HARDLINES
Canada’s electronic information service
for home improvement industry
October 15, 2001
Volume vii, #42
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca
* * * * * * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE …
* Réno-Dépôt defends turf in Montréal market
* Canadian Tire will unveil new program in 2003
* Ace signs buying agreement with Allroc
* Home Depot buys California plumbing wholesaler
* U.S. president gets more pressure to reverse softwood duties
* * * * * * * * * *
DOING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY?
PLANNING THE BUDGET?
THEN YOU WILL NEED:
HARDLINES RETAIL REPORT 2001 — a turnkey PowerPoint presentation to wow your boss at planning time. Bev actually thought of this one, after getting so many calls every year from people looking for an overview of the size of the market: This presentation looks fabulous: it comes complete with charts, photos and pie charts. Includes
- provincial breakouts
- market share by retail format
- growth of the big boxes
- top 10 home improvement retailers
- ranking of buying groups.
A MUST for anyone trying to explain the Canadian market. Priced VERY low at only $179 + taxes for Hardlines subscribers! (WAY more expensive for non-subscribers!) Call 416.489.3396 or email nancy@hardlines.ca to order your CD-ROM now.
* * * * * * * * * *
HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT —
HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILING IN CANADA
This huge report offers a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, how many stores are out there, who the key players are, their market position, the size and growth of the big boxes, the trends in housing and renovations, market trends — and much, much more! 120-plus pages filled with charts, graphs and photos. Regular price: $945, only $750 for subscribers! For more information, contact Nancy Wright at nancy@hardlines.ca; phone: 416-489-3396.
(go to https://hardlines.ca/html/industry_report.html)
* * * * * * * * * *
RÉNO-DÉPÔT EXPANDS IN ONTARIO, DEFENDS TURF IN QUÉBEC
The opening next month of two new Building Box stores marks the latest strike by Réno-Dépôt to affirm its position as a player in the big box market in Southern Ontario. It entered that market, its first foray outside of Québec, in November 2000 and currently has three stores there. The Mississauga store, scheduled to open November 14, will be the fourth, followed a week later by one in London. A sixth store will open in Windsor next Spring.
"It’s a race for the number two position," says Sylvain Toutant, vice-president marketing and development for Réno-Dépôt. However, in Québec, the strategy is different. "We’re playing a defensive role in Québec," says Toutant. "There, we have to protect our brand."
Both his company and Rona are dukeing it out in Québec with Home Depot, which now has four stores there, three of them in the Montréal area. Rona has two dozen large format stores of its own in Québec, half of them so-called "regional" stores, mini-big boxes that are under 90,000 sq.ft. The 14th Réno-Dépôt will open in Sherbrooke around the end of November.
* * * * * * * * * *
CANADIAN TIRE WILL REINVENT STORE PROGRAM FOR 2003
Canadian Tire has unveiled plans for Next Generation II, the latest upgrade to its "Best of" store upgrade program begun in the early ’90s. Next Gen II, which will begin rolling out in Spring 2003, will feature a major push toward new concepts, including category changes and businesses, brand positioning work, adjacencies, and entirely new product lines. Changes will be accommodated in part by increased retail space from conversion of warehouse space in existing stores.
CTC intends to leverage its name to boost sales in existing stores as new-store growth is expected to slow within the next two-three years. Therefore, pressure will fall on existing stores to generate growth.
Gas bars and car washes will be installed in more stores. One of the areas being investigated is at-home services in related areas, including power equipment after-service. Following a trend among Canadian retailers to softer DIY, CTC will expand its range of home décor products, as well.
* * * * * * * * * *
BUSH CALLED UPON TO RECONSIDER LUMBER RULING
U.S. president George Bush continues to get pressure from special interest groups south of the border opposed to duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
The alliance of American Consumers for Affordable Homes, a 15-member organization that includes Home Depot, CHEP, and the National Association of Home Builders, has urged President Bush to intervene in the Commerce Department’s preliminary decision to impose countervailing duties of 19.3% on softwood lumber imports from Canada.
