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IN THIS ISSUE:

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DID YOU KNOW...

…we are changing up the "NEWS IN BRIEF" section of our newsletter below. We have now broken this section up into two parts: "RETAILER NEWS" and "SUPPLIER NEWS". We hope you like it!

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RETAILER NEWS

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — Harold and Goetz, a long-time Homecare-TIM-BR-MART member in Brantford, Ont., is Castle Building Centres’ newest independent affiliate. The store started in 1921 as a small-goods wholesaler. By 1980, the business had evolved into a full-service roofing contracting company for both residential and flat roofing projects and full-service building materials wholesale and retail operation.

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L’ANCIENNE-LORETTE, Que. — Canac is building a new outlet in Drummondville, Que. The company has reportedly acquired 650,000 square feet of land in an industrial park there. The new facility will be built at a cost of $4.5 million and create 70 new jobs. Canac has been building, on average, a new store per year over the past decade.

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OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware has entered a multi-year sponsorship with PGA Tour star Hunter Mahan, marking the first time Ace has sponsored an active pro athlete. Ace’s sponsorship of Mahan will include his appearance in the brand’s 2015 “Golf Swing Away” TV ad, which will begin airing in April to promote Ace’s Free Store Pickup program, also launching nationally that month. Mahan will wear the Ace logo on his golf apparel during tournaments.

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MINNEAPOLIS — Could Target be ready to pull out of Canada? After racking up a $2.1 billion loss for its parent, the fate of Target Canada remains in question. According to The Huffington Post Canada, sales per square foot are reportedly $140, well below analysts’ estimated break-even of $250, while Christmas traffic was also lighter than anticipated. The fate of Target’s Canadian operation is in the hands of its CEO Brian Cornell, who is expected to make a decision about the Canadian operation by the end of Target’s fiscal year-end of February 25. The frontrunner to acquire the banner’s Canadian stores is Cornell’s former employer, Wal-Mart, which already has 391 stores in Canada.

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BENTONVILLE, Ark. — During the latest holiday season, Walmart encouraged shoppers to trade their gift cards from other stores for Walmart cards instead. The retail giant hosted a promotion to consumers with wallets full of gift card credits from nearly 200 other merchants, according to Fortune. Home Depot and Lowe’s gift cards are among those Walmart would accept, awarding up to 97% of a card’s value in exchange for a Walmart card.

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TAMPA, Fla. — Restoration Hardware is building a new “mega-mansion” gallery in Florida. The 47,000-square-foot space will likely feature rooftop gardens, fountains, and a dozen bedrooms, bathrooms and living rooms—and everything is for sale. The development follows similar transformations of a former natural history museum in Boston’s Back Bay area and a historic post office in Greenwich, Conn., as well as an Atlanta superstore.

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SUPPLIER NEWS

CALEDONIA, Ont. — Nicholson and Cates Limited has partnered with Horizon Coatings Inc. to become the newest distributor of Horizon’s Ready Pine and Rustic Pine products. They’re part of a broader line of pre-finished flooring products in a range of colours in a random length, end-matched, T&G program and join Nicholson and Cates’ “Smart Source” product portfolio, which includes Benjamin Obdyke, Cabot Stain, FastenMaster, Fraser Wood Siding, Fusion Stone, James Hardie, and Trex Decking & Railing. Official launch date of the Ready Pine Program from Nicholson and Cates is January 19. CALGARY — For the first time at the 2015 Western Retail Lumber Association Buying Show in Calgary, January 21-24, Ply Gem will host a “ProTalk Education Series” headlined by retail futurist Doug Stephens of Retail Prophet. The seminars aim to provide professionals in the Canadian lumber and home improvement industry with business building ideas, and trends. Prior to founding the Retail Prophet, Stephens spent 20 years in the retail industry, holding senior international roles, including the leadership of New York City’s Janovic chain of boutique paint and decorating stores. style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">__________________________________

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Lance McRobbie has joined Bosch as national account manager. He was formerly in charge of national accounts at The Mibro Group. Ace Hardware has named Dan Miller vice president of retail operations and new business. He has been with the company for 33 years, most recently as director of retail operations. Also at Ace: Brian Wiborg has been named vice president of retail development and supply. He rejoined Ace in December 2013 as director of category management and business to business. With the acquisitions of Emery-Waterhouse and Jensen Distribution Services under the Ace Hardware wholesale division (see feature story in this issue—Editor), Ace has appointed Hoyoung Pak president of Ace Wholesale Holdings, reporting to John Surane, executive vice president of marketing, merchandising and sales. style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">__________________________________

