|
March 3, 2014 Volume
xx, #9
“It is not the strength, but the duration, of great sentiments that makes great men.” —Friedrich Nietzsche (German philosopher and author, 1844–1900)
______________________________________________________________________
Home Depot’s 2013 sales up 5.4%
ATLANTA — The Home Depot posted fiscal 2013 sales of $78.8 billion, an increase of 5.4% from fiscal 2012. The prior year had a 53rd week; not counting that week, sales for fiscal 2013 were up 7.2%. Same-store sales for the entire company for the year were up 6.8%, and same-store sales for U.S. stores were positive 7.5%. The company reports that this was the strongest same-store sales growth since 1999.
Earnings per diluted share in fiscal year 2013 were $3.76, compared to $3.00 per diluted share in fiscal year 2012, an increase of 25.3%. Excluding the 53rd week in the prior fiscal year, earnings per diluted share increased by 28.3%.
Commenting on the company’s performance in Canada, Frank Blake, president and CEO of Home Depot, said in a call to analysts that “We’re very pleased with our Canadian business,” noting that same-store sales here have been improving for several consecutive quarters. In fact, fourth-quarter results for the Canadian division outperformed the company as a whole. The Canadian business, Blake added, “is doing well in an environment where our competitors, RONA and some others, are having great difficulty.”
For the fourth quarter, total sales reached $17.7 billion, down 3.0%, reflecting the extra week in fiscal 2012, which had added approximately $1.2 billion in sales for the fourth quarter and fiscal year in 2012. Excluding the additional week in 2012, sales for the fourth quarter were up 3.9%.
Net earnings for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 were $1.0 billion, flat with 2012, but reflecting a 7.4% increase in diluted earnings per share. Excluding the extra week in the prior year, earnings per diluted share increased by 19.7%.
The company forecasts growth of 4.8% and same- store sales growth of approximately 4.6% in 2014, based on continual improvements in the U.S. housing market and rising house prices there.
back to top 
______________________________________________________________________
Core categories carry Lowe’s to strong 4Q results
MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe’s Cos. saw sales rise 5.7% for fiscal 2013, to $53.4 billion. Same-store sales increased 4.8%. Sales for the fourth quarter increased 5.6% to $11.7 billion, and same-store sales for the quarter increased 3.9%.
Profits were up as well, with the company turning in net earnings of $2.3 billion for the year, an increase of 16.7%. For the fourth quarter, net earnings rose 6.3 % to $306 million and diluted earnings per share increased 11.5% to $0.29.
“During the quarter, we delivered solid performance in core home improvement categories, balancing softer sales of seasonal gifts, and holiday decorations,” said Robert Niblock, Lowe’s chairman, president, and CEO.
For 2014, the company expects total sales to increase by about 5% and same-store sales are expected to increase approximately 4%.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
Orgill show draws Canadian interest
ORLANDO, Fla. — American hardware wholesaler Orgill held its fall dealer market here last week, and once again the event attracted a large number of Canadian dealers. While the bulk of them—at least 100—were Castle members, most other Canadian banners were also represented.
This year, Orgill’s efforts to provide a full assortment that is available to its Canadian customers translated into a model store on the show floor that featured 100% Canadian compliant products. Called “Kodiak Trail Hardware,” the 14,000-square-foot “store” featured expanded assortments for Canucks in areas such as electrical and barbecues.
Charles Osborne, branch manager for Star Building Supplies based in Winnipeg, was down with three colleagues for the first time at the show. “It’s impressive,” he said, adding that the show offered “some great deals.” While Star is a member of Independent Lumber Dealers Co-operative, which in turn sources hardware through its membership in Spancan, Osborne and his team found the range of products and the pricing to be attractive. “Next year I would bring our hardware buyer,” he added.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
Superior’s construction business down in 2013
CALGARY — Superior Plus Corp. posted results for the fourth quarter and year-end 2013, including results for its Construction Products Distribution division. EBITDA for that business, which includes Winroc and Allroc, was $9.8 million, down from $10.2 million in the prior year quarter. These latest results benefited from higher average selling prices and improved average sales margins, offset by higher operating costs. For the year, EBITDA was $27.3 million, down from $33.2 million a year earlier.
