HARDLINES
Canada’s electronic information service for home improvement industry
September 17, 2001
Volume vii, #38
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca <https://hardlines.ca/>
* * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Retailers rally following NYC terrorist attack
* Canadian Tire considering at-home services
* Hardlines Conference gets overwhelming support from industry
* * * * * *
SPECIAL REPORT:
THE CONFERENCE THAT ALMOST WASN’T
Two days of information, ideas and networking marked the latest Hardlines Marketing Conference in Toronto on September 13. More than 110 people managed to attend the Conference, presented in combination with the Retail Strategies Symposium on September 12.
However, the tragic events of a day earlier, when terrorist attacks rocked the Western World, put the fate of the entire event in question. Like the rest of the world, we tried to process the magnitude of the horror of what had just occurred. But after an hour, another realization set in: the viability of the Hardlines Conference hung in the balance. Speakers were not going to be able to get here from the U.S. and Europe. Delegates were stuck who would have flown in from the U.S. as well. Then we heard Canadian air travel was grounded. Now, anyone who would have flown into Toronto for this just wasn’t going to make it.
Paul Ingevaldson of Ace Hardware tried until the last minute to take a car across the border from Chicago to fulfill his obligation to be our opening speaker. Tom Hearn, vice-chair of American Tool, tried frantically to round up a corporate jet. Wolf Gugler was in Oklahoma; Brenda Dumont was stuck in Vancouver. Don Sherwood of the ABSDA in Moncton, NB remained in constant communication with the airport there, trying for the next 36 hours to get his Maritime delegation into Toronto.
Although all their efforts were in vain, they all reflected the incredible support we were receiving for this conference.
We had to get new speakers. What normally takes up to two years to plan had to be done overnight. First up to the plate: Walter Hachborn and Paul Straus of Home Hardware Stores, who opened the day for us. Alistair Linton, in charge of building the Benjamin Moore brand in stores across Canada, agreed to give a presentation with only hours to spare. Finally, a panel of retailers came together for us at the last minute, comprising Dunc Wilson of Ace Hardware Canada, Tony DiEmanuele of GROWMARK and Jos Wintermans, the new head of Sodisco-Howden Group.
Gilles Caille of Fediyma, the federation of European hardware manufacturers, delivered his presentation by international live telephone feed, in sync with his Powerpoint presentation, which we had received a few days earlier. It was an unequivocal success.
Henri Drouin, chairman of Rona Inc., took the train from Montréal. Mark Foote, president of Canadian Tire Retail made it despite the imminence of CTC’s own dealer event a few days later.
Of course, the best part of the Conference was the audience itself. The support of the people who did make it was overwhelming and was the final, and most important, part of a successful event. Unquestionably, September 11 is a day that will change irrevocably how we conduct our lives and our businesses. Our thanks to everyone who did make it to the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference, and to those who tried so hard to make it, in spite of the challenges, both personal and professional.
— Sincerely, Michael, Beverly, Nancy & Eugenia
______________________________________________
CANADIAN TIRE TOYS WITH AT-HOME SERVICES,
EXPANDS CONSUMABLES
"Constant Renewal" is nothing less than a company philosophy, one that is obsessed with change, said Mark Foote, president of Canadian Tire Retail, at the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference last week. That change has marked the company’s continual updating of its store programs, careful analysis of its customer base and its exploration of new businesses — including the exploration of domestic services.
Following an overview of Canadian Tire’s positioning in the market, Foote went on to discuss the company’s strategy for change. The strategy involves a cycle of idea generation, testing, and eventual roll-out.
He underscored an important point about the process of constant renewal. The evaluation of implemented ideas is a step that retailers often miss.
And even Canadian Tire is not exempt: Foote cited the rollout of the company’s Next Generation stores at the beginning of 2000. Next Generation was an enhancement to its "Class of" program, aimed at upgrading the layout and programs within its stores. Foote admitted that the dealers’ eagerness to adopt the Next Generation program meant mistakes were repeated unnecessarily. Many dealers put the program into their own stores before it was adequately tested. A continuing evaluation process was able to identify — and eliminate — these mistakes for the remaining dealers.
Having gone through a further evaluation, Canadian Tire is now expecting to change up to 400 of its stores to the Next Generation format.
