The Toolbox
Western Retail Lumber Association
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
What's Going On
Badge and Event Registration
Online Registration is now available for All Exhibitors and Retailers. Please pre-register now in order to enter the Prairie Showcase. Go to our www.wrla.org and follow the link. Don't assume you are registered - check and make sure to avoid the line-ups at the onsite registration desk!
Check http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/index.html for badge pickup times and locations.
* There is no charge for exhibitors or retailers to enter the show.
* VISA or MASTERCARD required at time of registration for event tickets.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE
The Retail Business Management Studies Program will not take place this fall but will be re-scheduled for the SPRING of 2012 in Edmonton. Call the WRLA office if you require more information at 1-800-661-0253.
SOME SPOTS STILL OPEN – DON’T MISS OUT
Plumbing and Electrical with Bob Sutherland –Winnipeg
November 24 & 25, 2011
REGISTER ONLINE AT www.wrla.org
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Proud Sponsors of the
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Platinum Sponsors $20,000
| Castle Building Centres Group Ltd. |
| JELD-WEN |
| Sexton Group Ltd. |
Gold Sponsors $5,000
| Epicor Software (Activant) Solutions |
| Home Hardware Stores Limited |
| Lancashire Distribution |
| Madero Distribution |
| Owens Corning |
| Ply Gem |
| Rona Inc. |
Silver Sponsors $2,500
| All Fab Building Components |
| Can-Cell Industries Inc. |
| Guardian Building Products Distribution |
| Naylor Publishing |
| Steel-Craft Door Products Ltd. |
Bronze Sponsors $1,000
| Alliance Door |
| CanWelBroadleaf |
| Cherry Insurance |
| Duchesne et Fils Ltee |
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Harris Rebar |
| Mitten Inc. |
| Morneau Shepell |
| National Forest Products |
| Resisto |
Convention Club Sponsors $500
| Johns Manvilles Canada Inc. |
| National Concrete Accessories |
| OGC Inc. |
| Profitmaster Canada |
| Seljax |
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Also, you may cross-reference contact information using our online directory
CLICK HERE for the Online Directory
Page 55
Company: Valley Home Building Centre
New Contact: Kevin Cohen-Wallis
Kevin.cohenwallis@valleyhbc.com
Page 124
Company: Olfa North America (Head Office)
New Address:
2265 Upper Middle Road East
Suite 102
Oakville, ON L6H 0G5
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The new property insurance year begins November 1st, 2011
Please remit your payment plans to Lannie ASAP
Please call Lannie at (204) 953-1694 or 1-800-661-0253 with any questions regarding this
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- Don't let body language turn people away from your booth.
- Smile and don't have your hands in your pockets, arms crossed, or behind your back like a military guard. Some people will decide to stop in or pass on stopping just by the way the people in the booth look.
- Try holding a piece of literature at all times. This will keep your hands in front of you, and you are more likely to appear eager to help, rather than bored, tired, or intimidating.
- Stand up and don’t talk on the cell phone or use the laptop.
- Make eye contact and say hello to everyone walking the aisles!
- Have a message pertaining to your product printed on the back of your business card. When you exchange cards, mention that there is a message for them on your card. They will remember the booth, company and YOU.
- Maximize your time in visitor contact, and keep sufficient staff in the booth.
- Never eat in your booth, messy, smelly and people won’t want to bother you.
- Don’t forget the breath mints.
- Smile!
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Industry News
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Winnipeg, MB, November 2, 2011.
The Western Retail Lumber Association Inc. is pleased to announce Ernie Penner of EG Penner Building Centre is the recipient of the 2011 WRLA Industry Achievement Award.
The WRLA Industry Achievement Award is celebrating its 39th Anniversary this year. This award recognizes members of the WRLA who have contributed to their business, the building supply industry, the WRLA and the communities in which they live. Since 1970 this award has been presented to individuals who have deserved and received the respect of employees, members, competitors and suppliers in the building materials industry and who have contributed their time and energy to their community and the WRLA.
This is our association’s greatest honor and the WRLA recognizes the individual who is or has been actively involved in the building supply industry, who has faced challenges and recognized opportunities, and who wishes to share best practices with the industry.
Ernie Penner’s story is very inspirational. He dreamed big and made his business dreams come true. Starting with a small outlet in a mall he went on to eventually build the 130,000 square foot retail showcase that provides every building product a homeowner could want under one roof. On the side of the EG Penner Building is a quote from Ernie, "Penner people help you build it better....And that’s a promise".
