Scotts Named 'Vendor of the Year' by Ace Hardware
MARYSVILLE, Ohio, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Scotts Company (NYSE: SMG), the world's largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products, announced today it has been named "vendor of the year" in the lawn and garden category for 2003 by Ace Hardware Corporation.
"We value our relationship with the independent hardware channel and are proud that our dedication has resulted in being named vendor of the year by Ace," said Jim Hagedorn, chairman and chief executive officer of Scotts. "We have worked hard to focus on meeting the specific needs of our independent retail partners and look forward to helping them all succeed."
Hagedorn said the Company's Ace Hardware business development team, based in Chicago and led by Account Vice President Kevin Houlihan, has been innovative in developing programs that help Ace Hardware increase the competitive position and productivity of the lawn and garden department. He also credited Scotts' sales force and customer service team for the award.
"Scotts epitomizes the true meaning of the word 'partner,' which embodies participation, cooperation and working together for mutual best interest," said Lori Bossmann, merchandising vice president of Ace Hardware Company. "They continually work to meet the highest standards of quality, service and support."
"All of us at Scotts are proud that our lawn and garden retail partners, from the largest retailers to independents, have recognized us as their vendor of the year," Hagedorn said. "We are committed to offering each of them the highest levels of service possible while providing their shoppers with the best products in the lawn and garden category."
About Scotts
The Scotts Company is the world's largest marketer of branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, with a full range of products for professional horticulture as well. The Company owns the industry's most recognized brands. In the U.S., the Company's Scotts(R), Miracle-Gro(R) and Ortho(R) brands are market leading in their categories, as is the consumer Roundup(R) brand which is marketed in North America and most of Europe exclusively by Scotts and owned by Monsanto. In Europe, Scotts' brands include Weedol(R), Pathclear(R), Evergreen(R), Levington(R), Miracle-Gro(R), KB(R), Fertiligene(R) and Substral(R).
SOURCE The Scotts Company 03/22/2004 CONTACT: Jim King, Director, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications of The Scotts Company, +1-937-578-5622 Web site: http://www.scotts.com