Canadian Tire is now spending a lot more time making sure that ideas work. Viable ideas generated by anyone from head office or from among the dealer base will be eventually implemented and "sold" to the rest of the stores, but only after lots of testing. Most testing takes place at the "Retail City" facility in the Sheppard Ave. warehouse. The site houses a full "class A" store, while a "class C" store has just been completed and a new automotive department is on display there right now.
The constant renewal process requires that, once evaluation is completed, all the players go back to brainstorming to start the cycle once again.
Foote revealed that service extensions such as lawn care are under consideration right now. "We like experimenting with services that are close to the products offered," he said. Instore, consumables continue to grow. For example, pet food can now be found in CTC’s larger format stores. "Pet food is one of our largest growth categories. It’s profitable. It creates good natural frequency stops. In the past we had a debate over whether to offer consumable goods, and the conclusion was that goods like that promote frequency visits and basket filling."
Canadian Tire’s "odd duck reputation," as Foote puts it, comes from the indefinable combination of its product offerings. "If you can’t eat it or wear it, you’ll find it at Canadian Tire," he says.
"There is a lot of temptation to drift away from our roots," says Foote. But this is changing as the company irons out the wrinkles of its change philosophy. "Assessing the fit of an idea is now essential."
______________________________________________
RETAILERS RESPOND TO TRAGEDY WITH RELIEF EFFORTS
Canadian Tire is among the companies pitching in to provide aid to victims of the disasters that struck September 11 in the U.S. CTC stores across the country will serve as collection points for cash donations on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross U.S.A. Appeal. Sleeping bags, air mattresses and other camping equipment have been donated to shelters for stranded travellers throughout Canada.
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot in the U.S. have donated US$1 million toward relief efforts, while both TruServ and Ace Hardware have shipped truckloads of supplies to aid rescue efforts.
_____________________________________________
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
Home Depot opened its newest store in Leaside, ON last Thursday. The store continues the company’s expansion of its "soft DIY" approach, with greater emphasis on décor products and accessories.
Sears Canada has reported that August revenues increased 6.5% to $454.7 million, from $426.9 million for the same period last year. Merchandise sales increased 8.6% in the month. Same store sales increased 1.2%.
Premdor Inc. has completed the acquisition of Masonite Corp. from International Paper Corp., which becomes part of a worldwide door manufacturing operation comprising 70 facilities in 12 countries.
Uniforêt has announced that production at its Port-Cartier sawmill will be suspended from October 1st to October 12th, 2001 inclusively. This step was taken in response to deteriorating conditions on the lumber market following the preliminary determination of a 19.3% countervailing duty on Canadian lumber shipments to U.S. markets.
JDA Software has acquired E3 Corp., a maker of inventory optimization systems. Many home improvement retailers currently use E3, and the acquisition gives JDA a fuller base of space management software for retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers to maximize their inventory decisions with computer assisted ordering and replenishment systems.
______________________________________________
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
22.70 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
9.45 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
6.65 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.65 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
40.45 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
15.30 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
31.86 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
14.00 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
9.90 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
36.00 |
______________________________________________
"There never was a good war or a bad peace."
— Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
"Today the real test of power is not capacity to make war but to prevent it."
- Anne O’Hare McCormick
______________________________________________
MARKET INDICATORS
U.S. retailers, already weakened by a sputtering U.S. economy, could face another drop in consumer spending after the terrorist attacks this week. Americans remained glued to round-the-clock news coverage of grieving families and the wreckage of the attacks, and many would consider it insensitive and almost unpatriotic to take a trip to the mall. Although most retailers agreed that it was too early to quantify the impact to sales or earnings, analysts said September and third-quarter results would take a heavy hit.
* * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY —
Our website has daily updates on retail and industry news that matter to you.
Keep informed. Visit hardlines.ca <https://hardlines.ca/> . Every day.
