WRLA News

Industry News

Richelieu acquires Madico Distribution Inc.

Richelieu Hardware Ltd. announced it has acquired Madico Distribution Inc. ("Madico"), a Canadian leader in floor protection products. From its facilities in the Quebec City area, Madico develops and distributes an extensive selection of specialty products, notably under the well-known Feltac™, Feltac Ultra™, Slidex™, Anti-Skid™, Solid Wood Ultra Cups™ and Pro-tec-tors™. Brands. This company serves a large customer base of hardware retailers and renovation superstores, mainly in Canada and also in the United States.

Through this acquisition Richelieu further increases the diversification of its offering to hardware retailers and renovation superstores by adding a product category, while also integrating an experienced team. This acquisition is the second closed by Richelieu since the beginning of 2011 and represents additional sales of approximately $5 million on an annualized basis.

As announced at the end of 2010, the Company has also signed another agreement that should materialize in the next weeks. With this upcoming acquisition and the eight others closed since the beginning of 2010, Richelieu is expected to increase its sales by some $100 million on an annualized basis.

Profile as at February 11, 2011
Richelieu is a leading North American distributor, importer and manufacturer of specialty hardware and complementary products. Its products are targeted to an extensive customer base of kitchen and bathroom cabinet, furniture, and window and door manufacturers plus the residential and commercial woodworking industry, as well as a large customer base of hardware retailers, including renovation superstores. Richelieu offers customers a broad mix of high-end products sourced from manufacturers around the world. Its product selection consists of more than 70,000 different items targeted to a base of some 60,000 customers who are served by 60 centres in North America – 35 distribution centres in Canada, 23 in the United States and two manufacturing plants in Canada, specifically Cedan Industries Inc. which specializes in the manufacture of a wide variety of veneer sheets and edgebanding products, and Menuiserie des Pins Ltée which manufactures components for the window and door industry and a broad selection of decorative mouldings.

Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation. Richelieu’s management would like to point out that, by their very nature, forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such that the Company’s actual and future results could differ materially from those indicated. There can be no assurance as to the materialization of the results, performance or achievements as expressed in or underlying the forward-looking statements. Unless required to do so pursuant to applicable securities legislation, Richelieu’s management assumes no obligation as to the updating or revision of the forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or changes.

For information:
Richard Lord, President and Chief Executive Officer
Alain Giasson, Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer
Tel: (514) 336-4144 www.richelieu.com

New TOTEM store opens in Edmonton Ellerslie

TOTEM Building Supplies is pleased to announce the opening of a new store in Edmonton Ellerslie. Located at 1003 Parsons Road SW (corner of Ellerslie Road), the new 52,000-square-feet location represents an investment of close to $20 million in the community and will provide more than 50 new local jobs. The store is also the banner's second to apply for LEED certification, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design assessment system for new building construction.

"RONA is proud to be expanding our network in the Alberta market with the opening of this new TOTEM store here in Edmonton Ellerslie," said RONA President and CEO Robert Dutton. "TOTEM has built its reputation based on outstanding customer service, the quality of the building materials it sells, as well as its pre-planned packages. As a truly Canadian corporation, RONA believes in the strength of Canadian business. That is why we are very proud to have TOTEM as part of our network and we are delighted to see it grow within RONA."

"We are happy to open our 19th TOTEM location in Alberta, the sixth in the Edmonton area, and to demonstrate our commitment to better serving our growing customer base. The store is part of the new generation of TOTEMs, with all the advantages that make the banner so popular – the excellent customer service, the highest quality of lumber stocked in Alberta and a wide variety of products in every product category – all bundled into an efficient new shopping environment that our customers enjoy," said TOTEM Vice President and General Manager Dave Carr.

"Our team is excited about serving the Ellerslie area. Our qualified personnel are devoted to serving customers and contractors in their construction and home improvement projects by providing a full range of products and personalized services. Our goal is to offer an exceptional service to local customers," said Dave Hunter, store manager. "We are also very proud to partner with the RONA Foundation to make a donation to the ManCap Foundation, as part of our official opening events."

