Not Just Another Hardware Store

Not Just Another Hardware Store SPECIALTY/SERVICES Specialty/Services 31-6-39 Need a 4-in. dia. nylon rope or a shoe leather sewing machine, or perhaps a turret top for the military version of a Humvee? How about a rail car full of baking soda, one of 500 different ammo cans? Those items and thousands more are available at 10 Mac hardware stores in Minnesota, North and South Dakota or at the company's website. "Not just another hardware store" is more than just the company's slogan. "The company was founded on surplus equipment sales in 1932, but gradually added traditional hardware store items over the years," explains Randy Anderson, a former store manager and now corporate sales manager. "We constantly get manufacturers and others coming to us and saying they are phasing out equipment, or a company will decide to finally get rid of excess materials stored in an old warehouse." Anderson describes his 20 years managing a Mac store as being like a kid in the candy store. He never knew what was in a delivery truck until the door opened. Today he is on the corporate side, and it is still exciting. He admits, however, that surplus is getting harder to find as manufacturers go to "just in time" orders. Still, government surplus sales and walk-ins keep life interesting and the stores full. Anderson describes the company stores as places to get ideas or places to turn ideas into reality. "Somebody will have an idea for using big foam pads or tell a friend who will," he adds, describing the word of mouth that is their best promotion. The turrets mentioned earlier had been built for Humvees intended for the military market. When the vehicles were sold instead to the civilian market, the turrets were removed and eventually found their way to Mac's. Once the word got out to Humvee owners, calls came in, and the turret tops disappeared. "We had a call from a guy in the military in Hawaii," says Anderson. "He had heard about them and bought one, asking us to store it for two years until he got out." Anderson suggests calling one of the stores if you are looking for a particular item, as no central catalog exists. You can also check one of the websites. Store locations and phone numbers are available on the company website or by calling the company office. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Mac's Hardware, 5970 50th Avenue South, P.O. Box 1118, Moorhead, Minn. 56561 (ph 218 233-4600 or 800 373-6227; fax 218 233-3363; mike@macshardware.com; www.macshardware.com).

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