* * * * * *
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
The following individuals were elected to the CRHA board of directors: Alex Blais, Stephan Home Hardware Building Supplies, Drayton Valley, AB; Brad Collins, Collins True Value Hardware, The Pas, MB; Jack Crombie, Centre Do-It Hudson, Hudson, QC; Mack Foster, Mack Foster Building Materials Ltd., Richmond, BC; Ib Fynbo, Essex Home Hardware, Essex, ON; Stéphane Gagnon, RONA L’entrep?t, St. Bruno, QC; Mario Giannetti, Preston Hardware, Ottawa; Pierre Levesque, Michaud & Levesque, Sturgeon Falls, ON; Michel Perron, Quincaillerie St-Sacrement, QC; Linda Smith, Dickson Pro Hardware, Toronto, ON; Bill Towndrow, Lunenburg Pro Hardware, Lunenburg, NS; Brian Warr, George Warr Ltd., Springdale, NF. (905-821-3470)
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating has announced the transfer of leadership from soon-to-retire CIPH president Ed Hardison to president-elect Ralph Suppa. Suppa assumes full responsibility for the CIPH staff immediately. Hardison will focus on major external programs including the first ISH North America show to be held in Toronto in 2002. (416-695-0447)
Home Depot in Atlanta has appointed David Rutherford to the position of vice-president of litigation. He will report directly to Frank Fernandez, executive vice-president, secretary and general counsel, and will be based at the Home Depot store support centre in Atlanta, GA. (770-433-8211)
______________________________________________
OVERHEARD ...
"Some people say it’s a sin to make a profit. I say it’s a miracle."
— Walter Hachborn, chairman and president of Home Hardware Stores Ltd., in his opening remarks at the recent Hardlines Marketing Conference. He was commenting on the challenge faced by the independent retailer to run a profitable enterprise in today’s competitive marketplace.
______________________________________________
* * * * HARDLINES MARKETPLACE* * * *
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web:
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
______________________________________________
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 <http://www.noralmarketing.com/> or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
* * * * * *
RETAIL SALES CONSULTANT:
Ace Hardware Canada Ltd., a worldwide leader in hardware supply and distribution with operations in Markham, Brantford and Calgary, has an immediate vacancy for the position of RETAIL SALES CONSULTANT–Saskatchewan and Manitoba Region.
As the successful candidate, you will have five or more years sales experience in the wholesale hardware or LBM Industry with extensive knowledge of how to provide effective support to retail hardware customers. At Ace Canada, "effective support" means listening and responding to the needs of our customers; attending to detail and providing consistent follow-up. You have a reasonable knowledge of how to use computers to advantage; and most of all, you are highly organized and capable of working both independently and as part of the team.
Ace Canada offers a competitive compensation package and career potential. If you are qualified for this position, please fax or e-mail your résumé, including salary history/expectations to: vice-president, operations and administration, Ace Hardware Canada Ltd., 80 Micro Court, 3rd Floor, Markham, ON; L3R 9Z5; fax 905-475-2721; e-mail: stan.sauer@acehardware.ca
* * * * * *
MARKETING DIRECTOR:
Sexton Group Ltd. operates as a buying group for approximately 275 building supply members located from Ontario to British Columbia. It also has an affiliation with a buying group serving the greater Toronto area and with a buying group serving Québec.
To serve our members with competitive buying programs, with the best prices, terms and conditions, we require an individual to perform the function of MARKETING DIRECTOR.
Working from our Winnipeg office and traveling frequently, the incumbent will meet with members to understand and respond to their needs. The incumbent will also negotiate purchase arrangements with new and existing suppliers and be responsible for various member programs such as flyers and private label programs.
The ideal candidate will have a background in sales and marketing, preferable in the retail and wholesale building materials industry, computer literacy, superior human relation skills, and growth potential.
Please submit your résumé in confidence to: Bob Mondy, Vice-President and General Manager, Sexton Group Ltd., 46 — 1313 Border Street, Winnipeg, MB; R3H 0X3
For further information, visit our website: http://www.sextongroup.com <http://www.sextongroup.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 …
… and 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
______________________________________________
DOING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY? PLANNING THE BUDGET?
THEN YOU WILL NEED HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT:
"Home Improvement Retailing in Canada" is 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)
______________________________________________
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
______________________________________________
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!
______________________________________________
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 or send us money. Please make cheque payable to McLarneyCom.
HARDLINES
Canada’s electronic information service for home improvement industry
September 17, 2001
Volume vii, #38
Michael McLarney, Editor & Publisher
Phone: 416.489.3396
Fax: 416.489.6154
email: mike@hardlines.ca
hardlines.ca <https://hardlines.ca/>
* * * * * *
IN THIS ISSUE:
* Retailers rally following NYC terrorist attack
* Canadian Tire considering at-home services
* Hardlines Conference gets overwhelming support from industry
* * * * * *
SPECIAL REPORT:
THE CONFERENCE THAT ALMOST WASN’T
Two days of information, ideas and networking marked the latest Hardlines Marketing Conference in Toronto on September 13. More than 110 people managed to attend the Conference, presented in combination with the Retail Strategies Symposium on September 12.