In a letter to President Bush, the ACAH outlined the impact of the decision on the U.S. economy: duties could reduce GDP from 0.05% to 0.11% — at a time when GDP growth was last reported to be only 0.3%.
The duty’s negative effect on an industry that employs more than seven million workers, and accounts for 5% of the GDP, was stressed. Softwood lumber imports from Canada account for some 35% of U.S. softwood lumber consumption.
A similar appeal was made recently by two ACAH member organizations, Manufactured Housing Institute and Manufacturing Housing Association for Regulatory Reform, pointing out that the cost of a manufactured home has increased by as much as US$2,000 since the duties were imposed.
Upon the April expiration of the U.S./Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement, the U.S. Commerce issued a preliminary ruling on August 10 that put the 19.3% duty in place on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
* * * * * * * * * *
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
Ace Hardware Canada has signed a supply agreement to provide hardware products to Allroc Building Supplies Ltd. Calgary-based Allroc is a private buying group that serves 91 dealers, including seven in the U.S.
Crane Plumbing Corp. Canada has acquired the major assets of Crane Canada Inc.’s Plumbing Division, based in Stratford, ON. The Evanston, IL-based parent company, Crane Plumbing LLC, announced the acquisition as part of their growth strategy into Canada. The company has a previously-established Canadian unit, Fiat Products Ltd., in Winnipeg, MB.
Janus Flooring Co. has made a deal with CanWel Distribution Ltd. to distribute their IMaGES products, a line of prefinished hardwood flooring. CanWel has 13 distribution centres across Canada.
Home Depot Inc. will acquire Your Other Warehouse (YOW), a Baton Rouge, CA distributor of faucets, fixtures and bath & kitchen accessories. YOW had been supplying two divisions of Home Depot, as well as the retailer's EXPO Design Centers, with some special order plumbing products. YOW will continue serving its traditional plumbing wholesaler customers. The deal is expected to close in November.
Lowe’s Cos. has reported net earnings of US$329.1 million for the quarter ended August 3, 2001, a 17.7% increase over the same period a year ago. The retailer’s annual sales for 2000 were reported at US$329.1 million.
Willamette Industries Inc. has announced a 21% fall in profits amid sluggish U.S. demand for building materials, packaging and paper. Sales fell to US$1.12 billion from US$1.17 billion a year earlier at the Portland, OR-based company. The company has been battling a hostile takeover bid by rival Weyerhaeuser Co.
Costco Wholesale Corp. has reported a 5% decrease in fourth-quarter earnings, with a net income of US$190.7 million compared with US$200.2 million for the same quarter a year ago. Sales in the quarter rose 5% to US$10.91-billion from $10.41-billion a year-ago. Same-store sales also rose 5%. September same-store sales climbed 4%. Net sales jumped 10% to US$3.26-billion.
* * * * * * * * * *
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
22.12 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
9.10 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
4.30 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.40 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
41.68 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
15.40 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
34.69 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
15.40 |
| Sodisco-Howden |
0.75 |
2.80 |
0.75 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
10.50 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
31.00 |
"Do not always assume that the other fellow has intelligence equal to yours. He may have more."
— Terry-Thomas
* * * * * * * * * *
MARKET INDICATORS
The housing market in Canada continued strong through September, according Royal LePage Real Estate Services of Toronto. Canadian realtors sold more houses in September 2001 than they did the year previous; the only noticeable impact of the economic slowdown so far is a slight softening of demand for houses in the $500,000 to $1-million range. Houses in this price range are still selling, but a little slower than usual.
The new housing price index rose 0.2% in August from July, according to Statistics Canada. Compared with August 2000, this index of contractors’ selling prices increased 2.9%. Monthly rises occurred in 11 of the 21 urban centres surveyed. In Halifax, higher prices for building materials and labour pushed the index up 0.7% over July. Notable advances were also seen in St. Catharines-Niagara (+0.5%), Montréal (+0.3%) and Edmonton (+0.3%).
