Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/502158
H a r d w a r e & H o u s e w a r e s R e v i e w 2 3 T h u r s d a y, M a y 7 , 2 0 1 5 ECO-FLO PRODUCTS CONTINUES TO INNOVATE An interview with Ryan Fickes, VP Sales & Marketing, ECO-FLO Products, Inc. HHR: Tell our readers about your com- pany. RF: ECO-FLO Products, Inc. is a water solutions company located in Ashland, Ohio. We offer a complete line of residential pumps for all of your pumping needs. We offer water well pumps, sump pumps, irrigation pumps, sewage pumps and utility pumps. Our operation in Ashland includes a 130,000 square foot warehouse and test facility. We most recently invested in a new 6,000 square foot office addi- tion, as well as a state-of-the-art test lab, which is used for production test- ing, research and development and new products. HHR: What are the new innovative products from ECO-FLO Products? RF: We are growing rapidly, and the addition of new products is a key source to that growth. Our product offering of sump (to 1 HP), sewage (to 1 HP) and utility pumps (to ½ HP) continues to grow as we have added 4-inch sub- mersible well pumps (1/2 –1HP, 12 and 25 gpm) and shallow and convertible jet pumps (1/2 – 1 HP) to the line. Further, we continue to expand our complete water systems solutions platform by adding less energy consuming, low amp drawing products. HHR: How is ECO-FLO Products dif- ferentiated in the market? RF: Our products utilize high efficiency motors (permanent split capacitor design; premium motor lamina- tions), non-clogging vortex impellers and double roller bearing designs to reduce energy and to reduce noise and vibration. The PSC motors allow for lower amp draw to reduce energy use, and our cast iron products provide the best heat dissipation from the motor. We also offer a "recycle for life" program on our prod- ucts. HHR: What are the merchandising and promotional initiatives for driving sales growth for retailers? RF: We see the use of QR codes and edu- cational videos as the consumer's choice for ease of use and education on the installation. We are constantly monitor- ing consumer feedback on improvements to our packaging and owner's manual information. We recently introduced a new improved website solutions center along with an easy to navigate ECO-FLO virtual house to help the consumer identify our products and their uses around the residence. HHR: What are the major changes happening in the residen- tial pump market? RF: The market is changing, and we are seeing retail merchants taking control of their marketing programs by introducing private brands. With the rapid consolida- tion of the North American pump indus- try, brands and products are changing, causing merchandising work, confusion and obsolete inventory to the retailer. Further, with the Far East manufacturers penetrating the market rapidly and aggressively, the retailers are choosing to create and promote a private brand and products that they control. Visit ECO-FLO Products at booth #3831. For more information, go to www.ecoflo products.com, call 877.326.3561 or email customerservice@ecofloproducts.com. PATENT ACQUIRED FOR GRIP JUMBO TELESCOPING CAMPING FORK Grand Rapids Industrial Products (GRIP) is excited to announce the grant of a US Patent for its Jumbo Telescoping Camping Fork in time for National Get Outdoors Day on June 13th. The Telescoping Camping Fork makes outdoor cooking simpler and is from GRIP's new line of camping equip- ment. The robust design of this product makes it easier and safer to roast foods like marshmallows, hot dogs or bratwursts over an open fire. The Camping Fork makes it easier and safer to cook more food at once when camping with friends and family. The sturdy 15- inch stainless-steel three tined fork has a double dipped rubber grip, resists rust and corrosion and extends to 43 inches long, allowing users to safely reach the center of even a big campfire without fear of burning your hands. The ornamental design patent grant- ed for the fork protects its creative styling from product infringe- ment, making GRIP the exclusive manufacturer of this handy prod- uct. The camping fork is sold on a hang tag. For more information and wholesale pricing, please contact GRIP at 616.877.0000 ext. 101 or email sales@gripontools.net. About GRIP Located just south of Grand Rapids, Mich., GRIP features a 200,000 square foot state- of-the-art warehouse facility including a 2,000 square foot product showroom. GRIP carries a product line of more than 1,500 specialty hand tools, household