Content about Memphis

April 8, 2013
A discourse on distribution

Ron Beal, president and CEO of Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill, presented his views on hardware distribution during the President's Council meeting in Las Vegas. Here are the highlights.

The overview

"I've been at this a long time. One of the things that always impressed me is how simple distribution is to conceptualize, but how complex and how difficult it can be to actually execute. … It's pretty easy to understand why companies are not exactly standing in line to get in the business of distributing hardware products."

April 3, 2013
Orgill joins Home Improvement Research Institute

Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill joined the Home Improvement Research Institute, the not-for-profit research group.

January 10, 2013
Orgill signs distribution deal with BMC

Las Vegas -- Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill recently signed a distribution agreement with BMC, supplying hardlines to the Boise, Idaho-based pro dealer.

The distribution and services deal was signed late last year, and replaces BMC's similar distribution agreement with True Value Corp. The transition is in its early stages, according to both Orgill and BMC.

Orgill is making its first appearance at the BMC National Meeting and trade show in Las Vegas Jan. 8-11.

December 18, 2012
At Orgill, a trio of executives retires

Three executives with long tenures retired from Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill this month: Bill Fondren, Ken Post and Steve East.

Fondren retired as chairman of the board, but he will remain as a board member. Ron Beal will assume the chairman of the board post.

Ken Post was chief merchandise officer, a position to be filled by Brett Hammers. And Steve East was VP advertising. His replacement is Jeff Curler. 

November 16, 2012
Hunter Fan thermostat offers new control

Memphis, Tenn.-based Hunter Fan introduced a Universal Internet Thermostat, which can be controlled in-home or remotely with a smartphone.

The company says consumers can dramatically cut heating and cooling costs by installing Hunter Fan’s new Universal Internet Thermostat, which is controlled in-home or remotely with a smartphone app.

November 7, 2012
Longtime Orgill chairman to retire position

William Fondren, who has served as chairman of Orgill board of directors since January 2005, has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2012.

Fondren spent 24 years as Orgill’s president and CEO, leading the Memphis, Tenn.-based from a regional distributor serving the Midsouth to one of the industry’s largest independent hardlines distributors, with retail customers in all 50 states, throughout Canada and in more than 60 countries around the world.

October 11, 2012
Hunter Fan launches smartphone-controlled thermostat

Hunter Fan has introduced its Universal Internet Thermostat, which is controlled in-home or remotely with a smartphone app. The energy-saving thermostat, which can also be programmed by a smartphone, retails for $99. According to the Memphis, Tenn., company, the product installs in five minutes. 

August 18, 2012
In Vegas, Orgill demonstrates the possibilities

Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill is a big believer in its model stores and their ability to inspire dealers to roll out new products and planograms. 

At this year’s Fall Market in Las Vegas, Orgill demonstrated four separate store types full of the latest in merchandise adjacenies, signage and retail ideas: Copper Canyon Hardware, Four Corners Hardware & Supply, North Lake Lumber and Frontier Farm & Hardware. 

August 18, 2012
Orgill plans dot.com improvements

Memphis-based distributor Orgill plans to upgrade its Orgill.com ordering tool for members, with an emphasis on improving its speed and efficiency.

The improvement project will be rolled out in two phases, according to David Meany, Orgill’s director of eCommerce. The first phase is expected to launch in mid September, with phase two occurring in spring of 2013.

August 1, 2012
Distribution Nation

The nation’s leading wholesale distributors of home improvement products and building materials saw an increase of 2.23% in 2011 sales, according to the research that produced the 2012 Home Channel News Top 100 Distributor Scoreboard.

It wasn’t easy.

According to the data culled from surveys, financial reports and estimates, the nation’s top 100 distributors produced a total of $40.263 billion in sales, compared with $39.385 billion in 2010.

June 30, 2011
Orgill and the spirit of improvement

“The concept of consistent, incremental improvement applies to just about everything we do,” said Ron Beal, the CEO of Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill.