U.S. retail sales at discount, chain and department stores fell sharply during the five weeks ended October 6, Instinet Research reported in its weekly Redbook Retail Sales Average. The Redbook Retail Sales Average fell 2.5% during this period, compared with August, slightly worse than the 2.3% decline in the first of those weeks.
* * * * * * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY —
Our website has daily updates on retail and industry news that matter to you.
Keep informed. Visit hardlines.ca. Every day.
* * * * * * * * * *
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Glen French has left Rona Inc. Formerly vice-president merchandising for Rona Retail, he had been re-posted briefly to the Rona Lansing office in Rexdale, following the closing of the consolidation of the Toronto operations. No replacement will be named. (416-241-5129)
Eric Lloyd has joined Kent Building Materials as IT manager. He comes over from GE Reinsurance, replacing Brian McGillivray. (506-632-4100)
Brian McGillivray starts today at Kenroc Building Materials Ltd. in Regina as vice-president operations. He was formerly IT manager at Kent. McGillivray replaces Bruce Bryan, who is retiring, but will remain on during a transition period. (306-525-1415)
Dennis Nykoliation has been appointed president and CEO of GSW Building Products in Barrie, ON. He was formerly president and CEO of CanWel Distribution. He replaces Brian Bacik, who has retired. (705-728-7141)
ProfitMaster Canada has appointed Larry Stewart as regional sales manager for Eastern Canada. He was formerly with Dimensions Retail Systems ... Carole Marshall is now Profitmaster’s marketing manager. (204-889-5320)
Geoff Hicks, formerly with Jacuzzi as national wholesale sales manager, is now president and CEO of Cardinal Sales and Marketing. (416-729-8345)
* * * * * * * * * *
NOTED ...
The Canadian Hardware & Building Materials Show will host "Just say NO to DIY", a seminar offering insider information on how to effectively pursue and profit from contractor sales. Peter Turkstra, vice-president of operations for Turkstra Lumber Co., and Mario Giannetti, owner of Preston Hardware, will lead the discussion. Turkstra’s reputation as a top-notch business speaker goes back to his outstanding presentation at the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference, a trend-setting event if ever there was one!
* * * * * * * * * *
OVERHEARD ...
"Our number-one competition is the tourist industry. The impact of the erosion of tourism will have a positive impact on our industry."
— Sylvain Toutant, vice-president marketing and development for Réno-Dépôt, observes that the uncertainty surrounding the current world situation will push people to cocoon even more than ever, resulting in greater home improvement expenditures.
* * * * * * * * * *
HARDLINES MARKETPLACE
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web: https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
* * * * * * * * * *
SERVICES OFFERED
Noral Marketing:
Representing leading manufacturers since 1986.
We ensure high profile retail presence for a wide range of product lines.
Why not make yours one of them?
www.noralmarketing.com or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
* * * * * * * * * *
HELP WANTED
MERCHANDISER/SUPERVISOR:
MOST Marketing is looking for an experienced merchandiser/supervisor to service the Leviton line of products for retail stores in the Toronto area market.
This is a contract position. Benefits and remuneration are based on experience. If you’re interested and a hard worker, contact Alain Carle, Merchandising and Servicing Manager, Leviton Manufacturing Canada; 1-800-461-2002 ext. 467; e-mail: acarle@leviton.com. Suitable candidates must have a car, and must be available to travel.
* * * * * * * * * *
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS:
You are a senior marketing professional with many years of retail and contractor experience. As a team player, you possess strong communication, managerial and interpersonal skills. You are a very motivated, ‘hands-on’ individual who will be responsible for developing and executing various marketing programs, including print, radio and television. Strong organizational skills are required for overseeing the budget and critical execution paths. Experience in setting up trade and consumer shows and special events would be an asset.
TIM-BR Mart is the national retail brand for hundreds of building centres across Canada. This Ontario management position is dedicated to ensuring that our stores project a strong retail image in the marketplace. Your goal is to strengthen the TIM-BR Mart brand by making the marketing decisions that provide the best value within the approved budget.
