Page 12 - CMA PROfiles Fall 2017

Associate of the Quarter
hardware resources

In the nearly three decades since its start in

1989, Hardware Resources has grown by leaps
and bounds and changed both ownership and
“categories,” if you will – transitioning from a

family-owned business to being part of a larger
fleet of kitchen- and bath-related businesses.

What has remained the same through all of the company’s growth and
transition is its family ethic and its commitment to highly personalized
customer service.
Hardware Resources founder Jeff Lowe began his entrepreneurial
ventures with a small cabinet shop and went on to create a business
that stamped and plated metal products for cabinetry, selling its
products mainly in the South.

The company began selling slides and hinges, and branched out into
decorative hardware, which turned out to be an especially successful
move. From his entrepreneurial start with just a handful of employees,
Lowe went on to develop Hardware Resources into a full-line suppli-
er of hardware and related products for the cabinet manufacturing
industry. After 22 years, the company was sold to a private equity firm.

Over the years, Hardware Resources has added more and more
product lines, including closet hardware, closet organizers,
commercial hardware, kitchen organizers, bath hardware, vanities,
islands, corbels, posts, and moulding – all sold directly to cabinet
shops. The company now has a staff of more 300, with seven
warehouse facilities in California, Texas, Illinois, Louisiana, Georgia,
Pennsylvania and Tennessee.

CONNECTING THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
The Lowe family legacy carries on at the company, thanks to
Stephanie Lowe, Jeff’s daughter. Stephanie dove into the business
early on, working summer jobs for her dad; she is now Hardware
Resources’ product manager for decorative products.

Stephanie has worked full-time at the company for 13 years, and her
contributions and company knowledge have been a helpful part of
bridging the company from family ownership to today, says David
Tyler, VP of marketing and product management.

EVOLVING, BUT KEEPING THE HUMAN TOUCH
Hardware Resources sells to small- and mid-size cabinet shops. Its
customers value buying directly from the manufacturer, and they

10 PROFILES FALL 2017