WRLA News

What's Going On

Badge and Event Registration

Online Registration is now available for All Exhibitors and Retailers. Please pre-register now in order to enter the Prairie Showcase. Go to our www.wrla.org and follow the link. Don't assume you are registered - check and make sure to avoid the line-ups at the onsite registration desk!

Check http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/index.html for badge pickup times and locations.

* There is no charge for exhibitors or retailers to enter the show.
* VISA or MASTERCARD required at time of registration for event tickets.

WRLA Education Update

It’s your last chance to register your people for
Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland.

Date & Location: Winnipeg, November 24 & 25, 2011.

To Register Online Now CLICK HERE

Bank of Canada Issues $100 Bill – First Canadian Polymer Bank Note

The Bank of Canada today began circulating the new $100 bill – Canada’s first polymer bank note. This new note will be available at financial institutions from coast to coast to coast over the next few weeks.

The $100 note features a portrait of Sir Robert Borden, Prime Minister of Canada between 1911 and 1920, on the front and celebrates Canada’s contributions to innovation in the field of medicine on the back. It was officially released into circulation by Governor Mark Carney at an event in Toronto, Ontario, at the MaRS Centre – a hub for public-private sector innovation and collaboration between the business and scientific communities.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=159562&issueID=25567 to view the full article online.

Changes to Dialing in Manitoba

All telecommunications equipment and services that use the existing 7-digit dialing format must be reprogrammed with the new 10-digit dialing format (current area code 204 + 7-digit telephone number) to permit the completion of local calls.

Important note: Only new telephone numbers requested after the new area code has been introduced may be assigned the new 431 area code. Assignment of the new area code will be entirely dependent on the demand for telephone numbers within an exchange.

Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=159564&issueID=25567 to view the full article online.

Industry News

Castle adds seven new members to expanding National presence

Ken Jenkins, President of Castle Building Centres Group Ltd., is pleased to announce seven new members to an expanding network of successful independent dealers:

Materiaux Manic, Baie Comeau, Quebec - Castle
Michel Charette, owner of Materiaux Manic, has over 20 years of experience in the retail and commercial segment of the lumber, building materials and hardware industry. His new facility opened June 2011 and supplies the region with a full offering of Hardware and Building Supplies.

Saumarez Quincaillerie Ltee - Saumarez, New Brunswick - Castle
Located in Northern New Brunswick, Saumarez Quincaillerie is a family owned business operated by Nathalie Basque. Having recently remodelled, the business provides building materials and hardware to the region. Nathalie joined Castle to improve the profitability of her business, while making decisions that fit her growth strategies.

Provincial Partitions Ltd - Mississauga, Ontario – CBS Division
Operating over the past 25 years as an independent, Provincial Partitions owner Todd Frankland decided to join CBS to expand their supply channel and improve their bottom line. Specializing in partition systems in commercial and industrial projects, Provincial is an industry leader in their market segment.

Materiaux De Construction Jean Guy Dube Inc - Mont-Joli, Quebec – Castle
Initially started by Jean Guy Dube, the business is now operated by his son Karl. Primarily focused on building materials, Karl intends to increase his hardware business through his new relationship with Orgill.

New Concept Walls and Ceilings Supply - Edmonton, Alberta – CBS Division
Britt Vossenaar and Norm Goetken commenced operations this fall and specialize in the gypsum, insulation, steel and acoustical ceiling categories. Backed by several years of experience and a thorough knowledge of the industry, Custom Walls and Ceilings is quickly developing a loyal contractor following in the Edmonton market.

Custom Walls & Ceilings Supply – Prince George, British Columbia – CBS Division
Serving the Prince George and surrounding market for the past 30 years, Custom Walls & Ceilings specializes in the acoustical ceiling, gypsum, insulation and steel segment. Custom has developed a strong contractor following through superior service.