In that sentence, Beal captured the essence of the distributor’s spirit of improvement. There’s no single hero, no silver bullet and no rainmaker. Instead, Beal describes an environment of measuring, benchmarking and improving. And the results were impressive in 2010, a difficult year for home products. Orgill posted 2010 sales of $1.179 billion, up 9.3% over $1.079 billion in the prior year. 


February 27, 2011
Orgill Market draws a crowd

Orlando, FLa. -- There were several noteworthy features of Orgill's 2011 Spring Dealer Market. The aisles were full and suppliers approached by Home Channel News were generally pleased with booth traffic. 

Behind the scenes, Orgill CEO Ron Beal said the Memphis-based distributor was working to improve on a record 2010.

"It's hard to hit home runs, but if we can be 1% or 2% or 5% or 10% better, the cumulative impact of that is very significant," Beal said.

February 24, 2011
Orgill opens Spring Dealer Market in Orlando

Memphis, Tenn.-based Orgill's 2011 Spring Dealer Market kicked off Thursday with pallet specials and seminars, among other things.

The market floor included two concept stores to offer merchandising ideas to dealers: Beale Street Lumber and Delta Farm & Hardware. 

"These stores showcase the range of what Orgill can provide to retailers of different shapes, sizes and formats," said Orgill CEO Ron Beal.

In his welcoming note to attendees, Beal also pointed to the deals available in the Coupon and Pallet Buy areas.

January 28, 2011
Ozark Natural Paneling gains distribution in Southeast and Southwest

Curtner Lumber Co.’s Ozark Natural Paneling, a new line of hardwood planks for walls, ceilings and wainscot, will be distributed by Boise Cascade locations in Memphis and Tulsa throughout Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Western Kentucky, Northwest Alabama, Oklahoma and Missouri.  

Made in Newport, Ark., Ozark Natural Paneling comes from the finest, sustainable-growth “heirloom quality” hardwoods.  

January 10, 2011
Orgill puts the O in Oh, Canada

Suddenly, Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill views itself as a full-blown player in the Canadian market, thanks to a partnership with Canada’s Castle Building Centres. Orgill CEO Ron Beal walked Home Channel News through some of the thought processes that led to the venture.


• The partnership


January 10, 2011
STAFDA announces new members

New distributor members of STAFDA include companies from Minneapolis and Memphis, Boulder and Beaverton., according to an announcement in the Elm Grove, Wis.-based association's December Trade News bulletin.

They are:

December 20, 2010
Orgill expands into Canada

Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor Orgill has partnered with Mississauga, Ontario-based Castle Building Centers to fully integrate Canada into Orgill’s core business.

Orgill has been eyeing the Canadian market for 15 years, and has been operating in limited capacity there for the past three years, shipping to independents in various parts of the country.

The partnership was reported originally in Hardlines, the Canadian home improvement industry magazine.

October 30, 2008
Orgill to distribute new stain remover product

Winning Brands manufactures Winning Colours Stain Remover for consumer and commercial use as an environmental...

October 19, 2008
Hardware heats up

When Home Channel News’s list of Top 500 home improvement retailers was published in June,...

October 6, 2008
Former Ace executive joins Orgill

Former Ace LBM manager Amy Pellerito has joined Orgill, the Memphis, Tenn.-based distributor, as an...

September 7, 2008
Ace to participate in Mid-South real estate event

Last year, more than 300 local, regional and national retailers, developers, brokers and public officials...

August 10, 2008
Global positioning

It was standing room only when Orgill announced the location of its new distribution center...

August 10, 2008
Hooten’s successful leap

When Orgill first heard of Hooten’s Hardware’s expansion plan, it was a simple sketch drawn...

August 10, 2008
Rough riders

“These are tough times. The general consensus is: we’ll make it through.” That’s how Orgill...

July 20, 2008
Orgill to break ground on Midwest distribution center in August

The Memphis distributor has chosen Sikeston, Mo., as the site of its newest distribution center,...

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