We offer a competitive compensation package and a pleasant working environment. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please fax your resumé, in strictest confidence, to the Executive Assistant at the private fax: 905-671-9467 or e-mail to sheenaj@homecare.on.ca
* * * * * * * * * *
OUTSIDE SALES BUILDING MATERIALS, SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO:
Goodfellow Inc. is looking for a BUILDING MATERIALS SALES REPRESENTATIVE, Southwestern Ontario. Some of the products included in the line are hardwood and flooring, pre-finished siding, composite decking, ceiling tile, lumber and panels.
The candidate must possess a minimum of 3 years of sales and marketing experience, as well as be self-motivated, organized, energetic and personable.
Submit your résumé to: Mary Lohmus, VP Building Materials, Goodfellow Inc., PO Box 460; 9184 Twiss Rd., Campbellville, ON; L0P 1B0; email: mmlohmus@goodfellowinc.com; fax: 905-854-6104.
* * * * * * * * * *
VICE-PRESIDENT RESIDENTIAL MARKETS:
Looking for a superior opportunity with a branded, multi-divisional manufacturer? This is it.
Business is good, and it’s time to add a Sales and Marketing leader to direct the strategic planning process and drive unprecedented growth in both the Retail (DIY, LBM, Mass Merchants and Co-ops) and new home construction (builders, remodelers, home service organizations) channels.
Based in the Canadian corporate office in Toronto, you’ll also provide collaborative input to the U.S. parent for sales and marketing strategy alignment, utilizing their strong brand management support team. In addition, you will develop and direct the Canadian Sales and Trade Marketing group.
Among your verifiable skills are both strategic planning and tactical execution in the home improvement and new construction markets. You’re as comfortable presenting programs in front of the Customer as you are putting forward your plans to the company President for approval. "Hitting the home run" would appropriately describe some of your individual and team-based business successes.
Rewards include a generous compensation package including salary, bonus, company vehicle, pension, and deferred profit sharing plan coupled with a dynamic, professional work environment.
Please contact Wolf Gugler, quoting file #02-114. Confidentiality is assured. Wolf Gugler & Associates Limited, 1370 Don Mills Road, Suite 300, Don Mills, ON; M3B 3N7; Phone: 416-386-1719; email: admin@wolfgugler.com; website: http://www.wolfgugler.com
* * * * * * * * * *
THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE
Just $16 per line. A classified ad with Hardlines is the most direct way to industry eyes.
Over 3,000 executives in the industry come in contact with our email and fax publications …
Have you seen our Marketplace in our new website?
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
Publish your ad where it matters. Get industry exposure today.
Contact us at 416-489-3396 or email: buzz@hardlines.ca
* * * * * * * * * *
EUROPE IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
CANADIANS SHOULD BE THERE!
COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR/DIY’TEC:
March 3-6, 2002. For show information, contact: Edel Wichmann, 416-598-3343. To book your flight and hotel, call Carol-Ann Itel at Trade Show Travel: 1-877-873-7469; or fax: 403-247-2448 to arrange your trip. Packages include return air fare and accommodations, as well as admission to the Exhibition. BOOK EARLY!
Each package includes an invitation to the internationally famous CANADA NIGHT RECEPTION on Sunday, March 3, 2002, sponsored by Hardlines and Cologne International Trade Shows. A must for EVERY Canuck in Cologne. We’ll see you there!
* * * * * * * * * *
Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August)
by McLARNEYCOM
542 Mount Pleasant Rd., Suite 302, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4S 2M7
© 2001 by Michael McLarney.
HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca
Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher: mike@hardlines.ca
Eugenia Canas, Assistant Editor: buzz@hardlines.ca
Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager: bev@hardlines.ca
Nancy Wright, Circulation Manager: nancy@hardlines.ca
Subscription: $199+$13.93 GST = $212.93 per year (GST #13987 0398 RT).
Secondary subscriptions at the same office are only $28 + $1.96 GST = $29.98.
You can pay online by VISA at our secure website: https://hardlines.ca/html/order.html
or send us money. Please make cheque payable to McLarneyCom.
