The WRLA has concluded a successful SPRING 2012 classroom training schedule and is proud to announce the four graduates of the Retail Business Management Studies Program.

Sid Nieuwenhuis, Coaldale Lumber, Coaldale, AB
Dave Parr, McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd., Brandon, MB
Nathan Schouten, Neerlandia Co-Op Assn. Ltd., Neerlandia, AB
Atlin Shopland, Arctic Inland Building Products., Whitehorse, YT

Congratulations! Certificates and awards will be presented at the AGM during the 2013 Prairie Showcase in Saskatoon.

Hear what the students are saying about their classroom experience.

Retail Business Management Studies Program

"The Management Skills course is AWESOME. The material I’ve taken from this will greatly improve myself as an individual and will benefit my employer. This should be a mandatory course for all managers."

"Tons of new information from the Financial Management course to directly apply to my job"

"Unbelievable how Mr. Cameron not only has so much knowledge but puts it in theory and real-life situations."

Manual Estimating

"The course was extremely well done. A great deal has become clear particularly when it comes to mathematical shortcuts."

"This course will help me serve my customers much better."




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Help us plan the FALL 2012 calendar.

CLICK HERE to complete our short survey NOW!

 

              
     

Tilbury Home Hardware drove away from Home Hardware’s Spring Market in St. Jacobs as winners of a new 2012 Toyota Tundra pick-up truck for their store and a 2012 Scion iQ to be donated to their charity of choice. The vehicles were awarded following a random draw from the Home Hardware Dealers in attendance at the company’s trade show earlier this week.

The draw was part of the launch of Home Hardware’s Home Owners helping Home Towns program, a new nationwide initiative Home Dealers can utilize to showcase the charitable and community work they do in their home towns.

"I knew that when I left the Spring Market I would be bringing new ideas and products back to my customers in Tilbury, but I never thought I’d be bringing back two new vehicles," said Bret Drew, Dealer-Owner, Tilbury Home Hardware. "I would especially like to thank Toyota Canada for giving me this great opportunity to donate a new Scion iQ to a charity in my community."



The Home Owners helping Home Towns program recognizes the commitment that Home Dealers across the country make to their communities, from important charitable contributions to involvement in local programs and organizations. Reflecting the Home Owners helping Homeowners tag line, the program reinforces the strong connection between every Home store and its local community.

"On behalf of more than 1,080 Home Hardware Dealers across Canada, I would like to congratulate Bret and his entire Staff on their new truck and recognize their contribution to the community of Tilbury," said Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "The strength of Home Hardware’s independent Dealers lies in the close ties they share with the communities where they do business, and we feel it’s important to celebrate those important contributions."

"Toyota recognizes the importance of local business and we are pleased to provide Tilbury Home Hardware a hardworking 2012 Tundra." said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director of Toyota Canada Inc. "We are also delighted to provide a Scion iQ known for its class-leading safety and innovation to support Tilbury Home Hardware’s continuing contribution to the local community."

 

Techniseal®, the industry leader in the development and marketing of efficient new formulas for the protection and enhancement of interior and exterior residential surfaces, is proud to recognize the honorary mention awarded to Carbopoxy® Garage Floor Protector. Indeed, the Carbopoxy® was named the "Best Canadian New Product" during the Showcase Buying Show & Convention organised by the Western Retail Lumber Association (WRLA). For its 2012 edition held from January 18 to the 20, the WRLA welcomed 2,883 exhibitors and visitors. The Association represents almost 1,200 members from Western Canada who share a common interest for the lumber and building materials industry.

Continuing its momentum, the Carbopoxy® is subject to an advertisement campaign broadcast provincially on RDS. Until May 7, you can view the 30 second ad during the 2012 Stanley Cup Series and the show that follows; l’Antichambre. The ad also airs during both Formula 1 World Championship and the Nascar Series.

This leading technology product is also the main sponsor of the 2012 PROCAM SUPERTRUCK Series. This provincial championship showcases tuned-up trucks and takes place on 4 oval tracks throughout Quebec from May 19th to September 1st, 2012.

 

RONA inc. the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, announced today that employee Russ Jones and his wife Tess, acquired a RONA corporate store located at 12390 Sunshine Coast Highway, Madeira Park BC. This transaction marks the first RONA corporate store to be acquired by an employee in Canada.

"I am proud to see Russ, a RONA employee, embrace and demonstrate concretely, confidence and commitment to RONA" said Robert Dutton, President and CEO of RONA. RONA also represents 352 dealer-owner stores employing over 7 500 employees and these business owners are very dynamic in 2012. "They will be contributing $ 60 million in our network to provide customers across Canada, a greater brand experience", he added.

Over the past 25 years, Russ held many managing positions at RONA including launching the first Big Box store in Western Canada. Then he undertook the role of Director of the Olympic programs, Director BC. Operations and then, Director Marketing for RONA in Western Canada. Along the way, Russ started to dream owning and running his own store.

