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Welcome to the ToolBox, your portal to WRLA member news and information within the LBM market.
We invite you to learn more about what's going on within your association and the companies whose products and/or services you utilize.
 Manage complex, interconnected operations—purchasing and supplier relationships, inventory control, contract services, product delivery and more—all while keeping costs, manpower and profit margins in line. Click on the video to watch now or visit our website at www.wrla.org
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For Immediate Release: October 25th 2012 - Mississauga, ON
Kefab Solutions, Maniwaki, QC
Kefab Solution is a new specialty retailer servicing the DIY and Contractor market of the Maniwaki area of Quebec. Kefab will be a unique Castle dealer specializing in prefabricated walls and flooring. Daniel Martel and Roger LaFlamme head up the operation and are looking forward to being a part of a well respected buying group that understands the needs of the Quebec independent.
Maple Leaf Homes & Building Products Inc., Echo Bay, ON
Maple Leaf Homes & Building Products; a well known local business in the township of Echo Bay for over 35 years was recently acquired by the Missanabie Cree First Nation. Maple Leaf is a new Castle Building Centres location serving the Macdonald, Meredith and Aberdeen township and is situated 30 kilometres east of Sault Ste. Marie. The location features a variety of speciality products including prebuilt modular and packaged homes, garage design packages as well as kitchens and windows. Maple Leaf offer full renovation services and has an expert staff on hand to assist contractors and consumers with all their home renovation and building product needs. Phil Sabine who is the newly appointed store manager; is excited to bring his expertise and the Castle brand name back into the community. Phil has over 25 years of experience in lumber and building materials and will work alongside the assistant store manager Ken Avery.
For more information please contact:
Jennifer Mercieca
Director of Communications
Castle Building Centres Group Ltd.
jmercieca@castle.ca
905-564-3307 ext 220
Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is a Canadian member-owned, Lumber, Building Materials and Hardware buying group committed to the success of the independent. Our commitment is to drive this success to our members through freedom of choice in buying decisions and strategic partnerships with key suppliers and distributors. We believe in "Freedom of One. Strength of Many."
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October 28, 2012 (London, ON) – ‘Building a Stronger Tomorrow’ was the theme of this year’s Expo, chosen to convey the message that we build a stronger future when we work together. Dealers, vendors and Chalifour Canada team members congregated to ensure the opportunity to build success together.
"This is a true buying show," commented Randy Martin, VP of Merchandise. "The dealers are offered the best deals of the year and the opportunity to see new products and several new categories such as agriculture and automotive. The vendors have the chance to network with customers and take advantage of sales opportunities. By coordinating the Expo, we facilitate by providing a venue to make that happen."
"Not only are there unsurpassed buying opportunities," added Andrew Allen, SVP Chalifour Canada, "Chalifour Canada offers a complete support solution for retailers. At the Expo, retailers will find ongoing information sessions to provide E-Catalogue and order entry systems training; the latest in merchandising and planograms; the ability to order electronically right at the Expo; and of course, our industry-leading support team offering the best in customer service."
 A 6,500 sq. ft. ‘Store on the Floor’ offered dealers the opportunity to explore Chalifour Canada’s plumbing, electrical, paint/décor and hardware offerings. Seventy-five vendors displayed the latest in merchandising and planograms, highlighted by a new plumbing selection and POP program.
On Friday night, the event commenced with a welcome reception at Place Bonaventure. The Expo officially opened the following morning at 9:00 am. The Saturday evening program included Dealer and Vendor Awards, recognizing outstanding retailers and top suppliers.
Included in the Expo was a 2,500 sq. ft. ACE booth where ACE retailers from across the country found over 2,500 ACE products, such as the prelaunch of the Clark & Kensington paint line, as well as marketing and merchandising services. In addition, retailers had the opportunity to explore new e-learning opportunities such as Brand Place, a new marketing web tool that allows ACE retailers to build and customize a regional flyer; and AWOR (ACE Way Of Retailing), a new ACE library of retail training resources.
