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Eight-year Growth Spurt for Manitoba's Construction Industry

WINNIPEG, April 19 /CNW/ – Manitoba's construction industry will grow steadily over the next several years, with employment peaking in 2014 and remaining high until 2019. A new forecast scenario from the Construction Sector Council (CSC) − Construction Looking Forward: An assessment of construction labour markets for Manitoba from 2011 to 2019 - says the growth is driven by last year's strong rebound in residential building and by hydroelectric power projects.

Employment is estimated to increase by more than 20% between 2011 and 2014, with boilermakers, carpenters, estimators, managers, millwrights, and electricians in tight supply. And some trades, including heavy equipment operators and truck drivers will need to shift gears − so-to-speak − as the stimulus-related road projects wind down and the utilities projects get underway.

Michael Moore, President of the Manitoba Homebuilders Association says the high levels of migration into Manitoba have triggered the residential investment growth, which is expected to continue over the forecast period. "The pace of residential expansion makes recruiting a challenge, especially for trades and occupations heavily involved in new construction such as carpenters, electricians, plasterers and plumbers," he says. "But thanks to this type of forecast tool, we can plan ahead to better manage workforce supply and demand."

The report says an estimated 6,000 new workforce entrants will join the construction industry, but that retirements will also reduce it by about 6,400. New construction means a balance of about 4,600 workers will need to be recruited from outside the local market.

"The need to attract skilled workers from other industries and provinces, when others are also competing for these skills, highlights the importance of our continued career promotion to attract youth, women, Aboriginal people, and immigrants," says John Schubert, Principal, McCaine Electric Ltd. "We also need to expand and adapt our training and apprenticeship programs to attract these workers."

Each year, the CSC compiles nine-year labour forecast scenarios for each province following consultations with industry leaders, including owners, contractors and labour groups, as well as governments and educational institutions.

The national and regional scenario-based forecasts are released annually and are available online at www.csc-ca.org. Forecast data is also available at www.constructionforecasts.ca. They allow for instant access to residential and non-residential construction investment data, as well as details on the supply and demand for more than 30 skilled trades over the next nine years - all broken down by province and region.

The CSC is a national industry-led organization committed to the development of a highly skilled workforce that will support the future needs of Canada's construction industry and is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

For further information: Rosemary Sparks
Construction Sector Council
(905) 852-9186

Ply Gem Canada Introduces Innovateive ECO 5 Glass

Ply Gem Canada introduces innovative ECO 5 glass option for improved energy efficient windows and doors

· The ECO 5 double-glazed glass option provides energy-saving performance levels not previously attainable in other Ply Gem Canada double-glazed windows.
· ECO 5 is available in all Ply Gem Canada Pro Series, Premium Series and Elite Series windows, patio doors and entry doors for both new construction and remodelling products.
· The ECO 5 option fulfills select province mandates for higher performing glass for residential windows.

Calgary, AB (April 19, 2011) – Ply Gem® Canada, a leading manufacturer of window and door products for residential construction and remodelling in western Canada, introduced its new ECO 5 double-glazed glass option that significantly improves overall energy performance in windows and doors. As one of the most energy efficient double-glazed options in western Canada, ECO 5’s outstanding U-value of 0.20, solar heat gain coefficient of 0.34 and its R-value of 5 deliver high energy performance year-round to keep homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter*.

The ECO 5 glass option is available in new construction and replacement windows and doors in the Ply Gem Canada Pro Series, Premium Series and Elite Series. The ECO 5 sealed glass unit does not alter the appearance of the window or door and will not impact its functional elements. Customers can still buy a beautiful window in any number of styles and colours, including the virtually limitless colour options offered by the Ply Gem Canada PrismaClad Colour program.

"The ECO 5 glass option is the perfect choice for cost-conscious customers," said Andrew Thompson, marketing manager, Ply Gem Canada. "In windows and doors, ECO 5 affords remodelers and home builders exceptional energy efficiency without the need to upgrade to triple-glazed options."

The option itself greatly expands the Ply Gem Canada product offering to allow customers to choose the best products for their budget. Ply Gem Canada is the first company in western Canada to promote an option like the ECO 5.

"It’s important for us to introduce a product like this at a time when more provinces are calling for stricter energy standards on residential windows," said Thompson. "We wanted to make sure our customers don’t have to sacrifice beauty for energy efficiency, so we came up with an option that fits into almost every product we offer. Homeowners get the best of both worlds when they pair the ECO 5 double-glazed glass option with any of our beautiful windows or doors."

For more information, please visit www.plygem.ca.

* The ECO 5 U-value, R-value and solar head gain coefficient glass performance values were determined through simulations conducted by the Ply Gem engineering team using the Therm and Window software programs as prescribed by the CSA A440.2 (Energy Performance of Windows and Other Fenestration Systems) standard.