Everything under one roof
The new 52,000-square-feet building boasts 33,000-square-feet of retail space and a 2-acre drive-through lumberyard as well as dedicated entrance and service areas for contractors.
Each TOTEM retail store carries nearly 14,000 products, including hardware and tools, plumbing and electrical, paint and flooring, kitchen and bath as well as their popular pre-planned packages. Lumber continues to be the core; TOTEM carries a large selection of quality lumber and plywood.
TOTEM's commitment to service, competitive price, and quality has earned the 41-year-old corporation a loyal and growing consumer following. While the corporation has grown, it has not outgrown its approach to knowledgeable, friendly service. It has two training facilities, called 'TOTEM University,' where employees learn about store products and the latest in construction techniques. Varied, in-depth courses ensure that employees are well versed in all areas of the store. Customers can feel confident that all 1,100 employees province-wide have the skills to assist and advise them on all of their TOTEM purchases.

Seeking LEED certification
The Ellerslie TOTEM store was built following the LEED criteria for new buildings and expects to receive that certification. This is the second TOTEM store to apply for LEED certification.
"By reducing the environmental footprint of our new stores, we are keeping TOTEM's impact on the environment to a minimum. The store also offers the residents of the Ellerslie area a building materials and hardware outlet that respects the environment as much as they do," Carr added.
The evaluation criteria include measures to protect air quality, such as using low-emission materials in the construction (paint, adhesives and waterproofing materials), as well as steps to reduce energy consumption, such as an energy-efficient roofing system, additional insulation in the building envelope, T-5 fluorescent lighting, automated controls to adjust the lighting, air conditioning and heating throughout the day, and low-flow sanitation equipment. Moreover, lumber from certified forests and locally manufactured materials have been used to build the stores and bike racks, and changing rooms and showers have been installed to encourage employees to cycle or walk to work.

TOTEM and RONA Foundation donation
During the grand opening ceremony, RONA President and CEO, Robert Dutton, and the store manager Dave Hunter were joined by a number of dignitaries as well as other members of the TOTEM and RONA senior management, employees of the store and, of course, many TOTEM customers.
At the event, the RONA Foundation presented a $2,500 donation to Edmonton's ManCap Foundation, which provides grants in the name of Alberta entrepreneurs to high school students entering a post-secondary institution, in preparation for starting a business.
The contribution was made to celebrate the opening of the new Ellerslie store and to reflect RONA Foundation's efforts to help build better communities. The RONA Foundation was created in 1998 to help young people aged 12 to 30 by supporting local organizations and projects that fight school drop-out and illiteracy or offer training to prepare young people for a trade or occupation.
Grand opening events continued to Sunday, March 20. They included a variety of product specials, how-to demonstrations, giveaways and a free draw for the grand prize Dodge Ram pickup truck. As well, the store will carry on the TOTEM tradition of offering free bags of popcorn to customers all year round.

About RONA
Since 2005, TOTEM Building Supplies has been a regional banner of RONA in Alberta, and operates 17 retail stores and two contractors' yards.
RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. RONA operates a network of more than 950 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats. With close to 30,000 employees working under its family of banners in every region of Canada and more than 17 million square feet of retail space, the RONA store network generates over $6 billion in annual retail sales. For more information, please visit www.rona.ca.

TRUSERV CANADA adds new Western District Managers to its Field Team

TruServ Canada announced the addition of four new District Managers to its Field Team this week.

"We continue to focus first and foremost on our commitment to service to Independent Dealers. The addition of four new District Managers will allow us to spend more time with our customers," said Bill Morrison, President of TruServ Canada.

The new District Managers will report to Bonnie Birollo, Director, Sales & Business Development (West) who started with TruServ Canada in December 2010. Bonnie has a tremendous track record of working with independent retailers in Western Canada and nationally. Prior to joining the company she was National Director, Sales Development and Client Service for RONA stores.

