Sherwin-Williams Co. reported net sales of $2.14 billion for its first fiscal quarter, a 15.1% rise over net sales in the same quarter of 2011. The increase was attributed primarily to higher paint sales volume and selling price increases. 

The Board of Directors of Federal Way, Wash.-based Weyerhaeuser Co. declared a dividend of $0.15 per share on the common stock of the corporation payable June 1, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business May 11, 2012.

Weyerhaeuser, one of the world's largest forest products companies, began operations in 1900. The company grows and harvest trees, builds homes and makes a range of forest products. At the end of 2011, the company generated annual sales of $6.2 billion and employed approximately 12,800 employees in 11 countries. 

Lifetime Brands reported fourth-quarter net income was $5.4 million, compared with $13.9 million in the prior-year period. Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2011, totaled $137.6 million, down 3.5% from consolidated net sales of $142.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

For the year ended Dec. 31, 2011, net income was $14.1 million, compared with $20.3 million in 2010. Consolidated net sales were $444.4 million, up 0.3% from consolidated net sales of $443.2 million for 2010.

Cologne, Germany -- Does home center retailing need a new business model? One DIY pioneer thinks so. 

Manfred Maus, who in 1970 founded OBI, which grew to become Germany’s largest DIY home center, spoke to Home Channel News at the 2012 Internationale Eisenwarenmesse – or International Hardware Fair – in Cologne, Germany. 

“My children and my grandchildren will buy completely differently than we buy,” he said. “I think the home center concept is old. We need a new business model.”

Boise, Idaho-based Boise posted fourth-quarter sales of $600.4 million, up 14.6% from $524.1 million in the same quarter of 2010.

"The past year was our most successful year since our inception four years ago," said Alexander Toeldte, president and CEO of Boise. "Our EBITDA excluding special items was a record $340 million, we generated $121 million in free cash flow, and returned $169 million of capital to our shareholders through share repurchases and dividends."

Emmett Francis McCoy, 88, of San Marcos, Texas, passed away Jan. 7. 

Morrison Supply Co., the fourth-largest distributor of plumbing and HVAC supplies in the United States, has sold a majority share to private equity firm Advent International.

Founded in 1917, Morrison is now the largest distributor of plumbing supplies in the southwestern United States. The company has 77 branches and showrooms, located in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas. Morrison has several lines of business, including plumbing, heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC), industrial pipes, valves & fittings, oil & gas and waterworks.

Allied Building Products Corp. has recently completed three acquisitions: Ivan Supply Co.; the Smyrna, Ga., branch of American Wholesale; and Pacific Source.

Philadelphia-based Ivan Supply Co. is a privately held, four-branch distributor of roofing and siding. It was founded in 1981 by Ivan Tancredi.

A subsidiary of Great Southern Wood Preserving acquired a wood treating plant in Mansura, La., formerly owned by Elder Wood Preserving.

Great Southern CEO Jimmy Rane said the two companies have similar cultures. "Our involvement will simply enable that plant to bring more products and more resources to its customers than ever before while allowing us to expand our footprint," he said. 

Elder Wood has been an industry leader for more than 30 years, he added.

San Antonio -- TW Perry accepted the 2011 Pro Dealer of the Year award last week during the ProDealer Industry Summit held here at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

"We didn't win this award by ourselves," said TW Perry CEO Michael Cassidy, in his acceptance speech. "Without all this support, without all the mentors and vendors and people who helped teach us over the years, we wouldn't be here."

Cassidy's speech stressed the value of corporate culture, the importance of mentors and the close-knit nature of the LBM industry. 

California-based e-commerce retailer Thomason Ventures has launched a new website, AlternativeHomeProducts.com, which features such energy-saving household products as inverter fuses, inverter remotes, solar panels, rechargeable lights, solar kits, solar accessories, wireless HD tuners, tools and power packs. 

Belgrade, Maine-based Hammond Lumber Co. will acquire three building material stores located in Damariscotta, Boothbay Harbor and Pemaquid, from Sanford, Maine-based New England Building Materials.

The move brings the 58-year-old Hammond Lumber footprint from nine Maine locations to 12.