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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.
WRLA is excited to host our Annual Buying Show in Calgary - January 2015!
Check out a quick Glimpse of this beautiful city on WRLA T.V
WRLA TV is a great place to find out what's happening in your Industry!
Breaking News | Industry Announcements | Highlights from Industry Events | Advertising | New Products | Helpful Tips
CLICK HERE for our Media Kit and to find out how you can advertise on WRLA T.V!
CLICK HERE to Watch Now!
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Exclusive WRLA NexGEN Events:
Join us in Calgary & Winnipeg!
Are your under 40?
Belong to a WRLA Member Firm?
Seeking Networking Opportunities?
*CLICK HERE for Event Details*
Join us for Site Tours of Member Operations followed by Cocktails & Dinner Compliments of the WRLA!
For more information on the NexGEN Program visit
www.wrla.org/nexgen
or contact Krista Scherpenzeel toll free at 1-800-661-0253 or kristas@wrla.org
Join the NexGEN Group on Linkedin
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 We encourage your participation in the enclosed survey as the more companies that participate, the more credible the data will be.
The information we request in the survey not only benefits those who participate, but also provides useful information to the Association in meeting the needs of our retail members. All survey information received from our members is confidential. Only the summarized information totaled from all responses will be distributed.
All companies who complete the survey
will receive a copy of the results FREE ($99 value).
Start Survey Now - CLICK HERE
All surveys must be completed by Friday April 11th, 2014.
Questions? Contact Krista Scherpenzeel at 1-800-661-0253 ext. 2 or kristas@wrla.org
Thank you in advance for your participation!
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See the best moments of the 2014 Showcase on WRLA TV!
WRLA TV is a great place to find out what's happening in your Industry!
Breaking News | Industry Announcements | Highlights from Industry Events | Advertising | New Products | Helpful Tips
CLICK HERE for our Media Kit and to find out how you can advertise on WRLA T.V!
CLICK HERE to Watch Now!
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Got News? Share it with us! And always watch for new videos and updates from the WRLA!
  
Help us get the word out about OUR Industry!
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Home Hardware Holds ‘Canada’s Best Managed Companies’ Status for Second Consecutive Year
St. Jacobs, ON, April 2, 2014 – Home Hardware Stores Limited is proud to be named one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for the second year in a row. Having initially received the designation in 2012, the company successfully re-qualified and retained its status for 2013.
The designation comes during an important time, as Home Hardware celebrates its 50th anniversary as a Canadian-owned and Canadian-operated business from coast to coast to coast this year.
The Canada’s Best Managed Companies designation recognizes private 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, brand management and leadership.
Home Hardware continues to demonstrate the importance of private companies to the Canadian economy. Since 1964, Home has grown from 122 independent hardware Dealers-Owners, to a family that now includes close to 1,100 stores, over 20,000 employees across Canada and more than $5.4 billion in annual retail sales.
QUOTE
We are honoured to be re-designated as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies. This designation reflects the core values upon which Home Hardware was founded - value, service and dependability- values that have enabled our dedicated Dealer-Owners to become an integral part of life in every Canadian province and territory.
-Paul Straus, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited
Winners were awarded with the designation of Canada’s Best Managed Companies at the annual gala and symposium on April 1st.
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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. has carved their own brand of excellence based on three key values, Transparency, Freedom & Profits. It is with great pride that Castle welcomes the addition of Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd., a prominent and highly respected lumber and building materials retailer and manufacturer with two locations in the province of Alberta to the Castle group.
"It is with great pride that we welcome Wolf Creek Building supplies to the Castle group. The professionalism and integrity in which John deRegt, his family and Wolf Creek operate is a wonderful complement to our national member base. The addition of Wolf Creek is a significant step for Castle in Western Canada as our business continues to grow rapidly in the region. We are honoured by the decision of Wolf Creek to join Castle and look forward to working closely with John and his family for many years to come." Ken Jenkins, President.
Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd. operates 2 retail locations in Alberta, the first of which is a full service lumber, building material and hardware retail space in Lacombe, AB. This well known building materials centre has over 9000 square feet of retail and a remarkable assortment of products in stock. The retail store is situated on 5 acres and is dedicated to a full assortment of Lumber Building Material products.
Alan Schoemperlen, Castle Business Development Manager in Western Canada couldn't be happier about this news. "John and his family run business at Wolf Creek represent a first class operation with extremely high standards, a strong management team and is a strategically driven business. It is a true pleasure to welcome John and his family business to the Castle Group." Wolf Creek also operates a designer showroom located in the heart of the nearby city of Red Deer, AB.
"There were so many motivations that brought Wolf Creek to Castle however the key factor was that Castle was "REAL" and a buying group that is focussed on assisting their members to achieve growth and prosperity. The experience so far has been exceptional and everything is coming together. Our team and I are excited for the transition and the next generation of our business. Castle graciously invited my wife Deb and I to their Annual General Meeting in early March, as guests and we honestly had a wonderful time. What a great group of people and we made so many new friends. Felt like a family." John deRegt, Owner Wolf Creek Building Supplies Ltd.