However, the tragic events of a day earlier, when terrorist attacks rocked the Western World, put the fate of the entire event in question. Like the rest of the world, we tried to process the magnitude of the horror of what had just occurred. But after an hour, another realization set in: the viability of the Hardlines Conference hung in the balance. Speakers were not going to be able to get here from the U.S. and Europe. Delegates were stuck who would have flown in from the U.S. as well. Then we heard Canadian air travel was grounded. Now, anyone who would have flown into Toronto for this just wasn’t going to make it.
Paul Ingevaldson of Ace Hardware tried until the last minute to take a car across the border from Chicago to fulfill his obligation to be our opening speaker. Tom Hearn, vice-chair of American Tool, tried frantically to round up a corporate jet. Wolf Gugler was in Oklahoma; Brenda Dumont was stuck in Vancouver. Don Sherwood of the ABSDA in Moncton, NB remained in constant communication with the airport there, trying for the next 36 hours to get his Maritime delegation into Toronto.
Although all their efforts were in vain, they all reflected the incredible support we were receiving for this conference.
We had to get new speakers. What normally takes up to two years to plan had to be done overnight. First up to the plate: Walter Hachborn and Paul Straus of Home Hardware Stores, who opened the day for us. Alistair Linton, in charge of building the Benjamin Moore brand in stores across Canada, agreed to give a presentation with only hours to spare. Finally, a panel of retailers came together for us at the last minute, comprising Dunc Wilson of Ace Hardware Canada, Tony DiEmanuele of GROWMARK and Jos Wintermans, the new head of Sodisco-Howden Group.
Gilles Caille of Fediyma, the federation of European hardware manufacturers, delivered his presentation by international live telephone feed, in sync with his Powerpoint presentation, which we had received a few days earlier. It was an unequivocal success.
Henri Drouin, chairman of Rona Inc., took the train from Montréal. Mark Foote, president of Canadian Tire Retail made it despite the imminence of CTC’s own dealer event a few days later.
Of course, the best part of the Conference was the audience itself. The support of the people who did make it was overwhelming and was the final, and most important, part of a successful event. Unquestionably, September 11 is a day that will change irrevocably how we conduct our lives and our businesses. Our thanks to everyone who did make it to the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference, and to those who tried so hard to make it, in spite of the challenges, both personal and professional.
— Sincerely, Michael, Beverly, Nancy & Eugenia
______________________________________________
CANADIAN TIRE TOYS WITH AT-HOME SERVICES,
EXPANDS CONSUMABLES
"Constant Renewal" is nothing less than a company philosophy, one that is obsessed with change, said Mark Foote, president of Canadian Tire Retail, at the Sixth Annual Hardlines Marketing Conference last week. That change has marked the company’s continual updating of its store programs, careful analysis of its customer base and its exploration of new businesses — including the exploration of domestic services.
Following an overview of Canadian Tire’s positioning in the market, Foote went on to discuss the company’s strategy for change. The strategy involves a cycle of idea generation, testing, and eventual roll-out.
He underscored an important point about the process of constant renewal. The evaluation of implemented ideas is a step that retailers often miss.
And even Canadian Tire is not exempt: Foote cited the rollout of the company’s Next Generation stores at the beginning of 2000. Next Generation was an enhancement to its "Class of" program, aimed at upgrading the layout and programs within its stores. Foote admitted that the dealers’ eagerness to adopt the Next Generation program meant mistakes were repeated unnecessarily. Many dealers put the program into their own stores before it was adequately tested. A continuing evaluation process was able to identify — and eliminate — these mistakes for the remaining dealers.
Having gone through a further evaluation, Canadian Tire is now expecting to change up to 400 of its stores to the Next Generation format.
Canadian Tire is now spending a lot more time making sure that ideas work. Viable ideas generated by anyone from head office or from among the dealer base will be eventually implemented and "sold" to the rest of the stores, but only after lots of testing. Most testing takes place at the "Retail City" facility in the Sheppard Ave. warehouse. The site houses a full "class A" store, while a "class C" store has just been completed and a new automotive department is on display there right now.
The constant renewal process requires that, once evaluation is completed, all the players go back to brainstorming to start the cycle once again.
