Building Supply Update
ABSDA Updates

 

 

ABSDA has been working in partnership with the New Brunswick Community College to re-introduce 1-Day Plumbing & 1-Day Electrical Workshops for ABSDA Member Employees. Course development is taking place over the Summer with a planned launch in the Autumn of 2018.

Recently, ABSDA shared a survey with the Membership to see your input in course development. If you have not taken the survey and would like to participate please click on the link below.

 

Link to ABSDA Plumbing & Electrical Survey:  ABSDA Plumbing & Electrical Survey

 

Your response will assist us in developing a program that best meets your needs.

 

 

 

 

 

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 

 

 

Home Hardware Stores Ltd
Castle Building Centres

ABSDA is pleased to congratulate the successful applicants for the 2018 Scholarship & Bursary Program. These selections were chosen through external adjudication.

 

ABSDA Scholarship Recipients

Kyle Anderson of St. John’s, Newfoundland
$2,500 Scholarship Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Kent Building Supplies
Enrolled in the Science Program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Melanie Gunn of Digby, Nova Scotia
$2,500 Scholarship Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Wilson’s Home Hardware
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Psychology Program at Acadia University

Sarah Kelly of Hanwell, New Brunswick
$2,500 Scholarship Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Targett’s Window & Door Centre
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Program at University of New Brunswick

Madison Tennant of Parrsboro, Nova Scotia
$2,500 Scholarship Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: C E Harrison & Sons Ltd
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Business Administration Program at Saint Francis Xavier University

 

ABSDA Bursary Recipients

Kate Beers of Moncton, New Brunswick
$1,500 Bursary Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Epicor Software Corporation
Enrolled in the Human Kinetics Program at Saint Francis Xavier University

Owen Campbell of Saint John, New Brunswick
$1,500 Bursary Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Loch Lomond Home Hardware Building Centre
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Science Program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Bethany Spencer of Kensington, Prince Edward Island
$1,500 Bursary Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Kent Building Supplies
Enrolled in the Education Program at Université de Moncton

Andrew Welsh of Lewisporte, Newfoundland
$1,500 Bursary Recipient
Member Sponsor Firm: Notre Dame Agencies Ltd.
Enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce Co-op Program at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

 

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Industry News

Recently, New Brunswick experienced severe flooding affecting not only physical communities, but, many people within them – customers, partners, families and staff. Taiga Building Products has three Branches in the Atlantic Region - Dartmouth NS, Moncton NB & Paradise NL and recognize that these natural disasters occur from time to time and can be crippling to communities. They wanted to help and as such, have donated to The Canadian Red Cross in support of this incident. In similar fashion, they also donated to the 2016 Alberta Wildfires, 2017 Quebec Floods, as well as the Humboldt bus accident.

During the height of emergency, the Canadian Red Cross was there, operating in two shelters and making sure other basic needs were met. As the floodwaters finally recede they are continuing to support those who are unable to return home with temporary lodging.

As communities begin to recover, Red Cross teams will remain by their side. To date:
• 2,000+ individuals have registered with the Red Cross for assistance;
• 100+ have received emotional support;
• 500+ clean-up kits have been distributed; and
• 200+ have received financial assistance

Above is a photo of a cheque presentation made to Marc Belliveau (Provincial Manager, NB for Red Cross), by Taiga General Manager Atlantic Region, Mark Dill.

 

 

 

Home Hardware Stores Limited has been awarded the Large Fleet Safety Award at the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s (PMTC) annual conference. This marks the eighth time that Home Hardware has received this top honour.

The fleet is based in the company’s four distribution centres in St. Jacobs and Elmira, Ontario, Debert, Nova Scotia and Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Employing 157 fleet-related professionals, Home Hardware’s personnel includes 136 drivers who operate 141 trucks, averaging 17.7 million kilometers a year.

“Every year our fleet of Here’s How trucks travel millions of kilometers on Canada’s highways visiting communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast,” said Dennis Shantz, Director of Fleet Services, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “Home’s team of drivers consistently demonstrate their ability to serve our Dealers at the highest-level of customer service while making sure that safety remains a priority.”

Home Hardware’s hiring process includes interviews, reference checks and a road test. The process includes in-class orientation for three days as well as a minimum of three days with a driver coach. Driver performance is reviewed after three months before full-time employment can be offered. Drivers also attend annual safety meetings as well as safe driver banquets. Home Hardware’s accident review committee also meets quarterly.

Home Hardware has also been recognized with the Top Fleet Employers Award by HR Trucking Canada for the past five consecutive years. Home Hardware’s CVOR violation rate is 12.09%.

 

Sexton Group Ltd.
TIM-BR MARTS LTD.

 

TIMBER MART has promoted their current, Corporate Messaging Specialist, Alexandra Kazan to the role of Corporate Communications Manager. In addition to Ms. Kazan’s current responsibilities of conducting media relations and producing corporate internal and external communications, she will now also manage and oversee all aspects of TIMBER MART’s communications and trade media advertising, including the mediums, messages and strategies used by the organization.

