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Welcome to the ToolBox, your portal to WRLA member news and information within the LBM market.
We invite you to learn more about what's going on within your association and the companies whose products and/or services you utilize.
See the best moments of the 2014 Showcase on WRLA TV!
WRLA T.V is a great place to find out what's happening in your Industry!
Breaking News | Industry Annoucements | Highlights from Industry Events | Advertising | New Products | Helpful Tips
CLICK HERE for our Media Kit and to find out how you can advertise on WRLA T.V!
CLICK HERE to Watch Now!
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Complete the Survey and have your name entered To WIN a Tablet!
Post Show Survey - Exhibitor
Post Show Survey - Retailer
Didn't attend the show this year?
Let us know why... CLICK HERE
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Online registration is now open for
WRLA Manual Estimating
Go to www.wrla.org to read course details!
 Leduc, Alberta - Register Now
April 7 & 8 Level 1: Estimating Fundamentals
April 9 & 10 Level 2: Estimating for Residential Construction
April 11 Level 3: Advanced Estimating
Winnipeg, Manitoba - Register Now
April 14 & 15 Level 1: Estimating Fundamentals
April 16 & 17 Level 2: Estimating for Residential Construction
Course and Travel Rebates available!
CLICK HERE
Hear what they're saying about these valuable courses...
"Stan’s way of estimating is unbelievable; it really is simple and very accurate."
"A great course! I look forward to using my knowledge"
"I will use what I learned to make my job more efficient and to give me more confidence in the future."
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We're planning our Spring Events Now - Don't miss out, send us your contact information!
And don't miss the discussions on Linkedin - Join the WRLA NexGEN Group
For more information on the NexGEN Program visit
www.wrla.org/nexgen
or contact Krista Scherpenzeel toll free at 1-800-661-0253 or kristas@wrla.org
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Got News? Share it with us! And always watch for new videos and updates from the WRLA!
  
Help us get the word out about OUR Industry!
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Four Tips for Selling Storage and Organization
- Sell the basics. Storage solutions are in every part of the house, including food storage, organizers for the office, modular units for apartments and college students, or baskets for the laundry room. Find the latest and most creative designs to make your category stand out from your competitor’s offering.
- Display assembled products. Many customizable storage systems are easy to install, but may not seem that way to a customer who is staring at the box. Dedicate a space to show a sample of a storage system—such as a closet or garage wall—installed with easy instructions on how customers can design and install it themselves. If you have limited space, use photos showing installed closet systems from vendors or customers that have tried the product.
- Keep current on style. Instead of white wire racking, brushed steel, chrome and colour are popular for shelving units today. Some people even want cabinets in that closet or garage. Visit department stores and specialty storage retailers to see what’s hot and what’s not.
- Use special orders. Use your storage vendor’s special-order capabilities to cut down on inventory, give your customers more options and fetch high margins. Train your employees on the ordering process so it’s easy and fast for customers.
Three Ways to Market Your Store’s Pricing to Your Advantage
- Establish a Price Image
First, take a step back and look at the big picture. What brand image do you want for your operation when it comes to pricing? Determine your market needs and determine how you can fulfill that need. There may be some categories where you can offer specialty services or unique lines. Identify items that can command higher prices versus categories or items where you need to be more competitive with the low-price leaders in the market.
- Tell Your Customers
Tools such as shelf bouncers, interior banners and bandrails, tri-mobiles and static cling decals help create retail excitement and demonstrate to your customers that you have competitive prices.
- Implement Price Matching
- If you decide to implement a price matching policy, keep online retailers’ pricing in mind in addition to your bricks-and-mortar competition. It’s important to create written guidelines for your price-matching guarantee and post it around the store to remind your customers and employees that you do price-match. Most often, online ads don’t include the price of shipping, which a customer would be required to pay on top of the listed price. One way to handle situations like this is to say that you’d be happy to honour the price with the shipping price included. Just be sure to explain your reasoning.
