January 25, 2016 Volume
xxii, #4
“People of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.”
—Leonardo Da Vinci (Italian Renaissance artist, inventor, and architect, 1452-1519)
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Calgary location gains momentum for WRLA show in second year
CALGARY — The second appearance of the Western Retail Lumber Association in Calgary, after decades in Saskatoon, drew dealers and vendors alike. After the “show me” attitude of some companies last year, the event has proven itself. The result: strong support by exhibiting vendors and an apparent bump in dealer attendance.
The show faced a drop in attendance by dealers from Saskatchewan last year, which generally seemed to be the case again this year. However, attendance from Alberta and British Columbia dealers remained high, and traffic on day one of the show was brisk, according to most vendors HARDLINES spoke with.
While the show remains a venue for special buys, a number of vendors were content to be present mainly to reinforce customer relations and provide product information. Travis Reynolds of Steel-Craft, whose booth was front and centre at the BMO Centre, was one such exhibitor. Other vendors were using the show to launch new products.
At the Bosch booth, the relaunch of the Skil brand as “Skilsaw” for the company’s line of professional circular saws was getting a big push. According to Greg Lavigne, national sales manager for Bosch’s power tool division, eight new products were being featured. Jamey Paterson of Paterson Products based in Langley, B.C., was rolling a new line of tape measures, thanks to a new listing with Keson out of the U.S.
Jeld-Wen of Canada was promoting a new distribution agreement with Allegion’s Schlage brand of locksets. “For us it’s about bundling products to best serve our customers’ needs,” said Laura Fisher, marketing director for Jeld-Wen. “This opportunity ties tightly to our core product. Our focus will continue to be being the world’s biggest window and door company and we’re not going to lose focus.”
The presence of two wholesalers was also garnering a lot of attention among dealers. RONA was there with Ace Canada, presenting a range of products and programs for independents. Two aisles over, representatives from Orgill Canada kept busy fielding queries from dealers interested in understanding more about this new company, which is the result of Orgill's acquisition of Chalifour Canada last year.
While the flat economy in Alberta put a damper on sales for some, attendees overall reported a positive reaction to the Calgary location.
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Jeff Kinnaird named president of Home Depot Canada
TORONTO ― Jeff Kinnaird, a 19-year veteran of Home Depot Canada, has been appointed to take over the Canadian division’s top job. Kinnaird, who is vice president of merchandising, will assume the role of president effective February 1. Pamela O’Rourke, senior director of merchandising, strategy, planning, and sourcing, will replace Kinnaird as VP merchandising.
Kinnaird, who has been with the company since 1996, started out as a store associate at the Home Depot store in Richmond, B.C., at the age of 22. He moved up through the ranks, getting his executive MBA along the way, and eventually becoming regional vice president. He took over as VP merchandising when Gino DiGioacchino left that position in 2011 and joined Walmart Canada.
Kinnaird takes over a job that was up in the air for several months. Outgoing president Bill Lennie was given the added role of EVP of outside sales and service for Home Depot's newly created MRO, pro and installation business in July 2015. This position was created following the company’s acquisition of Interline Brands, a large maintenance, repair, and operations company based in Florida. Lennie continued to lead Home Depot Canada while a successor was being sought.
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Westcoast Show will feature dealer education track
SURREY, B.C. — The next edition of the BSIA Westcoast Building & Hardware Show & Ultimate Home Show will feature a new location―and a number of new features to set it apart from other industry trade shows―including a seminar series to help dealers run their businesses better.
The show, produced by the Building Supply Industry Association of British Columbia, will be held in Surrey, B.C., at the Cloverdale Fair Grounds in the Agriplex, March 11-13, 2016. There will be 100 booths offering new products and show specials to dealers from across the province. In partnership with Hardlines inc., the show will also feature a series of keynotes by top individuals in the areas of online retail and store management.
Liz Drayton is part of the retail team at Google Canada, which means she works with the country’s largest retailers to help them best translate their brand and customer experience through digital media. She has strong experience working with some of Google’s largest home improvement and furniture retailers.
Roy Prevost is a “customer service activist.” Through insightful, often humorous presentations, Prevost provides tips on how independent dealers can make their businesses more successful. Based in Vancouver, he has developed his approach over more than 25 years of experience in all facets of marketing, wholesale, retail, and manufacturing.
The BSIA Westcoast Building & Hardware Show and Ultimate Home Show, in partnership with the Hardlines Seminar Track, will be held in Surrey, B.C., at the Cloverdale Fair Grounds in the Agriplex, March 11-13. For more information about the show, contact the BSIA at 1-888-711-5656; or info@bsiabc.ca.
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Canadian Tire expands CANVAS brand for spring and summer
TORONTO — Canadian Tire continues to focus on expanding its style and décor brand, Canvas. The company, which recently offered a mid-January preview of its summer and patio furniture to journalists, has added even more accessories such as rugs, lighting, and cushions to the line.
Tracy Platt, the style and design manager for Canadian Tire, says her team focused on four main design themes for the coming season: green, blue, black and light, and terracotta. For the patio furniture, the team worked with Canadian designers and travelled the world, drawing inspiration from both far-flung and local trends. One of the focal points in the showroom was a cantilever umbrella, which Platt calls a “showstopper,” with solar-powered LED lights built into the umbrella. It also comes with optional netting, which Platt says gives it an almost gazebo-like effect.
She adds that all this season’s patio furniture is mix-and-match. From the use of mixed materials to cushions drawn by a Toronto textile designer, and plants displayed as décor, the line taps into all the current home design trends. “We have some really fun new pieces,” says Platt. “They don’t look like what you’d expect to find at a Canadian Tire.”
The preview event also gave visitors a glimpse of what’s in store for the Canvas brand for next fall. Along with more lighting and a complete redo of the rug selection, Canadian Tire will also introduce more white pieces and home furniture.
“It’s all new,” says Platt. “I think with every launch, my team is really challenging our buying team to take more risks with items. Of course, they also really know the Canadian market, so it’s just building on that.”
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Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures has announced that Greg Thomas, formerly national director of Install Sales for RONA, is now part of the BMF team. During his 25 years with Lansing and RONA, Thomas worked his way up from yard shipper to store manager. Previously a key player in building the installation business for RONA, he will now work at BMF with independent dealers, helping them to design and renovate their stores.
Phil Warren has a new role at Saniflo Canada. After two years with the Guelph, Ont.-based bath products company, he has been named Eastern Canada account manager, in charge of overseeing growth in Eastern Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. His role will include implementing the national marketing strategy, product training, and support to the local sales force.
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CLASSIFIED ADS
LM2 Marketing, a 20-year-old Manufacturer’s Rep Agency, is looking for a Sales Representative for Central Ontario/GTA. Sales background within Hardware, Paint and Industrial markets would be an asset. Please send resume to Rlepine@LM2.ca
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