Seasons Greetings

From ABSDA

The 2018 ABSDA Building Supply Expo is set to take place in the New Halifax Convention Centre on March 21 & 22, 2018.

This new facility is State-of-the Art and located in the centre of downtown Halifax, within walking distance of several major hotels.

Below are links to Expo Information along with booking links at hotels where ABSDA has room blocks established.

Don't Delay - Make your plans to attend NOW!

Book Your Hotel Room for the 2018 ABSDA Building Supply Expo

Prince George Hotel                    1- 800-565-1567

Prince George Hotel Booking Link

Cambridge Suites Halifax           1-800-565-1263

Cambridge Suites Booking Link

Residence Inn By Marriott         1- 902-422-0493

Residence Inn By Marriott Booking Link

Employees of ABSDA Member Firms are eligible for personal Home & Auto Insurance Savings with Johnson Insurance. Some Member employees are already taking advantage of significant savings.

To inquire simply contact Johnson Inc. toll free at 1-877-742-7490 and provide Group ID Code 1E 

ABSDA has a limited supply of Drivers Saily Vehicle Inspection Report Log Books available.

Cost per book - $ 7.50 phus HST and mail charge

Contact ABSDA to order: Phone (506) 858-0700 or Email: absda@nb.aibn.com 

Jan 17 - 19              2018 WRLA Buying Show   Calgary, AB

Feb 16 - 17             TIMBER MART National Buying Show   Montreal, QC

Feb 22 - 24             Orgill Spring Market   Orlando, FL

March 21 & 22        ABSDA Building Supply Expo    Halifax, NS

April 9 & 10             Estimating – Decks & Garages   Dieppe, NB

April 11 & 12           Estimating – Residential   Dieppe, NB

April 13                   Yard Foreman/Operations Manager   Dieppe, NB 

April 15 - 17           Home Hardware Spring Dealer Market   St. Jacobs, ON

Sylvain Prud’homme

Lowe’s Companies, Inc. recently announced that Sylvain Prud’homme has been appointed President, International, effective Dec. 15. He will report to Chairman, President & CEO Robert A. Niblock and will remain based in Boucherville, Quebec. Prud’homme will continue to serve as President and CEO of Lowe’s Canada and add responsibilities for the Mexico business, with the President of Lowe’s Mexico now reporting to him. This appointment follows the announcement that Richard D. Maltsbarger will be transitioning to Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. business in February.

“Sylvain’s outstanding operational leadership has been instrumental in growing the company into one of the leading home improvement retailers in Canada,” said Niblock. “We continue to be pleased with the integration of RONA and believe we are well positioned for continued success in Canada.”

Niblock added, “Sylvain has more than three decades of experience in the retail industry and we feel confident that he will continue to drive operational excellence for our operations in Canada and Mexico.”

Prud’homme joined as President of Lowe’s Canada in 2013 and, following the acquisition of RONA in 2016, was named President and CEO of Lowe’s Canada. He is responsible for driving the Canadian Home Improvement business for Lowe’s, including RONA’s network of stores and Independent Dealers operating under other banners.

“I’m honored to lead strong leadership teams in both Canada and Mexico and continue building on the positive momentum and growth in these operations over the past several years,” said Prud’homme.

Prior to Lowe’s Canada, Prud’homme served as Executive Vice President of Operations and Merchandising for Loblaw Companies Limited. He was also President of Western Operations for Sobeys Inc. and spent several years as Senior Vice President of Operations and Merchandising for Walmart Canada.

Prud’homme earned an MBA from the HEC Montreal Business School. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the Retail Council of Canada.

CanWel Building Materials is pleased to announce the appointment of Kendra Palmer to the position of New Brunswick Account Manager. Kendra brings solid experience as a front line customer service person. She has held various management and sales positions, including related building material positions with Kraus Canada and Savoia Canada Inc.

CanWel looks forward to Kendra joining their Team. Kendra starts her new role on January 2nd, 2018.

ABSDA offers a series of on-line Training Videos for Members and Staff. This on-line training program is specifically designed to promote sales skills & customer service and is available on the ABSDA Website as a Member Benefit.

The series incorporates five programs listed below, each with a compliment of videos which last between 6 minutes and 15 minutes in length.

• A.C.E.S. – Around Customers Everyone Sells - 14 Videos

• Contractor S.A.L.E.S. – Skills and Attitudes Leading to Exceptional Selling - 13 Videos

• Building A Championship Team - 18 Videos

• On The Bottom Line - 17 Videos

• The Big 8 Most Important Selling Skills - 8 Videos

You and your staff can access these programs on the ABSDA website (www.absda.ca) or by clicking on the following link.

http://www.absda.ca/online-education-program