2022
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MADE IN THE USA
Domestic tranquility for the home industry By HBSDealer Staff
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ith container ships lined up for miles at ports, with truck drivers in short supply and with supply chain challenges creeping into inventory planning, the drum beat for domestic manufacturing or local sourcing is growing louder. And those who fly the flag of “Made in the USA” are emboldened in today’s shop-local environment. A recent Hardware and Building Supply Dealer industry survey found a huge disparity between those who see domestic manufacturing “growing,” (83 percent) either rapidly or slowly, and those who describe domestic manufacturing as “declining” (6 percent). Meanwhile, the print and digital pages of HBSDealer magazine include no shortage of evidence for the movement. In recent weeks alone, at least two big brands have checked the box for factory growth in the U.S. Bobcat Company, a maker of compact equipment, announced plans for a new assembly plant in Rogers, Minnesota, northwest of Minneapolis. The 225,000 sq. ft. plant should be fully operational by the fourth quarter, with more than 100 new full time positions. “We are dedicated to continuing to expand our capabilities and equipment product lines to empower our customers, and this new location will be an important part of this success,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America.
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Meanwhile Milwaukee Tool continues to ramp up its manufacturing efforts in the United States. The company started construction of its newest facility in Grenada County, Miss. to accommodate its power tool and accessories business. It will also serve as a centralized repair facility. More than 800 new jobs will be created with the facility set to open in mid-2023. “We’re thrilled to, once again, expand our footprint in the state of Mississippi, where we’ve been able to recruit some of the best talent in the country,” said Steve Richman, Milwaukee Tool group president. Milwaukee Tool said that it is investing more than $60 million into advanced technology and manufacturing equipment at the 563,000-square-foot location. The Made in USA movement benefits from pocketbook patriotism, loosely defined as the willingness of U.S. consumers to seek out Made-in-USA products. During an interview with H&H Home and Hardware co-owner Shanna West, the Marion, Kentucky, retailer described an appreciation among customers for made in USA products. The store is “absolutely” in step with the movement, West said. “And I think more and more, consumers are looking for [Made HBSDealer.com
Which best describes the current status of domestic manufacturing? 51%
Growing slowly
32%
No discernible change Growing rapidly Declining
10% 6%
Source: HBSDealer Poll
in USA] on the label. We’re here in a very small town, and the big box competition is located an inconvenient drive from here. And I have seen people consciously make a decision to buy something that says ‘made in the USA,’ and even pay more for it.” That type of loyalty to domestic manufacturing is far from universal, but the shop-local movement is definitely ascendant in many markets, including rural Kentucky. When. H&H expanded to a DIY-focused hardware store from a contractor-focused dealer, “It became incredibly important to solidify our relationship with the community,” said West. The merchandise mix began to include local products, from
Watch the Shanna West interview “One on One: Winning at Shop Local” in its entirety here.
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crafted soaps, to Kentucky maple syrup to the work of local artisans, who would sometimes set up their own mini-market inside the store. “When you think about the ideology of shop local, it’s really kind of a combination of inventory and mentality,” West said. At the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas, a similar force was at work. “Made in USA” at the National Hardware Show 2022 proved a popular area for attendees to view home grown products. NHS attendee Tim Jewell, CEO of his company Enviro-Tech Diving Inc., from Stanwood, Washington, is looking through the area and getting ideas. “This is interesting,” he said, “I’d like to see even more Made in USA, more manufacturing, more growth, to expand this great area next time.” The zone was dedicated entirely to products purely made in the USA, said Brian Murphy, sponsor fulfillment manager for Made in USA at NHS. Attention-catching examples of just some of those Made in USA products included wood pellet patio heaters from Timber Stoves; Rescue pest control solutions including a brand-new fly trap from Sterling International; and patented screw technology from ZZem Screw Inc. that secures your hardware to the frame of the house. Murphy said, “People are excited about this area — they are looking for niche items. The Made in USA zone is really a smaller trade show within a trade show.” The theme is certain to play a role at future hardware conventions. And as efforts to revive the U.S. economy, shorten the distance between supplier and retailer, and bring jobs to American workers, the Made in USA show is certain to continue to play at dealers around the country. HARDWARE + BUILDING SUPPLY DEALER
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Q&A with Roelif Loveland, 5th generation family member and President of Maze Co. By Andy Carlo Q: For Maze Nails as a company, what is the significance of having a product portfolio that continues to be made in the United States? RL: As all retailers have recently been reminded, there is great value
to having a supply chain that strategically includes reliable domestic manufacturing. While some may feel that China is the “factory to the world” — even that factory can have slowdowns and logistical problems of all sorts. We’ve seen plenty of that in the past 2 years — and will likely see more in the future. At Maze nails, the domestic manufacturing of our products ensures the same top-quality nails that have pushed Maze to the top of the specialty nail category. Additionally, speedy and uninterrupted deliveries are key. “You can’t sell from an empty wagon” is as true now as it was in years past. Q: The slogan for Maze Nails is “Building America one NAIL at a time.” Is that something the employees of Maze Nails take pride in? RL: With an average length of service of around 30 years, there is not a
man or woman in the Maze plant and office that doesn’t take great pride in their work. Literally, 6 generations have preceded all of us — each building just a little bit better organization along the way. A simple walk through the plant finds associates who are proud to explain their part of the operation — with the how and why of their labors. We have never believed that “A nail is a nail”. Every sku that we make has a special purpose — and is decided by many factors. They include the type of metal being used (steel, stainless steel, copper or aluminum), the physical dimensions, whether it gets galvanized or hardened or painted or packaged, etc. It is no wonder that Maze has over 3,000-skus. We have an amazing variety!