Foote revealed that service extensions such as lawn care are under consideration right now. "We like experimenting with services that are close to the products offered," he said. Instore, consumables continue to grow. For example, pet food can now be found in CTC’s larger format stores. "Pet food is one of our largest growth categories. It’s profitable. It creates good natural frequency stops. In the past we had a debate over whether to offer consumable goods, and the conclusion was that goods like that promote frequency visits and basket filling."
Canadian Tire’s "odd duck reputation," as Foote puts it, comes from the indefinable combination of its product offerings. "If you can’t eat it or wear it, you’ll find it at Canadian Tire," he says.
"There is a lot of temptation to drift away from our roots," says Foote. But this is changing as the company irons out the wrinkles of its change philosophy. "Assessing the fit of an idea is now essential."
______________________________________________
RETAILERS RESPOND TO TRAGEDY WITH RELIEF EFFORTS
Canadian Tire is among the companies pitching in to provide aid to victims of the disasters that struck September 11 in the U.S. CTC stores across the country will serve as collection points for cash donations on behalf of the Canadian Red Cross U.S.A. Appeal. Sleeping bags, air mattresses and other camping equipment have been donated to shelters for stranded travellers throughout Canada.
Both Lowe’s and Home Depot in the U.S. have donated US$1 million toward relief efforts, while both TruServ and Ace Hardware have shipped truckloads of supplies to aid rescue efforts.
_____________________________________________
COMPANIES IN THE NEWS
Home Depot opened its newest store in Leaside, ON last Thursday. The store continues the company’s expansion of its "soft DIY" approach, with greater emphasis on décor products and accessories.
Sears Canada has reported that August revenues increased 6.5% to $454.7 million, from $426.9 million for the same period last year. Merchandise sales increased 8.6% in the month. Same store sales increased 1.2%.
Premdor Inc. has completed the acquisition of Masonite Corp. from International Paper Corp., which becomes part of a worldwide door manufacturing operation comprising 70 facilities in 12 countries.
Uniforêt has announced that production at its Port-Cartier sawmill will be suspended from October 1st to October 12th, 2001 inclusively. This step was taken in response to deteriorating conditions on the lumber market following the preliminary determination of a 19.3% countervailing duty on Canadian lumber shipments to U.S. markets.
JDA Software has acquired E3 Corp., a maker of inventory optimization systems. Many home improvement retailers currently use E3, and the acquisition gives JDA a fuller base of space management software for retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers to maximize their inventory decisions with computer assisted ordering and replenishment systems.
______________________________________________
CANADIAN STOCK WATCH
| COMPANY |
52-WK HIGH |
52-WK LOW |
CLOSE (FRI) |
| Canadian Tire |
25.20 |
15.05 |
22.70 |
| Canfor |
16.95 |
7.65 |
9.45 |
| Emco |
7.50 |
2.60 |
6.65 |
| Goodfellow |
11.00 |
8.00 |
8.65 |
| Home Depot |
49.74 |
47.61 |
40.45 |
| Hudson's Bay |
17.65 |
12.40 |
15.30 |
| Lowe's |
64.90 |
34.25 |
31.86 |
| Sears Canada |
37.25 |
18.55 |
14.00 |
| Taiga Forest |
10.00 |
6.80 |
9.90 |
| West Fraser |
36.50 |
21.00 |
36.00 |
______________________________________________
"There never was a good war or a bad peace."
— Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
"Today the real test of power is not capacity to make war but to prevent it."
- Anne O’Hare McCormick
______________________________________________
MARKET INDICATORS
U.S. retailers, already weakened by a sputtering U.S. economy, could face another drop in consumer spending after the terrorist attacks this week. Americans remained glued to round-the-clock news coverage of grieving families and the wreckage of the attacks, and many would consider it insensitive and almost unpatriotic to take a trip to the mall. Although most retailers agreed that it was too early to quantify the impact to sales or earnings, analysts said September and third-quarter results would take a heavy hit.
* * * * * *
INDUSTRY NEWS. EVERY DAY —
Our website has daily updates on retail and industry news that matter to you.
Keep informed. Visit hardlines.ca <https://hardlines.ca/> . Every day.
