The Toolbox
Western Retail Lumber Association
WRLA Toolbox: January 10, 2013
What's Going On
Online Registration closes: FRIDAY
CLICK HERE to Register NOW for your name badges and evening events!
Are you an exhibitor who has questions? With the show only 2 weeks away our office is plenty busy, so before calling us be sure to check out our website! All those questions about set up, exhibiting, or evening events... the answers are just a click away!
www.wrla.org/exhibitor-information/service-providers
Your booth rental includes; black carpet, pipe and drape, wireless high speed internet, Free lunch buffet on Thursday and Friday - if you need to rent something or have your banner hung - follow the above link for our Service Providers!
Thank you!
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The Board of Directors extends this special invitation to all Retail, Associate and Affiliate members to attend the Annual General Meeting.
There will be an election for two (2) new board members
Your candidates are:
Marc Palsson: Owns M.J.Palsson Enterprises in Rona Gimli, north of Winnipeg. This born entrepreneur both managed and owned numerous businesses of various types before entering the field of home renovations in 1999, with the opening of a 6,000 sq. ft. store in Arborg, Manitoba. In April of 2008, Marc joined the RONA network. Two years later, he opened a 15,000. sq. ft. building material store in Gimli. His passion, talent and business acumen are among the qualities that make Marc a true entrepreneur.
Tom Bell: Joining the industry fresh out of high school Tom started out at Beaver Lumber. After learning and engaging his passion he was able to progress quickly through many areas of our industry; retail, wholesale, distribution and buying. After catering to the retail industry for 20+ years, in 2000 Tom opened his own store in Las Salle Manitoba, Jeni’s Food and Hardware. The now 2 building, 15 staff operation has occupied plenty of his time yet he still makes himself available to many local executive boards and community clubs. Tom’s knowledge and commitment make him an excellent addition to the organization and industry.
For those members unable to attend the AGM but would still like to have their voice heard, we have attached a Proxy Vote application. This proxy will allow another qualified member to vote on your behalf.
Proxy Vote Application- Printable
Also please take the time to review By-Law # 9 which is to be approved at the AGM. You can read the full, printable By-Law by CLICKING HERE and going under Thursday's events -> Annual General Meeting.
REGISTER for the AGM NOW!
Take this opportunity to enjoy a FREE Lunch, network with other members and you'll even be entered to win $500 just for showing up!
Annual General Meeting - AGM - WRLA Members Only
12:00 - 1:00 pm on Thursday January 24th, 2013
Terrace Room, 2nd Floor, Prairieland Park
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Retail Business Management Studies Program
February 26 – March 14, 2013 in Winnipeg, MB
STORE MANAGERS * ASSISTANT MANAGERS * SUPERVISORS * PURCHASERS * MARKETERS * WAREHOUSE MANAGERS
This program is designed specifically for the lumber and building materials industry
Online registration now open- CLICK HERE
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• Reduce equipment, product and facility damages
• Reduce workers compensation claims and premiums
• Increase productivity
• Improve maintenance condition of equipment
• Enhance employee morale and company safety culture
NEW expanded WRLA Member Rate Program!
CLICK HERE to read more and to view new rates for 2013
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The WRLA team will be heading to Calgary in the early spring to negotiate hotel and venue contracts. If you have any questions or have some suggestions for us please let us know now as we want to provide all our members with the best locations and rates possible.
When our negotiations are complete we will share all the details with our members! Thanks for your patience!
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To address both the growing number of RETIREES in the Canadian workplace as well as the PART TIME EMPLOYEES THAT ARE INELIGIBLE for Group Insurance, WRLA is now offering the Emerge program through STRATA Benefits Consulting.
This is a 100% voluntary program that offers a Needs Assessment to each participant, as well as product recommendations and assistance with implementation. Renewals are monitored internally at STRATA, premiums are 100% paid for by the Employee or Retiree and no administration is required of the Employer.
CLICK HERE for more information.
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Industry News
MasterCard Canada will increase its transaction fees for small merchants in the summer of 2013. It will increase its ‘assessment fee’ from 6.4 to 7.7 basis points ‒- a 20 per cent increase on July 1.
