WRLA News

What's Going On

What’s NEW on the schedule?

Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland

Make your employees more valuable. Let Bob instruct and inspire students on the rudiments of plumbing and electrical.

Plumbing with Bob Sutherland NOVEMBER 7, Calgary, AB
Electrical with Bob Sutherland NOVEMBER 8, Calgary, AB
Plumbing with Bob Sutherland NOVEMBER 24, Winnipeg, MB
Electrical with Bob Sutherland NOVEMBER 25, Winnipeg, MB

Manual Estimating

Estimating Fundamentals OCTOBER 3 & 4 Leduc, AB
Estimating for Residential Construction OCTOBER 5 & 6 Leduc, AB
Advance Estimating Forum – OCTOBER 7 Leduc, AB
Estimating Fundamentals OCTOBER 17 & 18 Winnipeg, MB
Estimating for Residential Construction OCTOBER 19 & 20 Winnipeg, MB

For Online Registration for all of these courses
CLICK HERE to REGISTER NOW

Retail Business Management Studies Program (RBMSP)

This premium training program offers the tools and knowledge to be more effective in work and in life. This program is designed specifically for the lumber and building materials industry and combines regular classroom study, interaction with peers, and a final exam. It is based on a module system in which each level builds knowledge gained from previous levels.

Where? Edmonton, AB

Mark your Calendar NOW for your key people.

Module One Management Skills November 15 & 16, 2011
Module Two Human Resource Management November 17 & 18, 2011
Module Three Financial Management November 21 – 23, 2011
Module Four Inventory Management November 24 & 25, 2011
Module Five Strategic Retail Marketing November 30 & Dec. 1, 2011
Module Six Purchasing November 28 & 9, 2011

ONLINE REGISTRATION TO OPEN SOON

WRLA Directory/Product Source Guide Updates & Corrections

Please make the following changes to your copy fo the
2011-2012 WRLA Directory & Product Source Guide

Also, you may cross-reference contact information using our online directory
CLICK HERE for the ONLINE DIRECTORY

Page 95
Pemberton Valley Hardware
Correct Buying Group: RONA
Correct Email Address: paulv.pvh@shawbiz.ca

Page 109
Cobra Anchors Co. Ltd.
Contact: Pierre G. Filiatrault
pierrefiliatrault@cobraanchors.com

Page 111
Correct Name: Domtek Building Products
Add Street Address: 260 I-XL Crescent
St. Clements Industrial Park
Lockport, MB R1A 3R9
Correct Mail Address: Box 11, Grp. 32 RR3
Add Fax: 888-663-4182
Rod Mancini

Page 117
Correct Name: Jager Engineered Wood Products
New Contact: Marty Smith
New Email: marty@jagerewp.com

Like us on Facebook!

WRLA.Inc is now on Facebook!
Like us and you will be kept up-to-date with what's happening at the WRLA

CLICK HERE to like us now!

Industry News

Last chance to make your nomination for the 2011 WRLA Industry Achievement Award - Deadline Friday, September 9th

"This Is Our Association’s Greatest Honor"

The WRLA Industry Achievement Award is celebrating its 39th Anniversary. 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 mentor, 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

RONA Helps Build New Charity Home for Calgary Mom and Four Daughters

RONA inc., the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, has joined forces with more than 20 other Calgary suppliers and contractors to build a new home for struggling single mother Cheryl Morrisey and her four daughters. RONA donated all of the lumber for the charity home, which was unveiled to the family this afternoon.

In a true show of community spirit, local contractor and RONA customer Kerry Wiebe conceived the plan to tear down Morrisey's original home. After visiting the house earlier this year to help Cheryl with some minor repairs, he knew the family needed help when he discovered mold and a host of other problems that created unacceptable living conditions. After making a few phone calls to local businesses, a groundswell of support grew to the point that the two-storey home has been built exclusively with donations of materials and labour from local businesses and individuals.

"When I heard that our customer Kerry Wiebe was organizing the community to build a new home for a family in need, I knew RONA had to step in to help. Donating the lumber and final touches like a lawn mower, gardening tools and supplies and home furnishings just made sense," says Luc Rodier, RONA's Vice President, Retail for Western Canada.

"As a Canadian company, RONA's commitment to the people and communities where we do business runs deep. Whether we are sponsoring a major sporting event or helping at a grassroots level, RONA believes in improving the well-being of the communities we serve."

Wiebe said the family's dedication to volunteering in the local community helped motivate and inspire him to involve others.

Owens Corning and Solexel Awarded $13MM for Advanced Building-Integrated Solar Technology by Department of Energy

Owens Corning and Solexel have been awarded $13 million in funding from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for projects that will help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies. The funding is part of the DOE's SunShot Initiative which seeks to make solar energy systems more affordable and sustainable for homeowners.

"Owens Corning is excited about the potential to develop game-changing technology that addresses homeowner demand for reliable, high-performance, affordable and sustainable roofing solutions," said Sheree Bargabos, president, Owens Corning Roofing. "We have been monitoring solar roofing as a prospective market where we could provide value for our customers. This is a unique opportunity to make the technology relevant for the broader marketplace that may have been interested but never considered it a viable option due to cost."

