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.
WRLA is excited to host our Annual Buying Show in Calgary - January 2015!
Check out a quick Glimpse of this beautiful city on WRLA T.V
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WRLA TV is a great place to find out what's happening in your Industry!
Breaking News | Industry Announcements | 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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Exclusive WRLA NexGEN Events:
Join us in Calgary & Winnipeg!
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Are your under 40?
Belong to a WRLA Member Firm?
Seeking Networking Opportunities?
*CLICK HERE for Event Details*
Join us for Site Tours of Member Operations followed by Cocktails & Dinner Compliments of the WRLA!
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
Join the NexGEN Group on Linkedin
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![](https://www.naylornetwork.com/WRL/assets/survey150.jpg) We encourage your participation in the enclosed survey as the more companies that participate, the more credible the data will be.
The information we request in the survey not only benefits those who participate, but also provides useful information to the Association in meeting the needs of our retail members. All survey information received from our members is confidential. Only the summarized information totaled from all responses will be distributed.
All companies who complete the survey
will receive a copy of the results FREE ($99 value).
Start Survey Now - CLICK HERE
All surveys must be completed by Friday April 11th, 2014.
Questions? Contact Krista Scherpenzeel at 1-800-661-0253 ext. 2 or kristas@wrla.org
Thank you in advance for your participation!
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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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EDMONTON, March 21, 2014 - All Weather Windows is pleased to announce the appointment of two new employees: Sandy Van Someren as our new Business Development Manager for Southern Alberta and Michael Delaney as our new Branch Manager for Calgary.
Sandy is no stranger to exteriors, having spent over 30 years with Ply Gem Windows and Doors. Along with extensive industry knowledge, Sandy also brings an excellent understanding of business growth and development. Sandy will be responsible for utilizing that knowledge to assist in the continual growth of All Weather Windows, while also focusing the growth on the builder market in Calgary and Southern Alberta.
A Calgary resident and graduate of Wilfred Laurier University, Michael is also experienced in exteriors and building materials. He most recently held the position of Sales Manager at Moulding and Millwork, a North American supplier and manufacturer of solid wood and composite moulding. Michael will be working to identify, assess, and deliver new business opportunities for All Weather Windows, with a focus on the Calgary market. As Branch Manager, he will, also be responsible for managing all Branch operations.
We're happy to have these two strong business leaders as members of the All Weather Windows team. Their expertise and industry knowledge will help to position and solidify All Weather Windows as a leader in the window and door industry.
All Weather Windows is Canada's largest privately owned window and door manufacturer. Launched in 1978 in a 10,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Edmonton, Alberta, the company has since expanded to nine branches and over 1,000 dealers nationwide. Our two leading-edge manufacturing plants in Edmonton and Mississauga produce a full range of award-winning window and door products for dealers, builders, contractors, and homeowners. We've been named the ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2013, and Participant of the year in 2012. Recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for four years running, All Weather Windows is a platinum sponsor of Habitat for Humanity.
Follow us on Twitter: @AWWCanada ( http://www.twitter.com/awwcanada)
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Making a Seasonal Maintenance Checklist
In preparation for a new selling season, take time to do some maintenance of your store—from your customers’ perspective. Be your own "mystery shopper" by pretending you are a customer visiting the store for the first time. Make a list of what you notice that doesn’t work for you, then prioritize the list based on necessity and budget to create a master to-do list for each department. It’s also a great idea to ask friends or family to perform this type of audit for you, so you’ll get a true sense of how a customer sees your store.
Give yourself enough time to finish each item on your list, factoring in customer service and stocking. If your store is large enough, give department managers their own lists and encourage a little friendly competition. Reward the department that finishes its list first to your standards with a pizza party or other treat.
The following checklist can be used any time you are preparing your store for a new season:
- Dust shelves, sweep floors, re-paint walls and replace lights. Start to prep seasonal areas to make the transition from holiday merchandise to outdoor living and lawn and garden.
- Make sure there are no sharp items, loose cords or boxes protruding from shelves.
- Check shelf labels and price stickers to be sure they are neat, clean, complete and current.
- Check displays for empty packages and items that are in the wrong place. Empty packages should be removed and inventory checked.
- Check displays for shopworn or torn packaging and remove it. Customers view damaged packaging as old or damaged goods, which contributes to a perception that the store is not current in its product selection.
- Make sure displays are full and organized. Review inventory order quantities and make sure displays are never empty. Assemble bulky items such as grills, mowers and hose reels, place them on the sales floor and dust them regularly.
- Don’t forget to pay attention to your backroom, where clutter has a tendency to accumulate. When your spring merchandise comes in, you want to make sure there’s room to unload it and organize it before placing on the sales floor.
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.
April 4 - 8, 2014
Home Hardware Dealer Market
St. Jacobs, ON
April 6 - 7, 2014
Federated Co-Op Market
Prairieland Park,
Saskatoon, SK
April 14 - 17, 2014
TruServ Canada Spring Buying Market
Winnipeg Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB
To view the complete Events Calendar CLICK HERE
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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 averages 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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