PM.Zone 2004 AHMA Hardware Show Editor's Choice Awards

CHICAGO, April 19--Few of the thousands of buyers, store owners and journalists who make the annual pilgrimage to Chicago each August have complained about this year's shift of the giant hardware exposition to April. You'd think the weather would be cooler, right?

There was plenty of new stuff to choose from on the show floor, despite a smaller amount of real estate for the editors' shoe leather to cover. What filled the McCormick Place convention center in previous years fit entirely into the South Hall this year--with room to spare. The shrinkage is a result of a rift between the American Hardware Manufacturer's Association (the industry trade group) and the organizer of what was the sole National Hardware Show, which will be held in Las Vegas next month.

Check back tomorrow for our roundup of the other great new products here in Chicago at the 2004 AHMA Hardware Show. In the meantime, click on to page 2 for the best of the best.