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April 30, 2012, Volume xviii, #18
“Power is goodness, and goodness is power.”
―Pope Benedict XVI (1927- )
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HARDLINES exclusive: Millwork joins RONA
OSHAWA, ON — Millwork & Building Supplies, one of Canada’s signature independent chains, has joined RONA inc. In a move reminiscent of the  affiliation made by Moffatt & Powell, a six-store chain in Southwestern Ontario, almost two years ago, Millwork has become an affiliate member, and will convert all three of its stores in markets east of Toronto to the RONA banner.
The company, founded in 1951 by Ed Lupton, is still owned by the Lupton family, headed by president Rob Lupton and vice-president Gail Lupton. It has stores in Oshawa, Ajax, and Peterborough, ON, which comprise about 75,000 square feet of retail and storage operations on 25 acres of land. Millwork also has a truss plant in Bowmanville, ON.
 According to the Hardlines Who’s Who, it has estimated sales of about $40 million.
The first store to put up the RONA sign will reportedly be the Peterborough store. In that community, next door to the Millwork outlet, an existing RONA store (a former Cashway), had already been slated for closing. Staff there were notified last week of that store’s closing.
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Weather gives Home dealers a boost at latest market
 ST. JACOBS, ON ― There’s nothing like good weather to boost hardware and home improvement sales, and many dealers at the latest Home Hardware market reported brisk sales, even if those sales aren’t consistent across the country. (Dealers from parts of Ontario and regions of British Columbia reported they are still waiting for sales to pick up in a significant way.)
But regardless of conditions back home, the market was a busy gathering place for the dealers, and their families and staff, who attended. As ever, new products remained a focal point on the show floor, along with new marketing and ad campaigns.
“The theme for this year’s market is ‘ Building Something Great Together’,” said Paul Straus, president and CEO of Home Hardware Stores Ltd. ““This is  our 98th market,” he told HARDLINES. “We have new products and a new advertising program – everything we do at this show is help the dealers improve their business.”
With more than 1,080 members across the country, the show was also the first for six new dealers, who have joined the group since the beginning of the year.
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RONA introduces colour palette and paint-primer combo
TORONTO — RONA used a toney downtown loft space to launch its latest home improvement offering – the RONA Collection of paint – complete with a new range of colours. The colours were turned over to seven interior designers across the country to work with, and RONA has coined them its “Group of Seven.”
The paint launch was focused around one new product, a paint and primer in one. According to Marie-Soleil Tremblay, merchandising director for paint, electrical, and plumbing at RONA, the new line, which features 1,345 shades, was inspired by Canada's natural beauty. It brings together “Canada’s most iconic natural backdrops, including greys from the Canadian Shield, greens from the pines of Quebec, tranquil blues from the Pacific Ocean, and hues of yellow from the wheat fields of Alberta.”
Marie-Claude Brousseau (l), colour and design specialist for RONA, and Marie-Soleil Tremblay, merchandising director for paint, show off the latest colour palette from RONA’s “Group of Seven.” |
Marie-Claude Brousseau, colour and design specialist for RONA, explained how the colour palette was inspired by the latest colour trends worldwide. She also gave a preview of the up-and-coming colours that her team is working with for the year ahead. “The colour for RONA in 2013 is red,” she declared. (Don’t touch that one with a 10-foot pole! —Editor)
The paint colours featured in the RONA Collection are also available in RONA’s private label paint line.
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Worldwide DIY Council to host party in Vegas
VANCOUVER — The Worldwide DIY Council, North America's premier trade association for DIY exporters, will be hosting a penthouse party and networking reception prior to the National Hardware Show for members and guests.
The Council’s Penthouse Networking Reception will take place after its AGM on April 30. It will feature international speakers and presentations on conducting business across the globe, attending international trade shows, and the use of social media to facilitate sales.
“We recognize a lot of business is undertaken away from the show floor, so have planned a networking party and booked the penthouse of the Riviera Hotel for members to relax and catch up with old friends and colleagues, and make new contacts prior to the start of the show in an informal relaxed environment,” says Council president Jayne Seagrave. “It’s another advantage of being a member of the WDIYC.”
For more info, contact Jayne Seagrave.
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Spending on shelter tops expenditures for Canadians
OTTAWA — Canadian households spent an average of $53,016 on all types of goods and services in 2010. Of this total, shelter accounted for 28.3% of spending, transportation for 20.7%, and food, 14.0%. Spending on clothing represented 6.5% of the total, health care amounted to 4.1%, and communications 3.3%.
On average, couples with children spent $74,126 on goods and services, the highest total of all household types. The lowest spending was for one-person households, at $30,563.
Provincially, the biggest spenders were in in Alberta, where households spent an average of $61,134 on goods and services. Next was British Columbia, where the average household expenditure was $56,812. Households in Prince Edward Island reported the lowest spending, at $44,856.
Canadian households spent an average of $14,997 on shelter in 2010. Homeowners spent an average of $17,026, while renters spent about two-thirds of this amount, or $10,874. Provincially, households in Newfoundland and Labrador had the lowest average shelter expense, at $10,395. Alberta households reported the highest dollar spending on shelter, at $17,268.
The highest percentage share of spending on shelter was for households in Ontario, at 30.4% of total spending on goods and services. This was followed by households in British Columbia, at 29.5%. The lowest share was for households in Newfoundland and Labrador, at 23.0%.
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Classifieds
Territory Sales Representative
Our client is a leader in supplying power tool accessories to retail lumber, home center, hardware and industrial accounts. To support their continued growth, the company is adding territory sales resources, in South-Western Ontario.
If you are a high-energy sales achiever, people oriented with exceptional communication skills and ready for the challenge of growing your own territory, please reply, promptly.
Ideal candidates will have a minimum of three years sales experience within the hardware industry, a sound track record of growing a territory and be comfortable with some overnight travel.
A comprehensive package including, salary, incentives, benefits and a company vehicle will be offered to the right individual.
Interested candidates should forward their resume to: margaret@hardlines.ca citing project # 4-25-2012.
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Branch Manager - Halifax
Canada’s largest building products distributor requires a
Branch Manager at its Halifax Branch.
COMPETENCIES:
MUST HAVE - Min 5 years building products industry exp.
MUST HAVE - 3 years industry management exp.
MUST HAVE - knowledge of distribution & sales of branch
Selling commodity/building products an asset
Excellent communication skills, professional appearance
Travel within territory, relationship building abilities
Computer literate & thrive in entrepreneurial environment
Key Responsibilities: Maintain/develop client base & generate new business; Ensure maximum sales revenues, meet & exceed sales target; Oversee all aspects of Branch operations within budget; Oversee maintenance of property, buildings & equipment
SUBMIT COVER LETTER, RESUME & SALARY EXPECTATION TO:
Email : hr@taigabuilding.com
Deadline: May 15, 2012
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Resumés
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