Stay current with what's happening in your industry by watching WRLA's monthly video update.

In this month's video:

• Highlights from the 2013 Prairie Showcase
• Retail Business Management Studies Program

Maybe your company comes to our show every 2nd year, or perhaps the weather didn't permit a trip to Saskatoon this past January... either way if you didn't come this year let us know why!  We need your feedback, help us to help you!

CLICK HERE  to complete our short survey!

Congratulations! We have just completed the 2013 Prairie Showcase & Convention.

The Show Committee depends on your feedback to plan our next buying show and convention.

EXHIBITOR: 2013 Survey
Complete this survey by March 8th, 2013 and your name will be entered to win 1 Free inside booth - value of over $1100 for the 2014 Show!

RETAILER: 2013 Survey
Complete this survey by March 8th, 2013 and your name will be entered to win TWO complete 2014 Showcase Convention Packages. (This package includes two tickets to all 2014 Showcase convention events, with a total value of over $350) 

Thank you for your participation!

• Reduce equipment, product and facility damages 
• Reduce workers compensation claims and premiums
• Increase productivity 
• Improve maintenance condition of equipment
• Enhance employee morale and company safety culture

NEW expanded WRLA Member Rate Program! 

CLICK HERE to read more and to view new rates for 2013

Manual Estimating and Yard Foreman courses start in March!

Take the next step in your Career!

CLICK HERE to Register for courses NOW!

*And for more information on Rebates CLICK HERE*

St. Jacobs, ON, February 26, 2013 – Established in 1993 by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post and Queen's School of Business, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is the country’s leading business awards program recognizing excellence in Canadian-owned and managed companies.

"We are so proud to be named one of the Canada’s Best Managed Companies," said Paul Straus, President and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Limited. "We share the honour of receiving this award with our Dealer-Owners and our Staff, who continue to show an extraordinary level of loyalty and dedication to their work and their customers. This commitment allows Home to remain focused on our goal of helping homeowners by providing expert advice and superior customer service."

The Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation recognizes Canadian companies that have implemented world-class business practices and created value in innovative ways. Applications are reviewed by an independent judging panel that evaluates how companies address various business challenges, including new technologies, globalization, brand management, leadership, leveraging and developing core competencies, designing information systems, and hiring the right talent to facilitate growth.

"As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, we believe that there are three vital building blocks to sustainable growth: strategy, capability, and commitment; Home Hardware Stores Limited has demonstrated it is a model of success in all three areas and is duly recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed" explained John Hughes, National leader for Canada’s Best Managed Companies program and leader of the Greater Toronto Growth Enterprise practice for Deloitte.

Celebrating its 50 year anniversary in 2014, Home Hardware Stores Limited continues to prove that independent ownership in the home improvement retailing industry is not only viable but highly successful. By the end of 2013, its network of independent Dealers will have achieved over $5.25 billion in retail sales.

Winners will be awarded with the distinction of Canada’s Best Managed Companies at the annual gala and symposium on April 16th.

Boucherville, Quebec, February 21, 2013 – RONA inc. (TSX: RON, RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, outlined today its plan to transform the Corporation and accelerate value creation for its stakeholders. Over the past two months, RONA’s senior leadership team has been focusing on a number of strategic priorities that will redefine the Corporation’s business model. The transformation, which has been approved by RONA’s newly composed Board of Directors, will be deployed over the next twelve months and yield a growing contribution to profitability with full benefits expected within twenty-four months.

CLICK HERE to download the PDF versions of the press release.

The training offered through Project Pro is designed to help independent hardware stores and building centres enhance their competitive advantages against the big boxes.

Key Components: Project Pro addresses the key components of selling the most common home improvement projects, including:

• How to complete the project, step-by-step.
• The products required for the project and the classification of each product.
• The key sales drivers, including project-related upselling and add-on selling techniques.
• Answers to customers’ frequently asked project questions.
• The financial effect project selling can have on the business.

The first part of training employees to sell projects is teaching them how to do the projects, step-by-step. The content of Project Pro is based on the videos from PlanitDiy.com®, a consumer-facing website that features more than 70 how-to project videos. The employee first watches the project video to learn the basic elements of how to complete the project. Each video is 5-7 minutes in length and covers the basics of how to do each project.

Project PRO courses currently available:

• Priming & Painting Interior Walls
• Fixing a Leaky Toilet
• Installing Electrical Outlets & Switches
• Deck Maintenance
• Refinishing an Antique
• Planting & Pruning Trees & Shrubs
• Repairing Drywall
• Home Weatherization
• Plumbing Supply Lines
• Exterior Painting
• Installing an Electrical Fixture

Since product knowledge is a key component of helping customers with their projects, Project Pro also includes product knowledge training in the context of each project. For example, products are organized by their role within the project, including "project starters," "project killers," "prep products," "safety products," "clean-up products" and "tools and hardware."

Why Project Pro is valuable: Product knowledge training can be intimidating when considering that typical hardware stores stock tens of thousands of SKUs. This is especially true for new hires. That’s why it’s important to focus on teaching employees product knowledge within the context of the projects your customers are tackling on a regular basis. It makes learning product knowledge easier and more relevant.

Project Pro is just one of the training programs available as part of your premium membership in WRLA, through our partnership with the North American Hardware Association Canada.

CLICK HERE to learn more about NRHA Canada courses and services for WRLA Members!

February 26, 2013 (Calgary, AB) – Mike Gennette will be joining TIM-BR MART Group as Commodity Trader effective March 4, 2013. Gennette brings many years of experience in trading lumber, plywood and OSB as well as extensive knowledge of building materials distribution. Gennette’s focus will be growing
TIM-BR MART Group’s Atlantic dealer business in all areas related to commodities and building materials.

Gennette will be based in Dartmouth and will report to Rich Huisman, National Director of Sales.

February 27th 2013- Mississauga, ON - Over 100 Castle members from across Canada were on hand last week to experience the new 8000 sqft Windsor Falls Home Centre; a completely Canadian Compliant store featured at the Orgill Spring Dealer Market in Orlando.

The market took over the Orange County Convention Center last week as thousands of independent hardware retailer attendees flocked to see the latest and greatest Orgill had to offer...

For the Full Release in PDF- CLICK HERE

Shave minutes - even hours - off your construction, repair, or renovation job. FEIN's MultiMaster is the most versatile oscillating multi-tool on the market!  You can saw, sand, scrape, cut, trim, polish, and sharpen with one tool.

Grow the green in your business by going with the greenest decking composite the market has to offer! TerraDeck by Nature's Composites is made with recycled milk jugs and wheat straw - Plus, it's better-looking, and more durable than the competition.

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

April 7 - 8, 2013
Federated Coop Market
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK

April 13 - 15. 2013
TruServ Canada Spring Buying Market
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg
www.truserv.ca

April 14 - 16, 2013
Home Hardware Spring Market
St. Jacobs, ON

To view the complete Events Calendar  CLICK HERE

To view the complete Education & Training Calendar CLICK HERE

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