A 100% Canadian-owned hardware, lumber and building material distribution company, Chalifour Canada Ltd. serves independent home improvement entrepreneurs in every province and territory. From five warehouses and offices in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec, Chalifour Canada offers full transportation and logistics services, cutting-edge product ordering and inventory management technologies, plus a dedicated national sales team providing in-store retail support. To learn more, visit www.chalifourcanada.com
CHALIFOUR CANADA RETAILER AND VENDOR AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Hardware Vendors of the Year:
GOLD: Sherwin Williams - Minwax/Thompsons
SILVER: King Canada
BRONZE: Moen Inc.
LBM Vendors of the Year:
GOLD: Resisto
SILVER: Building Products of Canada
BRONZE: Polytarp Products
Retailers of the Year:
TBA
For more information, contact:
Catherine Brownlow
Communications Manager
TIM-BR MARTS Ltd.
catherine.brownlow@timbrmart.ca
604-598-5474
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TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2012 — Their efforts to transform their business earned them the first-ever Marc Robichaud Award for Retail Innovation. The award was presented recently at the 17th Annual Hardlines Conference. It was named in honour of Marc Robichaud, a dealer from Meteghan Centre, NS, who was considered a pioneer of innovative retailing. He died earlier this year at the age of 36.
Realizing that it could not compete head-to-head with the big box giants around them, Lumberland North chose instead to focus on selling the complete project. The centre of the store was turned over to kitchen and bath — more than 100 vignettes offering everything from high-end modern sinks to sleek faucets and the tiles and countertops to complete the job.
All of this backed by an intense commitment to customer service. In fact, Vince and Max make the same-day deliveries themselves.
The other half of the store maintained its traditional focus, but with a narrower breadth of lines. And at the back of the store, lumber, especially moulding and rails, take up about 5,000 of the 45,000 square feet of the store. Out back, a warehouse provides further storage.
Owner Vince Cavallo and manager Max Careri have displayed the innovative attitude to make changes to their business that set it apart from their competition. Without a doubt, Lumberland North has displayed the imagination, originality, and courage to make it a worthy recipient of the first-ever Marc Robichaud Award for Retail Innovation.
The Marc Robichaud Award for Retail Innovation was presented at the 17th Annual Hardlines Conference, Oct. 25, 2012. The Award was sponsored by Kohltech Windows & Entrance Systems. For more information, contact: Michael McLarney, Editor of HARDLINES; 416-489-3396 or mike@hardlines.ca
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TORONTO, Oct. 30, 2012 — Yet, this is exactly what TruServ Canada did when it launched the TRU banner for Canada. Under new ownership by RONA, Winnipeg-based TruServ Canada made the move to celebrate its Canadian heritage and flexible service to independent dealers and began a process of developing a banner — and a store program — that would be distinctly home grown in every way.
A series of focus groups and discussions with those very dealers helped TruServ Canada pinpoint the values and priorities that today’s dealer stands for. Then, with the combined resources of RONA and TruServ Canada’s marketing teams behind it, the company re-emerged with the TRU banner, suitable for hardware, building centre, and country and garden retailers.
 Bill Morrison (left), President of TruServ Canada and Vice President, Wholesale for RONA inc., accepts the Newsmaker of the Year Award from the Award’s sponsor, Sonya Ruff-Jarvis, of the National Hardware Show.
But it didn’t stop there. TRU was supported by new websites for each retail format, plus a range of support services for all independent dealers, ranging from affordable flyer programs to enhanced, customized online services.
On top of all this, TruServ Canada has maintained — and reinforced — its role as a general hardware wholesaler for independents of all stripes, regardless of their affiliation.
For putting its finger firmly on the pulse of today’s independent retailer, and for creating a fresh new banner program and range of services to satisfy that independent, TruServ Canada has earned this year’s Hardlines Newsmaker of the Year Award. This Award is sponsored by the National Hardware Show.