* * * * * * * * * *
THE HARDLINES "FAIR PLAY" POLICY:
Reproduction in whole or in part is very uncool and strictly forbidden and really and truly against the law. So please, play fair! Call for information on multiple subscriptions or a site license for your company. We do want as many people as possible to read Hardlines each week — but let us handle your internal routing from this end!
* * * * * * * * * *
HARDLINES
Canada’s electronic information service
for home improvement industry
October 15, 2001
Volume vii, #42
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca
* * * * * * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE …
* Réno-Dépôt defends turf in Montréal market
* Canadian Tire will unveil new program in 2003
* Ace signs buying agreement with Allroc
* Home Depot buys California plumbing wholesaler
* U.S. president gets more pressure to reverse softwood duties
* * * * * * * * * *
DOING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY?
PLANNING THE BUDGET?
THEN YOU WILL NEED:
HARDLINES RETAIL REPORT 2001 — a turnkey PowerPoint presentation to wow your boss at planning time. Bev actually thought of this one, after getting so many calls every year from people looking for an overview of the size of the market: This presentation looks fabulous: it comes complete with charts, photos and pie charts. Includes
- provincial breakouts
- market share by retail format
- growth of the big boxes
- top 10 home improvement retailers
- ranking of buying groups.
A MUST for anyone trying to explain the Canadian market. Priced VERY low at only $179 + taxes for Hardlines subscribers! (WAY more expensive for non-subscribers!) Call 416.489.3396 or email nancy@hardlines.ca to order your CD-ROM now.
* * * * * * * * * *
HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT —
HOME IMPROVEMENT RETAILING IN CANADA
This huge report offers a comprehensive overview of the size of the market, how many stores are out there, who the key players are, their market position, the size and growth of the big boxes, the trends in housing and renovations, market trends — and much, much more! 120-plus pages filled with charts, graphs and photos. Regular price: $945, only $750 for subscribers! For more information, contact Nancy Wright at nancy@hardlines.ca; phone: 416-489-3396.
(go to https://hardlines.ca/html/industry_report.html)
* * * * * * * * * *
RÉNO-DÉPÔT EXPANDS IN ONTARIO, DEFENDS TURF IN QUÉBEC
The opening next month of two new Building Box stores marks the latest strike by Réno-Dépôt to affirm its position as a player in the big box market in Southern Ontario. It entered that market, its first foray outside of Québec, in November 2000 and currently has three stores there. The Mississauga store, scheduled to open November 14, will be the fourth, followed a week later by one in London. A sixth store will open in Windsor next Spring.
"It’s a race for the number two position," says Sylvain Toutant, vice-president marketing and development for Réno-Dépôt. However, in Québec, the strategy is different. "We’re playing a defensive role in Québec," says Toutant. "There, we have to protect our brand."
Both his company and Rona are dukeing it out in Québec with Home Depot, which now has four stores there, three of them in the Montréal area. Rona has two dozen large format stores of its own in Québec, half of them so-called "regional" stores, mini-big boxes that are under 90,000 sq.ft. The 14th Réno-Dépôt will open in Sherbrooke around the end of November.
* * * * * * * * * *
CANADIAN TIRE WILL REINVENT STORE PROGRAM FOR 2003
Canadian Tire has unveiled plans for Next Generation II, the latest upgrade to its "Best of" store upgrade program begun in the early ’90s. Next Gen II, which will begin rolling out in Spring 2003, will feature a major push toward new concepts, including category changes and businesses, brand positioning work, adjacencies, and entirely new product lines. Changes will be accommodated in part by increased retail space from conversion of warehouse space in existing stores.
CTC intends to leverage its name to boost sales in existing stores as new-store growth is expected to slow within the next two-three years. Therefore, pressure will fall on existing stores to generate growth.
Gas bars and car washes will be installed in more stores. One of the areas being investigated is at-home services in related areas, including power equipment after-service. Following a trend among Canadian retailers to softer DIY, CTC will expand its range of home décor products, as well.
