A Quebec maker of wood veneers says his business is suffering because of Canadian tariffs on his source materials, even though corresponding U.S. tariffs on his exports have not materialized. Louis Lafleur, president of Les Boisés Lafleur in Victoriaville, told CBC News that he has been paying a 25 percent on duty on all the wood he uses in manufacturing since March 4.
In contrast, Lafleur exports three-quarters of his output to the U.S., where it is not subject to tariffs. “My clients are saying, now you’re complaining because your government [adds] a tariff?” he said. “We look a little stupid.”
Ipex has announced the grand opening of the Ipex Centre for Advanced Research, a $30 million facility dedicated to product development and reinforcing the piping and tubing maker’s manufacturing operations. The new centre, in Mississauga, Ont., features over 50,000 square feet of operational space dedicated to testing and developing new products, trialing new material formulations, and a training area where customers can experience new products firsthand.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was on hand for the announcement. “Our government will keep working to ensure the right conditions are in place for companies like Ipex to thrive and expand right here in Ontario,” he said in a statement.
In February, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $371.3 million, or 2.9 percent, to $13.1 billion, StatCan reports. Residential construction intentions declined by the same percentage to $8.4 billion. Overall, the multi-family component fell by $224.8 million, while the single-family component decreased by $22.6 million.
Throwback Thursday is a weekly feature in which we dip into the archives of the Hardlines Weekly Report.
The Hudson’s Bay Co. has gone into receivership. The iconic Canadian retail brand is holding closing sales, trying to raise enough cash to save just six Bay stores. But 25 years ago, the chain was optimistic about its future, rolling out “a new look,” we reported in our April 10, 2000 edition of the Hardlines Weekly Report.
We quoted then-president and COO Marc Chouinard. He said that The Bay had a “clearer focus” on its target customer: the 35 to 55-year-old baby boomer. “And that means leaving the lower end to Wal-Mart,” Chouinard told a group of vendors at an annual meeting of the Canadian Hardware and Housewares Manufacturers Association (now the Canadian Home Products Trade Association) in Toronto.
Canadian retailers are refusing to stock U.S.-made products as consumers prioritize buying domestic products. Jessica Hung, CEO of Parasol Co., a California-based manufacturer of diapers, told CTV News her company had been working since January with a distributor to expand carriage of its products in Canada.
In early March, however, the distributor stopped working on the project. “They were instructed by a retailer to pause any American brand launch,” said Hung. “They told us they would re-evaluate when market conditions allow. That’s the kind of disruption we would never expect.”
Regal ideas is seeking a Territory Manager for British Columbia. The successful candidate will predominantly be on the road conducting retail site visits, developing relationships with key retail partners and contractors while networking with potential new customers. For details, check out our Hardlines Classifieds page!
RPM International has announced an agreement to acquire the Star Brands Group, the parent company of The Pink Stuff, for its Rust-Oleum subsidiary. Star Brands will become part of RPM’s Consumer Group. The transaction is expected to close late in fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 or early in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Henrik Pade and Tim North, co-managing directors of Star Brands, along with the senior management team, are expected to stay with the business to ensure continuity.
Weihong Liu, chair of Nanaimo, B.C.-based Central Walk, has stated her intention to announce on April 18 a proposal to acquire Hudson’s Bay Co.’s retail business. Central Walk owns three major mall complexes in B.C.: Mayfair Shopping Centre in Victoria, Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo, and Tsawwassen Mills in the Tsawwassen First Nation Lands. The deadline for binding bids on HBC is at the end this month.
IKEA Canada will open a Plan and Order Point in Sherbrooke, Que., on April 14. Plan and Order Points offer customers support from IKEA experts to plan, order, and purchase home furnishings for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom.
At the IKEA Sherbrooke Plan and order point, customers will get design support as well as a curated selection of relevant IKEA products to touch and try. When their designs are complete, they can be ordered for home delivery or picked up at a local pick-up point location. The Sherbrooke Plan and Order Point will be the fourth such in Quebec and the ninth in Canada.
The latest edition of Hardlines Dealer News lands in inboxes tomorrow. In this issue, we explore one BMR dealer’s ag focus, an independent affiliate’s purchase of a RONA corporate store, and encouraging shop-local habits. Hardlines Dealer News is monthly and it’s free: click here to subscribe now!