* * * * * *
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
The following individuals were elected to the CRHA board of directors: Alex Blais, Stephan Home Hardware Building Supplies, Drayton Valley, AB; Brad Collins, Collins True Value Hardware, The Pas, MB; Jack Crombie, Centre Do-It Hudson, Hudson, QC; Mack Foster, Mack Foster Building Materials Ltd., Richmond, BC; Ib Fynbo, Essex Home Hardware, Essex, ON; Stéphane Gagnon, RONA L’entrep?t, St. Bruno, QC; Mario Giannetti, Preston Hardware, Ottawa; Pierre Levesque, Michaud & Levesque, Sturgeon Falls, ON; Michel Perron, Quincaillerie St-Sacrement, QC; Linda Smith, Dickson Pro Hardware, Toronto, ON; Bill Towndrow, Lunenburg Pro Hardware, Lunenburg, NS; Brian Warr, George Warr Ltd., Springdale, NF. (905-821-3470)
The Canadian Institute of Plumbing and Heating has announced the transfer of leadership from soon-to-retire CIPH president Ed Hardison to president-elect Ralph Suppa. Suppa assumes full responsibility for the CIPH staff immediately. Hardison will focus on major external programs including the first ISH North America show to be held in Toronto in 2002. (416-695-0447)
Home Depot in Atlanta has appointed David Rutherford to the position of vice-president of litigation. He will report directly to Frank Fernandez, executive vice-president, secretary and general counsel, and will be based at the Home Depot store support centre in Atlanta, GA. (770-433-8211)
______________________________________________
OVERHEARD ...
"Some people say it’s a sin to make a profit. I say it’s a miracle."
— Walter Hachborn, chairman and president of Home Hardware Stores Ltd., in his opening remarks at the recent Hardlines Marketing Conference. He was commenting on the challenge faced by the independent retailer to run a profitable enterprise in today’s competitive marketplace.
______________________________________________
* * * * HARDLINES MARKETPLACE* * * *
Check out Hardlines Classifieds on the web:
https://hardlines.ca/html/classifieds_new.asp
______________________________________________
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 <http://www.noralmarketing.com/> or call 519-439-6800 ext. 201
* * * * * *
RETAIL SALES CONSULTANT:
Ace Hardware Canada Ltd., a worldwide leader in hardware supply and distribution with operations in Markham, Brantford and Calgary, has an immediate vacancy for the position of RETAIL SALES CONSULTANT–Saskatchewan and Manitoba Region.
As the successful candidate, you will have five or more years sales experience in the wholesale hardware or LBM Industry with extensive knowledge of how to provide effective support to retail hardware customers. At Ace Canada, "effective support" means listening and responding to the needs of our customers; attending to detail and providing consistent follow-up. You have a reasonable knowledge of how to use computers to advantage; and most of all, you are highly organized and capable of working both independently and as part of the team.
Ace Canada offers a competitive compensation package and career potential. If you are qualified for this position, please fax or e-mail your résumé, including salary history/expectations to: vice-president, operations and administration, Ace Hardware Canada Ltd., 80 Micro Court, 3rd Floor, Markham, ON; L3R 9Z5; fax 905-475-2721; e-mail: stan.sauer@acehardware.ca
* * * * * *
MARKETING DIRECTOR:
Sexton Group Ltd. operates as a buying group for approximately 275 building supply members located from Ontario to British Columbia. It also has an affiliation with a buying group serving the greater Toronto area and with a buying group serving Québec.
To serve our members with competitive buying programs, with the best prices, terms and conditions, we require an individual to perform the function of MARKETING DIRECTOR.
Working from our Winnipeg office and traveling frequently, the incumbent will meet with members to understand and respond to their needs. The incumbent will also negotiate purchase arrangements with new and existing suppliers and be responsible for various member programs such as flyers and private label programs.
The ideal candidate will have a background in sales and marketing, preferable in the retail and wholesale building materials industry, computer literacy, superior human relation skills, and growth potential.
Please submit your résumé in confidence to: Bob Mondy, Vice-President and General Manager, Sexton Group Ltd., 46 — 1313 Border Street, Winnipeg, MB; R3H 0X3
For further information, visit our website: http://www.sextongroup.com <http://www.sextongroup.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 …
… and 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
______________________________________________
DOING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY? PLANNING THE BUDGET?
THEN YOU WILL NEED HARDLINES INDUSTRY REPORT:
"Home Improvement Retailing in Canada" is 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)
______________________________________________
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
______________________________________________
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!
______________________________________________
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 or send us money. Please make cheque payable to McLarneyCom.