The Toolbox
Western Retail Lumber Association
WRLA Weekly ToolBox: April 12, 2012What's Going On
|
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR SPRING MANUAL ESTIMATING Estimating Fundamentals, Decks and Garages April 16 & 17, 2012 (TWO-DAY COURSE) $500 per person Covers the fundamentals of manual estimating and gives the participants a basic working knowledge of estimating decks and garages. Participants learn to calculate all the necessary components and gain knowledge of products used on these projects. Estimating for Residential Construction April 18 & 19, 2012 (TWO-DAY COURSE) $500 per person To participate in this course, you should have completed the Estimating Fundamentals course or should have experience with small project estimating at the customer service counter, or job-site experience in residential construction. Yard Foreman – Operations Manager CANCELLED CLICK HERE TO REGISTER TODAY! MEMBER REBATE PROGRAM Due to the wide distribution of members across the prairies, the north and NW Ontario, member rebates are available to offset the cost of travel and expenses to attend these courses. Rebate information and forms are available at www.wrla.org. Please note that courses must be paid in full by course date, and rebate forms sent to the WRLA office no later than 30 days from course completion date. |
|
|
|
|
|
The Prairie Showcase wouldn't happen without the support of our sponsors. Many Thanks to our 2012 Prairie Showcase Sponsors: Platinum ($20,000) Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. JELD-WEN Windows & Doors The Sexton Group Ltd. Tourism Saskatoon & City of Saskatoon Gold ($5,000) Epicor Software Solutions Home Hardware Stores Limited Lancashire Distribution Madero Distribution Owens Corning Ply Gem Rona Inc. Silver ($2,500) All-Fab Building Components Can-Cell Industries Inc. Guardian Building Products Distribution Naylor Publishing Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. Bronze ($1,000) Alliance Door CanWelBroadleaf Cherry Insurance Duchesne et Fils ltee Harris Rebar Mitten Inc. Morneau Shepell National Forest Products Resisto Convention Club ($500) Johns Manville Canada Inc. National Concrete Accessories OGC Inc. ProfitMaster Canada Seljax |
Industry News
|
There was no denying that the "Castle Culture" was alive last week as over 475 Castle members, supplier partners, staff and their families attended the 49th annual Castle Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Marco Island, FL. This year’s premiere event was held at the picturesque Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and was one of the largest AGM in the group’s history with over 90 Caste locations and over 60 individual supplier partners represented. The Castle AGM was definitely a family-affair with over 80 children under the age of 18 in attendance. The week was jam-packed with sun and fun-filled events, educational programs and special guest speakers for adults and children alike. Castle’s presence was felt and heard all week beginning with the grand opening night party on the beach held in the largest tent ever erected on the white sands of Marco Island beach; 10,000 sq.ft. The tent played host to many Castle events throughout the week with the beautiful Florida gulf coast as the perfect backdrop. "There is a reason why the Castle AGM is the biggest and the best AGM in the industry...it’s because of you...our valued members, loyal vendor partners and dedicated staff"Ken Jenkins, President, Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=173451&issueID=25588 to view the full article online. |  |
Scott Andrus has assumed the newly created position of Manager - Corporate Purchases effective immediately. Working closely with the Vice-President Operations, Scott will be responsible for the procurement of commodities, supplies, services and equipment to be used throughout North American Lumber’s Retail, Home-Building, Concrete and Truss divisions He will oversee data integrity and ensure company inventory levels maximize efficiencies and enhance profitability. Scott will ensure that goods and services purchased meet quality requirements and specifications for the company, and will build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers. "Scott has a proven track record in budgeting, tracking and analyzing operating expenses, and I believe his skill set will be a huge asset to us in this new position" confirms company President, Martha Konantz.
Mark Kennedy has assumed the position of Vice-President Operations. As such, he will be responsible for overall sales and marketing for all North American Lumber divisions. He will seek out new business opportunities by growing existing store sales, developing strategic partnerships and expanding into new markets. He will be responsible for the design and construction of all major renovations to existing stores as well as store re-builds. Mark will work closely with Scott on product assortment, purchasing and inventory management to ensure profitability and to promote product synergies between company divisions. Mark will also develop and promote staff training opportunities and build North American Lumber’s brand identity through enhanced advertising programs and new media opportunities.
