ABSDA was recently made aware of a child (Destiny LeBlanc), residing in the Greater Moncton area who was in need of a new wheel chair. Destiny has a condition known as Rett syndrome (RTT) is a genetic brain disorder which typically becomes apparent after 6 to 18 months of age in females.The initiative, which was started by her school class, was to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of a specialized wheel chair which would be custom fitted for Destiny. ABSDA presented $2,000 to the fund to allow the goal of $10,000 to be met.

Holding the cheque are Platinum Sponsors Terry Mulock, Castle Building Centres Group and Mark Dill, Taiga Building Products. In the foreground is ABSDA President Denis Melanson and Destiny LeBlanc.

Recently, BMCC (Building Material Council of Canada) to Members of Canada's Regional Building Supply Assocoiations (ABSDA, LBMAO, WRLA & BSIA of BC). The purpose of the survey is to solicit Membership imput so that issues which are considered top priority get addressed at the National Level.

If you have not already participated in the survey please click on the link below and take a few moments so we can best meet your needs.

BMCC National Advocacy Priorities Survey Link

BMCC National Advocacy Priorities Survey

The July, 2018 Issue of the ABSDA Building Supply News is now on-line. Click on the image below to view.

TIMBER MART expands their Lumber-Trading Team in the Prairies with new Commodity Trader, Gary Barrault. Mr. Barrault joins a team of experienced TIMBER MART Lumber Traders positioned in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada and reports directly to TIMBER MART’s Vice-President of Distribution and Trading, John Morrissey. He will be responsible for trading oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, spruce and commodity products as well as developing TIMBER MART’s pressure-treated lumber programs in the Prairie Provinces.

“Gary is a welcome addition to our Lumber-Trading Team; his joining completes our national network of TIMBER MART lumber traders across Canada which means that now all of our members from coast to coast will benefit from this service,” says John Morrissey, Vice-President of Distribution and Trading for TIMBER MART. “We look forward to seeing his experience and well-established TIMBER MART Dealer relationships benefit the development of our Lumber Programs and contribute to our Members’ competitive advantage.”

Mr. Barrault has over 25 years of experience in the building material industry where he has held a variety of operations and retail-management positions within various organizations, including North American Lumber.

Following a close to fifty year career, Terry Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Home Hardware Stores Limited, has announced plans for his retirement later this year.

Mr. Davis joined Home Hardware in 1970, starting as a junior warehouse employee, working in the St. Jacobs warehouse. He worked his way up in the company, assuming the role of CEO in 2014. One of his goals was to execute strategies to make Home Hardware future-ready. He has also been working with the board to formulate a succession plan with the goal of identifying the right person to step into the role.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve our dealer-owners in many different capacities over my 48 years at Home Hardware,” said Davis in a press release. “Home Hardware’s success is rooted in its unique dealer structure and a commitment to constant innovation, and that strong foundation will be equally important as we move into the next phase of our growth. While I am sad to leave the organization that has been an integral part of my life for nearly half a century, I am confident that we have laid a strong foundation -through developing new competencies in retail and digital, and the development of a new strategic roadmap - on which to build a very bright future. Now is an opportune time for the next generation of leadership to execute on that vision.”

Terry will remain in the position until later this year while the search process takes place to find a replacement. ABSDA congratulates Terry Davis on his long-time career and wishes him all the best as he enters the next phase of his life.

Lowe’s Canada is proud to announce a $593,631 donation to the Children’s Miracle Network and Opération Enfant Soleil organizations, following a successful initial nationwide fundraising campaign.

“At Lowe's Canada, our purpose is to help people love where they live. Our day-to-day actions are motivated by that goal, and it doesn’t stop at the doors to our stores. We want to have a positive impact on the communities we serve across the country and make a real difference in people’s lives, every day,” said Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, Senior Vice-President, Communications, Public Affairs and Compliance for Lowe’s Canada. “Through partnerships with 14 children’s hospitals across Canada, the Children’s Miracle Network and Opération Enfant Soleil provide tangible assistance to sick kids and their families. We are pleased to be a major partner of these organizations, which are doing such outstanding work to help children love where they live across the country.”

From April 6 to May 21, Lowe’s Canada corporate stores across Canada, as well as affiliated dealers, took part in an extensive fundraising campaign. Besides collecting donations at checkout, many stores organized events where proceeds went to the charities, ranging from employee breakfasts to benefit barbecues, escape games, and more. Part of the donated amount also comes from a corporate donation made by the RONA banner, which was the official building materials provider for Maison Enfant Soleil signee Bonneville (in Quebec only), and from the sale of tickets for Maison Enfant Soleil signee Bonneville in RONA and Réno-Dépôt stores in Quebec.

Following a long and illustrious career of nearly 68 years in the home improvement retailing business, Ray Gabel, Senior Merchandise Advisor for Home Hardware Stores Limited, has announced his retirement.

“On behalf of Home Hardware Stores Limited, I want to thank Ray Gabel for his inventive and innovative leadership in our company,” says Terry Davis, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “With the mind of an engineer and marketing instincts that are legendary in our industry, he has been instrumental in shaping Home Hardware into the company that it is today. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who has given more to our industry and I wish Ray only the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Gabel is a celebrated icon in the home improvement industry; he was inducted into the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Home Hardware Stores Limited Builders’ Circle in 2015. Not only has he achieved tremendous success in his career, Gabel has endeared himself to industry colleagues with his generous support for community and industry fundraisers, charities and events.

Gabel joined the precursor to Home Hardware, Hollinger Hardware on August 16, 1950 and attended the meeting in 1964 that officially ushered Home Hardware into existence. He took over a purchasing role with the new company and served many roles leading to his appointment as Vice-President, Merchandise in 1979. In 2015, he transitioned to the role of Senior Merchandise Advisor.

His retirement was effective June 29, 2018.

Aug 7-9          Castle Atlantic Buying Expo                                                            Fredericton, NB

Aug 23-25      Orgill Fall Dealer Market                                                                   Las Vegas, NV

Sept 13-14     RONA Ace Canada Buying Show presented by Lowe’s Canada  Montreal, QC

Sept 16-18     Home Hardware Fall Dealer Market                                                 St. Jacobs, ON

Nov 8-9          BMR Fall/Winter Buying Show                                                         Quebec City, QC

Nov 13-14      Hardlines Conference                                                                       Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Nov, 2018      One Day Plumbing & Electrical Workshops                                   Dieppe, NB

Jan 16-18      2019 WRLA Buying Show                                                                Calgary, AB

Feb 15-16      TIMBER MART National Buying Show                                           Montreal, QC

Feb 21-23      Orgill Spring Market                                                                        Orlando, FL

March 13-14  ABSDA Building Supply Expo                                                        Halifax, NS

April 6-9         Home Hardware Spring Dealer Market                                          St. Jacobs, ON

ABSDA offers a series of on-line Training Videos for Members and Staff. This on-line training program is specifically designed to promote sales skills & customer service and is available on the ABSDA Website as a Member Benefit.

The series incorporates five programs listed below, each with a compliment of videos which last between 6 minutes and 15 minutes in length.

• A.C.E.S. – Around Customers Everyone Sells - 14 Videos

• Contractor S.A.L.E.S. – Skills and Attitudes Leading to Exceptional Selling - 13 Videos

• Building A Championship Team - 18 Videos

• On The Bottom Line - 17 Videos

• The Big 8 Most Important Selling Skills - 8 Videos

You and your staff can access these programs on the ABSDA website (www.absda.ca) or by clicking on the following link.

http://www.absda.ca/online-education-program