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March 31, 2014 Volume
xx, #13
“I’ve got all the money I’ll ever need−if I die by four o’clock.”
—Henny Youngman (American comedian, 1906-1998)
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Terry Davis named CEO of Home Hardware Stores
ST. JACOBS, Ont. — Terry Davis, executive vice-president and COO of Home Hardware Stores Limited, has been selected by Home’s board of directors to assume the role of chief executive, effective May 1.
The appointment of a new leader for the dealer-owned co-op—only its third since Home’s inception—takes place during the company’s 50th anniversary year.
Davis (shown left) succeeds current president and CEO Paul Straus (r), who will stay on as president and retain a seat on the co-op’s board of directors. He will also serve as an advisor to both the board and senior management team.
In his new role, Davis will report to the board and be accountable for the control of the business and the general conduct and affairs of Home Hardware Stores and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. He assumes responsibility for the financial control and long-term health of the company.
“Today’s announcement is a result of a planned and considered process carried out by our board of directors,” said Christine Hand, chairman of the board for Home Hardware Stores. “Our succession planning was thorough and thoughtful and the board has determined that Terry is the right choice to lead our company.” Hand also thanked Straus for his commitment to the company, which he has been with since it was started in 1964. “Our company is stronger as a result of Paul’s leadership and devotion to our company’s mission and core values.”
Straus called Davis “a great leader and an innovative executive,” adding, “I am thrilled that my new role as president permits me the continued opportunity to work with Terry, and I am confident that Home Hardware’s future remains bright under Terry’s leadership.” Straus had been president and CEO since taking over from Home’s co-founder, Walter Hachborn, in 2010.
Davis joined Home Hardware more than four decades ago in a junior warehouse position in the distribution centre in St. Jacobs, Ont. In the interim years, he held increasingly responsible managerial and executive positions including dealer support and dealer development, marketing, IT, dealer finance, and strategic planning, until becoming EVP and COO in 2010.
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Chalifour to add hardware at new B.C. distribution centre
LONDON, Ont. — Chalifour Canada has announced that it will expand the product offering at its new distribution centre in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland. The DC, which is currently being relocated to a new facility in another part of Surrey, is expected to be completed by the end of May.
Now, the new warehouse will include “a far greater offering of hardware products than was previously announced by the company,” says Chalifour.
Originally it was slated to carry just building materials, with hardware for West Coast dealers to come out of Chalifour’s London, Ont., distribution centre. Hardware shipped from the east has historically been a challenge, as getting across the Rockies adds to shipping times for dealers and adds costs for distributors. The former Chalifour DC carried a mix of both hardware and building materials for B.C. dealers. That facility was originally the warehouse for IRLY Distributors, before that wholesaler and buying group was acquired by TIM-BR MART Group, which also owns Chalifour Canada. Chalifour serves independents across Canada from five warehouses and offices in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec.
“Following further analysis and ongoing discussions with our customers, we re-evaluated our product selection and are pleased to be able to offer our customers a similar selection of product to what they have at the current location,” said Bret Walters, general manager of Chalifour Canada.
The company’s effort to maintain a full-line DC in the Lower Mainland would certainly serve the specific needs of the region, where strong local wholesalers, including Coast Distributors and Holland Imports, have been beefing up their own hardware assortments. According to the 1Q edition of our sister publication, Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly, Coast has been adding to its core plumbing and electrical categories, and expanding in lawn and garden. Burnaby, B.C.-based Holland Imports has seen an opportunity to increase its outdoor living sales.
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Canadian Tire to host “Dragon’s Den” type event in Vegas
TORONTO — Canadian Tire sent out an invitation recently to vendors to present at “The Canadian Tire Tool Box Challenge” during the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas. The call for products was across the full range of categories Canadian Tire carries. Deadline for applications was March 28. (Notification of this event was sent early last week to our weekly subscribers. —Editor)
At this event, which gets its inspiration from TV’s “Dragon’s Den” series, vendors will have the opportunity to pitch their product in a time-limited scenario (about 20 minutes) in front of a panel of Canadian Tire associates. If successful, their products could be launched as early as this fall, says the company.
As one Canadian Tire merchant told HARDLINES, “The cycle for innovation is very rapid now.” His company wants to capitalize on that speed with this event.
(NOTE TO VENDORS: If you missed the deadline for Canadian Tire’s Tool Box Challenge, you can still meet face-to-face with other key hardware and LBM buyers at the Hardlines “Meet the Buyers” Breakfast on April 30. Click here for more information and to register! —Michael)
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Home Hardware dealer named NRHA Young Retailer of the Year
INDIANAPOLIS — Eight home improvement retailers were recently named “Young Retailer of the Year” for 2014 by the North American Retail Hardware Association. One of those winners is a Canadian.
Trevor Kowalchuk, dealer-owner of Brandon Home Hardware Building Centre in Brandon, Man., won in the category of stores with annual sales over $2 million. This North America-wide program identifies and promotes the next generation of independent home improvement retailers and recognizes individual achievement in the industry by retailers 35 years of age and younger. Criteria for the award include career accomplishments, community involvement, hardware industry education, and extracurricular activities.
When Kowalchuk decided to merge his business with a local building centre, he faced a difficult, but ultimately rewarding task. Integrating the two stores meant keeping a store that was shoppable in the midst of extensive renovations to the building. Because of his efforts, the sales have increased by double digits in categories across the store, including a 63% increase in plumbing sales and a 54% increase in flooring sales over two years.
Kowalchuk and the other Young Retailer winners will be honoured at an industry reception hosted by the NRHA on May 5 at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel prior to the opening of the National Hardware Show.
(HARDLINES is proud to represent NRHA in Canada. Our congratulations to Trevor Kowalchuk for this great accomplishment! —Michael)
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HTV: Why RONA and its vendors must work together
WORLD HEADQUARTERS, TORONTO — RONA is making dramatic changes to its business as it reinvents its big box model, consolidates its operating systems, sharpens the focus on its independent dealer base, and streamlines relationships with its vendors.
The country’s largest home improvement chain is reaching out to both vendors and franchise and affiliate dealers. Our Editor, Michael McLarney, examines RONA’s latest initiatives in light of global trends in retail, and urges vendors to work with RONA as it transforms itself.
(Click here to watch this 2 ½-minute video from Hardlines TV.)
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Classifieds
TERRITORY SALES MANAGER – ONTARIO
LOXCREEN CANADA LTD.
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO
Loxcreen Canada Ltd., www.loxcreen.com / www.mdteam.com , is a leading supplier of floor trims, ceramic accessories and weatherstrip products in North America with head office in Mississauga, Ontario. Loxcreen products are widely known under the Shur-Trim, ProVa, and M-D brand names in the Canadian marketplace. The company is seeking a Territory Sales Manager for Ontario with experience in the retail building materials/hardware industry.
The Territory Sales Manager will call on retail Hardware and LBM locations across Ontario to promote Loxcreen products, develop new business, maintain and set up merchandising displays, provide product knowledge to store associates and work industry trade shows. Competitive compensation package offered.
To see more information on this exciting opportunity, please visit our ad on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/jobs2/view/10844147 or apply directly to employment@loxcreenflooring.com .
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