* * * * * * * * * *
BUSH CALLED UPON TO RECONSIDER LUMBER RULING
U.S. president George Bush continues to get pressure from special interest groups south of the border opposed to duties on Canadian softwood lumber.
The alliance of American Consumers for Affordable Homes, a 15-member organization that includes Home Depot, CHEP, and the National Association of Home Builders, has urged President Bush to intervene in the Commerce Department’s preliminary decision to impose countervailing duties of 19.3% on softwood lumber imports from Canada.
In a letter to President Bush, the ACAH outlined the impact of the decision on the U.S. economy: duties could reduce GDP from 0.05% to 0.11% — at a time when GDP growth was last reported to be only 0.3%.
The duty’s negative effect on an industry that employs more than seven million workers, and accounts for 5% of the GDP, was stressed. Softwood lumber imports from Canada account for some 35% of U.S. softwood lumber consumption.
A similar appeal was made recently by two ACAH member organizations, Manufactured Housing Institute and Manufacturing Housing Association for Regulatory Reform, pointing out that the cost of a manufactured home has increased by as much as US$2,000 since the duties were imposed.
Upon the April expiration of the U.S./Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement, the U.S. Commerce issued a preliminary ruling on August 10 that put the 19.3% duty in place on Canadian softwood lumber imports.
* * * * * * * * * *
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
Ace Hardware Canada has signed a supply agreement to provide hardware products to Allroc Building Supplies Ltd. Calgary-based Allroc is a private buying group that serves 91 dealers, including seven in the U.S.
Crane Plumbing Corp. Canada has acquired the major assets of Crane Canada Inc.’s Plumbing Division, based in Stratford, ON. The Evanston, IL-based parent company, Crane Plumbing LLC, announced the acquisition as part of their growth strategy into Canada. The company has a previously-established Canadian unit, Fiat Products Ltd., in Winnipeg, MB.
Janus Flooring Co. has made a deal with CanWel Distribution Ltd. to distribute their IMaGES products, a line of prefinished hardwood flooring. CanWel has 13 distribution centres across Canada.
Home Depot Inc. will acquire Your Other Warehouse (YOW), a Baton Rouge, CA distributor of faucets, fixtures and bath & kitchen accessories. YOW had been supplying two divisions of Home Depot, as well as the retailer's EXPO Design Centers, with some special order plumbing products. YOW will continue serving its traditional plumbing wholesaler customers. The deal is expected to close in November.
Lowe’s Cos. has reported net earnings of US$329.1 million for the quarter ended August 3, 2001, a 17.7% increase over the same period a year ago. The retailer’s annual sales for 2000 were reported at US$329.1 million.
Willamette Industries Inc. has announced a 21% fall in profits amid sluggish U.S. demand for building materials, packaging and paper. Sales fell to US$1.12 billion from US$1.17 billion a year earlier at the Portland, OR-based company. The company has been battling a hostile takeover bid by rival Weyerhaeuser Co.
Costco Wholesale Corp. has reported a 5% decrease in fourth-quarter earnings, with a net income of US$190.7 million compared with US$200.2 million for the same quarter a year ago. Sales in the quarter rose 5% to US$10.91-billion from $10.41-billion a year-ago. Same-store sales also rose 5%. September same-store sales climbed 4%. Net sales jumped 10% to US$3.26-billion.
* * * * * * * * * *
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
22.12 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
9.10 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
4.30 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.40 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
41.68 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
15.40 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
34.69 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
15.40 |
| Sodisco-Howden |
0.75 |
2.80 |
0.75 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
10.50 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
31.00 |
"Do not always assume that the other fellow has intelligence equal to yours. He may have more."
— Terry-Thomas
* * * * * * * * * *
MARKET INDICATORS
The housing market in Canada continued strong through September, according Royal LePage Real Estate Services of Toronto. Canadian realtors sold more houses in September 2001 than they did the year previous; the only noticeable impact of the economic slowdown so far is a slight softening of demand for houses in the $500,000 to $1-million range. Houses in this price range are still selling, but a little slower than usual.