Q: Maze Nails is nearly 175 years old. How has the company achieved such a long line of success and stability throughout constant market and global changes? RL: Since Maze Nails is an accessory
product, our success has depended on the many long-lasting products that have been developed for the marketplace in the past 100 years. For example, when Masonite Corp. introduced their very tough-to-nail hardboard siding, Maze developed the only nails that could reliably penetrate the siding. Thousands of truckloads of hardboard siding nails were made by the Maze plant — and that nail series quickly became the gold standard for that application. All sorts of other products demand reliable nails — including cedar shakes and shingles, fine wood siding, asphalt and fiberglass shingles, fiber cement and other modern sidings, trim materials of all sorts, pressure treated lumber decking, etc. Think of each product…it is made to last….so the nails should too! And with the advent of so many prefinished sidings and trims, Maze has mastered the art of prefinished nails (over 200 colors!) Q: How does Maze Nails help its retail customers along with its professional builder/contractor customers and end-users? RL: “Nail it Once. Nail is Right.®” is
the Maze motto. This means that the contractor gets the job done right — and doesn’t have to spend time and money visiting job sites due to callbacks. And, every lumberyard knows that when any sort of callback occurs, they are going to get called! The contractor will be asking for their time and support. Avoiding those costly callbacks and headaches is the best plan of attack — so Maze uses the best steel possible — and designs and manufactures the nails so that our LIFETIME WARRANTY really means something. Nails are such a miniscule part of an overall project — but can be a real nightmare for all when cheap nails are used. Consider 30-year or 50-year shingles that get applied with 5 or 10 year import, electroplated nails. Homeowners are often horrified to see their ex4
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“At Maze nails, the domestic manufacturing of our products ensures the same top-quality nails that have pushed Maze to the top of the specialty nail category.” —Roelif Loveland, President, Maze Co.
pensive, top-notch shingles delivered to the job site along with lousy nails. It just doesn’t make sense. It’s like putting gasoline mixed with water in the tank of your brand new car.
the banks of the Illinois River in Peru IL — not far from the 250,000-square foot Maze Nail plant. Still family owned — we make products we’re proud to sell.
Q: What are some of the factors Maze Nails pays close attention to when it comes to market conditions along with its customers and their needs?
Q: As the company turns 175 next year, what lies ahead for Maze Nails?
RL: The bottom line is that consumers want products that
RL: When your entire mission is to serve custom-
are designed to be easy to use — and give them long, trouble-free service. For a nail — that starts with the retailer having the right mix of informative and durable packaging on the shelves — preferably of MADE IN USA products that have a strong supply chain and no outages. Maze delivers on both of those important needs — and has during three centuries of serving the industry. Remember — Maze started as a lumberyard — and only got into manufacturing when our suppliers tried to sell us disappointing nails. Maze Lumber is still in operation 174 years later — along
ers with great products, you have the solid footing for a strong future. Maze invests considerable dollars into new equipment and machinery — and that signals to our whole team that we’re serious about being a strong employer well into the future. We understand that “past results are no guarantee of future success” — but with the help of our loyal associates and especially of our many customers throughout the US and Canada — our plan is to keep on chugging along!
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Maze has it nailed down Maze Nails offers an endless variety of nails and spikes for just about any construction job imaginable. Here is a roundup of seven Maze Nails products that stand out on the jobsite:
Copper Slating & Flashing Nails
These solid copper nails are the type recommended for use with many major brands of tile and slate roofing — and are the most compatible nails for use with copper flashing. The full 3/8" head gives good bearing pressure on roofing and flashing material. Diamond point makes driving easy with a ring shank that holds tight.
Log Home Spikes
Heavy gauge plain shank spikes are ideal for log home construction, securing landscape timbers, or wherever a sturdy, long spike is required. Available bright or STORMGUARD ® (Double HotDipped Galvanized). Also in a heavy-gauge Ring Shank, the spikes feature rings with increased holding power.