The Hardlines Newsmaker of the Year Award was presented at the 17th Annual Hardlines Conference, Oct. 25, 2012. The Award was sponsored by the National Hardware Show. For more information, contact: Michael McLarney, Editor of HARDLINES; 416-489-3396 or mike@hardlines.ca
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St. Jacobs, ON, Oct 30, 2012 – Launched in 1992, the Outstanding Retailer Awards (ORAs) is the industry’s only independent awards program dedicated to celebrating the achievements of hardware, home improvement and building supply dealers in Canada. Home Hardware has received 17 Outstanding Retailing Awards over the last six years.
The award recipients were chosen by a panel of industry experts who analyzed nominations from retailers across Canada in seven categories: Best Hardware Store; Best Building Supply/Home Centre (under 25,000 sq. ft.); Best Building Supply/Home Centre (over 25,000 sq. ft.); Best Contractor-Specialist Dealer; Best Young Retailer; Best Large Surface Retailer (over 50,000 sq. ft. retail) and Community Leader. Each nomination was judged on a range of criteria, including sales performance, retailing innovation and community involvement.
"Home Hardware is committed to providing our independent Dealer-Owners with the support, programs and services to help them grow profitable, successful businesses and the Outstanding Retailer Awards serve as a testament to the hard work of these entrepreneurs as well as the strength of our program," said Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. "On behalf of the Dealer-Owners of close to 1,100 Home Hardware stores in communities across Canada, I would like to congratulate this year’s recipients on their success."
At the 2012 Awards Gala, Home Hardware Dealers took home five out of seven categories, including:
- Owen and Wanda Connolly, Dealer-Owners, Dauphin Home Hardware in Dauphin, Manitoba. Awarded: Best Hardware Store.
- Larry and Sylvia Yanchishyn, Dealer-Owners, Kenora Home Hardware Building Centre in Kenora, Ontario. Awarded: Best Building Supply/Home Improvement Store under 25,000 sq. ft.
- Rob Hauser, Dealer-Owner, Hauser Home Hardware Building Centre in Camrose, Alberta. Awarded: Best Building Supply/Home Improvement Store over 25,000 sq. ft.
- Tyler Knight, Dealer-Owner, Knights’ Home Building Centre in Meaford, Ontario. Awarded: Best Young Retailer.
- John Kehler and Gary Gilchrist, Dealer-Owners, Home Building Centre - Vernon in Vernon, British Columbia. Awarded: Community Leader.
The Awards Gala was held at the Toronto Sheraton Airport Hotel & Conference Centre on Thursday, October 25, 2012, in conjunction with the 17th Annual Hardlines Conference, a two day symposium for business leaders in home improvement retailing in North America.
About Home Hardware Stores Limited
100% Canadian owned and operated, Home Hardware Stores Limited has a presence in every Canadian province and territory and is the country’s largest independent, Dealer-owned hardware, lumber, building materials and furniture cooperative. Founded on January 1, 1964 by 122 independent hardware Dealers, the cooperative now includes close to 1,100 stores, under the Home Hardware, Home Building Centre, Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Furniture banners, with annual collective retail sales of more than $5 billion. Home Hardware’s independent Dealer-Owners, recognized by the North American Retail Hardware Association as Canada’s best-trained Dealer group, have access to 100,000 quality brand name and private label products, a world-class distribution system and draw upon the power of Home Hardware’s network to provide their local communities with top quality products and services at competitive prices.
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Click on the advertisement to view the Mike Holmes & PinkWood Video
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November 2 - 6, 2012
Sexton Member Conference
New Orleans, LA
Contact: callak@sextongroup.com
November 28 - 29, 2012
Canadian Home Improvement Show
Toronto Congress Centre, North Building, Toronto, ON
www.canadianhomeimprovementshow.com
January 23 - 24, 2013
2013 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK
http://www.wrla.org/prairie-showcase
Contact: ckelly@wrla.org
March 21 - 23, 2013
2013 TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
catherine.brownlow@timbrmart.ca
To view the complete Events Calendar CLICK HERE
To view the complete Education & Training Calendar CLICK HERE
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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
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