| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Department & Discount) |
| Founded | St. Jacobs, Ontario, Canada 1964 |
| Founder(s) | Walter Hachborn |
| Headquarters | St. Jacobs, Ontario |
| Key people | Paul Straus, President and CEO |
| Products | Retail hardware supplies |
| Revenue | est 4.85 billion CAD 5.0 billion FY 2010) |
| Employees | Unknown (all stores independently owned) |
| Website | www.homehardware.ca |
Home Hardware is a privately held Canadian home improvement, construction materials, and furniture retailer. Co-founded in 1964 by Walter Hachborn and headquartered in St. Jacobs, Ontario, the chain is cooperatively owned by over 1000 independently owned member stores.
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Home Hardware consists of four separate banners, offering goods such as the following:[1]
Home Hardware store brands are well known in Canada and include:
In 1981 the Eastern-based Home Hardware merged with Western-based Link Hardware to create a national chain.
Home Hardware has survived the expansion of The Home Depot into Canada, beginning in 1994, as well as the expansion of a domestic competitor, Rona, into the big-box arena.
Home Hardware locations tend to be smaller stores.
In 2000, the chain expanded through the purchase of the Beaver Lumber chain from Molson.[2]
On January 11, 2003, Home Hardware received unexpected worldwide exposure, when a T-shirt worn by Avril Lavigne during a performance on Saturday Night Live featured her hometown of Napanee, Ontario and the local hardware store there. In response, the chain produced a limited-edition line of identical T-shirts for sale at locations nationwide, with proceeds going to charity.[3]
In 2004, Canada Post issued a postage stamp to commemorate the company's 40th anniversary. Canada Post was accused by some for providing free advertising for the company, though others claim Home Hardware is an iconic Canadian company.