The Toolbox E-Newsletter

What's Going On

2010 Retailers Wage, Salary & Business Conditions Results Are in!

Thank you to all of the Retail Members who completed the Wage, Salary & Business Conditions Survey. The results will be available mid June, 2010. All members who completed the survey will receive a free copy of the results at that time.

Any members who did not complete the survey but wish to receive a copy can purchase a copy through the WRLA office for $99.

The next Wage, Salary & Business Conditions survey will not be conducted until 2012.

If you have any questions regarding this survey, please contact the WRLA office at (204) 957-1077 or email Grace at gmcphillips@wrla.org.

WRLA Golf Update

The WRLA Terry Yates Memorial Golf Tournament will be held August 24 at The Links at Quarry Oaks, Steinbach, MB. This will be a Texas Scramble tournament with a shot gun start at 11:00 am. You don't want to miss it!

Online registration is now available. CLICK HERE to register now!

This will be the fifth year for the WRLA Calgary Classic held September 2 at the Sundre Golf Course. Mike Doyle, Jr. from The Home Improvement Warehouse in Calgary will host this popular fund raising tournament.

Watch the WRLA website for registration details COMING SOON.

The season would not be complete without the WRLA Kenosee Golf Tournament held September 15 in Moose Mountain, SK. Get a team together!

Watch the WRLA website for registration details COMING SOON.

Bursary & Scholarship Program

Check out our website for criteria and deadlines.

http://www.wrla.org/education_scholarships.html

Industry News

Canadian Forest Industry and Environmental Groups Sign the World's Largest Conservation Agreement, Applying to an Area Twice the Size of Germany

Today, 21 member companies of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC), and nine leading environmental organizations, unveiled an unprecedented agreement – the Canadian Boreal Forest Agreement – that applies to 72 million hectares of public forests licensed to FPAC members. The Agreement, when fully implemented, will conserve significant areas of Canada's vast Boreal Forest, protect threatened woodland caribou and provide a competitive market edge for participating companies.

Under the agreement, FPAC members, who manage two-thirds of all certified forest land in Canada, commit to the highest environmental standards of forest management within an area twice the size of Germany. Conservation groups commit to global recognition and support for FPAC member efforts. The agreement calls for the suspension of new logging on nearly 29 million hectares of Boreal Forest to develop conservation plans for endangered caribou, while maintaining essential fiber supplies for uninterrupted mill operations. "Do Not Buy" campaigns by Canopy, ForestEthics and Greenpeace will be suspended while the agreement is being implemented.

"The importance of this agreement cannot be overstated," said Avrim Lazar, President and CEO of FPAC. "FPAC member companies and their ENGO counterparts have turned the old paradigm on its head. Together we have identified a more intelligent, productive way to manage economic and environmental challenges in the Boreal that will reassure global buyers of our products'' sustainability. It's gratifying to see nearly a decade of industry transformation and hard work of greening our operations is culminating in a process that will set a forestry standard that will be the envy of the world."

Environmental groups, including the three organizations that have been mobilizing large customers towards green products, say the coming together of two traditional adversaries reflects a new commitment to a common goal.

To read the full article visit http://www.canadianborealforestagreement.com/

ALL WEATHER WINDOWS is Bullfrog Powered® with 100 Per Cent Clean, Renewable Electricity

All Weather Windows, a Canadian-owned and operated window and door manufacturer, has announced that it is choosing green electricity for its commercial division in Alberta with Bullfrog Power®, Canada's 100 per cent green electricity provider. Through its decision, All Weather Windows joins the growing list of Bullfrog Powered organizations in Alberta choosing local wind power to reduce their environmental footprint and support the province's growing renewable power industry.

"People increasingly want to do business with organizations that embrace green initiatives," said Aaron Latimer, director, marketing communications, All Weather Windows. "Choosing Bullfrog Power is an important piece of our environmental strategy and we are delighted to be supporting green power generated right here in Alberta."

Through the agreement, Bullfrog's generators inject wind power onto the regional grid to match the amount of power All Weather Window's commercial division in Alberta uses. In Alberta, Bullfrog's power comes exclusively from local wind power facilities that have been certified by Environment Canada under its EcoLogoM program.

