Supporting your local tradesmen The Home Builders Institute (HBI) announced The Home Depot Foundation (THDF) will commit up to $500,000 to fund student training in home construction careers in high schools across the United States. Additionally, the National Housing Endowment (NHE), the philanthropic arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), has pledged $200,000 in support of the effort. This combined $700,000 will provide training to thousands of students for construction trades skills. “Education and the construction
industry continue to evolve and present new challenges and opportunities for the skilled trades workforce,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “This year is expected to hold pivotal moments for each sector, and we’re excited to help bring fresh trades opportunities to our youth, as well as be on the forefront of the positive changes to come.” The funds will allow HBI and THDF to provide a hands-on curriculum for high school students nationwide, along with instructor training and materials. Upon completion, students will earn a preapprenticeship certification endorsed by NAHB and recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor. The programs will be available at no additional cost to students and their families. Industry data shows there are an
estimated 311,000 open jobs, like carpentry, electrical, plumbing and others in residential construction. “Residential construction growth will continue in 2020 and thereafter, supported by low interest rates, solid economic growth and a lack of housing inventory,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “At the same time, the home building industry faces a skilled trades gap,” said Ed Brady, HBI president and CEO. “As a result, opportunities for wellpaid, rewarding careers in residential construction are tremendous.” THDF’s $500,000 commitment is part of a $50 million partnership with HBI, launched in 2018 to train 20,000 tradespeople over 10 years.
News Map: Openings, Closings & Acquisitions Illustration of retailers and dealers in various stages of coming and going. For more retail news, visit HBSDealer.com OPENING
wisconsin
Madison ABC Supply The 790-location specialty distributor ABC Supply acquired the assets of Midwest Wholesale Materials Co., based in Madison, Wis. Founded in 1960, MWM is a single-location distributor of siding, windows, doors and steep-slope roofing. With the deal, ABC now operates 18 locations in Wisconsin.
CLOSING
ACQUISITION
vermont
Manchester Center Allen Lumber Allen Lumber Inc. is being acquired by r.k. Miles, Inc., the Manchester Center, Vt.-based pro dealer. The move includes the acquisition of locations in Barre, Montpelier, Waitsfield, and St. Johnsbury, Vt. A third-generation family business, r.k. Miles celebrates its 80th year in March.
iowa
Sioux City Wilmes Do it Best Hardware Expected this spring, Wilmes Do it Best Hardware will open a 30,000 square foot store in a former Shopko. The store, located in Marketplace Shopping Center, will be the second for Mike and Gina Wilmes. The husband-wife team also operate a Wilmes Do it Best Hardware store in South Sioux City. They’ve been in the hardware business since 1988.
HBSDealer.com
tennessee
Oak Ridge Downtown Hardware Downtown Hardware, a secondgeneration hardware store plans to close its doors for good at the end of February. The brother-sister team of Ann Bratton and Roger Clary are the current owners of Downtown Hardware, which stood up to Walmart, Kmart and Home Depot over its six decades of business.
HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER FEBRUARY 2020
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