Stay current with Industry News and Events by following the WRLA

Watch for weekly updates and monthly videos to share with co-workers and employees.
Help us get the word out about OUR Industry!

2013 Post Showcase Survey RETAIL WINNER is...

Dean Possberg
Humboldt Home Hardware Building Centre
Humboldt , SK

Dean won TWO COMPLIMENTARY passes for all EVENTS at the WRLA Prairie Showcase in Saskatoon January 22, .23 & 24, 2014

2013 Post Showcase Survey EXHIBITOR WINNER is...

Westcon Precast
St. Albert, AB

Westcon Precast won 1 Free inside booth ($1100 value) at the WRLA Prairie Showcase in Saskatoon January 22, .23 & 24, 2014

Thank you to all members for your feedback!

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
• And one more thanks to our Show Sponsors

Manual Estimating and Yard Foreman courses are filling up quickly!

Take the next step in your Career!

CLICK HERE to Register for courses NOW!

*And for more information on Rebates CLICK HERE*

• 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

PlanItDIY.com is the cornerstone of a North American initiative called PlanItDIY®. The site, which was created by the North American Retail Hardware Association for independent dealers, offers a content-rich resource for consumers looking for solutions to their home improvement, repair and maintenance projects.

Now, just one year after its launch, the retailers have been redeveloping the site, adding additional content, making it more female-friendly, and utilizing social media sharing capabilities. The result is one of the most aesthetically appealing, easy-to-use how-to home improvement sites on the web today.

The updated PlanItDIY.com features consumer favourites including:

• A library of short home improvement how-to project videos;
• Printable step-by-step project guides and checklists;
• An easy-to-use store locator that directs consumers to their local home improvement stores;
• A dynamic community where consumers can create a profile, save projects, and chat with other weekend warriors.

As if all this wasn’t exciting enough, retailers also recognized that today’s consumers want to access websites on mobile devices in addition to computers. So, the new PlanItDIY features responsive design, meaning the website automatically adjusts to the type of device being used. With more consumers utilizing how-to and social media sites from mobile devices, this is just one way PlanItDIY is reaching out to consumers.

WRLA members get unlimited access to PlanItDIY, including its helpful store locator function, as well as all the other NRHA training and services when they join NRHA through the WRLA.

CLICK HERE for more information about the WRLA or CLICK HERE for more information about NRHA.

BOUCHERVILLE, Quebec, March 19, 2013 – Robert Sawyer has more than 30 years of experience in a major Canadian food company and specializes in retail operations and distribution to dealers operating under different banners. Under his prior employer he held various executive positions and helped improve the profitability in several different areas. Before joining RONA, Mr. Sawyer was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

 Dominique Boies, acting CEO, remains RONA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He will assist Robert Sawyer and play an important role on the Corporation’s Management Committee. "On behalf of the Board, I would first like to thank Dominique for the excellent work he has accomplished since he took on the role of acting CEO," said Robert Chevrier, Executive Chairman of the Board of RONA. Mr. Chevrier added: "It became increasingly clear to us that to ensure a successful transformation, we needed to hire a specialist in retail and distribution operations. So I am very pleased to announce today the appointment of Robert Sawyer. He will play a key role in simplifying and optimizing the RONA business model, particularly with respect to merchandising, pricing strategy, supply chain, service to consumers and service to RONA dealers. Robert has the operational and turnaround expertise needed to put RONA back on the path to profitable growth and increase value for all of our stakeholders."

REGINA, SK, March 19, 2013 - The latest forecast of labour supply and demand just released by the Construction Sector Council says several large projects now underway and proposed in mining, electrical utilities, pipelines and other industries will keep the industry booming until 2015. At this peak in 2015, construction employment will be more than 60 percent above historical levels.

But similar projects around the same time in other provinces create a competing demand for key trades, according to Construction Looking Forward, Saskatchewan 2013-2021. These include boilermakers, carpenters, contractors and supervisors, crane operators, insulators, ironworkers, sheet metal workers, steamfitters and pipefitters, and welders.

Construction Looking Forward also notes that several major mining projects are currently under review that could increase labour demand later in the forecast period. Otherwise, demand will decrease after 2015 but will still remain at record high levels.

"Saskatchewan is part of the growing centres of resource construction across Canada. Based on the known projects, we see a peak in 2015, but it is also anticipated that resource development opportunities will continue later in the scenario period," says Doug Folk, Acting President of the Saskatchewan Construction Association.

"This, combined with the estimated retirements of 7,200 skilled workers between now and 2021, and the potential draw of tradespeople to work in other parts of the country may create challenges to maintain and replace the workforce to meet future demand," Folk adds.

"Industry leaders plan to keep apprenticeship training front and centre, and work on recruitment strategies to attract youth, women, Aboriginal people, and immigrants," says Terry Parker, Business Manager, Saskatchewan Provincial Building & Construction Trades Council.

The report notes that general economic conditions and population growth has raised both housing starts and overall residential investment to more than twice the levels that prevailed at the start of the last decade.

 "Housing-related employment is expected to hold at current levels through 2015," says Alan Thomarat, President and CEO of the Canadian Home Builders' Association - Saskatchewan. "Recruitment and training initiatives to ensure we sustain the necessary capacity to deliver a skilled workforce remain a high priority to meet ongoing housing needs and to address the expected retirements of existing skilled workers," Thomarat adds.

Each year, the CSC releases nine-year labour forecast scenarios following consultations with industry leaders, including owners, contractors and labour groups, as well as governments and educational institutions. The full national and regional reports will be available online at www.constructionforecasts.ca/products in March 2013.

LATHAM, NY – March 19, 2013 – Spruce Computer Systems’ expanding presence in the Canadian market warrants the hiring of Mike McPhail and Richard Barker who will further grow Spruce’s existing Canadian customer base, first established in 2010. SpruceWare.NET sales will be managed out of Calgary, AB and London, ON. Mike McPhail and Richard Barker will be strong additions to Spruce’s ever-expanding Canadian Division.

About Spruce Computer Systems
Founded in 1985, Spruce Computer Systems, Inc. is a provider of business management software to lumber and building material dealers, home centers, and hardware stores. Spruce customers are found nationwide and throughout Canada and the UK. The company has its corporate headquarters is in Latham, NY, with U.S. satellite offices in Waukesha, WI; Derby, KS and Larkspur, CA. Spruce has Canadian satellite offices in Calgary, AB and London, ON and a UK satellite office in Nottinghamshire, England.

Contact:
John Maiuri Vice President of Marketing & Business Development
john.maiuri@sprucecomputer.com
www.sprucecomputer.com

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