Lowe's Names 2016 Innovation and Vendor Partners of the Year

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Oct 04, 2016, 01:46 ET

MOORESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lowe's Companies Inc. announced it has named Bio-Lab, Kichler and Spartanburg Forest Products as the company's 2016 Vendor Partners of the Year. The companies were selected for their commitment to product quality, innovation and customer service.

After entering into a strategic partnership with Bio-Lab to launch the first major national brand in pool chemicals, Lowe's became the exclusive home-channel retailer of Clorox. The two companies have worked together to solve for the unique challenges that pool chemicals present in packaging, shipping and handling throughout the supply chain.

Kichler offers product across the fashion lighting category and has supported Lowe's by expanding their existing warehouses and opening an additional facility to successfully manage their own supply chain in order to provide customers with a greater selection in a faster timeframe. Kichler also worked closely with Lowe's to expand its digital footprint by offering its entire showroom selection on Lowes.com and developing an in-store app featuring inspiring imagery and how-to videos.

When industry standards changed this year, Spartanburg Forest Products was quick to react, making adjustments while still meeting unusually high demand for treated lumber. Not only did they maintain their high service levels throughout this difficult period, but they were able to ship products outside of their service area to help others as demand grew, minimizing disruption to Lowe's customers.

"Lowe's vendor partners provide the right tools, products and brands to help us meet customer expectations," said Mike McDermott, Lowe's chief merchandising officer. "The vendor partners honored this year have adapted and changed with us and are in lockstep with us in the pursuit of building stronger connections with customers."

In addition to the overall vendor partners of the year, the following vendor partners were honored for setting the highest bar in innovation:

American Standard for American Standard Self Cleaning Toilet
Char-Broil for Char-Broil Gas2Coal Grill
Charlotte Pipe and Fittings for their innovative push to connect fittings and their approach to marketing their innovation
Chervon for Kobalt 24-Volt Cordless Power Tools
Nature's Way for bringing rare live goods products exclusive to Lowe's
Novalis for collaboration, joint planning, and development of the exclusive STAINMASTER luxury vinyl tile flooring program
Samsung for Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator
Teknor Apex for Zero G Kink Free Garden Hose

About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE^® 50 home improvement company serving more than 17 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2015 sales of $59.1 billion, Lowe's and its related businesses operate or service more than 2,355 home improvement and hardware stores and employ over 285,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

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SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.