March 11, 2011 www.wrla.org | Past Issues | Printer-Friendly | Advertise
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TIM-BR MARTS LTD. ACQUIRES DISTRIBUTION BUSINESS FROM IRLY DISTRIBUTORS LTD.

March 10, 2011 (Calgary, AB) – TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. is pleased to announce they have entered into an agreement to acquire the distribution business plus the lumber, building material and hardware inventory assets of IRLY Distributors Ltd. IRLY Distributors Ltd. is a co-op wholly-owned by IRLY Building Centre Dealers (formerly known as IRLY BIRD) in British Columbia.

"This acquisition gives TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. a powerful coast-to-coast distribution network," said Tim Urquhart, President and CEO of TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. He continued to add: "We knew we needed a distribution presence on the west coast; there was a gap in our infrastructure. This arrangement addresses that need. Plus it will allow our import program to grow since we can land goods and ship to our Dealers and customers quickly and efficiently."

All forty-six IRLY Building Centre locations will become Members of TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Dealers may choose to keep the registered name of ‘IRLY Building Centres’ only, co-brand with ‘TIM-BR MART’ or convert and become a fully-branded TIM-BR MART location.

As Susan Robinson, President and CEO, IRLY Distributors Ltd., explained: "TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. offered the IRLY family the opportunity to keep their independence yet be part of the largest buying group in Canada and a strong brand. It was clearly win-win. " She continued, adding: "The entire IRLY Distributors team will remain in place to ensure there is no interruption to the excellent service our members and customers have come to expect."

Urquhart noted that the company is eager to welcome all current IRLY Distributors customers, echoing Robinson’s sentiment that the agreement will not disrupt supply or distribution services from the warehouse. Moreover, he commented that "the addition of IRLY Dealers brings a solid network of respected, service-driven entrepreneurs that we will be proud to represent."

The IRLY (Independent Retail Lumber Yards) Building Centres were founded in 1963. There are 46 independently owned and operated IRLY stores in BC. IRLY’s goal is to support independents’ success by being the premier distributor of value added products and services linking independents together in every community. To learn more about IRLY, visit www.irlybird.com .

In business since 1967, TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. represents more than 700 Member locations across Canada, almost $2 billion in annual purchases. TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.’s focus is to be the buying group and support solution of choice for entrepreneurs by combining their volume and purchasing at the lowest cost, understanding the needs of their Dealers, and offering a menu of value-added services including full distribution for hardware, lumber and building materials.

To learn more about TIM-BR MART, visit www.timbrmart.ca

For more information, contact:
Aimee Feaver,
TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.
Aimee.feaver@timbrmart.ca
416-457-0587

 

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