Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
With its Spring Dealer Market just weeks away, Orgill has announced several new strategic partnerships with industry-leading vendors to offer retailers even more comprehensive assortments and greater opportunities to drive profits in 2024.
Orgill’s 2024 Spring Dealer Market will be held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from Feb. 22-24.
“We are constantly looking for ways to enhance the products and services we offer our customers, and we are very pleased to have been able to secure relationships with a range of new vendors that are well known for their product quality, breadth of offerings and support for independent retailers,” says Boyden Moore, Orgill’s president and CEO.
Because Orgill serves a range of retail store types across a wide range of markets, offering both a broad and deep product selection is key to meeting the needs of its customers, Moore says.
“Orgill serves retail customers from single-location hardware stores to pro-focused lumberyards to farm and ranch dealers and we are committed to supporting them all,” he says. “We offer one of the broadest product ranges in the industry with premium brands so our customers can be the go-to source for home improvement and building supplies within their communities.”
Building Even Stronger Ties
One of these key additions includes an expanded partnership with Simpson Strong-Tie. Now, Orgill will offer a significantly expanded range of Simpson Strong-Tie products to its customers, including more than 800 new items and assortments ranging from connectors to construction fasteners and anchors to advanced power-fastener systems.
“Simpson Strong-Tie products are so well known in the construction industry that the brand name is really synonymous with the products they produce,” says Heath Kennedy, Orgill director of hardlines merchandise. “Because we will now be offering a dominant assortment from Simpson, it will undoubtedly help our customers secure more business, create renewed relationships in their markets and drive traffic to their stores.”
With more than 65 years in the industry, Simpson Strong-Tie products represent the gold standard in construction solutions, says Don Gormsen, vice president of national accounts for Simpson Strong-Tie.
“We are dedicated to providing exceptional service to the pro builder market, which includes ensuring they have access to our products whenever they need them,” Gormsen says. “Not only does Orgill service the suppliers in the pro segment, but they also have significant reach into the hardware store and home improvement side of the industry. We saw this alliance as a great opportunity for both companies to extend our solutions and support to a broader range of end users.”
Although a vastly expanded product selection from Simpson is at the heart of the new program, Kennedy says the relationship with Orgill extends well beyond the products.
“The products and the reputation of the brand are so important, but we have worked closely with Simpson to develop a range of tailored planograms and assortments designed to meet the specific needs of unique customer segments,” Kennedy says. “This market-specific approach to assortment design is a key part of how we can position retailers for success.”
For example, Orgill will offer customized assortments for farm and ranch retailers, hardware stores, home centers and professional contractors, as well as unique assortments for retailers in coastal areas that have their own set of unique needs.
“This is not a one-size-fits-all program,” Kennedy says. “There was attention to detail put into this entire process. Both Orgill and Simpson Strong-Tie are very committed to building this relationship and putting together a program the right way from start to finish.”
Beyond the products and customized assortments, Simpson also provides a complete support and training program for retailers. This initiative will ensure retailers are fully equipped to leverage the benefits of offering these world-class products and can provide guidance and support to end users, Kennedy says.
Both Orgill and Simpson Strong-Tie are also committed to helping retailers stay up to date with the latest building technologies and trends, particularly in areas like green building and sustainability.
“At Simpson, our mission is to help people design and build safer, stronger structures, and we constantly look for ways to fulfill that goal,” Gormsen says. “Embracing innovation is integral to our mission, driving us to consistently develop time-saving solutions that help end users be more productive on the job site.”
Cleaning Up the Category
Along with the major addition to its builders’ hardware offering, Orgill will also use its Spring Dealer Market as the launchpad for new enhancements and additions to the cleaning products category, anchored by alliances with key suppliers such as Libman, E-Cloth, O-Cedar and Swiffer.
“We are very excited about the launch of our 2024 programs in this growing category,” says Matthew McDowell, Orgill’s senior category manager of home products. “This year, we are focusing on innovative cleaning solutions, eco-friendly products and high-quality cleaning implements to meet the diverse needs of our customers.”
The Libman range of products will offer everything from household cleaning products to items needed for professional or commercial end users, McDowell says.
Along with the new Libman program, Orgill is expanding its offerings with other well-known brands within the cleaning industry—including modern and efficient cleaning solutions from O-Cedar, environmentally-conscious microfiber items from E-Cloth and a revolutionary new product from Swiffer, the PowerMop.
“Whether it is a broader range of products, deep discounts from Libman and E-Cloth or innovative new products like the Swiffer PowerMop, which used to be a big-box exclusive, we have a lot to show off in Orlando and are excited to invite our customers to explore these offerings,” McDowell says.