The move toward green energy complements All Weather Windows' existing environmental strategy that extends throughout its operations. The company's products carry the ENERGY STAR® label and are designed for maximum thermal efficiency. Lean manufacturing processes are implemented throughout the plant to increase the overall efficiency of its operations, and the waste heat from its heat ovens is used to warm the plant. The company also has a comprehensive recycling program, which includes recycling cardboard, polyurethane insulated door panels and polyvinyl chloride, a widely-used plastic. In 2009, All Weather Windows was recognized by the Recycling Council of Alberta during its annual conference for taking a leadership role in workplace reductions of waste, recycling and resource conservation.

"We are pleased that this environmentally aware manufacturer is now Bullfrog Powered with 100 per cent green electricity," said Theresa Howland, vice president, Western Region, Bullfrog Power. "Reducing its environmental footprint and supporting the development of local wind power with Bullfrog Power demonstrates that All Weather Windows is committed to taking action on the environment and is a real leader in its industry."

To learn more visit www.bullfrogpower.com & www.allweatherwindows.com.

SFI Invests in Conservation and Community Partnership

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) forest certification program announced its new Conservation and Community Partnership Grant program today, furthering its long-standing commitment to research and bringing together diverse partners, including SFI Program Participants, conservation groups and several government agencies, to deliver conservation benefits across North America and tackle illegal logging issues globally.

SFI Inc.'s initial commitment of $675,00 to fund nine projects includes a contribution of $307,500 in 2010 alone. SFI Inc. chose projects that met key criteria, which included supporting requirements of the SFI 2010-2014 Standard, showing how SFI certification complements existing government initiatives in North America, and building partnerships which promote responsible forestry. Through the involvement of partners, the projects are expected to leverage additional resources and achieve a total value of $2.7 million.

For the full article and to learn more about SFI visit www.sfiprogram.org.

RONA Loon Lake Celebrates Grand Opening

The RONA Loon Lake team is celebrating the official opening of their new store today. Owners Rick and Diane Merz and their dedicated staff of 28 are looking forward to serving the home improvement needs of the community from their new RONA store located just 4 km south of Loon Lake on Highway 26. This newly-built store represents an investment of more than $800,000 in the community and replaces the old Main Street store. A special ceremony to mark the occasion is being held today, with local dignitaries and RONA officials in attendance.

I've been in this business for more than 15 years and with RONA as an affiliate dealer for two years now, and I'm very excited to present Loon Lake customers with this brand new store," owner Rick Merz said. "Customers will not only find the usual great service and building materials but also a full complement of hardware, plumbing, paint and electrical products. In addition, we''ve incorporated new displays showcasing lighting, kitchens and baths, flooring and also seasonal products; all of this without even having to drive out of town. We built this 7,000-square-feet store so customers will find a place for all their home renovation needs."

The RONA Loon Lake team worked more than 18 months building the facility and on merchandising and getting the store ready for today's grand opening. Loon Lake customers can count on a wide selection of building materials hardware, electrical and paint supplies from the more than 14,000 different products in store, not to mention the more than 100,000 products easily available through the RONA network. Local customers looking for their usual log home supplies or that very special patio set will definitely be able to get it at the store.

"Locally-owned stores like this one are the reason RONA came into existence in the first place," said John Penner, RONA senior development director for Western Canada. "The passion and drive of local businesspeople the likes of Rick and Diane and their team have helped us to become Canada's leading home improvement retailer."

ARXX ICF Adds a New Addition to their Sales Team

ARXX ICF is pleased to announce the addition of Greg Kelly to our sales team. Greg joins the ARXX team as Regional Sales Manager for Western Canada. He will be responsible for working with distributors in Manitoba and Saskatchewan in order to further support and develop the markets for ARXX ICF.

Greg comes to us with over 15 years of experience successfully supporting distributors of building materials and developing markets. Greg comes with experience from major building materials players and knows and understands the needs of the market. His proven track record of forging long-term relationships will be beneficial to growing and sustaining ARXX ICF business. Greg can be reached at GKelly@ARXX.com or (204) 294-8144.

IRLY Appoints Daron Hiebert as Lumber Trader

IRLY Distributors is pleased to announce the appointment of Daron Hiebert as Lumber Trader. Daron brings 15 years of experience in our industry. He was most recently the Senior Commodity Trader with Angus Forest Products.