August 15, 2016 Volume xxii, #32

“Summer time, and the livin’ is easy.”
—George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, and Ira Gershwin
(from the opera, “Porgy and Bess,” 1935)

______________________________________________________________________

SUMMER PUBLISHING SCHEDULE: Please note there will be no weekly edition of HARDLINES for the next two weeks, August 21 and 29. The World Headquarters will remain open, however, during this time. The regular weekly schedule will resume September 5.

(Click here to receive FREE Daily News updates all the time!)

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Orgill to open Western DC that will serve Alberta and B.C. dealers

MEMPHIS — U.S. hardware wholesaler Orgill has announced the addition of a distribution centre in Post Falls, Idaho. Orgill has signed an agreement to acquire the facility and is expecting to close on the purchase September 1.

“We are excited to announce this expansion to our distribution network and look forward to the enhanced efficiencies this will create for our customers as we move forward,” says Ron Beal, Orgill’s chairman, president and CEO.

The 500,000-square-foot facility will be Orgill’s seventh full-service distribution centre, in addition to existing locations in Tifton, Ga.; Inwood, W.V.; Sikeston, Mo.; Hurricane, Utah; Kilgore, Texas; and London, Ont. The new facility will service Canadian customers in British Columbia and Alberta, as well as customers in five states throughout the American Northwest. It’s expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2017.

“Orgill’s investment in this distribution centre will further enhance our ability to provide retailers with access to all the products, programs, and services they need to compete effectively,” says Orgill COO Brett Hammers.

back to top

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Following departure of Michael Medline, Canadian Tire ramps up digital initiatives

TORONTO — The recent ouster of Canadian Tire CEO Michael Medline marred the otherwise positive news of reasonably strong second-quarter results for Canadian Tire Corp. However, some insiders have speculated that the company’s tepid growth online was a contributor to Medline’s departure.

Under Stephen Wetmore, who originally preceded Medline in the CEO role and has replaced him since, Canadian Tire has revealed it has 30 online initiatives currently in the works. These initiatives have been active over the past 18 months, corresponding approximately to the timeline during which Wetmore quietly began stepping back into day-to-day operations at the company.

“The journey to become an omnichannel retailer, able to satisfy the customers’ needs in whatever manner they want to shop, has brought about a major shift in culture for [Canadian Tire], building on our test-and-learn orientation in every banner, and creating even greater collaboration within our businesses and with our dealer partners,” Wetmore said recently in a call to analysts.

Of the 30 projects currently under way, he admits, “not all of these will be home runs,” but they will all be part of the company’s learning curve to master the online space. The Canadian Tire Retail stores are already using a pay online and pick up in-store model.

Wetmore indicated that Canadian Tire Corp., which includes Sport Chek and Mark’s Work Wearhouse, will continue to build on its strength as a bricks-and-mortar retailer. “I don’t believe that we should aspire to be the number-one digital player in the world. It’s an impossible aspiration. But I think we have to be extremely creative and innovative in our marketplace.”

back to top

_________________________________________________________________

Lowe’s Christmas preview features products designed for Canadian customers

TORONTO — For the first time, Lowe’s Canada has opened up its holiday products preview to the media. Cindy Jardim, the director of style and trends for the company, added that it was the first time the company presented exclusively Canadian-designed products that they felt were more suitable to Canadian consumers.

Held in an event space in Toronto’s trendy Entertainment District, the décor was divided into four distinct themes: comfort and joy, sweet Noel, deck the halls, and cold spell. Everything on display, save for the dishes, was available at Lowe’s Canada stores.

And for another first, this will mark the first year the company has done open-stock ornaments, which Jardim anticipated Canadian shoppers will like. “A lot of thought went into these collections,” she says. “We’re really taking the look up a notch, bringing more sophistication, but still at an accessible price for our customers.”

In addition to the seasonal products, Lowe’s also took the opportunity to showcase its appliance lines and in-stock kitchen lines. One new product Jardim was especially enthused by was a clothing steamer from LG. Apparently, demand for the product was so high when first released in Europe that the North American launch had to be delayed. She jokingly added that it was going to be on her own Christmas list.

Jardim has been very impressed with the appliance assortment, and the variety of aesthetics they appeal to. Ranging from a vintage look, complete with a fridge, toaster, and kettle by Smeg—the Italian appliance company for which Lowe’s is the exclusive retailer—and more traditional looks that evoke turkey dinner served on “the good china” to a contemporary, condo-sized look, Lowe’s is tailoring its offerings to a diverse range of customers.

“We’ve got a lot of fun, feel-good things this season,” says Jardim. “They’re really thinking about the end user.”

back to top
_________________________________________________________________

Christmas in July: a preview of holiday products at Canadian Tire

TORONTO — Canadian Tire held a promotional event recently in Toronto to showcase the new lines and colours for its Christmas assortments. The preview was an invitation to press and TV types to get an insider’s look at coming trends.

But as it turned out, it was somebody’s birthday at the World Headquarters and, well, we just never made it to said event. Nevertheless, a helpful PR person working on behalf of Canadian Tire did their best to shore us up with additional information, including a digital copy of the product booklet. It showcases the latest in holiday décor, trees, and lights. Canadian Tire’s proprietary label, Canvas, was prominent in the assortments, with Spiced Plum, “a shadowy, sophisticated tone inspired by twilight hues,” being the company’s designated hue of the season.

