Archive/Subscribe | Printer-Friendly | Send to a Friend | www.wrla.org | YardStick Wednesday, November 02, 2011
What's Going On


Badge and Event Registration

Online Registration is now available for All Exhibitors and Retailers.  Please pre-register now in order to enter the Prairie Showcase. Go to our www.wrla.org and follow the link. Don't assume you are registered - check and make sure to avoid the line-ups at the onsite registration desk!  

Check http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/index.html  for badge pickup times and locations.

* There is no charge for exhibitors or retailers to enter the show.
* VISA or MASTERCARD required at time of registration for event tickets.

 


IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Retail Business Management Studies Program will not take place this fall but will be re-scheduled for the SPRING of 2012 in Edmonton. Call the WRLA office if you require more information at 1-800-661-0253.


SOME SPOTS STILL OPEN – DON’T MISS OUT



Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland –Winnipeg
November 24 & 25, 2011

REGISTER ONLINE AT www.wrla.org

 

Proud Sponsors of the
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention

Platinum Sponsors $20,000

Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.
JELD-WEN
Sexton Group Ltd.

 

Gold Sponsors $5,000

Epicor Software (Activant) Solutions
Home Hardware Stores Limited
Lancashire Distribution
Madero Distribution
Owens Corning
Ply Gem
Rona Inc.

 

Silver Sponsors $2,500

All Fab Building Components
Can-Cell Industries Inc.
Guardian Building Products Distribution
Naylor Publishing
Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd.

 

Bronze Sponsors $1,000

Alliance Door
CanWelBroadleaf
Cherry Insurance
Duchesne et Fils Ltee

Harris Rebar

Mitten Inc.
Morneau Shepell
National Forest Products
Resisto

 

Convention Club Sponsors $500

Johns Manvilles Canada Inc.
National Concrete Accessories
OGC Inc.
Profitmaster Canada
Seljax
 



Also, you may cross-reference contact information using our online directory

CLICK HERE for the Online Directory

Page 55
Company: Valley Home Building Centre
New Contact: Kevin Cohen-Wallis
Kevin.cohenwallis@valleyhbc.com

Page 124
Company: Olfa North America (Head Office)
New Address:
2265 Upper Middle Road East
Suite 102
Oakville, ON L6H 0G5
 

The new property insurance year begins November 1st, 2011

Please remit your payment plans to Lannie ASAP 

Please call Lannie at (204) 953-1694 or 1-800-661-0253 with any questions regarding this
 
  1. Don't let body language turn people away from your booth.

  2. Smile and don't have your hands in your pockets, arms crossed, or behind your back like a military guard. Some people will decide to stop in or pass on stopping just by the way the people in the booth look.

  3. Try holding a piece of literature at all times. This will keep your hands in front of you, and you are more likely to appear eager to help, rather than bored, tired, or intimidating.

  4. Stand up and don’t talk on the cell phone or use the laptop.

  5. Make eye contact and say hello to everyone walking the aisles!

  6. Have a message pertaining to your product printed on the back of your business card. When you exchange cards, mention that there is a message for them on your card. They will remember the booth, company and YOU.

  7. Maximize your time in visitor contact, and keep sufficient staff in the booth.

  8. Never eat in your booth, messy, smelly and people won’t want to bother you.

  9. Don’t forget the breath mints.

  10. Smile!
 
Industry News

Winnipeg, MB, November 2, 2011.

The Western Retail Lumber Association Inc. is pleased to announce Ernie Penner of EG Penner Building Centre is the recipient of the 2011 WRLA Industry Achievement Award.

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. Since 1970 this award has been presented to individuals who have deserved and received the respect of employees, members, competitors and suppliers in the building materials industry and who have contributed their time and energy to their community and the WRLA.

This is our association’s greatest honor and the WRLA recognizes 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 industry.

Ernie Penner’s story is very inspirational. He dreamed big and made his business dreams come true. Starting with a small outlet in a mall he went on to eventually build the 130,000 square foot retail showcase that provides every building product a homeowner could want under one roof. On the side of the EG Penner Building is a quote from Ernie, "Penner people help you build it better....And that’s a promise".

Gerry Thiessen, EG Penner Building Centre’s General Manager, reflected on Ernie’s impact and willingness to try new things to drive growth and sticking with them till they work. Ernie’s determination is shown while working through a serious illness and continues to be an effective leader.

Penner will be presented the WRLA Industry Achievement Award during the 2012 Prairie Showcase Gala evening, January 19, 2012 in Saskatoon.
 

