St. Jacobs, Ontario, May 18, 2011 - Gary, Glen and Dean Thulin and Alison Kilby, Dealer-Owners of Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre, in Campbell River, British Columbia, were named Retail Innovator of the Year by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) at a ceremony in Las Vegas.

"We are honoured to have been selected as winners of this prestigious award," said Gary Thulin who has been a Dealer-Owner of the family business since 1969. "We take great pride in serving our customers - contractors and do-it-yourselfers alike - with quality products and advice. We have worked especially hard to go beyond satisfying our contractor client's needs."

Located at 1270 Dogwood Street, Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre - Campbell River has been described as a contractor's one-stop-shop. The store has been designed and merchandised with contractors, renovators, builders and developers in mind. The 35,500 square foot building includes a contractor centre and it is situated next to a 10,870 square foot drive-in materials storage facility. There are four additional storage buildings along a previous location which are used as a storage and shipping facility.

The store has moved several times since joining the Home banner in 1981 as a Home Hardware. Over the years, the business continued with great success and the Thulin brothers became a Home Hardware Building Centre when local demand for more products for varied needs became apparent and they moved to a larger property. The most recent move in 2008 was necessary to meet the growing needs of local contractors, whether they were renovating existing homes or building new - storage and availability of products have kept local contractors loyal to the business.

"Before we began the renovation we wanted to tap into what our contractors' needs were," said Thulin. "We wanted to make sure we were evolving with the changes in the industry as well as our customers. So, we asked them what their wishes were and focused the renovation on exceeding their expectations."

Today, the 35,500 square foot store employs 47 full-time staff and 7 part-time staff. There is a genuine sense of pride amongst the staff and it is evident in their customer care. Staff members are encouraged to participate in training programs that not only include NRHA, Home Hardware and vendor training, but also courses from the local college. This well trained and knowledgeable staff is able to help customers thoroughly and efficiently, making their experience in store that much more enjoyable.

Pioneer Home Hardware Building Centre - Campbell River is also proud to give back to the community. Through multiple organizations and charities, the Thulin brothers remain at the forefront of their community and they encourage their staff to do the same. Active participants in fundraising efforts for the Hospital Foundation, Campbell River Special Olympics and Canadian Cancer Society, as well as participation in the Chamber of Commerce and the Volunteer Fire department are just a few examples of their dedication.

"We make it a priority to give back to the community," continues Thulin. "It's one way for us to say thank you to those who have supported us and who continue to do so."

"On behalf of more than 1,080 Home Dealers across Canada, I'd like to congratulate Gary, Glen, Dean, Alison and the team in Campbell River on earning this great honour," said Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "They truly are models for home improvement retailers across Canada. Congratulations."


About Home Hardware
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country's largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes more than 1,080 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware's independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada's best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware's network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.


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For more information, contact Gary Thulin at 250-287-7147 or Lindsey Dietrich, Home Hardware Stores Limited at lindsey.dietrich@homehardware.ca or 519-664-2252 x 6676