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September 13, 2010, Volume xvi, #35
“Happiest are those who give most happiness to others.”
— Denis Diderot (French philosopher and writer, 1713-1784)
Home Hardware measures up mid-year
ST. JACOBS, Ont. — As its latest dealer market gets under way here, Home Hardware Stores Ltd. has so far had a positive year. That, according to President and CEO Paul Straus, who catches up with Hardlines to give a recap of the dealer-owned company’s achievements year-to-date.
“We are very proud of Home’s performance in 2009 which positioned us well for 2010,” says Straus. He notes that, by mid-year, total sales were up double-digits and same store-sales had increased 6.4%, with the biggest gains coming from an increase in LBM sales. “In the face of a global recession, Home Hardware achieved impressive results, strong returns and unparalleled new store growth across Canada.”
That growth includes the addition of 24 new stores to its network, for a total of 55 new stores since 2009. In addition, the company’s Beauti-Tone Paint and Home Products division has had a 25% increase in sales so far this year, with the paint plant working double shifts to keep up with demand.
Reflecting a general sentiment we’re finding across the industry, Straus admits that shipments in July dropped across Canada compared with previous months, “which we attribute to weather, economic conditions, and the introduction of HST in Ontario and British Columbia. It was evident that consumers in those provinces were working hard to complete projects prior to July to avoid HST.”
He also says media coverage of the economic turmoil in Greece, Portugal and Ireland caused consumers to tighten their belts.
“The theme of this year’s Fall Market is ‘Building Tomorrow Today,’ a theme that reinforces our commitment to build the foundation today for tomorrow’s future successes,” he adds. “We know we must have the programs, services and staff in place now to ensure our future success tomorrow.”
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TORBSA announces new President and board
BOLTON, Ont. — The TORBSA Group has announced its new executive and board of directors for the coming year. The building materials buying group has drawn from its membership of 49 stores in Central Canada to make the appointments.
Michael Bernardi of Bernardi Building Supply Ltd. in Weston, Ont., has been elected as the President of TORBSA Limited for the year 2010. He replaces Dante DiGiovanni of Blair Building Materials Inc., Maple, Ont., who will continue on the board as Past President.
Bob Holmes continues in his role as General Manager of the group, which had sales by its member dealers of $342 million in 2009 (according to the latest Who’s Who Report – available here now! — your ever-modest Editor).
 The 2010 Board of Directors, all from Ontario, now consists of: (from l-r) Jim Holmes of Builders’ Supplies Ltd., Mississauga, Vice President; Doug Portiss of Sarnia Drywall Supply Ltd., Sarnia, Vice President Operations; Blake Oldershaw of Oldershaw Building Supply Co. Ltd., Chatham, Treasurer; President Michael Bernardi;, Past President Dante GiGiovanni; and Secretary Len Hewson of Hewson Brothers Supply Ltd., Brantford.
Bob Holmes continues in his role as General Manager of the group, which had sales by its member dealers of $342 million in 2009 (according to the latest Who’s Who Report – available here now! — your ever-modest Editor).
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McMunn and Yates DC supports added expansion
DAUPHIN, Man. — Last month McMunn and Yates, the independent building centre dealer based here, opened its 12th store. That kind of expansion has been aided, says Jason Yates, Vice-President of the company, by the addition earlier this year of a dedicated distribution centre of its own.
The facility, which now serves all 12 McMunn and Yates stores in Western Canada, including the latest, in the Northern Manitoba community of Flin Flon, has given the company the ability to bring in direct shipments of product. “That is helping McMunn and Yates expands its retail,” says Yates.
The latest store, at 3,000 square feet of retail, plus a yard, is at least half the size of the chain’s existing stores. But, says Yates, it’s well suited for the smaller community of Flin Flon.
“We can now service a wider area. The DC made this acquisition possible,” he adds.
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Home Depot builds on 2Q operational improvements
ATLANTA — Home Depot turned in relatively strong results for its second quarter and continues to make advances on a number of other fronts.
The world’s largest home improvement retailer opened its 14th and 15th Rapid Deployment Centres (RDCs) during the quarter, which has helped inventory management. “For the third quarter in a row, our inventory turns have improved. This is something we hadn’t achieved in almost a decade,” said Frank Blake, Home Depot President and CEO.
Blake also credited Craig Menear, EVP of Merchandising, with the effective implementation of new merchandising tools. “The benefits of this are most clearly seen in our reduced markdowns for seasonal categories like patio and barbecue grills,” said Blake, “where better visibility into, and planning for, seasonal inventory has significantly reduced the markdowns necessary to effectively exit those categories.
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Sears opens first stand-alone Craftsman store
CHICAGO — Sears has opened a store in this city’s trendy River North district to establish its first-ever Craftsman store. Called “Craftsman Experience,” this downtown Chicago venue aims to put one of America’s best known tool brands right in the hands of the customers, complete with hands-on project stations, live demos and clinics. The clinics comprise three project stations highlighting woodworking tools, automotive and mechanics tools, and lawn and garden products.
