Archive/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | www.wrla.org | YardStick Wednesday, June 22, 2011
What's Going On

This Is Our Association’s Greatest Honor

The WRLA Industry Achievement Award is celebrating its 39th Anniversary this year. This award recognizes members of the WRLA who have contributed to their business, the building supply industry, the WRLA and the communities in which they live.

The WRLA wants to recognize the individual who is or has been actively involved in the building supply industry, who has faced challenges and recognized opportunities, and who wishes to share best practices with the association. This individual has received the respect of fellow members of the association through contributions to the industry, the community, and the WRLA.

We invite you to honor your colleague, vendor, competitor, or a friend.  Nominations are now being accepted - Deadline is September 9, 2011

Click here to download the 2011 Industry Achievement Nomination Form

 

Let us know about your new products and we will feature them in the YardStick or the ToolBox for FREE!

A brief description and high resolution photos are required!

Email ckelly@wrla.org  with your new products, questions or request for more information.

 

2011 FALL Courses

Manual Estimating Program

October 3 - 7/11 - Manual Estimating Program  - Edmonton
October 17 - 20/11 - Manual Estimating Program  - Winnipeg

Online Health & Safety Couses - ongoing

The WRLA in partnership with the Lumber and Building Materials Association of Ontario (LBMAO) and EAGL Enterprises is pleased to offer an extensive web based Health and Safety Training program.

Click here for complete details

 

"It took me seventeen years to get 3,000 hits in baseball. I did it in one afternoon on the golf course." Hank Aaron

The Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament will be held August 23 at The Links at Quarry Oaks, Steinbach, MB. This will be a Best Ball Scramble tournament with a shot gun at 11:00 am. You don’t want to miss it!

NEW – Supplier prizes graciously declined. Visit the online registration site for other ways your company can sponsor!

MULLIGANS HOLE CONTESTS FUN FUN FUN

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN

CLICK HERE for more information and to register your team today!


Sixth Annual WRLA Calgary Classic Golf Tournament

This will be the sixth year for the WRLA Calgary Classic held September 1 at the Sundre Golf Course (approx. two hours drive from Calgary.) Mike Doyle from The Home Improvement Warehouse in Calgary will host this popular fund raising tournament.

CLICK HERE for details, registration and sponsorship forms


Annual Kenosee Golf Tournament

The season would not be complete without the WRLA Kenosee Golf Tournament held September 8 in Moose Mountain, SK. Get a team together!

CLICK HERE for details, registration and registration

 
Industry News
OTTAWA, June 21, 2011 /CNW/ - Canada's construction industry will need about 320,000 workers over the next nine years to meet demand for new construction and to replace retirements and mortalities. 

The finding, from the Construction Sector Council's just-released national forecast of labour supply and demand from 2011-2019, says Canada's slowing population growth combined with its rising demand for large natural resource construction projects is challenging the industry to find the required number of skilled workers.

But it's a challenge industry leaders are prepared for: "We are making an all-out effort to recruit from non-traditional labour sources such as youth, women, Aboriginal people, workers from other industries and foreign workers," says George Gritziotis, Executive Director, Construction Sector Council (CSC). "We're working on government and industry programs that focus on recruitment, apprenticeship and training, certification, pan-Canadian standards and foreign credential recognition."

The forecast estimates that half of the industry's total labour needs will be met with 163,000 first-time new entrants to the workforce, leaving a requirement of 157,000 workers − an average of about 15,000 workers per year over the 2011-2019 period.

Demographic patterns are slowing growth by limiting the available workforce and restricting housing starts. At the same time, government and industry are planning large resource projects in response to domestic needs and international demands.

Industry leaders are also looking to manage labour supply and demand, where possible, through interprovincial mobility.

"A ripple effect will be created across all the provinces as major projects from Newfoundland and Labrador to British Columbia first draw in and then release large numbers of key trades," explains Gritziotis. "For example," he says, "one of the most likely opportunities to balance markets comes late in the forecast, when the announced utility project in the Greater Toronto Area and major projects in Alberta will likely draw in workers as major projects end in other provinces."

The forecast for most provinces includes declining employment in residential construction, with steady but limited growth in renovations and repairs.

Each year, the CSC releases nine-year labour forecasts 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. It is funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program.

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


ARXX CORPORATION ANNOUNCES ANOTHER FIRST FOR THE ICF INDUSTRY

COBOURG, ON, June 17, 2011 /CNW/ - ARXX Corporation announced that it has completed the process to have all of its products available in Google SketchUp 3D becoming the first Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) company to have this tool. Google SketchUp is a user-friendly 3D modeling program incorporating an intelligent drawing system and product models. Google SketchUp is showing rapid growth and adoption within the design professional community as well as by contractors, builders and homeowners. Using Google SketchUp can incorporate ARXX ICF products into buildings instantly, making the design process easier and faster than ever.

"We take leadership and innovation seriously," said Gael Mourant, President & CEO of ARXX. "Being a leader requires taking the steps to continually evolve products and services. We want to ensure that designing and building with our products is as easy and accessible as possible. We recognize the role that technology is playing in facilitating how people design buildings. Google SketchUp is another complementary tool being added to our existing technical resource base. At ARXX we're dedicated to providing the best customer and technical support in the industry," she added.