"Castle is truly proud to welcome Wolf Creek. This new member accomplishment is a great addition for Castle in Western Canada." James Jones, Vice President of National Marketing.
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March 31, 2014 (Calgary, AB) – Effective immediately, Dave Dingwell has been appointed Regional Director of Member Services (RDMS) of TIM-BR MART Group, for Atlantic Canada.
He will act as the liaison between TIMBER MART dealers, vendors and the TIM-BR MART Group management team. The RDMS will make certain members are getting maximum value from their membership, as well as ensure they fully leverage the distribution and retail services resources available to them. Dave Dingwell will report directly to Randy Martin, VP Operations.
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Home
Hardware’s Board of Directors announced that Terry Davis, Executive
Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of Home Hardware Stores Limited,
will become the new Chief Executive Officer, effective May 1, 2014.
Davis
succeeds current President and Chief Executive Officer, Paul Straus, who remains the company’s President, a member of the Board of
Directors, and an important advisor to both the Board and Senior Management
Team.
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"Today’s announcement is a result of a planned and
considered process carried out by our Board of Directors," said Christine Hand,
Chairman of the Board for Home Hardware Stores Limited. "Our succession
planning was thorough and thoughtful and the Board has determined that Terry is
the right choice to lead our company. We thank Paul for his commitment and
contributions over the past 50 years. Our company is stronger as a result of
Paul’s leadership and devotion to our company’s mission and core values."
In his new role, Davis will report to the
Board of Directors and be accountable for the control of the business and of
the general conduct and affairs of Home Hardware Stores Limited and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries. He assumes responsibility for the sound financial
control and long-term health of the company.
"I
am honoured by and proud of the confidence demonstrated in me by the Board,"
said Davis. "I am committed to building on Home’s success over its 50 year
history and remain focused on supporting the success of our Dealer-Owner
network, which has grown from 122 stores when the company was formed in
1964 to nearly 1,100 today."
Click here to read the complete article
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Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. is pleased to announce the newest independent member locations in Atlantic Canada to join the group. Castle welcomes M.P.M. Building Materials Ltd. with two retail locations; in New Brunswick located in the Queens County towns of Minto and Chipman.
"Independents in the highly competitive landscape of Canada’s Atlantic Region are taking a closer look at Castle. New retail member locations such as M.P.M. Building Materials, will continue to prosper as part of the group and enjoy the benefits of Castle’s extensive vendor network, while maintaining their true independence. We welcome M.P.M Building Materials Ltd. to the Castle family." Ken Jenkins; President.
Click here to read the complete article
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Making a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
In preparation for a new selling season, take time to do some maintenance of your store—from your customers’ perspective. Be your own "mystery shopper" by pretending you are a customer visiting the store for the first time. Make a list of what you notice that doesn’t work for you, then prioritize the list based on necessity and budget to create a master to-do list for each department. It’s also a great idea to ask friends or family to perform this type of audit for you, so you’ll get a true sense of how a customer sees your store.
Give yourself enough time to finish each item on your list, factoring in customer service and stocking. If your store is large enough, give department managers their own lists and encourage a little friendly competition. Reward the department that finishes its list first to your standards with a pizza party or other treat.
The following checklist can be used any time you are preparing your store for a new season:
- Dust shelves, sweep floors, re-paint walls and replace lights. Start to prep seasonal areas to make the transition from holiday merchandise to outdoor living and lawn and garden.
- Make sure there are no sharp items, loose cords or boxes protruding from shelves.
- Check shelf labels and price stickers to be sure they are neat, clean, complete and current.
- Check displays for empty packages and items that are in the wrong place. Empty packages should be removed and inventory checked.
- Check displays for shopworn or torn packaging and remove it. Customers view damaged packaging as old or damaged goods, which contributes to a perception that the store is not current in its product selection.
- Make sure displays are full and organized. Review inventory order quantities and make sure displays are never empty. Assemble bulky items such as grills, mowers and hose reels, place them on the sales floor and dust them regularly.
- Don’t forget to pay attention to your backroom, where clutter has a tendency to accumulate. When your spring merchandise comes in, you want to make sure there’s room to unload it and organize it before placing on the sales floor.
WRLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRHA
The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA.
Visit www.wrla.org or CLICK HERE for more information about NRHA.
April 4 - 8, 2014
Home Hardware Dealer Market
St. Jacobs, ON
April 6 - 7, 2014
Federated Co-Op Market
Prairieland Park,
Saskatoon, SK
April 14 - 17, 2014
TruServ Canada Spring Buying Market
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB
April 23, 2014
NexGEN Networking Event - Calgary
Site Tours: TimberTown Building Centre & AFA Forest Products
Dinner at RUSH Restaurant
April 30, 2014
NexGEN Networking Event - Winnipeg
Site Tours: Olympic Building Centre & JELD-WEN Windows & Doors
Dinner at Boa Lounge (Brooklyn's Bistro)
To view the complete Events 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 averages 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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Stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and events with our engaging new communication channel.
Have you watched the latest episode on our WRLA TV channel? Don't wait to take full advantage of this terrific media channel, one of the many benefits of your WRLA membership!
Check it out here!
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