardware, GardenMaster, FARM¨MART and GOLDEN-LINK. The Company’s purchasing power exceeds $3 billion through its 8 Member Distributors.

Note to media:

Event photos and photos of award winners available from Jody Schulz-Maude Jody.Schulz-Maude@daonline.com or Shari Kalbach at PRO Group, Inc. shari.kalbach@pro-group.com









For More Information Contact: David Christmas, Distribution America
(704) 940-4801 email: dave.christmas@daonline.com

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HOUSE-HASSON HARDWARE EXPANDS REACH THROUGH ACQUISITION

Knoxville, Tenn., April 3, 2007

The Knoxville, Tenn.-based House-Hasson Hardware Company which distributes to hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards domestically and internationally, has acquired the consumer products division of the Prichard, W.Va.-based Persinger Supply Company.

Don Hasson, president of House-Hasson, said the acquisition will help House-Hasson further expand its services to home improvement retailers in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

“Persinger Supply’s key employees will remain and will operate through House-Hasson Hardware’s new Persinger Division,” Hasson said, adding that House-Hasson will mirror the company’s inventory and services in the West Virginia distribution center, which will serve as a satellite distribution center for House-Hasson through the new division. House-Hasson also maintains a 350,000-square-foot warehouse at its company headquarters in Knoxville, Tenn.

“The best part of the new division is the excellent staff of people,” Hasson said. “Vernice Deskins and Beverly Perry, who have both been with Persinger Supply for many years and are well-respected in the industry, will continue to manage day-to-day operations of the Persinger division.”

With a customer base of more than 1,200, House-Hasson Hardware (www.househasson.com) services independent hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards in a 14-state region. The 101-year-old, family-owned company also services overseas customers in such areas as the US Virgin Islands, Curacao, Bermuda, Aruba, Antigua, Cayman Islands, Venezuela and Granada.

House-Hasson is a Member Owner of the Charlotte, N.C.-based Distribution America (www.daonline.com) a $1.2 billion plus buying and marketing organization, covering all 50 states with more than 15,000 retail customers.

For More Information Contact: David Christmas, Distribution America
(704) 940-4801 email: dave.christmas@daonline.com

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