items, automotive, air tools, wood-working, camping goods and general mer- chandise. With its proven track record of excellence in supplying retailers with innovative products, timely fulfillment and world class customer support, the ideal solution to your tool needs is Grip-On-Tools. Visit GRIP at booth #34035. For more information, go to www.gripontools.net, call 616.877.0000 or email sales@gripontools.net. SMARTWEDGE: SHIMS WITH INTERLOCKING TEETH Tens of millions of shims are purchased and used every year. If you're not selling your share, you're missing out on valu- able income. Don't miss this income opportunity! The great thing about the usage of shims is that you have many customer groups to work with. No matter which customer group you consider to be your main base of business, shims are bought and used in more ways than you think. The large DIY market, the John Doe non-construction related market, the builder, the contractor, the remodeler, the installer and others … virtually every building related professional buys and uses shims daily. You even find shims in the house- wares department where they are used to level counters, bookcases, fish tanks, toi- lets, pool tables, flower pots, water falls, steps, stairs, floors, doors, windows, mar- ble counters, table tops, shelves, chairs, tiles, mirrors and so on. Shims for the hardware department are used when building and installing windows, doors, decks, flooring, siding, framing, stone walls, railings, rough-ins, finished work, new construction, ren- ovation and remodeling, and so on. Overland Construction Supply makes the only shim with interlock- ing teeth designed to lock them in place for accuracy and stability. It has the largest supply of different types and sizes of shims available from one source. It has numerous packaging options to suit your customer and help you build a colorful display in your stores, and it can create new ones upon your request. The company has case quantities of individual products, or a mixture of sizes in a see-through plastic TransPack, or smaller hanger cards which can be hung from your shelves. It aims to please and is easy to do business with. Overland products are produced to the highest stan- dards with virtually no call backs or quality issues, so you won't have any after sale issues or unhappy customers. It has been making these same products for more than 25 years, and they are con- stantly tested for perform- ance and quality. Test results are avail- able upon your request. Visit Overland Construction Supply at booth #45120 and take advantage of its special show offer. For more information, go to www.smartwedge.com, email info@smartwedge.com or call 800.610.7250. NEW MR. CLEAN SPONGES FROM BUTLER HOME PRODUCTS At this year's National Hardware Show, Butler Home Products is showcasing its new Mr. Clean all-purpose cleaning sponges. Made from durable and absorbent cellulose material, these new Mr. Clean sponges are just the right size for scrubbing up those all around the house messes. Bigger than the sponge you use in the kitchen sink, but not so big it doesn't fit in your hand, the new Mr. Clean Scrubber Sponges are perfect for your bathtub, shower, outdoor furniture, grill, etc. With sturdy nylon scrubbing materi- al, the sponges are available in non- scratch and heavy duty varieties, so you have the perfect sponge for the job at hand. Use the non-scratch on your fiber- glass tub surround, and use the heavy duty on your patio furniture after the long hard winter. These new sponges complement the vast assortment of cellulose and scrubber sponges available from Butler Home Products. In addition to the Mr. Clean brand of sponges, Butler offers a full line of dish and sink sponges under the Dawn brand, Scented sponges under the Gain brand and natural sponges under the TWIST brand. Having the right brand with the right product has been a hallmark of Butler's programs in all its product categories. While fairly new to the sponge category, Butler has burst onto the scene with a broad offering of products that hits all and any needs. Its sponges are made of the highest quality cellulose. When you think of sponges, it's time to think of Butler. Visit the Butler Home Products booth to see these new Mr. Clean sponges as well as the entire line of sponges offered. In addi- tion, you will see all the products avail- able from Butler Home Products and Bradshaw International. Mr. Clean will clean your whole house and everything that's in it! For more information, visit booth #19017.