The new housing price index rose 0.2% in August from July, according to Statistics Canada. Compared with August 2000, this index of contractors’ selling prices increased 2.9%. Monthly rises occurred in 11 of the 21 urban centres surveyed. In Halifax, higher prices for building materials and labour pushed the index up 0.7% over July. Notable advances were also seen in St. Catharines-Niagara (+0.5%), Montréal (+0.3%) and Edmonton (+0.3%).
U.S. retail sales at discount, chain and department stores fell sharply during the five weeks ended October 6, Instinet Research reported in its weekly Redbook Retail Sales Average. The Redbook Retail Sales Average fell 2.5% during this period, compared with August, slightly worse than the 2.3% decline in the first of those weeks.
* * * * * * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY —
Our website has daily updates on retail and industry news that matter to you.
Keep informed. Visit hardlines.ca. Every day.
* * * * * * * * * *
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Glen French has left Rona Inc. Formerly vice-president merchandising for Rona Retail, he had been re-posted briefly to the Rona Lansing office in Rexdale, following the closing of the consolidation of the Toronto operations. No replacement will be named. (416-241-5129)
Eric Lloyd has joined Kent Building Materials as IT manager. He comes over from GE Reinsurance, replacing Brian McGillivray. (506-632-4100)
Brian McGillivray starts today at Kenroc Building Materials Ltd. in Regina as vice-president operations. He was formerly IT manager at Kent. McGillivray replaces Bruce Bryan, who is retiring, but will remain on during a transition period. (306-525-1415)
Dennis Nykoliation has been appointed president and CEO of GSW Building Products in Barrie, ON. He was formerly president and CEO of CanWel Distribution. He replaces Brian Bacik, who has retired. (705-728-7141)
ProfitMaster Canada has appointed Larry Stewart as regional sales manager for Eastern Canada. He was formerly with Dimensions Retail Systems ... Carole Marshall is now Profitmaster’s marketing manager. (204-889-5320)
Geoff Hicks, formerly with Jacuzzi as national wholesale sales manager, is now president and CEO of Cardinal Sales and Marketing. (416-729-8345)
* * * * * * * * * *
NOTED ...
The Canadian Hardware & Building Materials Show will host "Just say NO to DIY", a seminar offering insider information on how to effectively pursue and profit from contractor sales. Peter Turkstra, vice-president of operations for Turkstra Lumber Co., and Mario Giannetti, owner of Preston Hardware, will lead the discussion. Turkstra’s reputation as a top-notch business speaker goes back to his outstanding presentation at the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference, a trend-setting event if ever there was one!
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OVERHEARD ...
"Our number-one competition is the tourist industry. The impact of the erosion of tourism will have a positive impact on our industry."
— Sylvain Toutant, vice-president marketing and development for Réno-Dépôt, observes that the uncertainty surrounding the current world situation will push people to cocoon even more than ever, resulting in greater home improvement expenditures.
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HARDLINES MARKETPLACE
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web: https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
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SERVICES OFFERED
Noral Marketing:
Representing leading manufacturers since 1986.
We ensure high profile retail presence for a wide range of product lines.
Why not make yours one of them?
www.noralmarketing.com or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
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HELP WANTED
MERCHANDISER/SUPERVISOR:
MOST Marketing is looking for an experienced merchandiser/supervisor to service the Leviton line of products for retail stores in the Toronto area market.
This is a contract position. Benefits and remuneration are based on experience. If you’re interested and a hard worker, contact Alain Carle, Merchandising and Servicing Manager, Leviton Manufacturing Canada; 1-800-461-2002 ext. 467; e-mail: acarle@leviton.com. Suitable candidates must have a car, and must be available to travel.
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MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS:
You are a senior marketing professional with many years of retail and contractor experience. As a team player, you possess strong communication, managerial and interpersonal skills. You are a very motivated, ‘hands-on’ individual who will be responsible for developing and executing various marketing programs, including print, radio and television. Strong organizational skills are required for overseeing the budget and critical execution paths. Experience in setting up trade and consumer shows and special events would be an asset.