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Housing starts dropped to 180,560 units at a seasonally adjusted annual rate in December, from 193,199 in November. Urban starts decreased to 162,915 in December, from 173,627 in November. The decrease was led by multiple urban starts, which decreased to 103,054 units in December from 110,766 in November, while single-detached urban starts decreased to 59,861 units from 62,861. Urban housing starts saw relatively large declines in Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the Prairies, while urban housing starts registered modest gains in Ontario and British Columbia. Rural starts were estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17,645 units. (CMHC) Building intentions were down in November from the previous month, as municipalities issued building permits worth $6.6 billion. The decline follows two consecutive monthly increases. (StatCan) The New Housing Price Index rose 0.1% in November. Provincially, gains in Alberta and Ontario were moderated by a decline in British Columbia. Calgary was the top contributor to the November growth, with prices up 0.3% over the previous month. Hamilton recorded the largest monthly price increase in November, as prices rose 0.4% for the second straight month. In Vancouver, prices fell for the first time since July, dropping 0.2%. (StatCan) Canada lost 4,300 jobs in December, with full-time work up by 54,000, offset by losses in part-time jobs totalling 58,000. The unemployment rate remained at 6.6%. Employment gains in 2014 amounted to 186,000 (+1.0%), with increases in the second half of the year accounting for most of the growth. (StatCan) style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">__________________________________

OVERHEARD...

“Overall, activity in 2014 continued to be supported by employment growth and migration, with starts remaining essentially unchanged at 189,401 compared to 187,923 in 2013. These factors are expected to continue to promote stability in the pace of new home construction during 2015.” —Bob Dugan, chief economist at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp., on the latest declines in housing starts. _________________________________

January 12, 2015 Volume

xxi, #1 “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” —Saint Francis of Assisi (Italian friar, preacher and mystic, patron of animals and the environment, 1181-1226)

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RONA takes selective approach to dealer recruitment BOUCHERVILLE, Que. — As RONA inc. works to keep its independent dealers onside, the company has already stated that it will be more selective in recruiting new dealers in future (see our June 19, 2014 edition —Editor). In a conference call with analysts late last year, president and CEO Robert Sawyer said his company has a vision to attract good affiliate dealers, which are, he says, rare. “We want to be selective on people that we want to recruit to join us in the company.” While 70% of RONA’s revenues are from corporate stores, the company says it is working to put more tools in the hands of its affiliates, to help them compete in their market. Sawyer promises “more to come in 2015.” He notes that affiliate dealers make a strong addition to the RONA network, calling them “our best investment,” adding, “We want to recruit quality merchants that fit into our program.”

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______________________________________________________________________ Home Hardware re-brands its contractor events ST. JACOBS, Ont. — Home Hardware Stores Limited will welcome contractors, renovators, builders, and other tradespeople to its newly branded “HH Pro Contractor Tradeshows” this month. The series, previously known as “Tough as Nails,” kicked off in Ottawa on January 8 and will stop in seven cities across Canada. The events aim to provide attendees the chance to network with peers, learn about new products and trends, meet industry experts, and try hands-on demonstrations. Stone-wool insulation producer Roxul will also host a series of seminars at each show with building and renovation information on building codes and new products. After Ottawa, the events will be held at: Barrie, Ont., January 14 at the Barrie Molson Centre; London, Ont., January 20 at the Western Fair District; Calgary, February 5 at Stampede Park; Winnipeg, February 19 at Red River Exhibition Park; Kelowna, B.C., February 24 at Prospera Place; and Halifax, March 12 at Exhibition Park. “The HH PRO Contractor Tradeshows are one of the many ways in which Home Hardware Building Centre and Home Building Centre locations help home builders, renovators and tradespeople,” says Alec Thompson, contractor communications marketing manager at Home Hardware Stores. About 70 hardware and building materials suppliers will be featured at each show, and Home expects to attract up to 5,000 pros to the events.

