WRLA Toolbox: December 13, 2012
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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.

What's Going On

*WRLA Office will be CLOSED: Decemeber 21st - January 1st*
Regular office hours will resume on Wednesday January 2nd, 2013

Tell us how you plan to spend the holidays!  Is there anything exciting happening at home or at work?   We want to hear about it!

    

From all of us here at the WRLA we wish you a Safe and Happy Holiday Season!

 

There are only 40 days until the Show!  Don't wait until the last minute to register!

 CLICK HERE to Register NOW for your name badges and evening events!

New Products - if you would like to put a NEW product in the display area, please complete your form and fax or email into the office. Forms can be found in the Exhibitor Guide by following this link: 

www.wrla.org/exhibitor-information/exhibitor-guide 

Thank you!

 

The Board of Directors extends this special inviation to all Retail, Associate and Affiliate members to attend the Annual General Meeting and take advantage of the opportunity to voice your opinions and ask questions.

Enjoy a FREE Lunch, network with other members and enter to win $500 just for showing up!  

REGISTER NOW!                                       

12:00 - 1:00 pm on Thursday January 24th, 2013 
Terrace Room, 2nd Floor, Prairieland Park

 

You won't want to miss amazing perfomances by:

Natalie MacMaster - Gala Night  &  Burton Cummings - Closing Night Party

CLICK HERE to get your Tickets Now!

 

Keep your employees on their toes! 

Take advantage or our In-Store Program... 

Have your store shopped once in the spring and once in the fall of 2013.  You don’t pay until your receive your report and it's ONLY $99 per mystery shop!

SIGN UP NOW 
REVIEW SAMPLE REPORT 

Or take advantage of our RINGERS Mystery Shopper Program... where instead of an instore visit they will contact the store via a phone call.   CLICK HERE for more information!

 
Industry News

Using the same rigour and disciplined approach introduced a year ago with the three financial priorities, the strategic priorities will further refine RONA’s business model and enable the Corporation to accelerate value creation for its stakeholders. The three strategic priorities are described below.

Leveraging the strengths of our core businesses
Assessment of all business units based on the following criteria:
- Core competencies;
- Market position and competitive advantage;
- Contribution to EBITDA and return; and
- Scalability.
Dispose of non-core assets and redeploy capital to further leverage core assets.

Growing key customer segments through a more compelling value proposition
Establish and deliver a clearer value proposition for key customer segments: in-store, distribution services offered to our dealers, and online;
Adapt all touch points including stores and distribution network to deliver improved positioning; and
Deliver on the basics in a measurable way before adding new features/innovations.

Unlocking the profit potential of a simplified business model
Realign the critical operational functions of our retail and distribution businesses: national vs. regional/local structure for marketing, merchandising, operations, supply chain and information technology;
Optimize administrative/support functions, standardize processes in both sectors and build on them through the development of a culture of constant improvement; and
Improve retail EBITDA margin in line with industry standards.

"RONA, through its dedicated dealer-owners and employees, has built a very strong and valuable Corporation over the past 73 years," said Dominique Boies, Acting President and Chief Executive Officer. "RONA has grown through a series of strategic acquisitions to expand its footprint, consolidated the market to introduce scale and developed various stores formats to support its leading position in Canada. This strategy allowed us to transform RONA into the leading domestic hardware, home renovation and gardening products retailer."

"RONA’s nationwide growth did not come without a certain level of complexity. The focus on our three strategic priorities will enable us to simplify our business model, reconnect to our roots as one of Canada’s best distributors, clarify the value proposition for our retail and professional customers and therefore enable us to maximize the value of our core businesses. Our strategic priorities are perfectly aligned with our three financial priorities and underscore our efforts to compete in today’s
marketplace and improve our operational and financial results", added Mr. Boies.

Similar to the practice adopted for the disclosure of its financial priorities, RONA will provide quarterly updates on specific initiatives and precise key performance indicators for each of the three strategic priorities. RONA’s Acting President and Chief Executive Officer will also meet with investors and stakeholders in coming weeks to discuss the Corporation’s strategic and
financial priorities.

 
Calendar of Events

January 23 - 25, 2013
2013 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK
www.wrla.org/prairie-showcase  
Contact: ckelly@wrla.org

February 7 - 8, 2013
Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association Annual Buying Show
Moncton Coliseum Complex, Moncton, NB
http://www.absda.ca/trade_show 

February 21 - 23, 2013
Orgill Dealer Market
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com  

March 21 - 23, 2013
2013 TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
Contact: catherine.brownlow@timbrmart.ca  

 

To view the complete Events Calendar  CLICK HERE

To view the complete Education & Training Calendar CLICK HERE

 
Member Updates

Watch WRLA's latest video update!

In this month's video: 

- WRLA Expands it's Training Platform

- Prairie Showcase 2013 Registration

- Results of WRLA's Strategic Planning 

 

Click here to watch our latest video

 
Association Publications

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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Alliance Designer Products
Westman Steel Industries
Epicor Software Corporation - Formerly Activant
All Weather Windows Ltd.

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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