The Building Supply Industry Association of British Columbia held its industry awards this week in Whistler, B.C. The event, which was overseen by association president Thomas Foreman, was held in partnership with the 27th Annual Hardlines Conference.

The BSIA event included the presentation of the association’s 2023 Industry Merit Awards, the first it has conferred in five years, to three individuals who have made significant contributions over decades to building up the province’s industry.

The honourees were: Bruce Allen, a RONA dealer-owner who is president of three RONA-bannered stores in North Vancouver, Powell River, and Salmon Arm; Brad McCluskie, business development manager of Coast Distributors, a prominent west coast distributor; and Ray Cyr (shown here), president of Fraser Valley Building Supplies, a chain of six RONA stores.

The latest issue of Hardlines HR Advisor hit inboxes this week. In this issue, we explore such topics as cultivating inclusive HR leadership, managing the hiring process, and mentoring younger employees. If you’re not already receiving HR Advisor, click here to sign up for free!

Suppliers and retailers from across Canada gathered last night to honour the retail home improvement industry’s best hardware and building supply retailers. The occasion was the 31st Annual Outstanding Retailer Awards, presented during a Gala Dinner during the annual Hardlines Conference. The event was held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort in Whistler, B.C.

Retailers were honoured in eight categories covering the range of retail hardware and home improvement formats. This year’s winners (with award sponsors) were:

• Best Hardware Store – Hydway Hardware, Fort Vermilion, Alta. Ray Toews and Robyn Currie, Owners. (National Hardware Show).
• Best Building Supply or Home Centre under 15,000 square feet – Nova Scotia Building Supplies (Castle), Blockhouse, N.S. Andrew Mills, Owner; Curtis Saulnier, General Manager. (Jeld-Wen).
• Best Building Supply or Home Centre over 15,000 square feet – Centre de rénovation Marieville (Home Hardware), Marieville, Que. Louis Turcotte, Eric Berthiaume, Simon Louvet, and Daniel Gervais, Owners. Eric Berthiaume, Store Manager. (BP).
• Best Contractor Specialist – The Cedar Shop (Sexton Group), Calgary, Alta. Tyler Palko and Brad Palko, Owners; Mitch Wile, President. (Trex).
• Best Large Surface Retailer – RONA+ Whitby, Whitby, Ont. Paul Santos, Store Manager. (JRTech Solutions).
• Retail Spirit Award – Hodgins Building Centre (Castle), Wingham, Ont. Brock Hodgins and Jordan Hodgins, Owners; Nik Glazounov, Manager. (Johns Manville).
• Best Young Retailer – Barry Eidt, Arthur Ace Hardware, Arthur, Ont. Doug Eidt and Barry Eidt, Owners; Brent Bowen, Store Manager. (Acceo Solutions).
• Marc Robichaud Community Leader – Nowco Home Hardware, Lacombe, Alta. Tyler and Deanna Nowochin, Owners; Tami Schneider, Manager. (BMF).

The 27th Hardlines Conference got underway yesterday with a full complement of speakers at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, B.C. Jim Inglis, consultant and former Home Depot executive, got the ball rolling with his insights and experience, which include the banner’s Canadian launch. Geneviève Gagnon, who runs three companies including Évolution Distribution, spoke of her experience growing up in her family store and how she brings an unapologetically feminine touch to the customer experience.

In the afternoon, Hardlines president Michael McLarney gave a state-of-the-industry update that included a discussion of how climate change is impacting home improvement. Dan Tratensek provided a perspective from the North American Hardware and Paint Association. Cody Smith capped off the afternoon with an update on exciting new developments at Federated Co-op.

The afternoon closed with a reception hosted by Home Hardware Stores Ltd., leading into the 31st Outstanding Retailer Awards gala dinner.

The annualized rate of housing starts rose by eight percent in September to 270,466 units, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., from 250,383 units in August. The rate of urban starts increased by nine percent, with 250,766 units recorded in September. Single-detached urban starts were up three percent to 43,077 units. Rural starts were estimated at a rate of 19,700 units.

The 27th annual Hardlines Conference got underway last night with a packed RONA Pub Night in Whistler, B.C.

Almost 200 retailers, retail group executives, and vendors gathered at Merlin’s Bar and Grill in Whistler Village for the traditional kick-off opening event at the Conference.

Today, the action moves to the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, where delegates will watch six speakers from all facets of the industry. Then, after a Home Hardware reception, the 31st annual Outstanding Retailer Awards will be presented at a gala dinner.

We will report on the seminars and the awards recipients in tomorrow’s Hardlines Daily News. For a much more comprehensive summary, Hardlines Premium Member-Subscribers will enjoy coverage in next Monday’s Hardlines Weekly Report.

The Building Supply Industry Association (BSIA) of B.C. yesterday bestowed awards on three industry leaders and five retailers at an event in Whistler, B.C.

The BSIA’s 85th anniversary gala took place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler resort in conjunction with the ongoing 27th Hardlines Conference.

The association honoured the following retailers with its 2023 Orion Awards: Parkland Building Supplies 1998 Ltd., a Home Building Centre dealer in Sicamous, which won in the urban hardware and rural lumberyard category; Central Hardware 2018, Ltd., a TIMBER MART dealer in Enderby, won in the building centre contractor yard category; Nelson Home Building Centre, in Nelson, won in the building centre/mini-box category; Windsor Plywood, Courtenay, won in the finishing and specialty products category; and Arbutus Home Building Centre, Galiano Island, won in the mystery shopping category.

TIMBER MART has launched a new LBM distribution facility on a three-acre property in Winnipeg. Located within a six-hour radius of buying group members in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and northwestern Ontario, it will offer weekly deliveries, cross-docking/furtherance service, and easy access for dealers looking to pick up their orders. The DC joins TIMBER MART’s existing facilities in Langley, B.C.; Mount Forest, Ont.; and St-Nicolas, Que.

Castle Building Centres announced this month the addition of Toronto’s Mr. Bin Inc. as its newest member. Founded in 2019 and proudly rooted in Toronto’s Canadian Chinese community, Mr. Bin encompasses three different business categories: LBM, hardscapes, and construction disposal services. With the move to Castle, the owners will place a renewed focus on the LBM side of the business. A grand opening celebration is planned for late fall.

The 27th Hardlines Conference begins tomorrow in Whistler, B.C., but the festivities will get underway tonight. An exclusive event for members of the B.C. Building Supply Industry Association, which is holding its 85th anniversary event in conjunction with the conference, will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Meanwhile, the RONA-sponsored pub night will serve as the customary prelude. Watch for more coverage of the conference here in your Daily News updates as well as next week in Hardlines Weekly Report!