“This is the latest in a series of strategic moves by each of our brands – Craftsman, DieHard and Kenmore – to get closer to our customers,” said Guenther Trieb, President of the Craftsman brand at Sears Holdings. “The ‘Experience’ expands access to Craftsman for existing and new, younger customers.”
The launch was supported by viral videos showing the Craftsman and DieHard tools being put to gruelling tests of endurance.
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Classifieds
Sales Representative (Eastern Ontario)
A building materials distributor has an immediate opening for an Outside Sales Representative for its Eastern Ontario territory. The successful incumbent will possess:
- Proven successful sales call background in the building materials industry (min. 5 years of sales call experience);
- Consultative, front-line experience working with customers in a sales capacity;
- Established communication and business relationship skills;
- A keen interest to analyze, develop and carry out sale’s strategies so as to ensure sales growth for customers and suppliers;
- The ability to work within a variety of disciplines and organizational functions, including call reporting, sales strategy execution, and identifying potential opportunities.
If interested please forward your resume to the attention of the Director Human Resources – Ontario Division, 9251 Yonge Street, Suite 884, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 9T.
Retail Marketing Manager
Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies is seeking a Retail Marketing Manager based in Mississauga.
You will be responsible for Retail Business Development including product line planning, strategic product programs & distribution planning necessary to meet the business’ growth & profit objectives. This includes ensuring the adequate performance of existing products in terms of market share, growth & margin; also developing new product & distribution opportunities.
Qualified candidates will be a University or College graduate with 7-10 years experience in marketing together with proven product/category management/consumer packaging experience. Experience with architectural hardware is desirable.
Please visit our website for full details and to apply online: http://careers.ingersollrand.com/
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Ontario Sales Manager
Well known national supplier in the electrical, industrial and hardware markets looking for a special person for Ontario sales manager. Interesting product mix, excellent customer base. Flexibility, team approach important. Salary plus incentive program and a good benefit package available. Room to grow for the right person. Send resume and income expectations to aftica2004@yahoo.com.
National Accounts Coordinator
Hitachi Power Tools is seeking a National Accounts Coordinator based in Mississauga.
The successful candidate will possess:
- Experience working directly with key customers in a dynamic and professional manner
- a detail-oriented self-starter, able to manage own time effectively and meet deadlines
- able to demonstrate effective planning and organizing skills and the ability to prioritize work and multiple projects
- excellent communication (written & verbal), relationship building and presentation skills
- extremely proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Please visit our website at www.hitachipowertools.ca/en/CompProfile/Careers for more details. If interested please forward your resume and cover letter to melissaf@hitachi-powertools.com
We thank all applicants, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITY
in Cottage Country
GENERAL MANAGER required for a thriving hardware store operating under a major national banner in “The Land of 1000 Lakes” (Hwy.#41 north of Hwy.#7)
Come and live in Cottage Country and enjoy the great outdoors; fishing, boating, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, hunting, golf all available in this beautiful part of Ontario, when you are not managing our growing retail and cottage maintenance business with excellent potential for expansion into building materials.
The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years retail management and strong people skills with customers and staff alike. Knowledge of construction, building materials and/or other trades is an asset. Competitive salary based on experience.
Forward resume to: networkinfo.ca@gmail.com
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER, CONAIR CONSUMER PRODUCTS INC.,
PERSONAL CARE APPLIANCE DIVISION, WOODBRIDGE, ONTARIO
CONAIR , a global leader in personal care and small kitchen appliance products, located in Woodbridge, Ontario, is seeking a NATIONAL SALES MANAGER to oversee the sales department of the Canadian Personal Care Appliance Division.
Attractive compensation package – salary, performance bonus, car allowance, benefits.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Overall management of the company’s major retail customer relationships.
- Sales focused, entrepreneurial
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Customer service oriented
- Able to seek out new opportunities and new channels of distribution.
- Manage all sales employees as well as sales agents.
- Team Builder - must be a good motivator
- Ability to provide mentorship and leadership and make key decisions
- Meeting growth objectives and managing a budget
- Effective communicator both internally and externally.
- Very detail oriented, organized and disciplined, attention to accuracy
- Excellent analytical ability
- Able to work to deadlines and schedules
- Self starter – able to work with little supervision
KEY QUALIFICATIONS
- Minimum 10-15 years experience including 5 years in a senior sales management capacity
- Knowledge and experience in the consumer goods industry
- Extensive sales experience with National Retailers
- Post secondary undergraduate diploma/degree in business or equivalent
- Proficient in MS Office including Excel, Word & PowerPoint
Please submit résumé via email to:
Black Eagle Executive Search
c/o Richard Simms at rsimms@blackeagle.ca
Resumés
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In 1995 I was living in Barrie commuting to the Beaver Lumber office in Markham (one hour-plus trip both ways – I recall a 3½-hour trip home one night in a snowstorm) I was the Marketing Director at Beaver Lumber.
