WRLA members are invited to join the WRLA Board of Directors for dinner on Thursday, June 2, 2011!
Cocktails: 6:30pm cash bar, Dinner: 7:00pm
$100 + gst per person
Saltlik Steakhouse
101 8 Avenue SW, Downtown Calgary, AB
www.saltlik.com
Dress casual
Space is limited, so buy your tickets early - click here for the registration form!
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Build your Connections and be part of our Voice! Renew you membership today!
WRLA MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
• Ensure you return your company updates by April 30.
• We will distribute the WRLA Directory & Product Source Guide in July 2011.
• WRLA membership year is April 1, 2011 – March 31, 2012.
*WRLA Member enquiry*
Contact Susan at the WRLA office at 800-661-0253 ext. 0
or slabossiere@wrla.org
Be part of our voice and BUILD CONNECTIONS
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Reminder – please return your Booth Renewal Form to Caren no later than April 30 if you want to reserve your booth for the 2012 Prairie Showcase!
All exhibitors from 2011 Show should have received your Booth Renewal Form – please complete and return to Caren as soon as possible in order to reserve your space at the 2012 Prairie Showcase!
Remember you must be a WRLA member in order to exhibit, so get your membership dues and renewal in today!
If you have already sent in – thank you.
Email: ckelly@wrla.org or fax to: 204-947-5195
If you have requested any changes I will get back to you mid-June if I can accommodate you. If you are cancelling your booth space I will require written notice on the renewal form and return to me.
Exhibitor Contracts with invoice will be out end of August!
Watch http://www.wrla.org/prairieshowcase/index.html for all your show information.
Thank you!
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DuroFloat™ flotation billets from Plasti-Fab offer the benefits of expanded
polystyrene encapsulated with an eco-friendly marine barrier.
DuroFloat flotation billets use a marine barrier coating that resists UV
deterioration, petroleum spills and provides protection from mammals, aquatic
life and weather. The coating also resists puncture for low-maintenance, longlasting
dock construction.
Encapsulated flotation have been specified and used in projects for the Federal
Department of Fisheries and Oceans and several British Columbia municipalities.
Cottage associations across Canada are requiring or recommending
encapsulated products.
In the United States, encapsulated flotation is required by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, and recommended by the country’s National Parks Service, Forest
Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA)
voluntary Clean Marina Initiative.
"For residential dock owners, DuroFloat billets offer a very simple way to help
protect ecologically-sensitive shoreline areas," said Jack Hoogstraten, Product
Manager for Plasti-Fab. "Encapsulated flotation also means less maintenance
for cottagers".
The closed cell encapsulated billets are produced in a standard size of
10" x 20"x 96", and can be used as a flotation medium for a variety of designs for
docks, marinas and rafts. Other sizes are available on request.
DuroFloat billets are available at building supply dealers in lake and cottage
areas across Canada. Click here for more information
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jack Hoogstraten
Product Manager Plasti-Fab, Ltd
100, 2886 Sunridge Way NE Calgary, Alberta T1Y 7H9
Tel: (403) 569 4316
e-mail: jhoogstraten@plastifab.com
website: www.plastifab.com
www.youtube.com/user/PFBCorporation
About Plasti-Fab: Plasti-Fab operates six manufacturing facilities across Canada servicing Building Supply Dealers, Big Box Retailers, Construction Specialty Distributors and Contractors. Behind every product is Plasti-Fab’s commitment to quality, service and expertise. Plasti-Fab is a recognized leader in the North American EPS industry, and provides specialized technical expertise to guide new and existing customers toward the best products for their applications.
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Rumours of Rona’s demise are greatly exaggerated, chief executive officer Robert Dutton said Tuesday.
The country’s largest Canadian-owned home improvement retailer said it has plans to grow its market share to 25 per cent from the current 19 per cent, mainly through acquisitions. The Quebec-based company, a frequent subject of takeover speculation, acknowledged there’s nothing to prevent a rival firm from taking a run at its widely-held stock. But Dutton predicted that was "unlikely," noting the company is already so competitive any buyer would find itself unable to reap more efficiencies out of the purchase.
He also declined to confirm speculation Rona is looking to expand outside of Canada, saying there is still plenty of room to grow within its borders. "For 10 years we have been THE market consolidator in Canada, and until now Canada has been providing us with plenty of good opportunities for profitable growth. The consolidation of the Canadian market is far from over," he told the Economic Club of Canada.
"Getting outside of Canada or staying inside is not the question. The real question is about continuing to offer the best combination of products, services and prices to Canadians in every region and in every community, from big cities to remote villages," Dutton said.
The speech comes as home improvement sales in Canada remain relatively flat amid weaker housing starts and home resales, and the end of last year’s federal home improvement tax credit as an incentive.
![](https://www.naylornetwork.com/WRL/assets/robert%20dutton.jpg)
When U.S. based-home improvement giant Home Depot opened its first stores in Quebec, in 1999, everyone started writing Rona’s obituary, he said. But even with the more recent arrival of Lowe’s, the U.S. second-largest home improvement retailer, Rona has more market share then both Home Depot and Lowe’s combined, he said. "When I tell this story, it is often received with typical Canadian disbelief," Dutton acknowledged. But he went on to say Canada’s home improvement sector is 80 per cent Canadian owned.
Independent retailers have less market share, at 51 per cent compared to 58 per cent in 2005, but it’s partly because many have joined Rona’s network, he said. "I want to be clear. I am not underestimating the competitive strength of our rivals, Canadian or foreign," he said. "What I want to say is that the arrival of multinational giants does not signal the death of national players — in either the short term or the long term."
Rona serves a variety of formats across the country, from corner hardware stores to mid-sized lumber yards to big box warehouse outlets. He disputed that successful retailers need to have a global scale to compete, noting that even Wal-Mart started out small. An original business plan, strong relations with suppliers and deep understanding of local markets are just as important, he said, referring to it as "home ice advantage."
Through Rona’s affiliation with the world’s largest hardware purchasing group, A.R.E.N.A., the company enjoys considerable buying power, he said. In its most recent quarter, Rona’s total revenue was down 2.1 per cent to $1.37 billion. Sales at stores open more than a year, a key retail metric, were down 6.4 per cent. Earnings per share were 17 cents, below analyst estimates of 22 cents and well below last year’s 24 cent performance.
By Dana Flavelle Business reporter for thestar.com
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