Ian Roberts Building Materials Ltd – Portage La Prairie, Manitoba – Castle
Ian Roberts Building Materials is a well established business operating and serving the Portage La Prairie, Manitoba market since 1997. Ian has extensive experience in the hardware, lumber & building material business. Ian’s decision to join Castle is to access the expanded product lines and North American pricing available through Castle’s hardware solution while complementing the building material products through Castle’s strong LBM program.

ARXX reFIT chosen for This Old House Top 100 Best New Home Products of 2011

reFIT selected for its ease of finishing basements and interior spaces

ARXX reFIT, an innovative energy-efficient finishing and insulation system for basements and interior spaces, was chosen by This Old House as a Top 100 Best New Home Product of 2011. reFIT is featured in the building products category and was chosen for its ease of installation and energy-efficient qualities.

For the inaugural Top 100, editors at This Old House examined thousands of submissions, singling out those products that are not only unique, but also make a difference in the lives of its readers - such as being easy to use or saving them time and money. A complete list of Top 100 honorees will be featured in the magazine's November/December issue and can be found at http://www.thisoldhouse.com/top100.

"We are thrilled to be named a best new home product by such a prestigious, well-known publication," said P. Gael Mourant, president and CEO of ARXX Corporation. "reFIT has allowed many homeowners to increase their living space easily and affordably, and without the kind of disruption caused by traditional construction methods."

Introduced in 2011, reFIT leverages the award-winning technology of the ARXX Edge insulating concrete form (ICF) product line to design a system for finishing and insulating basements and interior spaces. It requires fewer steps and less labor and material than conventional construction and does not permit the growth of mold, mildew or rot in the wall cavity, a common problem for conventional basement finishing methods. As well, the R-value of the insulation is not compromised if exposed to moisture, another common problem that occurs with conventional wall assemblies. The end result is a comfortable, well-insulated home with dramatically lower heating and cooling costs.

Industry experts estimate that 50%-70% of the energy costs of homeownership go toward heating and cooling the home. Sealing and insulating the home is one of the most cost-effective methods of reducing greenhouse gases, improving a return on investment and lowering cost of ownership. Using the reFIT system is a dependable, affordable and easy way to achieve improved energy performance of the home.

Made from Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), reFIT is an environmentally considerate product. According to Mourant, industry studies demonstrate that EPS insulation returns up to 200 times the amount of energy required to produce it, giving it a much reduced carbon footprint. reFIT panels have no off-gassing, and emit no CFCs, HCFCs or VOCs.

reFIT is available through ARXX's established distributor and dealer network throughout the United States and Canada, including major building supply chains, independent lumberyards and concrete accessory and ready-mix outlets. For more information about reFIT visit www.refiticf.com.

RONA Repurchases for $14.5 Millions of its Common Shares

RONA inc. (TSX: RON, RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, today reported that on the first day of trading under its normal course issuer bid program, the Corporation repurchased 1,553,900 common shares at $9.30 for a total consideration of $14.5 million. The common shares thereby purchased will be cancelled. On November 8, 2011, RONA’s Board of Directors authorized the Corporation to repurchase in the normal course of its activities, from November 11, 2011 to November 10, 2012, up to 11,016,854 common shares, representing 10% of its 110,168,541 public float or 8.4% of its 130,520,489 common shares issued and outstanding on October 31, 2011. Today’s buyback represent 14% of the total number of shares authorized under the normal course issuer bid program and illustrates the Corporation’s intention to execute the program and hence increase its return on equity.

"Today’s buyback illustrates our confidence in the future of RONA and in the execution of our business plan", commented Dominique Boies, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RONA.

"Counting on cash available and free cash flow generation, we believe the purchase of our common shares represents an effective use of our funds. This buyback program along with the recently announced offers to purchase up to $200 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 5.40% Debentures due October 20, 2016 are initiatives intended to optimize our capital structure, improve our return and hence increase shareholder value", added Mr. Boies.

The Toolbox

Western Retail Lumber Association