Letter from the President to the Grand Rapids
Chamber of Commerce:
April 3, 2003
To: Ann Kassouni
From: Modern Hardware, Inc
We are honored to be nominated for the Small Business of the Year. In this age
of high tech it's not that usual for a traditional business like a retail hardware
store to be recognized.
Most Chamber members probably think of hard drives, servers and keyboards
when they hear the word hardware, but we still think locks, knobs, and nuts and
bolts like we have for over seventy-five years. Still, the hardware and home
improvement industry is going through some rapid transitions. A few decades
ago everyone shopped at locally owned hardware stores for their home
improvement needs. Today, big box giants like The Home Depot, Lowes and
Menards appear to dominate the home improvement market. In fact, some so
called experts predict the eventual demise of the independent neighborhood
hardware store.
We are happy to report the spirit of the neighborhood hardware is alive and well
at Modern Hardware as well as other independents throughout the country.
Tough competition has sifted out the weak operations and strengthened the
survivors.
Competition has always been a part of business and we have always tried to
distinguish ourselves from others in our field. We do that through basic but
foundational concepts like focusing on our customer, and through concrete
decisions like product selection.
In the early Seventies we made a decision to build our decorative builders line
into the largest in West Michigan. We continually seek out new lines of
distinctive door hardware, cabinet hardware and bath accessories. Today, we
display more decorative hardware than any one in the West Michigan area.
But demanding home builders aren't satisfied with just a stunning showroom
filled with attractive displays. They want product available now! So not only do
we display the most hardware, we stock more than anyone in this area does.
Finally, we need to get our product to the builder. We work with our builders and
their clients from product selection through delivery. In between we may visit thet
jobsite to establish order quantities, label each product by location for the
installer and custom key the door locks.
Recently we took the process to the next level by offering installation service by
our own staff. The builder never needs to handle the product.
No big box retail can come close to this type of service and that's why our business continues to grow.
We believe our relationships with our vendors are as important as our relationships with our customers. We view our vendors as team members and strive to deal with them fairly and honestly.
The other face of Modern is a tradition hardware store where you can still buy a few individual screws and plumbing repair parts. In 2000 we completed an extensive renovation project. We hope this conveys our commitment to the same neighborhood we have done business in since our founding. As our neighborhood changes we change with it, trying to have the mix of products and. services that meet our neighbors needs.
Our commitment to our neighbors extends beyond our store. We actively participate in the Boston Square Business Association. We support the work of local organizations such as Oakdale Neighbors, Fuller Area Neighbors and several local schools.
For several years we've contributed surplus merchandise to Home Repair Services of Kent County's Builder Abundance program. For the past three years we have been proud to be a major sponsor of their Resourceful Homeowner Awards Banquet. Finally, many of our people volunteer time in various church and school functions.
That's a snap shot of Modern Hardware. Like most business owners I could go on for several pages about what makes us an exceptional operation. I am more than a little biased, but I believe our many loyal employees and customers will agree that Modern is committed to being a good steward of the resources and opportunities given us. We do that partly by seeking the good of our neighbors, whother they are customer, staff or vendor. It's a foundation that has served us well for several decades.
Sincerely,
Bob Vander Lugt
President |
