Award honours outstanding achievements of young retailers

St. Jacobs, Ontario, May 28, 2010 - Home Hardware Dealer-Owner, Patrick Guilbert of Neepawa Home Hardware in Neepawa, Manitoba was recognized as a Young Retailer of the Year by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA).

Currently in its fourteenth year, the Young Retailer of the Year Program highlights young, aspiring hardware retailers and honours them for outstanding achievement as owners and managers of independently owned hardware and building supply stores in the United States and Canada. Guilbert was one of three winners in the under $2 million in sales category and the only Canadian honouree.

"On behalf of 1,070 Home Hardware Dealers across Canada, I'd like to congratulate Patrick on this remarkable accomplishment," said Paul Straus, President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Young retailers are the future of our industry in Canada. It's great to see a young, entrepreneurial minded Canadian like Patrick recognize the potential of running his own business in hardware retailing and see the results of his hard work at such an early stage in his career. We're proud to call him part of the Home Hardware family."

Neepawa Home Hardware is Patrick Guilbert's first entrepreneurial venture following previous jobs in business management and human resources. In September 2008, when former Dealer-Owner Ron Goldade was ready to retire, Guilbert bought the store and decided to turn a life-long hobby into his career. Guilbert grew up in Neepawa and thought it would be a great place to raise his family.

"In my time so far in the industry, I've found that hardware retailing is an extremely rewarding career," said Patrick Guilbert, Dealer-Owner, Neepawa Home Hardware. "Every day is different with new customers, new questions and new challenges. I love working with the staff and helping our customers. Making the career switch into hardware is one of the best things I've ever done."

"The Young Retailer of the Year program is designed to honor outstanding young retailers in Canada and the United States and to encourage others to make hardware retailing their career," said Tom Delph, Program Director, NRHA's Young Retailer of the Year. "The individuals are evaluated on their individual accomplishments in the business, industry education, community involvement and the store's overall performance. The success achieved by these young retailers demonstrates that the future of the retail hardware business is in good hands. Patrick Guilbert is an excellent example of this success, and joins nine other Canadian retailers of the 100 retailers who have been honored in the 14 years of the program."

Neepawa Home Hardware boasts 6,500 square feet of indoor retail space and an additional 3,000 square feet of outdoor space. Since taking over the location, Guilbert has overseen a revamping of the paint department, the opening of an expanded and renovated bath centre and focused the store strongly on the finishing market, including an expanded selection in the kitchen category.

"At Neepawa Home Hardware our customers get the service they want, need and deserve," said Guilbert. "It doesn't matter if they are buying a single nail or a new kitchen sink; any customer who comes in our door can expect the best customer service every time."

The 13 member Neepawa Home Hardware team is experienced and knowledgeable with several team members working at the store for more than 10 years and one employee who was been at the location for 23 years. The store is also a proud supporter of the local palliative care centre and sponsor of the Neepawa Natives.

"I was a little bit shocked when I found out about the award," continued Guilbert. "We knew we were doing well but you think you're just a small place in the world. To be recognized amongst dealers across Canada and the United States and by your peers is remarkable."

Guilbert is Home Hardware's eighth NRHA Young Retailer of the Year Honouree. Past honourees include

Chris Beilhartz - Echo Bay Home Hardware Building Centre, 2009
Maurice Chevalier - Morinville Home Hardware, 2008
Adam Busscher - Picton Home Hardware, 2007
Monte McNaughton - McNaughton Home Hardware Building Centre, 2005
David Dishke - Grand River Home Hardware, 2004
Tanya Hanson Rocca - Roblynn Home Hardware Building Centre, 2002
Philip Fynbo - Essex Home Hardware, 2000

About Home Hardware

Home Hardware Stores Limited is Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer with 1,070 stores across Canada, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners. Dealers have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products and the company has annual retail sales of $4.85 billion. The cooperative was founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers.

For further information, contact:

Rob Wallace
Home Hardware Stores Limited
(519) 664-4710
rob.wallace@homehardware.ca