Gerry Thiessen, EG Penner Building Centre’s General Manager, reflected on Ernie’s impact and willingness to try new things to drive growth and sticking with them till they work. Ernie’s determination is shown while working through a serious illness and continues to be an effective leader.
Penner will be presented the WRLA Industry Achievement Award during the 2012 Prairie Showcase Gala evening, January 19, 2012 in Saskatoon.
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OGC is announcing a new partnership agreement with software company Spruce Computer Systems for the commercial rights to its SpruceWare.NET product in the Canadian market.
Through this agreement, OGC has gained the exclusive rights to sell, implement and support SpruceWare.NET in Canada. This new offering will enhance OGC's product line so that it can better meet the specific needs of its customers in the hardware and building materials industries.
"OGC and Spruce have very similar profiles and backgrounds: both companies are recognized for their industry knowledge and close relationships with customers. We are convinced that pooling our know-how will help us assist customers even better to improve their service and maximize their profits," explained Patrick Du Paul, Executive Vice President and General Manager at OGC. "This partnership will now allow us to offer an alternative and comprehensive management solution based on the most recent Windows technology that is already being used by more than 250 retailers in the American market."
With this addition, the OGC product line now gives customers even greater choices when it comes to management solutions that best reflects their individual business reality.
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The role of the building supply buying group is changing dramatically as independent dealers face increasingly tough competitive challenges. One buying group stood out over the past year for its commitment to change. That’s why TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. was selected as HARDLINES’ 2011 Newsmaker of the Year. Each year, HARDLINES, the information service for the retail home improvement industry, presents its Newsmaker of the Year Award, sponsored by the National Hardware Show, to a company based on its performance that has made a significant impact on the industry. This year, TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. was recognized as consistently making a newsworthy impact. The company has been expanding rapidly, with growth among both traditional retail yards and commercial dealers, and now boasts more than 700 members nationwide. However, the single biggest move TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. made over the past year was to acquire CanWel Hardware Division from CanWel Building Materials. TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. quickly renamed the business Chalifour Canada, creating its own hardware distribution business. To complete Chalifour’s reach across the country, TIM-BR MARTS Ltd. later acquired the distribution business of its group member, IRLY Distributors Ltd., making that Surrey, BC-based facility the Western arm of Chalifour Canada.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox.asp?aid=158361&issueID=25565 to view the full article online.
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Calendar of Events
To view our WRLA Education Calendar CLICK HERE
November 2 - 6, 2011
Sexton Member Conference
San Diego, CA
www.sextongroup.com
November 17 - 18, 2012
New Canadian Home Improvement Show
Toronto Congress Centre
e-info@canadianhomeimprovementshow.com
November 24 - 26, 2011
RONA 2012 Spring Market
Le palais des Congress, Montreal PQ
January 18-20, 2012
2012 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon
ckelly@wrla.org
February 2, 3, & 4, 2012
Orgill 2012 Spring Market
Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com
March 30-31, 2012
TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
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Member Updates
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Basalite Concrete Products
8650 - 130th Street
Surrey, BC V3W 1G1
Phone: 604-596-3844
Toll Free: 800-596-3844
Fax: 604-596-6914
Main Contact: Jack Bellamore
surreysales@paccoast.com
www.basalite.com
(Manufacturer) structural building blocks (masonry products) interlocking paving stones, retaining wall products, garden line products, dry mix / sack goods
Benjamin Moore & Co. Limited
26680 Gloucester Way
Aldergrove, BC V4W 3V6
Phone: 604-857-0600
Toll Free: 800-695-3155
Fax: 604-857-0700
Main Contact: Ron Reiniger
Ron.reiniger@benjaminmoore.com
www.benjaminmoore.com
(Manufacturer) paint and sundry products
Thomas Allen & Son Ltd.
390 Steelcase Rd. East
Markham, ON L3R 1G2
Phone: 905-475-9126
Toll Free: 800-387-4333
Fax: 905-475-4255
Main Contact: Brian Aasgaard
customerservice@t-allen.com
www.thomas-allen.com
(Wholesaler) Home improvement, gardening, BBQ, cook and children’s books, calendars and almanacs
Tree Island Industries Ltd.
3933 Boundary Road
Richmond, BC V6V 1T8
Phone: 604-524-3744
Main Contact: Martin Ross
mross@treeisland.com
www.treeisland.com
(Manufacturer) construction, collated & packaged nails, reinforced and stucco mesh, agricultural fence and specialty wire
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