Together Mark Kennedy and Scott Andrus will help focus the company on inventory and purchasing efficiencies while looking to the future for expanded sales and growth opportunities.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=173452&issueID=25588 to view the full article online.
|
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation delivers the ideal solution for overhead or one-handed cutting applications with the introduction of the M12™ Cordless Sub-Compact Band Saw. At only 6.75 lbs and 12" in length, the new tool is the lightest and most compact cordless band saw on the market with less than half the size and weight of deep cut band saws. "The M12 Band Saw is not only ideal for one-handed cutting applications because of its size, it is the ONLY band saw on the market with a fully integrated lower guard that covers the blade outside the active cutting area," says David Lincoln, Product Manager, Cordless for Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation. This powerful saw can cut through 3/4" EMT in only 3 seconds, and will deliver over 150 cuts per charge with the included M12™ REDLITHIUM XC High Capacity battery. With a 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" cut capacity and low vibration, the M12™ Band Saw delivers clean cuts on the most common small diameter metal cutting applications such as 3/4" EMT, 3/8" threaded rod and 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" Unistrut. Complete with a variable speed trigger and LED light, the new tool is easy to use and provides fast, clean cuts. Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=173453&issueID=25588 to view the full article online. |
|
King Marketing is pleased to announce that Mark Travers has joined the company in the position of National Sales Director. Mark brings recent experience as the Director of Retail Sales with Lincoln Electric and previously as an Associate Category Manager at Canadian Tire to King Marketing’s growing sales division. Reporting to Mark will be Michael Chung, Sales Manager for Ontario, Joel Broughton, Western Regional Sales Manager and also key account managers Jeremy Leader in Ontario and Craig Friesen and Oliver Magno in Alberta. King Marketing is one of the leading manufacturer’s agencies specializing in the retail home improvement sector. King Marketing is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and continues to grow its business units. King recently added Matt Jones and Gabe Belanger to their Ontario sales team and with the support of King’s merchandising teams, the King group is able to provide manufacturers with a consolidated "one stop shop" for all of their sales and in-store servicing needs nationally, provincially and locally. |
|
Canada and the United States continue to work on implementing the International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPM) 15, the standard that affects treating packaging material made of wood. The date for full implementation has not been confirmed. Once the date has been confirmed by Canada and the United States, industry will be informed and a phase-in period of up to 18 months will begin. |
|
The International Code Council Foundation® (ICC Foundation) announced today that Mike Holmes, Canada's most trusted contractor and HGTV celebrity, will serve as the 2012 Honorary Ambassador for the 32nd annual Building Safety Month in May. Holmes was chosen as the voice of Building Safety Month because of his longstanding commitment to building safety, sustainability and his success in raising public consciousness with his "Build It Right" and "Make it Right" messages. "Mike Holmes is known for building it right, which is the very foundation and purpose of building codes and standards," said ICC Foundation President Richard P. Weiland. "Mike has helped families throughout the world understand the critical role building codes and code officials play in defending against building failure. We thank Mike for taking on this role - having him on board is a great way to raise awareness of Building Safety Month and that helps make our communities safer." Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=173457&issueID=25588 to view the full article online. |
Calendar of Events
|
To view the WRLA Education Calendar CLICK HERE April 14 - 16, 2012 TruServ Canada Spring Market Winnipeg Convention Center, Winnipeg, MB www.truserv.ca April 16 - 19, 2012 Manual Estimating Saskatoon, SK April 20. 2012 Yard Foreman Saskatoon, SK April 22 - 24, 2012 Home Hardware Show St. Jacobs, ON August 16-18, 2012 Orgill Spring Market Las Vegas, NV Tuesday, August 21, 2012 WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament Steinbach, MB Thursday, September 06, 2012 Calgary Classic Golf Tournament Sundre Golf Course, Sundre, AB Wednesday, September 12, 2012 Kenossee Golf Tournament Kenossee SK. September 20 - 22, 2012 RONA 2013 Spring Market Metro Convention Centre, Toronto, ON www.rona.ca Sept 23-25, 2012 Home Hardware St. Jacobs, ON September 29 - October 1, 2012 Truserv Fall National Buying Market Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg www.truserv.ca November 2 - 6, 2012 Sexton Member Conference New Orleans, LA Contact: callak@sextongroup.com |