Double Hot-Dipped Galvanized 15-degree Coil-Ated® Roofing Nails Ideal for the quality application of Asphalt and Fiberglass Shingles, for blind-nailing Fiber Cement Siding, for attaching Backerboard, for nailing felt. Packed in convenient job packs of 3,600 nails — in plain shank and ring shank. Wire weld collation.120 nails per coil. 30 coils per carton. 40 cartons per pallet.
Stainless Steel (316) Slim-Jim® Wood Siding Nails
These slender, blunt-pointed wood siding nails are made from high tensile Type 316 Stainless Steel to minimize bending and reduce splitting. Type 316 Stainless Steel is recommended for coastal applications. Excellent for redwood and cedar siding, especially on wood to be left natural or to receive treatment with semi-transparent coatings or clear finishes (to give the “natural” look). The small head can be countersunk. Also available from stock-painted in cedar/redwood color.
Stainless Steel (316) Cedar Shingle and Shake Nails
Top-quality Type 316 Stainless Steel Ring Shank Cedar Shake and Shingle Nails are ideal for the dependable application of cedar shakes and shingles. Mandatory within 15 miles of saltwater areas as per the Cedar Shake and Shingle Bureau (www.cedarbureau. org) — and for applying pressure-impregnated preservative or fire-retardant-treated shakes and shingles. Type 316 stainless steel produces the most corrosion-resistant nails available — for a lifetime of worry-free service.
Stainless Steel Painted Trim Nails for Soffit and Fascia
High-quality painted trim nails for use with trim coil, soffit, and fascia. Available painted in many different colors — pre-matched to coil manufacturers' colors. These nails have a striated head — Specially designed to hold more paint than a flat head. Maze Stainless steel trim nails are also available in ring shank for better holding power.
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Double Hot-Dipped Galvanized Box Nails for Siding
Double Hot-Dipped Galvanized Box Nails for Siding are fine nails for applying wood, engineered wood, and fiber cement siding.
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Maze in America BORN ON THE BANKS OF THE ILLINOIS RIVER, THE NAIL MAKER NE ARS 175 YE ARS OF BUILDING THE NATION. By Andy Carlo
N
ot many American companies can lay claim to being on the verge of turning 175 years old. And continue to produce their products in the United States. That’s the case for Maze Nails, which boasts the slogan “Building America one NAIL at a time.” When Samuel Nesbitt Maze entered the lumber business in 1848, he began an enterprise that would grow and flourish for a century and a half. An Irish immigrant from Castleblaney, County Monahgan, Maze arrived in the United States in 1836 and was a masonry contractor for several years before deciding to try his hand at the lumber business. He located his modest yard in the small town of Peru, Ill. on the banks of the Illinois River. During Maze Nails’ history, six generations of the Maze family have helped guide the business. Maze originally had a small barge built - named the Elk and used mules to haul loads of local grain to Chicago by way of the I-M canal. Before leaving Chicago to return to Peru, the Elk was loaded with white pine from the huge timber stands in Wisconsin — for sale to Samuel Maze's contractor friends, and later to everyone, when farmers and others asked him to bring them lumber. Thus the yard was born. Today, after 17 decades of providing only better quality building materials to industry, contractors, and homeowners, Maze Lumber continues its long tradition of outstanding customer service to the Illinois Valley. Still located at its original Water Street location, the modern Maze yard handles the latest in construction materials — with prompt delivery and expert advice to accompany each sale. Maze Nails continues to maintain a presence at its original Water Street location in Peru, Ill.
Maze Nails began producting ZINCLAD nails in the early 1900s.
In the late 1800s, the Maze Lumber yard was selling a great many cedar shingle roof jobs. The shingles lasted fine — but the bright steel cut nails that Maze Lumber sold, though they were the best available at the time, just didn't last very long. The result was blow-offs of the wood shingles due to nail failures. The lumberyard, at that time being run by Samuel Maze's son, Walter, bought a used nail machine so they could make their own, higher-quality nails from pure zinc strips. Pure zinc nails, while they didn't drive extremely well because they were rather soft, accomplished the Maze goal of providing a long-lasting, "rust-proof" nail to their customers — especially in short lengths. Maze Lumber promoted its cedar shingle roof packages far and wide. They even gave away the zinc cut nails free — if the rest of the job was purchased at their yard. As Maze Lumber began selling nails to other lumberyards, nail production was increased with the addition of more nail machines. The result was the birth of the Nail Division of W.H. Maze Company. In the early 1900s, when the cost of the base metals such as zinc began to skyrocket, the mill devised a way to conserve zinc by making steel nails — then dipping them into a vat of molten zinc. These ZINCLAD® nails drove much better than the old pure zinc cut nails — but still had the excellent rust resistance to which Maze customers had become accustomed. As nail sales climbed, Maze engineers worked on a new design. The first automated nail dipping line was completed in 1955 and marked the arrival of Double-Dipped STORMGUARD® nails were born.
For more about the history of Maze Nails, click here.
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