Mark Evans (via LinkedIn)

Wolseley Canada has announced the appointment of Mark Evans as director of sales, plumbing, and HVAC for western Canada, effective Oct. 10. In this newly created role, he will work closely with the regional sales managers. Evans was most recently senior director of corporate development at Viega.

Bill Lee, former president and CEO of the North American Hardware and Paint Association, died on Sept. 29. Lee was a passionate supporter of the independent home improvement retail industry, serving the association for over 20 years before retiring in 2017 (shown here).

Lee started his work with the association, then known as the National Retail Hardware Association, as an outside marketing consultant for 12 years before starting as the association’s marketing director in 1996. During the early 1990s and late 2000s, NRHA launched its custom publishing department and catalogue business under Lee’s guidance. In 2008, Lee took over as CEO. He also served as general chairman of the International Hardware Association.

Lee was integral to the development of the original version of the association’s product knowledge training courses. He also worked closely with the team at Hardlines, which represented the NHPA in Canada for many years.

Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature in which we dip into the Hardlines Weekly Report archives.

In the Oct. 6, 2003 Hardlines Weekly Report, we wrote:

Sodisco-Howden Group has converted a number of its stores to Ace in Quebec, a decisive move given that the Ace name is virtually unknown in that province. However, it effectively rationalizes the wholesaler’s banners, which have accrued through various acquisitions in recent years.

The conversions affected 43 Ferplus and Bâtitout dealers that had been part of Sodisco-Howden’s takeover of the hardware business of Marchands Unis in November 2001. Another 32 former Marchands dealers had already switched to Pro over the past year, says Lucie Désilets, business development manager for Sodisco-Howden.

If you’re attending the upcoming Hardlines Conference in Whistler, B.C. (and you are, aren’t you?), time is running out to book your hotel room. This year, for the first time, we’re at the iconic Fairmont Chateau Whistler, with only a few rooms remaining. Click here now to reserve your stay!

Koelnmesse has named Sebastian Rosito as senior VP. When he steps into the role on Jan. 1, his responsibilities will include the International Hardware Fair and spoga+gafa. Currently VP of corporate and business development at Messe Berlin, Rosito is no stranger to Koelnmesse. He got his start there in 2004, as an intern and then a trainee, before managing German trade fair delegations abroad.

The 27th annual Hardlines Conference is coming up fast to Whistler, B.C., Oct. 17 and 18. And it’s going to rock—but today is your last day to register!

Besides the incredible content and learning, delegates will meet individuals from every part of the country, Check out which retail and buying group head offices will be there: RONA, Home Hardware, Home Depot, Federated Co-operatives, Peavey Industries, AD Canada, Castle Building Centres, TIMBER MART, Sexton Group, and BMR Group.

Dealers coming include: McMunn & Yates, Fraser Valley Building Supplies, C.A. Fischer Lumber, B.H. Allen RONA, Coast Distributors, Crown Building Supplies, Gander Bay Building Supplies,Northcoast Building Products, Sherwood TIMBER MART, Bowen Building Centre, Haney Builders Supplies, and Pemberton Valley Hardware.

Suppliers and vendors will include: Taiga, Orgill, Alexandria Moulding, CanWel, Cedarline Industries, PowerHouse Building Solutions, CashierPro, Belanger Laminates, GSW, Still Creek Forest Products, Holland Imports, DuPont, BP Canada, Jeld-Wen, Johns Manville, King Marketing, JRTech, Paterson Products, Schneider Electric Canada, Selkirk Canada, Leviton Canada, and Marwood, to name just a few.

(Registration closes TODAY. Secure your seat at this amazing event by clicking here now to register. For hotel bookings, click here. Any questions? Contact Michelle Porter, our amazing Marketing and Events Manager!)

Giant Tiger Stores will hold a grand opening of its newest store in London, Ont., on Oct. 14. This will be the fourth location in that city for the Ottawa-based discount retailer. The 18,800-square-foot store is located at 50 North Centre Rd. The grand opening will include giveaways, a gift card to the first 100 customers, and, of course, a visit from Friendly, the Giant Tiger.

Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has presented its Walter J. Hachborn Store of the Year Award to Wilson’s Home Hardware Building Centre in Barrington Passage, N.S. The store also received the nod for Best Home Hardware Building Centre in the Atlantic Region. Dealer-owner Mike Wilson accepted the honours at Home Hardware’s Homecoming event last month in Toronto. His grandfather, Buzz Wilson, first began talks with Hachborn in 1965 about joining the nascent Home Hardware banner, which he did two years later.

Lowe’s has made a deal with Carhartt, the workwear brand, to add an assortment of Carhartt products online and in select stores in the U.S. The collection features Carhartt’s signature duck jackets, and vests, as well as hoodies, T-shirts, workwear pants, and beanies. Currently, the collection is available at roughly 250 Lowe’s stores across the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest – with about 250 more stores in Texas, the Southeast and California adding Carhartt products in early 2024.

“Carhartt is a top brand that pros know and trust for apparel that’s made to last, and we’re proud to now offer its high-quality, hardworking products in our stores and online,” said Bill Boltz, Lowe’s EVP, merchandising.

The (U.S.) National Retail Federation’s annual Hallowe’en survey has found that a record 73 percent of consumers will celebrate the holiday this year, up from 69 percent last year. The average planned expenditure is $108.24 per person, breaking the previous record of $102.74, set in 2021. In total, Hallowe’en spending is expected to hit $12.2 billion, this year up from last year’s $10.6 billion.