"We are becoming business owners after 30 years working in the Home Improvement industry. We are taking a courageous step to invest in ourselves, in our own store and in our community" said Russ Jones. "I appreciate the support of RONA and its Succession Planning team", he added. His wife Tess, who left behind a 12 year career as a dental assistant added: "Our children Cooper and Isabella are active in sports, such as swimming and figure skating here on the coast. We are proud to help build our community."

Dave Carr, RONA's Vice President, Retail – Western region, expressed his joy in witnessing the final result: "I would sincerely like to congratulate Ross and Tess. We are proud of them and are confident that they will leverage their knowledge to provide a greater customer experience and grow RONA’s position in the region".

This newly expanded store represents a substantial investment of $ 200,000 over and above the purchase price of the store. With 7,000 square feet retail space, the store has expanded the Garden Centre by 2,000 square feet and built a Boutique Design Centre with kitchens, flooring, and counter tops (to open in June 2012). The store has now a 7,000 square feet covered warehouse space, a 2 acres drive-through lumberyard and a 2,500 square feet tool rental department featuring a certified tool repair shop. Customers can count on more than 16,000 different products in store including building materials hardware, electrical and paint supplies.

 

Christine Hand of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland has been elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Home Hardware Stores Limited, Canada's largest independent hardware, lumber and building materials and furniture retailer. She replaces Jim Schaefer, Sr. of Bradford, Ontario, who served as Chairman for the last three years.


"I am deeply honoured to represent the hardworking and successful Dealer-Owners of more than 1,080 Home Hardware stores across Canada to help lead and shape this $5 billion company," says Christine Hand. "I’m looking forward to working closely with the Board of Directors and the industry’s best management team as we continue to grow and enhance the strongest program for independent Dealers in the industry."

Christine has operated Handyman Home Hardware in Conception Bay South since 1988 taking ownership in 1992. She has served on Home Hardware’s national Board since 2003 and served on the Audit and Security Committee from 2004 to 2012 and was Chairman of the Committee for the last three years. Christine’s store has been honoured twice with the Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award as the top Home Hardware store in Canada.

In addition to her dedication to her business and fellow Home Hardware Dealer-Owners, Christine is a proud mother of five and serves as Chair of the Fundraising Campaign for Manuels River Hibernia Interpretation Centre, having so far raised $5 million of their $8 million goal.

"Christine is a passionate entrepreneur who demonstrates a high level of business skill and understanding of our industry," says Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Like all Home Hardware Dealers she is dedicated to working with her fellow Dealers to build sustained, successful and independent businesses while continuing to grow our company. I look forward to working with her to achieve our goals."

Home Hardware operates as a cooperative, meaning that all Dealer-Owners are shareholders in the company. The Board of Directors includes 15 Dealers who are elected by the membership and the Chairman who is elected by the Board members. 

 

August 16-18, 2012
Orgill Fall Market
Las Vegas, NV

Tuesday, August 21, 2012
WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament
Steinbach, MB

Thursday, September 06, 2012
Calgary Classic Golf Tournament
Sundre Golf Course, Sundre, AB

Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Kenossee Golf Tournament
Kenossee SK.

September 20 - 22, 2012
RONA 2013 Spring Market
Metro Convention Centre, Toronto, ON
www.rona.ca

Sept 23-25, 2012
Home Hardware
St. Jacobs, ON

September 29 - October 1, 2012
Truserv Fall National Buying Market
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg
www.truserv.ca

November 2 - 6, 2012
Sexton Member Conference
New Orleans, LA
Contact: callak@sextongroup.com

 

Support your association and broadcast your business to hundreds of decision-makers in the lumber industry. Advertising opportunities are still available in several WRLA publications:

The YardStick: The YardStick is sent to more than 1,200 members firms every other month. Advertising in the largest issue of The YardStick, the Prairie Showcase edition, is a great way to reinforce your marketing message with hundreds of decision-makers who regularly read this magazine while supporting WRLA. Ads booked within the print edition automatically appear (linked to the website or email of your choice) in the digital edition, which is read by more than 500 visitors each issue. Exclusive online ad positions are also available within every digital edition.

The Toolbox: Delivered directly to the inboxes of more than 1,200 lumber managers and professionals, this weekly e-newsletter offers consistent access to the individuals who rely on your products and services to run their businesses.

Directory & Product Source Guide: WRLA is the largest retail lumber association on the Prairies, with its membership representing 85% of the industry. All of our members are included in this annual directory and all keep this publication handy year-round. Make sure your business stands out in this resource by purchasing a display advertisement.

WRLA.org: Our website average more than 3,000 visits per month! Advertising space is available on the home and sub-pages of WRLA.org. Ads rotate on the home page and sub pages, expanding your exposure to site visitors at an affordable price.

WRLA-TV: Introducing the NEW WRLA-TV Banner Sponsorship. Our online TV and banners offer your brand high visibility on the WRLA homepage. Your branding and action oriented banner is featured every time WRLA-TV’s videos are played by our audience, leaving them one-click away from your website‘s landing page.

For more information about these opportunities, click here for the media kit or contact:

Kim Davies
Project Manager
(800) 665-2456, ext. 423
kdavies@naylor.com