Fourth-quarter gross profit for the Construction Products Distribution business was higher than the prior year quarter, thanks to improved average selling prices and modestly higher margins. Gypsum sales volumes were a bit lower overall, as improved U.S. sales volumes due to ongoing improvements in residential construction activity were not enough to offset lower sales volumes in Canada. Canadian sales were affected by the closing of a number of branch locations as part of 2012 restructuring activities, combined with a slowdown in housing starts and general construction.
Superior anticipates that EBITDA from operations in 2014 will be higher than in 2013 due to continued improvements in U.S. residential construction markets as well as benefits resulting from ongoing business initiatives. Superior further expects that the U.S. commercial market will be modestly improved in 2014 compared to 2013 and that the Canadian residential market will continue to be challenging. In light of the ongoing improvements in the U.S. construction industry, Superior is currently assessing strategic alternatives for its Construction Products Distribution business.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
Home Depot Canada opens first rapid deployment centre
TORONTO — The Home Depot Canada has opened its first Canadian Rapid Deployment Centre. Located in Vaughan, Ont., this new 657,600-square-foot facility will service the retailer’s 123 stores from Winnipeg east to its store in St. John’s.
“This site is part of The Home Depot Canada’s ongoing changes to benefit its supply chain,” said Serge Carestia, vice president of supply chain, The Home Depot Canada. “The Rapid Deployment Centre will help us deliver the right amount of stock to ensure we help customers by having the products they need available for their projects.”
The Vaughan RDC is big enough to house 12 football fields. It features over two km of conveyor belts where cartons from suppliers are received, sorted, and immediately distributed to Home Depot stores every week. Home Depot is also building an RDC in Western Canada, reportedly near Calgary, which will serve Home Depot’s 57 stores west of Winnipeg. Home Depot has 180 stores in Canada.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
Classifieds
World Kitchen, LLC.
National Account Manager – OLFA Business.
(Oakville, ON)
Reporting to the VP/GM, this role is charged with managing a customer
portfolio totaling $8M-$12M plus in annual sales revenue, and requires a
Bachelor’s degree as well as 3-7 years of large account management skills required. We need someone who has strong financial acumen, adept in all aspects of trade management, who has strong critical thinking skills and a track record in improving customer profitability. This position requires 25%-50% travel. If interested, please click here.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
TREE ISLAND STEEL
Product Manager
Located in Richmond, BC
Tree Island Steel seeks an experienced Product Manager. The Product Manager will report to the Sales Manager, Retail/ Residential Products and will lead the launch, execution and support of a new product initiative, including procurement, inventory recommendations, logistics, customer product support, while ensuring the new product exceeds business targets, customer needs and expectations. Experience with fasteners is an asset.
To see more information regarding this exciting opportunity, please visit our careers page which can be found here.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
National Retail Sales Manager, The Hillman Group Canada
Our client is a leading distributor of hardware, signs and key duplication equipment to more than 21,000 retail locations worldwide. The company has 11 facilities across North America and services over 58 countries with a significant presence in Mexico, South and Central America, and the Caribbean. The integration of the H Paulin business unit has provided the company with dominant North American market share in all categories they serve.
We’ve been retained to search out a Retail Sales Manager for the Canadian division overseeing growth of the sales encompassing LBM and other independent retailers nationally. Big Box and mass merchandise retailers would be excluded. Primary objectives are: driving revenue, developing business relationships, managing field sales organization and controlling expenses. He/she will provide hands-on leadership in developing an existing field sales team including both factory sales staff and independent agents. The position will involve some time in the Toronto east end office, but the majority of time will be spent in the field with sales staff assisting them in overachievement of their goals and providing excellent customer satisfaction as a direct result.
Key qualifications include:
- Minimum 10 years field sales management experience
- Experience in the Canadian hardware and/or building materials industry preferred
- Extensive senior sales experience and contacts with national/ regional hardware and building materials retailers and wholesalers
- Ability to develop and execute sales and management programs and policies
- Excellent planning, organization, time management skills
- Strong written and verbal skills . French a definite asset.
- Advanced User of Microsoft Office - Word, Excel & PowerPoint
- Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
- Post secondary undergraduate diploma/degree in business or equivalent
- Ability to travel extensively
Interested? Please contact Wolf Gugler in strict confidence by phone (888-848-3006), by clicking this link or by applying online on our web site at www.wolfgugler.com . We reply to all responses.
Wolf Gugler Executive Search, 200-100 Consilium Place, Toronto, ON. Offices in Canada and the U.S.
back to top
______________________________________________________________________
back to top
|