Hey, why don’t you just take a look for yourself? Enjoy!

back to top
_________________________________________________________________

Selkirk Home Hardware manager receives scholarship for NRHA Management School

SELKIRK, Man. — Wendy Lang, Store Manager of Selkirk Home Hardware Building Centre is the recipient of the Home Hardware NRHA Retail Management Certification Program Scholarship valued at US$6,250 ($8,166). The program, offered through the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA), will take place in Indianapolis this fall.

To apply, scholarship candidates completed an essay and participated in a phone interview with program administrators. Following this process, a successful applicant was chosen by an NRHA selection committee.

“The scholarship selection committee was very impressed with Wendy’s superior organizational skills and her vision for expanding Home Hardware’s future use of technology,” says Scott Wright, executive director of the Retail Leadership Institute at NRHA. “Wendy will bring a great deal of experience to the class and will be able to share many of the best practices she has gleaned while working in an award-winning store over the past 20 years.”

The NRHA Retail Management Certification Program provides up-and-coming retail leaders with the skills they need to engage in strategic planning, decision-making, and leadership activities.

The fall session for the NRHA Retail Management Certification Program begins September 13, 2016 in Indianapolis, Ind. (For more information about this incredible program, please click here.)

back to top
_________________________________________________________________

NRHA brings together dealers for an afternoon of baseball

TORONTO — The North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and the National Hardware Show brought together Canadian dealers for an afternoon of baseball, hot dogs, and hardware in Toronto on July 31. Dealers from the area were invited down to a box at the Rogers Centre to watch the Toronto Blue Jays take on the Baltimore Orioles.

Hosted by Dan Tratensek and Bob Cutter of the NRHA, and joined by the team from NRHA Canada, about 30 dealers from 12 different stores came out to talk and share ideas, enjoy some food and drinks, and take an afternoon off from the store.

The NRHA has been helping independent home improvement retailers in North America become better and more profitable merchants for more than 100 years. The organization provides members with a wide array of educational and training programs, financial management resources, and human resource tools—all available online with unlimited access.

The game itself was an intense one—going into 12 innings—and was neck and neck until the Orioles hit a homerun with the bases loaded in the top of the 12th. In the end, the Orioles won 6-2. A disappointing loss, but it was still a great day for dealers to get out of the store for an afternoon, get to know their fellow dealers, and learn more about the NRHA.

(NRHA offers a range of online training programs, including Basic Training in Hardware Retailing and Basic Training in Building Material Retailing. For more information, click here!)

back to top
______________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

CLASSIFIED ADS

Job Title: Territory  Manager, Schlage (Two Opportunities)

• Territory Manager, Ontario
• Territory Manager, Western Canada

Company Profile
Allegion Canada, a market leading manufacturer of door hardware and access control products with key brands such as Schlage, LCN and Von Duprin, is hiring two Territory Managers (Western Canada and Ontario). 

Position Summary
Reporting directly to the National Sales Manager, the ideal candidate is a self-motivated, driven sales professional with a passion for excellence.  The Territory Manager, Schlage Canada, is part of an energetic team responsible for developing our growing Schlage residential business across Canada.  They are detail oriented, strategic and analytical with the ability to think outside the box.

Responsibilities

• The successful incumbent will be responsible for managing the sales growth of the sales region through effective account management. This includes store resets, new store coordination, store walks, event implementation and special projects.
• Grow market penetration by developing strong relationships with assigned accounts store level associates, Department Managers and Store Operators and Managers.
• Develops a territory business plan and customized business plans for assigned accounts, promotional activity, shelf management programs, product training, investment strategies, and revenue goals.
• Utilizes existing marketing programs to maximize market-share growth and ensures that selling strategies align with revenue and profit goals outlined in Annual Operating Plan.  Responsible for meeting budget and expense parameters for optimizing operating profit.
• Supervises and manages the development and execution of the regional field sales team.
• Represents Allegion Canada with the highest integrity.   Conducts regular business reviews and other analyses to be able to make recommendations that will improve our business performance.
• Represents Allegion Canada at national, regional, and local dealer and builder shows as required.

Knowledge/Experience Required: 

• 3-5 years’ experience in a sales and marketing role
• University or college degree in Sales and/or Marketing
• Good attitude and good work ethic and willing to learn
• Exceptional computer skills
• Strong communication and written skills. Bilingualism is an asset
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Must be willing to travel up to 45% of the time
• The ability to multi task and handle various priorities
• Strong ability to work in a collaborative, supportive way
• Experience with both electrical and mechanical door hardware an asset

If you believe you have the skill set that matches our position requirements please apply using the links below.
https://allegion.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Calgary-Canada/Territory-Manager---Alberta_JR4824-3

https://allegion.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Remote-Location-Canada/Territory-Manager---Ontario_JR4738-6

For more information please visit Allegion.com.
_____________________________________________________________________

Rep or Distributor Wanted
U.K.-based manufacturer seeks rep or distributor for Canada and North America for new product line. Products are absorbent rolls to protect houses from excess surface water flooding. Looking for existing distribution network into the large retailers such as Home Depot, Lowe’s. Potential for own branding of products for distributor. Contact: info@ubersorb.com

_____________________________________________________________________

TERRITORY MANAGER POSITION AVAILABLE