OGC is announcing a new partnership agreement with software company Spruce Computer Systems for the commercial rights to its SpruceWare.NET product in the Canadian market.

Through this agreement, OGC has gained the exclusive rights to sell, implement and support SpruceWare.NET in Canada. This new offering will enhance OGC's product line so that it can better meet the specific needs of its customers in the hardware and building materials industries.

"OGC and Spruce have very similar profiles and backgrounds: both companies are recognized for their industry knowledge and close relationships with customers. We are convinced that pooling our know-how will help us assist customers even better to improve their service and maximize their profits," explained Patrick Du Paul, Executive Vice President and General Manager at OGC. "This partnership will now allow us to offer an alternative and comprehensive management solution based on the most recent Windows technology that is already being used by more than 250 retailers in the American market."

With this addition, the OGC product line now gives customers even greater choices when it comes to management solutions that best reflects their individual business reality.

 


"HARDLINES is proud to recognize TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. for its efforts to make a difference in home improvement retailing," said Michael McLarney, Editor of HARDLINES and Managing Director – Canada for the North American Retail Hardware Association. "The acquisition of CanWel Hardware marked the tipping point in a series of bold initiatives that made TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. a worthy recipient of the 2011 HARDLINES Newsmaker of the Year Award."

Tim Urquhart, President and CEO of TIM-BR MARTS Ltd., was on hand at the conference to accept on behalf of his company. "This award is a testament to what can happen when a group truly listens to what its members need," he said. "Our activities throughout the past year are a reflection of our commitment to the entrepreneurial spirit, the success of the independent, and to the partnerships we have with our vendors."

Other efforts to enhance TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.’s range of services have included the launch of its own dealer show in spring 2011.

TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. has been actively building its brand, as well. Leveraging its Hockey Canada sponsorship, the World Junior Hockey Video Challenge returns this year and lets teams video their team spirit showing why they love hockey the most. The grand prize is a trip for the entire winning team to the World Junior tournament in Edmonton.

The Newsmaker of the Year Award was presented at the 16th Annual Hardlines Conference, Oct. 27, 2011. The Award is sponsored by the National Hardware Show. For more information, contact: Michael McLarney, Editor of HARDLINES; 416-489-3396 or mike@hardlines.ca.
 
Calendar of Events

To view our WRLA Education Calendar CLICK HERE

November 2 - 6, 2011
Sexton Member Conference
San Diego, CA
www.sextongroup.com

November 17 - 18, 2012
New Canadian Home Improvement Show
Toronto Congress Centre
e-info@canadianhomeimprovementshow.com

November 24 - 26, 2011
RONA 2012 Spring Market
Le palais des Congress, Montreal PQ

January 18-20, 2012
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
ckelly@wrla.org

February 2, 3, & 4, 2012
Orgill 2012 Spring Market
Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com

March 30-31, 2012
TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON

 
Member Updates


NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Basalite Concrete Products
8650 - 130th Street
Surrey, BC V3W 1G1
Phone: 604-596-3844
Toll Free: 800-596-3844
Fax: 604-596-6914
Main Contact: Jack Bellamore
surreysales@paccoast.com
www.basalite.com
(Manufacturer) structural building blocks (masonry products) interlocking paving stones, retaining wall products, garden line products, dry mix / sack goods


Benjamin Moore & Co. Limited
26680 Gloucester Way
Aldergrove, BC V4W 3V6
Phone: 604-857-0600
Toll Free: 800-695-3155
Fax: 604-857-0700
Main Contact: Ron Reiniger
Ron.reiniger@benjaminmoore.com
www.benjaminmoore.com
(Manufacturer) paint and sundry products


Thomas Allen & Son Ltd.
390 Steelcase Rd. East
Markham, ON L3R 1G2
Phone: 905-475-9126
Toll Free: 800-387-4333
Fax: 905-475-4255
Main Contact: Brian Aasgaard
customerservice@t-allen.com
www.thomas-allen.com
(Wholesaler) Home improvement, gardening, BBQ, cook and children’s books, calendars and almanacs


Tree Island Industries Ltd.
3933 Boundary Road
Richmond, BC V6V 1T8
Phone: 604-524-3744
Main Contact: Martin Ross
mross@treeisland.com
www.treeisland.com
(Manufacturer) construction, collated & packaged nails, reinforced and stucco mesh, agricultural fence and specialty wire

 
Alliance Designer Products
Westman Steel Industries
All Weather Windows Ltd.
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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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