Visit http://www.plygem.ca for more information. # # # Contacts: Dan Burke, Gibbs & Soell Public Relations Tel: 919-870-5718/ dburke@gibbs-soell.com Kara Marmion, Gibbs & Soell Public Relations Tel: 212-697-2600/ kmarmion@gibbs-soell.com

TRUSERV Canada Announced New Banners for Independent Retailers

Winnipeg, Manitoba, April 17, 2011 – Today, TruServ Canada announced exciting new banners for Independent Retailers in Canada. Over 400 Dealers at the Spring Market heard first hand the Company's plan for the future in Hardware and Building Centre Programs.

The new concept, in fact, encompasses three banners: TRU Hardware, TRU Building Centres and TRU Farm & Garden.

"Our goal was to create a banner that can be adapted to different retail formats," said Bill Morrison, President of TruServ Canada. "The attributes mirror many of the retailers we're doing business with today." Independent retailers play a leading role in their communities. Above and beyond that, the new banner is about authenticity, real products, real service, and real people.

This is an important milestone for TruServ Canada; now part of Canada's largest distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products. While the V&S and Country Depot banners will continue to be serviced by the Company, the True Value banner will be adapted to the new TRU concept, starting this fall.

"In November last year we became a NEW Company," said Morrison. "We are pleased to offer unprecedented solutions for Independent Retailers."

Over the two day Market, TruServ Canada highlighted plans for a NEW opportunity for dealers. "Over the coming months we will work with retailers to convert their stores to the new Banner," explained Morrison. "TruServ Canada will cover the costs of conversion for the retailer and has developed strong marketing programs."

TruServ Canada offers competitive prices, timely deliveries, exceptional fill rates, and a wide assortment of product. The landscape is changing; we're offering solutions, no investments, dealer focused marketing.

ABOUT TRUSERV CANADA TruServ Canada is truly a Canadian Company, committed to over 650 independent dealers. With most efficient warehousing, product buying and distribution systems TruServ Canada promotes the growth of all of its independent retailers.

Visit TruServ Canada at www.truserv.ca.

For more information: Images & Logos available on request CONTACT Lora Deighton, Communications Manager TruServ Canada 204-453-9526 or ldeighton@truserv.ca Cell: 204-997-1758

Chalifour Canada appoints Category Manager

April 18, 2011 (London, ON) – Chalifour Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephanie Daoust as Category Manager – Seasonal.

Stephanie will be based from the Chalifour Montreal, Qc office where she will lead all initiatives related to the Seasonal categories. She will be working closely with the buying, marketing, advertising and operations teams in Chalifour Canada.

Stephanie has over 20 years experience in retail, including 10 years as a Category Manager. Randy Martin, VP of Hardware commented: "We are very excited about having an experienced retail veteran join Chalifour Canada. With her experience Stephanie will be a great addition to our team and will help us achieve success in a very important category."

For more information: communications@chalifourcanada.com

TIM-BR MARTS LTD. Add New Dealers & Locations

APRIL 15, 2011 (Calgary, AB) – TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. is pleased to announce that they have added new Dealers and 11 new locations to their Canada-wide network.

Burnco Rock Products Ltd., an independent, family-owned construction aggregates business established in 1912, operates two landscape centres in BC’s lower mainland and seven more throughout Alberta in urban locations like Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer. They attract both homeowner and contractor customers to their centres by offering a wide selection of materials required for hardscaping (paving stones, retaining walls etc.), plus natural stone, gravel and soils.

From their southwestern Ontario location, independent entrepreneurs Grant and Shirley Kennedy, owners of Morrow’s of Drumbo (Drumbo, ON) serve an agricultural/farming customer-base as well as DIYers with a full offering of hardware products. Over time, the Kennedy’s are looking to broaden their product selection to include more lumber and building materials.

Located in south-central Newfoundland and the newest member of the Canada-wide network, St. Alban’s Building Supplies of St. Alban’s, NL, owned by entrepreneur Mike Strickland, offers their customers a wide selection of lumber, building material and hardware products. Soon, the store will become a fully branded TIM-BR MART location, a move that will provide access to an assortment of customer benefits and programs including AIR MILES, flyers, in-store digital advertising and the TIM-BR MART credit card.

Commented Steve Stremecki, VP Corporate Development, a new division at TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. that includes Recruitment; "When independents choose to become part of the TIM-BR MART family, it reaffirms for us that we’re doing the right thing for the right people and staying true to our focus. We look forward to supporting these Members and seeing them succeed and thrive in their marketplace."

In business since 1967, TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. represents more than 700 Member locations across Canada and over $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 http://www.timbrmart.ca