Access to the ARXX Google SketchUp product models can made through the Technical Resources section of www.arxx.com. The addition of SketchUp complements the existing Building Information Modeling (BIM) files and CAD product and design library.

About ARXX
ARXX is a leading supplier of Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs) for green, energy-efficient residential and commercial construction. ARXX products have been used in over 105,000 projects, representing 140 million square feet of walls and foundations, throughout the United States and Canada. ARXX products enable significant energy savings, greater comfort, security and quiet, and a faster build than conventional construction. ARXX products have been used in numerous LEED-certified projects have received major industry and sustainability awards. See www.arxx.com for more information.

For further information:
P. Gael Mourant, ARXX Corporation
gmourant@arxx.com  
(800) 293-3210

 


WHISTLER, BC (June 14, 2011) – IRLY Distributors held a buying show for the IRLY members here on June 3. The show was held in conjunction with IRLY’s AGM and hosted IRLY dealers from all over B.C. This was the second time the group has held a show with their AGM. In 2009, IRLY also held an AGM and vendor show in Whistler.

"We had such a positive response from both the vendors and the dealers, we knew we would do it again soon," says Catherine Brownlow, IRLY’s advertising & communications manager. The venue allows vendors to meet with all of the IRLY dealers in one place. "And Whistler is always popular. There is something for everyone there."

Apart from the show and AGM, the event included dealer meetings, a gala dinner and activities. Following the gala dinner, two of the three founding members of IRLY joined the group to share a brief history of IRLY and their personal backgrounds. "We all learned a little more about our roots," Brownlow commented.

In addition, the group travelled on the Peak to Peak gondola, linking Whistler and Blackcomb mountains. The trip is 4.4km, including a 3km length of unsupported span. "There was still a lot of snow up there; however, the scenery and trip were amazing."

The IRLY Building Centres were founded in 1963. IRLY is an acronym for Independent Retail Lumber Yards. There are 42 independently owned and operated IRLY stores in BC.

Please note: IRLY is always spelled in caps because IRLY is an acronym for Independent Retail Lumber Yards.

For more information, contact:
Catherine Brownlow, Advertising & Communications Manager
IRLY Distributors Ltd.
cbrownlow@irly.ca  
604-598-5474

 

TRUSERV CANADA ANNOUNCES DATES FOR FALL 2011 NATIONAL BUYING MARKET

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA – June 2011 – TruServ Canada will hold the Fall National Buying Market on October 1-3, 2011 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

TruServ Canada is proud to offer independent retailers the freedom to choose from products and services to help grow their business. Over 400 major manufacturers will showcase a wide selection of the seasonal products, as well as timely specials on everyday products.

The Market will kick off with Best Practice Seminars, opening of the Variety Product showcase, and the Customer & Partner Welcome Event on Saturday, October 1st. On Sunday, October 2nd, the Main show floor will open at 9:00 a.m. and will highlight the upcoming Spring and Summer Seasonal categories, i.e. Lawn & Garden, Barbeques and Patio Sets and much, much more.

The dates for the Spring Market are April 14-16, 2012 at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

ABOUT TRUSERV CANADA TruServ Canada is truly a Canadian Company, committed to over 650 independent dealers across Canada. With some of Canada’s most efficient warehousing, product buying and distribution systems TruServ Canada promotes the growth of each of its banners: the New TRU Hardware (True Value), TRU Building Centres, V&S and Country Depot stores. Visit TruServ Canada at http://www.truserv.ca/

Further Detailed Market Information Contact:
Connie Harris-Delorme, Merchandising Administrative Asst.
Tel. 204.453.9613 Email charris-delorme@truserv.ca  
Company Information:
Lora Deighton, Communications Manager
Tel. 204.453.9526
Email ldeighton@truserv.ca  

 

A Special Report for WRLA Associate and Retail Members:

The Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA) comes into effect on June 20 this year. Administered by Health Canada, the stated purpose of the CCPSA is "to protect the public by addressing or preventing dangers to human health or safety that are posed by consumer products in Canada." When safety incidents occur with consumer products, consumers are likely to raise them with the retailer from whom the product was purchased. Health Canada has made it clear, therefore, that it regards the suppliers to these retailers as an essential part of the process of public protection.

This Bulletin is intended to prepare WRLA members to understand the important responsibilities they will face on June 20. These are (1) incident reporting and (2) record keeping. As other aspects of the CCPSA begin to impact the business community, further bulletins will be issued by WRLA.


CLICK HERE for Associate Members Report


CLICK HERE for Retail Members Report

 
Calendar of Events

August. 12. 2011
WRLA Bursary Application deadline
www.wrla.org  

August 18 - 20, 2011
The Orgill 2011 Fall Dealer Market
Boston, MA
www.orgill.com  

August. 23. 2011
WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament
Quarry Oaks Golf Club, Steinbach, MB
www.wrla.org  

September 1. 2011
Calgary Classic
Sundre, AB
Mikejr@thehomeimprovementwarehouse.com  

September 8. 2011
WRLA Kenosee Golf Tournament
Kenosee Lake, SK
ddlumber@sasktel.net 

September 18-20, 2011
Home Hardware Fall Dealer Market
St. Jacobs, ON
tammie.piel@homehardare.ca  

October 1. 2011
WRLA Scholarship Application deadline
www.wrla.org  

 
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Westman Steel Industries
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If your company has news that you would like to see in The ToolBox, please email your news releases to news@wrla.org
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