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House-Hasson Hardware has entered into a corporate partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Global Supply Chain Institute (GSCI) aimed at improving distribution efficiency, customer service and operational practices that support its more than 2,000 independent hardware dealers.
The partnership, announced Oct. 29, will connect the Knoxville-based hardware distributor with students and faculty at the university’s Haslam College of Business. Through applied research projects and access to emerging supply chain technologies, House-Hasson will explore ways to improve distribution efficiency, safety and customer service.
The collaboration will also create internship and potential part-time employment opportunities for students, while providing company employees with professional development programs, educational opportunities and industry forums.
“For 120 years, House-Hasson has grown by building strong relationships and finding better ways to serve our dealers,” says House-Hasson CEO Jeff Land. “That same commitment has to guide how we prepare for the future.”
House-Hasson joins more than 75 organizations participating in GSCI’s corporate partnership program, including Lowe’s, Tractor Supply Company, Johnson & Johnson and Kimberly-Clark. Founded in 2011, GSCI connects businesses, researchers and students through applied research, industry partnerships and professional development programs focused on improving supply chain management.
Scott DeGroot, managing director of GSCI, says the partnership will allow students to apply academic research to actual distribution challenges while providing House-Hasson with additional resources for developing its workforce and operations. The relationship builds on longstanding ties between the company and university.