WRLA IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NRHA
The goal of the North American Retail Hardware Association is to help independent hardware and home improvement retailers become better and more profitable merchants through a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools that are all available online. WRLA members get unlimited access to a full range of training and management services when they join NRHA through the WRLA.
Visit www.wrla.org or CLICK HERE for more information about NRHA.
The latest updates to Weyerhaeuser's technology solutions for LBM dealers—NextPhase Site Solutions and Stellar software—will allow even more lumberyards to take advantage of inventory and manufacturing optimization.
To NextPhase Site Solutions, which combines Trus Joist products, services, software, and fabrication equipment to optimize component manufacturing, Weyerhaeuser has added a fourth saw option, EasyPack. This new saw is an ideal entry-point into manufacturing optimization and inventory control for smaller, single-location yards.
The latest version of Stellar software, which provides cut optimization and inventory management to LBM dealers, extends the tool's benefits to all Trus Joist stocking dealers. Previously used primarily by NextPhase participants, Stellar software can now grow with the dealer, from creating an optimized shipping list and jobsite cutting instructions to manual cutting instructions for dealer personnel to instructions for automated cutting equipment as part of the NextPhase program.
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February 21 - 22, 2014
TIM-BR Mart Show
Congress Centre - Toronto, ON
February 27 - March 1, 2014
Orgill National Show
Orlando, FL
Stay tuned for WRLA Srping Education Course Calendar!
To view the complete Events Calendar CLICK HERE
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NEW RETAIL MEMBERS
Sen Western Wholesale Lumber Ltd.
8188 Manitoba Street
Vancouver, BC V5X 3A2
Phone: 604-321-6171
Fax: 604-321-6177
Email: info@senwestern.com
Main Contact: Enoch Deer
www.senwestern.com
(Retailer) (TIM-BR MART)
VCI Building Supplies & Hardware
P.O. Box 290
501 Grant St.
Vonda, SK S0K 4N0
Phone: 306-258-4700
Fax: 306-258-4667
Email: hr@clpmfg.com
Main Contact: Ron Bussiere
(Retailer) (Sexton)
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Support your association and broadcast your business to hundreds of decision-makers in the lumber industry. Advertising opportunities are still available in several WRLA publications:
The YardStick: The YardStick is sent to more than 1,200 members firms every other month. Advertising in the largest issue of The YardStick, the Prairie Showcase edition, is a great way to reinforce your marketing message with hundreds of decision-makers who regularly read this magazine while supporting WRLA. Ads booked within the print edition automatically appear (linked to the website or email of your choice) in the digital edition, which is read by more than 500 visitors each issue. Exclusive online ad positions are also available within every digital edition.
The Toolbox: Delivered directly to the inboxes of more than 1,200 lumber managers and professionals, this weekly e-newsletter offers consistent access to the individuals who rely on your products and services to run their businesses.
Directory & Product Source Guide: WRLA is the largest retail lumber association on the Prairies, with its membership representing 85% of the industry. All of our members are included in this annual directory and all keep this publication handy year-round. Make sure your business stands out in this resource by purchasing a display advertisement.
WRLA.org: Our website average more than 3,000 visits per month! Advertising space is available on the home and sub-pages of WRLA.org. Ads rotate on the home page and sub pages, expanding your exposure to site visitors at an affordable price.
WRLA-TV: Introducing the NEW WRLA-TV Banner Sponsorship. Our online TV and banners offer your brand high visibility on the WRLA homepage. Your branding and action oriented banner is featured every time WRLA-TV’s videos are played by our audience, leaving them one-click away from your website‘s landing page.
For more information about these opportunities, click here for the media kit or contact:
Kim Davies
Project Manager
(800) 665-2456, ext. 423
kdavies@naylor.com
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Stay up-to-date on the latest industry news and events with our engaging new communication channel.
Have you watched the latest episode on our WRLA TV channel? Don't wait to take full advantage of this terrific media channel, one of the many benefits of your WRLA membership!
Check it out here!
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