Lowe’s names innovation and vendor partners of the year

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe's Companies Inc. has named 3M, Stainmaster and Truper as the company's 2014 Vendor Partners of the Year. The companies were selected for their commitment to product quality, innovation and customer service.



Lowe's also awarded MTD the 2014 Innovation Partner of the Year award. Each year, the award recognizes a breakthrough innovation that helps consumers realize their home improvement goals. MTD used collaboration and customer insights to develop an innovative blower, the Troy-Bilt JET Leaf Blower. The blower features Air Amplified Technology with a mixed-flow fan design, which creates 650 CFM of air volume, giving the customer more control over debris.



In addition to MTD, the vendor partners who were recognized for innovation in 2014 included:



• Generac for Rapid Start Series Generators

• Hong Kong Sunrise for the Kobalt 40 V Max line

• Kwikset for the Kevo Bluetooth

• Oxygenics for 2.0 gallon-per-minute shower heads

• Pella for 250 Series window

• Stainmaster for Pet Protect carpet

• U.S. Floors for SmartCore flooring

• Valspar for Reserve super premium paint



"In merchandising, we know that success is built on a foundation of quality, innovation and commitment," said Mike McDermott, Lowe's chief merchandising officer. "Each of the vendors honored today embody these characteristics, and it shows in the quality of their products, the innovation they deliver to customers and their unwavering commitment to their partnership with Lowe's."