SPECIAL REPORT — TIM-BR MART Group has announced the sale of the hardlines assets of its distribution arm, Chalifour Canada, to Orgill Canada. Bernie Owens, president of the TIM-BR MART Group, says the strategic alliance resulting from the sale will offer his company’s membership and Canadian independents at large a competitive foothold against big box stores in Canada.
Like its U.S. counterpart, the new company, Orgill Canada Hardlines, will not offer a separate banner and will instead focus on “providing a unique mix of products, competitive pricing, and cutting edge services to help Canadian independent retailers compete in their local markets,” says Ron Beal, chairman, president, and CEO of Orgill, Inc.
Orgill Canada’s acquisition of the assets will include its complete ownership and operation of Chalifour Canada’s London, Ont., distribution centre, as well as the purchase of the hardware inventory in Chalifour Canada’s Surrey, B.C., facility.
TIM-BR MART will maintain ownership and operation of its LBM distribution centre in St-Nicolas, Que. and continue to operate the Surrey facility, including Orgill Canada’s hardlines offering from that location. Orgill Canada will ultimately integrate Orgill Inc.’s current Canadian operations into the London facility. The transaction is still subject to government agency review.
