Home Hardware Dealer recognized as NRHA Young Retailer of the Year
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Home Hardware Dealer-Owner Tyler Knight of Knights’ Home Building Centre in Meaford, Ontario, has been recognized as a Young Retailer of the Year by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) at a ceremony in Las Vegas.
Currently in its sixteenth year, the Young Retailer of the Year Program acknowledges outstanding managers and owners of North American, independently-owned hardware and building supply stores. Nominees must be 35 years of age or younger, and are judged on their career advancement, professional accomplishments, future goals, education and community involvement. Knight is one of three winners in the ‘over $2 million in sales’ category and the only Canadian honouree.
"On behalf of the Dealer-Owners of more than 1,080 Home Hardware stores across Canada, I’d like to congratulate Tyler on this remarkable accomplishment," said Paul Straus, President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Tyler’s strong entrepreneurial spirit and keen business sense are what make him such a great fit with the Home family and we’re proud to have him serve as an example to the new generation of Home Dealers."
Knight and his cousins took over the family’s hardware business in 2006, with a vision of providing a better customer experience. Within a year plans were in place to build a new store, expanding their space from 5,000 square feet to 14,000 square feet. The store opened in June 2010 with a wider product selection and improved layout and displays to successfully meet consumer and contractor demand.
"Before building the new store, we had a strong base of contractor customers – and still do," Knight said. "With more space, we were able to focus on expanding our retail offering while still serving our loyal contractors. Sales are now split 50 per cent consumer, 45 per cent contractor and 5 per cent institutional, and we are able to offer our knowledgeable service to a much broader clientele."
Customer service is at the core of the store’s success as Knight continues to focus on improving the buying experience and reaching out to new markets. Looking to increase the store’s institutional business, he has a staff member devoted to institutional customers, who often have specific needs and detailed paperwork requirements. To reach out to more female customers, he spearheaded the store’s first-ever Ladies Night, attracting over 300 women and generating buzz within the community.
"It is an honour to be recognized as a Young Retailer of the Year – especially by such talented industry peers," Knight said. "I am very proud of everything we’ve accomplished at Knights’ Home Building Centre and look forward to serving the community in the years to come."
Home Hardware Dealer-Owners have been recognized 10 times since the NRHA Young Retailer of the Year Program began sixteen years ago and have been honoured for six consecutive years.
Past Home Hardware recipients include:
• 2000 - Philip Fynbo, Essex Home Hardware
• 2002 - Tanya Hanson Rocca, Roblynn Home Hardware Building Centre
• 2004 - David Dishke, Grand River Home Hardware
• 2005 - Monte McNaughton, McNaughton Home Hardware Building Centre
• 2007 - Adam Busscher, Picton Home Hardware
• 2008 - Maurice Chevalier, Morinville Home Hardware
• 2009 - Chris Beilhartz, Echo Bay Home Hardware Building Centre
• 2010 - Patrick Guilbert, Neepawa Home Hardware
• 2011 - Conrad Leblanc, Tediche Home Hardware Building Centre
• 2012 - Tyler Knight, Knights' Home Building Centre
"The Young Retailer of the Year Program is designed to honour outstanding young retailers in Canada and the United Sates and to encourage others to make hardware retailing their career," said Tom Delph, Program Director, NRHA Young Retailer of the Year. "The success achieved by these individuals demonstrates that the future of the retail hardware business is in good hands. Tyler Knight is an excellent example of this success."
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