Welcome to:

Darrin Grace – Southern Alberta: Over the last 20 years Darrin has worked primarily in the construction industry. He represented and sold building products in Canada and the U.S. His most recent role was as a manufacturer’s representative, successfully promoting his product line to the commercial construction industry throughout the prairies.

Duncan Jacob - Northern BC & Yukon: Duncan brings over 30 years of experience in the building supply industry to TruServ Canada. He started his career in retail, and after 13 years transitioned to the distribution side of the business. Duncan was most recently with Task Tools and knows most of his new TruServ Canada customers by name!

Ruben Orellana - Central Alberta & NWT: Ruben has spent the last 7 years with General Electric. He started his GE career as Regional Credit Sales Manager for GE Money, responsible for the Prairies. He then moved to Area Sales Manager on the industrial side (GE Appliances) for Northern AB (with a few Southern AB accounts sprinkled in the mix).

Tony Perillo - Eastern Manitoba & Northwestern Ontario: Prior to joining TruServ Canada, Tony was in a Business Development role with RONA. Before that he was a consultant for Petro Canada developing Gas Bar & Convenience stores. Tony has 21 years of retail experience and has extensive knowledge in LBM and the construction industry.

Dealers in these districts will be notified of these changes and will be visited over the coming weeks by the new District Managers. They will also be available to meet everyone at the upcoming Spring Market from April 16th to 18th at the Winnipeg Convention Centre.

TruServ Canada has some of Canada’s most efficient warehousing, product buying and distribution systems. TruServ Canada remains committed to supporting independent retailers and each of its retail banners: True Value, V&S and Country Depot stores. Visit TruServ Canada at www.truserv.ca.

Company Information:
Lora Deighton, Communications Manager
Tel. 204.453.9526
Email ldeighton@truserv.ca

Durabuilt Windows & Doors Inc. receives IMS Certification

Durabuilt Windows & Doors Inc. ("Durabuilt"), a leading window and door manufacturer headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, announced that it is the very first window and door manufacturer in Canada to receive IMS (Integrated Management Systems) certification.

IMS is based on international recognized best practices and is achieved when three critical management systems are implemented and audited: ISO 9001:2008 – Quality; ISO 14001:2004 – Environmental and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety.

IMS is based on systematic processes and approaches that are implemented throughout the entire lifecycle of a project. Quality consciousness is paramount in every decision and procedure that is implemented throughout the organization, without compromising the final product quality or customer experience. IMS certification is another component of Durabuilt’s continuous improvement process and reaffirms Durabuilt’s mandate and promise of the Ultimate in Quality.

Harry Sunner, Vice President and Amar Randhawa, General Manager stated: "We are very proud of our IMS certification, as it once again illustrates our commitment to our customers, employees and the communities within which we serve."

IMS certification reinforces Durabuilt’s goal of Operational Excellence throughout the entire organization, reaffirming its industry leadership and corporate stewardship. IMS certification will allow Durabuilt to be exposed to many new growth opportunities through the continued development of our industry leading products and manufacturing processes and by an increased capacity to reach new clients.

About Durabuilt
Durabuilt (www.durabuiltwindows.com) is one of western Canada’s largest window and door manufacturers servicing consumers, contractors, developers and leading home building retailers. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Durabuilt products can be found in homes, condominiums, hotels, high rises and semi-commercial projects. Durabuilt has been committed to the Ultimate in Quality since their inception in 1988 and provide their employees with the freedom to innovate and the drive to succeed. With offices in Edmonton, Calgary, Lethbridge, Saskatoon and Winnipeg, Durabuilt focuses daily on not only meeting expectations but exceeding them through dedicated service and best in class products.

For more information, contact:
Media Information
John Moroz
780-455-0440 x2044
1-800-544-3815
johnm@durabuiltwindows.com