An event organized by the PRO Group April 24 to 26 brought together 25 distributors from around the country to tour two warehouse facilities and share new developments in distribution operations.  

The tours took place at Reiss Wholesale Hardware Co., Inc. in Brooklyn, New York and R3 Redistribution – Metro South in Perth Amboy, N.J. Both distributors are affiliated with PRO Group, Inc.

Renewable Resources (Energy Solutions) Ltd launched operations in North America to provide roof-mounted solar technology for residential & commercial customers across New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut. 

As a result of Renewable Resources origins in Scotland, the launch is timed to coincide with Tartan Week 2012, a series of events in New York City celebrating Scottish culture and innovation in the United States.

Residential builder Hovnanian narrowed its losses during the first fiscal quarter to $18.3 million, compared to a loss of $64.1 million during the same quarter a year ago.  Revenue for the Red Bank, N.J.-based company grew by 6.7% during the quarter , which ended Jan. 31, to $269.6 million.

"The spring selling season is off to a good start," said company CEO Ara  Hovnanian in a prepared statement. "We are hopeful that these positive trends continue." 

Net contracts increased 27% to 1,079 homes from 850 homes last year. 

More on Bernie Marcus

“As a proud associate of The Home Depot, I take great exception to Eric Ziedrich’s comments (in the Readers Response area) regarding Bernie Marcus. (Marcus contribution, alternative view, Feb. 10)

“No one believes that Bernie is God, but he is, and was, a true visionary. He understood what the people wanted and needed, and provided it for them.

Branchburg, N.J.-based LBM distributor Mid-State Lumber announced the culmination of an 18-month plan to expand into New England and announced its New England sales team.

"Today a complete staff is working with a 100% focus of supporting the retail lumber dealers and industry associations in the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire," according to a company statement. The New England team is led by Mike Kelly, New England sales manager.

Flashlights, screwdrivers and heavy duty cleaning wipes are among the home improvement products on display in episode 4 of "New Product Showcase in Ken's New Jersey Garage."

For this month’s roundup, HCN took exit 10 off the Turnpike for a visit to Ken’s New Jersey Garage, the setting of the fastest new product show on the Internet. But take your time reviewing this month’s products in print.

Superseal Windows and Doors has converted its South Plainfield, N.J., manufacturing facility to a distribution and service center. The move is part of the company’s plan, which began in early 2011, to centralize its manufacturing capability in its facility in Merrill, Wis., near Superseal’s parent company, Hurd Windows and Doors.

Home improvement industry veteran Mel Gerstein, co-owner of Mahwah, N.J.-based Thermwell Products, is at it again. His holiday cards containing his unique brand of political humor are hitting mailboxes all across the country. 

Gerstein estimates thousands of people are on his holiday card list, including the office of Home Channel News, which received its card earlier this week. What makes Gerstein tradition unusual is that he draws his own card, and he's been doing it since the mid-1960s.

Police have arrested a 52-year-old suspect in the vandalization of Jack’s Hardware and several other Jewish-owned businesses in New Brunswick, N.J., according to an article in the Daily Targum.

Window-fashion manufacturer Hunter Douglas will move its corporate headquarters to Pearl River, N.Y., from Upper Saddle River, N.J., effective Oct. 10. Hunter Douglas will move to Blue Hill Plaza and occupy the top two floors of the 21-story Skidmore, Owings & Merrill complex near the Hudson River.