St. Jacobs, ON, July 5, 2010 - Recently, Home Hardware Stores Limited received top honours from the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC) when it was presented the Safest Large Fleet Award at PMTC's annual conference. With more than 75 per cent of the miles it covers considered ‘long-haul', the Home Hardware fleet runs approximately 17 million kilometres a year while serving stores coast-to-coast from the company's four distribution centres. The 132 power unit and almost 500 trailer fleet was previously deemed the Safest Large Fleet in 2005 and 2008.

"I'd like to congratulate the Home Hardware team members who manage and drive our fleet on this significant accomplishment," said Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Our fleet covers millions of kilometres a year and delivers products to our independent Dealer network of 1,070 stores. This award is a clear demonstration of the utmost commitment to safety embodied by our highly skilled drivers and fleet managers. They consistently get the job done while ensuring that road safety remains a number one priority."

Home Hardware has developed industry leading road safety policies for the fleet, including written policies for the hiring, orientation and training of drivers. Developed in conjunction with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Home Hardware was one of the first fleets to adopt a Carrier Safety Management System, which documents all phases of a carrier's safety program from the initial hiring of drivers, through orientation, to the continual monitoring of their ongoing performance. On-board recorders monitor driver behaviour and drivers are kept appraised of their own and the entire fleet's performance. Home Hardware recognizes high performance by awarding bonuses to drivers with good results.

"The Safest Large Fleet Award is not just about running a fleet without incident. It is about demonstrating an ongoing commitment to road safety and taking the public's well-being to heart," said Bruce Richards, President, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada. "Home Hardware's dedication to safety management is commendable. They operate and treat their employees like family, which inspires them to meet Home's high performance goals. It is clear that diligence pays off. This is why Home Hardware has been a recipient of the award three times."

The Private Fleet Safety Awards program was created in 1998 by Zurich and the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada. The awards program recognizes private truck fleets that are most dedicated to safety improvement, particularly when they exceed National Safety Code requirements. The aim of the awards program is to encourage improved road safety for the general public while promoting best practices in safety management for private fleets. Judging is conducted by an independent panel and follows an established criterion that focuses on the company's overall safety regime and its record on the road.

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