"CFIB is very disappointed that MasterCard is choosing to increase its fees at a time when small firms are struggling with an uncertain economy," says Dan Kelly, Canadian Federation of Independent Business president and CEO. "While MasterCard is raising fees by a smaller amount than Visa, it is particularly surprising that both major card brands are increasing their fees just before Canada's Competition Tribunal is expected to rule on its case against the two card giants."
A decision from the Competition Tribunal could allow merchants to add surcharges for accepting credit cards or allow merchants to refuse to accept certain higher cost cards.
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The familiar sights of building supplies and power tools will welcome contractors from across Canada, as Home Hardware Stores Limited kicks off its annual series of Tough as Nails Contractor Tradeshows in London, Ontario on January 9. This exciting series of tradeshows will stop in seven cities across Canada, offering contractors, renovators, builders and trades people the opportunity to learn about new products and network with fellow professionals.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox-v6.asp?aid=202488&issueID=25622 to view the full article online.
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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Longtime Oklahoma City manufacturer M-D Building Products has bought a privately held South Carolina manufacturing company with about 800 employees and nine manufacturing and distribution facilities.
The Oklahoman (http://bit.ly/TwDlZW) reports that the purchase of Loxcreen Co. Inc. includes its Canadian flooring business, Bengard Manufacturing. The combined sales of both companies will exceed $200 million annually.
In addition to its Canada operations, Loxcreen also runs manufacturing and distribution facilities in Georgia, Oregon, Texas, Ohio, Missouri and South Carolina. M-D Building Products operates manufacturing and distribution facilities in Oklahoma and Georgia.
M-D Building Products designs, makes and markets residential and commercial weatherproofing products including door and window weatherstripping, garage door weatherstripping, pipe insulation and a line of caulk.
Loxcreen and Bengard specialize in customized aluminum and plastic extrusion manufacturing.
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CompX sold its furniture parts production to Knape & Vogt, consisting of Waterloo Furniture Components in Kitchener, Ontario, and the Dynaslide division located in Taipei, Taiwan, to KV for about $59 million in cash, according to a CompX announcement. Knape & Vogt also acquired the assets of Diamond Storage Concepts in Las Vegas. Diamond sells the Hyloft brand of ceiling mounted overhead storage, wall-mounted shelving and tire-storage products. Terms of the transaction were not released.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox-v6.asp?aid=202491&issueID=25622 to view the full article online.
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Rachel Reilly - Big Brother Reality TV Star Rachel Reilly began her CBS career as a contestant on the international blockbuster sensation, Big Brother. Reilly debuted on Big Brother 12 finishing in the top 5. CBS asked Reilly and her on air "showmance", Brendon Villegas to return as dynamic duos, on Big Brother 13. This second time Reilly emerged victorious, winning season 13 and a half a million dollars.
Visit https://www.naylornetwork.com/wrl/articles/toolbox-v6.asp?aid=202675&issueID=25622 to view the full article online.
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Calendar of Events
January 23 - 25, 2013
2013 Prairie Showcase Buying Show & Convention
Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK
www.wrla.org/prairie-showcase
Contact: ckelly@wrla.org
February 7 - 8, 2013
Atlantic Building Supply Dealers Association Annual Buying Show
Moncton Coliseum Complex, Moncton, NB
http://www.absda.ca/trade_show
February 21 - 23, 2013
Orgill Dealer Market
Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
www.orgill.com
March 21 - 23, 2013
2013 TIM-BR MART National Buying Show
Toronto Congress Centre, Toronto, ON
Contact: catherine.brownlow@timbrmart.ca
To view the complete Events Calendar CLICK HERE
To view the complete Education & Training Calendar CLICK HERE
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Member Updates
Stay current with what's happening in your industry by watching WRLA's latest video update!
In this month's video:
- Prairie Showcase Buying & Selling tips
- How to Network
- Evening Events & Entertainment at the show!
CLICK HERE to watch our latest video!
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