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______________________________________________________________________ CHHMA names Straus, Gilbart to Hall of Fame SCARBOROUGH, Ont. — The Canadian Hardware & Housewares Manufacturers Association has announced its 2015 inductees to its Industry Hall of Fame, which is now in its 31st year. Two industry veterans, Paul Straus of Home Hardware Stores Limited and Bryan Gilbart, of Richmond Hill, Ont.-based Envirogard-Rainfresh, will be inducted on April 8 at an industry luncheon sponsored by the CHHMA. The Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize the achievements of our industry’s leaders and pioneers. Since that time, 58 industry icons, inventors, and business founders and builders from the retail and manufacturing sectors have received the honour. Straus has been with Home Hardware since its inception, working in the accounting department of Home’s predecessor, Hollinger Hardware, in 1963. He was responsible for designing, installing, and programming the company’s first computer system. Over the course of his career, Straus advanced through the organization and ascended to various executive level positions until 1989, when he assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the company from co-founder Walter Hachborn as executive vice-president and general manager. In 1998, he was appointed VP and CEO and in 2010, president and CEO and elected to the board of directors. In May 2014, Straus retired as CEO but remains the company’s president, a member of the board, and an advisor to both the board and senior management team. A long time veteran of the industry, Bryan Gilbart began his career with Aqualine Products in 1969, where he rose to the position of president. Aqualine was sold to Moen Inc. in 1985 and he worked for Moen, starting in Canada and then in the U.S. In 1991, he returned to Canada and joined Envirogard-Rainfresh as a partner. Gilbart has been actively involved with the CHHMA, serving on the board on three separate occasions totalling 16 years, including chairman in 1997-98. Over the years he has helped with company and association fund-raising events. He is also a member of the Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating. The award luncheon will be held in conjunction with the CHHMA’s AGM and Spring Conference.

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Ace acquires Jensen Distribution Services OAK BROOK, Ill. — Ace Hardware Corporation has acquired hardlines distributor Jensen Distribution Services. Founded in 1883, and based in Spokane, Wash., Jensen has about $150 million in wholesale revenue selling some 65,000 SKUs to more than 2,000 customers in 11 Western states. Product lines include household hardware, hand and power tools, electrical, paint and sundries, outdoor living, housewares, automotive, and lawn and garden products. The acquisition, valued at $32 million, is establishing something of a trend by Ace to become an active consolidator. Early last year it bought up Emery-Waterhouse, a 170-year-old Portland, Maine-based distributor of hardlines products for independents throughout the American Northeast. Both companies fall under Ace’s hardware wholesale division. “As the hardlines industry evolves and consolidates, Ace Hardware is faced with the options of simply letting the chips fall our way, or actively participating as a leader to shape this industry for the long-term benefit of Ace shareholders,” says John Venhuizen, President and CEO of Ace Hardware Corp. Ace expects both deals to provide long-term financial benefits for its shareholders, including enhanced buying power for both Ace and Jensen, as well as access to new categories, products, and suppliers. Mike Jensen, CEO of Jensen Distribution Services, plans to retire this year, while his son Chris Jensen and daughter Micah Dunlap, who represent the fifth generation of the family, will continue to run the business under Ace.

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Lowe’s keeps adding to its “Smart Home” platforms REDWOOD CITY, Calif. & SUMMIT, N.J. — Lowe’s is increasing its involvement in smart home technology with a couple of new partnerships that will help homeowners manage their environments through their mobile devices. Starting in early 2015, many Lowe's Iris smart home devices will be certified through Icontrol’s “OpenHome” Developer Program. That program was built to encourage compatibility among devices. Lowe's will feature the OpenHome brand mark both online and in stores. An in-aisle electronic display will help customers sort products by OpenHome device compatibility and the service providers they use. Consumers can also use the co-branded OpenHome website to do research from their own homes. Lowe’s has also joined with Electrolux to test a wireless packaged terminal air conditioner program in high-rises. The wireless units, based on technology by Energy Technology Savings L.L.C., a provider of energy efficiency and smart building systems, are being tested in five different metropolitan New York and New Jersey locations. They’ve been designed to enable management and residents to better manage and reduce energy costs with mobile apps that control and schedule temperature settings.

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Classified Ads

blanconewsletter

Automotive Account Manager

Position Responsibilities: This position will be responsible for growing top line sales, profit and market share for our Automotive business in Canada. Key accounts include Canadian Tire, NAPA and other regional business. This position will be responsible for the following:
  • Strategic planning, development, and implementation of business plans to expand and develop new business opportunities.
  • Achieving results through strategic category management, sales models & proformas.
  • Building & executing customer programs
  • P&L and Budget Management
  • Negotiation of yearly account agreements
  • Manage line reviews
Experience Required:
  • 3+ yrs of sales experience with Major Accounts Retail Management
  • 2+ years experience Managing P&L(and financial support tools)
Preferred Experience:
  • Knowledge of Automotive Retail Segment(or related hardware segment)
  • Knowledge of Canadian Tire and/or NAPA
Education Required:
  • Bachelors Degree required or equivalent experience required

To apply, go to: http://careers.sherwin-williams.com/jobs/18890

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