“Since joining TIMBER MART in 2014, Alexandra has demonstrated tremendous passion, drive and leadership ability,” says Bernie Owens, president of TIMBER MART. “We are pleased to acknowledge her progress with this promotion and look forward to seeing her continue to grow and serve our organization and its stakeholders well.”

Ms. Kazan has over seven years of experience in communications and has been with TIMBER MART for almost four of those years. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for TIMBER MART’s charitable foundation, Timberkids, of which she has been a member of since 2016.  She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ryerson University in English and a Graduate Certificate in Corporate Communications from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology. Ms. Kazan is based out of TIMBER MART’s Vaughan office and reports directly to TIMBER MART’s Senior Leadership Team.

 

 

Royal Building Products, a Westlake Company, has appointed Brad West to General Manager of Royal Building Solutions, its company-owned distribution business in Canada. Brad has extensive experience in the building products category, including 12 years with the Canadian division of Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors. He held increasing levels of responsibility at Jeld-Wen, eventually assuming the position of National Director of Sales.

Prior to that, West spent four years with Castle Building Centres Group as the Commodity Program Manager

“Our distribution business remains a critical component of our sales strategy and growth in Canada”, said Scott Szwejbka, Vice President, Royal Building Products Exteriors. “Brad’s background brings significant experience and insight to the role.”

Brad joined Royal in January of 2017 as Director of Westech Building Products, which manufactures PVC extrusions for the window and door, fence and deck industries. He will continue in this role in addition to assuming the new Royal Building Solutions General Manager responsibilities, which is effective June 4, 2018. Sebastien Lacroix, who previously held the position, has assumed new responsibilities for Royal as Director of Customer Operations, supporting Royal’s customer service programs and initiatives in both the US and Canada.

 

 

Steve Buckle, President, is pleased to announce that Tom Bell has joined the Sexton Group in Winnipeg, MB as the Business Development Manager, Western Canada. In his new position Tom will work to identify and develop strategic partnerships and generate growth opportunities in our member and vendor communities.

Tom brings with him over 30 years of experience in the Canadian building products industry in wholesale, distribution, buying group and retail environments, most recently as an independent retailer with Jeni’s Food
and Hardware in LaSalle Manitoba. Prior to opening his own business Tom served in many capacities within the industry – from his days at MacMillan Bloedel and North American Lumber to his early career days with Sexton, Tom has experience in sales, marketing and management.

Tom is a very active member of the WRLA (Western Retail Lumber Association). Tom’s unwavering commitment to the industry has been instrumental in driving positive change and paving the way for the next generation of leaders. “I am 100% committed to the industry. It is a part of what defines me. In addition to the work, the many contacts and personal relationships I have developed have become an extension of my family”, says Bell. “I look forward to this second opportunity to be a part of The Sexton Group and represent an organization that I am proud of.”

Sexton is pleased to have Tom join the group and are confident that his leadership skills and experience
will bring positive impact to an already dedicated team of individuals. The Sexton Group prides itself on
providing exceptional service to all members, including strong advocacy with vendor partners, providing
transactional excellence and ensuring members remain competitive in local markets. “Tom is a
welcome addition to our professional and dedicated team of individuals who are focused on providing
exemplary services to our members”, says Buckle. “I know he will do great things.”

 

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Committed to reducing the environmental footprint of its operations, including the amount of waste sent to landfills, Lowe’s Canada announces the deployment of tangible measures to encourage its customers to use less plastic bags. Starting June 1st in Quebec and September 1st in other Canadian provinces, standard plastic bags will be charged 5¢ and thicker plastic bags of 50 microns and more will be charged 10¢ in all Lowe’s, RONA and Reno-Depot corporate stores. Profits from this initiative will be donated to Nature Conservancy Canada to fund conservancy projects throughout the country.

“Reducing the environmental footprint of our products and operations is at the heart of Lowe’s Canada’s corporate responsibility strategy. Yet, each year, Canadian consumers who visit our stores across the country leave with millions of plastic bags. By charging these bags, we hope to provide a deterrent and incite our customers to change their shopping habits,” explains Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, senior vice-president, Communications, public affairs and compliance for Lowe’s Canada. “Bringing reusable shopping bags when going grocery shopping has become a habit for a lot of people now and we want to encourage them to do the same when visiting our stores. We are convinced that, combined with our in-store awareness initiatives, this measure will help us significantly reduce the number of plastic bags used in our stores.”

Several recovery and recycling measures already implemented
This new measure builds on the several recovery and recycling initiatives already in place within the Lowe’s Canada network of corporate stores. In addition to being the retailer recovering the largest quantity of paint in Canada (in 2017 alone, 3,545 tons of paint were recycled thanks to the program in place), Lowe’s Canada also implemented programs to recover compact fluorescent light bulbs, batteries, wood and building materials such as gypsum and styrofoam.

“Additional initiatives that would allow us to reduce even more the environmental footprint of the company are currently being considered. For example, we want to collaborate more closely with our vendor partners to find solutions to reduce packaging for products sold in our stores”, concludes Ms. Lamoureux.

 

Training & Upcoming Events

 

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