SPECIAL REPORT — HARDLINES has learned that Ace Hardware in the U.S. has filed an emergency injunction against its Canadian partner, TIM-BR MART Group, through TIM-BR MART’s parent company, TBM Holdco Ltd.
The injunction centres around the licensing agreement Ace has with TIM-BR MART, which expires August 31. After that date, Ace dealers in Canada will be free to seek other sources of hardware supply and other banner affiliations. (RONA has forged a new deal with Ace, and will represent the banner in Canada effective September 1.) Until that time, TIM-BR MART cannot make any efforts to convert the dealers. The legal action charges that this was not the case.