TIM-BR Mart is the national retail brand for hundreds of building centres across Canada. This Ontario management position is dedicated to ensuring that our stores project a strong retail image in the marketplace. Your goal is to strengthen the TIM-BR Mart brand by making the marketing decisions that provide the best value within the approved budget.
We offer a competitive compensation package and a pleasant working environment. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please fax your resumé, in strictest confidence, to the Executive Assistant at the private fax: 905-671-9467 or e-mail to sheenaj@homecare.on.ca
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OUTSIDE SALES BUILDING MATERIALS, SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO:
Goodfellow Inc. is looking for a BUILDING MATERIALS SALES REPRESENTATIVE, Southwestern Ontario. Some of the products included in the line are hardwood and flooring, pre-finished siding, composite decking, ceiling tile, lumber and panels.
The candidate must possess a minimum of 3 years of sales and marketing experience, as well as be self-motivated, organized, energetic and personable.
Submit your résumé to: Mary Lohmus, VP Building Materials, Goodfellow Inc., PO Box 460; 9184 Twiss Rd., Campbellville, ON; L0P 1B0; email: mmlohmus@goodfellowinc.com; fax: 905-854-6104.
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VICE-PRESIDENT RESIDENTIAL MARKETS:
Looking for a superior opportunity with a branded, multi-divisional manufacturer? This is it.
Business is good, and it’s time to add a Sales and Marketing leader to direct the strategic planning process and drive unprecedented growth in both the Retail (DIY, LBM, Mass Merchants and Co-ops) and new home construction (builders, remodelers, home service organizations) channels.
Based in the Canadian corporate office in Toronto, you’ll also provide collaborative input to the U.S. parent for sales and marketing strategy alignment, utilizing their strong brand management support team. In addition, you will develop and direct the Canadian Sales and Trade Marketing group.
Among your verifiable skills are both strategic planning and tactical execution in the home improvement and new construction markets. You’re as comfortable presenting programs in front of the Customer as you are putting forward your plans to the company President for approval. "Hitting the home run" would appropriately describe some of your individual and team-based business successes.
Rewards include a generous compensation package including salary, bonus, company vehicle, pension, and deferred profit sharing plan coupled with a dynamic, professional work environment.
Please contact Wolf Gugler, quoting file #02-114. Confidentiality is assured. Wolf Gugler & Associates Limited, 1370 Don Mills Road, Suite 300, Don Mills, ON; M3B 3N7; Phone: 416-386-1719; email: admin@wolfgugler.com; website: http://www.wolfgugler.com
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THE HARDLINES MARKETPLACE
Just $16 per line. A classified ad with Hardlines is the most direct way to industry eyes.
Over 3,000 executives in the industry come in contact with our email and fax publications …
Have you seen our Marketplace in our new website?
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
Publish your ad where it matters. Get industry exposure today.
Contact us at 416-489-3396 or email: buzz@hardlines.ca
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EUROPE IS STILL OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
CANADIANS SHOULD BE THERE!
COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL HARDWARE FAIR/DIY’TEC:
March 3-6, 2002. For show information, contact: Edel Wichmann, 416-598-3343. To book your flight and hotel, call Carol-Ann Itel at Trade Show Travel: 1-877-873-7469; or fax: 403-247-2448 to arrange your trip. Packages include return air fare and accommodations, as well as admission to the Exhibition. BOOK EARLY!
Each package includes an invitation to the internationally famous CANADA NIGHT RECEPTION on Sunday, March 3, 2002, sponsored by Hardlines and Cologne International Trade Shows. A must for EVERY Canuck in Cologne. We’ll see you there!
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Hardlines is published weekly (except monthly in December and August)
by McLARNEYCOM
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© 2001 by Michael McLarney.
HARDLINES™ the electronic newsletter hardlines.ca
Phone: 416.489.3396; Fax: 416.489.6154
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher: mike@hardlines.ca
Eugenia Canas, Assistant Editor: buzz@hardlines.ca
Beverly Allen, Marketing Manager: bev@hardlines.ca
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THE HARDLINES "FAIR PLAY" POLICY:
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