With the prospect of the DOE funding, there is great opportunity to integrate Solexel's technology into solar roofing solutions that are affordable, aesthetically beautiful, and easy to install. Solexel's technology leadership coupled with Owens Corning's roofing market leadership presents the industry with the opportunity to revolutionize residential roofing.

"Solexel's mission is to be an innovator to develop truly differentiated solar solutions," said Michael Wingert, president and CEO of Solexel. "Solexel's high-performance technology is particularly well-suited for building-integrated solar products."

Bank of Canada Maintains Overnight Rate Target at 1%

The Bank of Canada today announced that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at
1 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 1/4 per cent and the deposit rate is 3/4 per cent.
The global economic outlook has deteriorated in recent weeks as several downside risks to the projection in the Bank’s July Monetary Policy Report (MPR) have been realized. The European sovereign debt crisis has intensified, a broad range of data has signaled slower global growth, and financial market volatility has increased sharply. Recent benchmark revisions show that the U.S. recession was deeper and its recovery has been shallower than previously reported. In combination with recent economic data, this implies that U.S. growth will be weaker than previously anticipated. The Bank expects that American household spending will be even more subdued in the face of high personal debt burdens, large declines in wealth and tough labour market conditions. Fiscal stimulus in the United States will also soon turn into material fiscal drag.

Acute fiscal and financial strains in Europe have triggered a generalized retrenchment from risk-taking and could prompt more severe dislocations in global financial markets. Resolution of these strains will require additional significant initiatives by European authorities. Growth in emerging-market economies has been robust, although its rate and composition will be affected by weakness in major advanced economies. While commodity prices have declined owing to diminished global growth prospects, they remain relatively high.

Largely due to temporary factors, Canadian economic growth stalled in the second quarter. The Bank continues to expect that growth will resume in the second half of this year, led by business investment and household expenditures, although lower wealth and incomes will likely moderate the pace of investment and consumption growth. The supply and price of credit to businesses and households remain very simulative. However, financial conditions in Canada have tightened somewhat and could tighten further in the event that global financial conditions continue to deteriorate. Net exports are now expected to remain a major source of weakness, reflecting more modest global demand and ongoing competitiveness challenges, in particular the persistent strength of the Canadian dollar.

Slower global economic momentum will dampen domestic resource utilization and inflationary pressures.
The Bank expects total CPI inflation to continue to moderate as temporary factors, such as significantly higher food and energy prices, unwind. Core inflation is expected to remain well-contained as labour compensation growth stays modest, productivity recovers, and inflation expectations remain well-anchored.

Reflecting all of these factors, the Bank has decided to maintain the target for the overnight rate at 1 per cent. In light of slowing global economic momentum and heightened financial uncertainty, the need to withdraw monetary policy stimulus has diminished. The Bank will continue to monitor carefully economic and financial developments in the Canadian and global economies, together with the evolution of risks, and set monetary policy consistent with achieving the 2 per cent inflation target over the medium term.

Information note:
The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 25 October 2011.
A full update of the Bank’s outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the MPR on 26 October 2011.

This press release is now available on the Bank of Canada’s website at:
http://www.bankofcanada.ca/2011/09/press-releases/fad-press-release-2011-09-07/

ARXX Adds Significant Bench Strength to Sales Team

ARXX Building Products announces a number of key additions to the ARXX Sales Team adding depth and expertise. Michael Rosenblat has responsibility for driving all Canadian sales and business development efforts as Vice President Sales and Business Development for Canada and Ted Hartner has responsibility for all sales and business development activities in the United States as Vice President Sales and Business Development for the United States.

Michael Rosenblat brings with him more than 15 years of experience in sales, marketing and business development in the building industry. During his career, Michael established his own company, Voidform International Ltd. alongside his father, and after 12 successful years, sold the firm to Sonoco, a global provider of industrial and consumer packaging solutions, (NYSE:SON). "I'm excited to be part of the ARXX team and lead the Canadian sales strategy. From coast to coast there's tremendous opportunity for ARXX, and with our strategic partnerships and business relationships, we're better positioned than ever to service our customers and grow our business," said Mr. Rosenblat.

Ted Hartner also brings a depth of experience and knowledge in construction and building materials for the commercial, residential and military sectors. Ted was most recently Vice President of Business Development at Worthington Construction Group, specializing in design/build framing solutions and part of Worthington Industries, a multi-billion dollar global company. "I am tremendously excited about the future of ARXX", said Mr. Hartner, "and look forward to leading our US Sales Team to provide the level of excellence and professionalism that ARXX expects and our customers demand."

ARXX has also made additions to the sales team that include seasoned professionals with deep domain expertise and solid relationships with critical channel partners. In Canada, John Slowski will be joining the ARXX team together with Howard Neufeld and Philip Costantini. In the United States, James Shupp and Joe Hurley have also joined the ARXX team.

"We recognize the need for strategically targeted and focused sales strategies. Both Canada and the United States are key markets that offer unique opportunities for the continued growth of our business," said Gael Mourant, President & CEO of ARXX. "We've been working to streamline our operations, develop strategic partnerships and position ourselves for significant future growth. Adding the bench strength in Sales and Business Development demonstrates our commitment to provide best-in-class sales and support to our customers and channel partners. Having the right people in the right place is key to our success and needless to say we're very optimistic about our future." she added.