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September 19, 2011, Volume xvii, #35
“There is a road, no simple highway; Between the dawn and the dark of night; And if you go, no one may follow; That path is for your steps alone.” —Robert Hunter (songwriter for the Grateful Dead, from their song, “Ripple”)
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McMunn & Yates buys Weber’s in Saskatchewan
DAUPHIN, MB — McMunn & Yates Building Supplies Ltd., the privately owned building centre chain based here, has signed an agreement with Weber Construction Ltd. to acquire the retail assets of Weber’s Building Centre and Weber Furniture and Appliance Centre in Yorkton and Kamsack, SK. The effective date of this transaction is Sept. 19, 2011.
Weber Construction Ltd., founded in Yorkton by Charles Weber in 1951, is now owned and operated by Brent and Brian Weber. Although the sale will mark the end of the Weber brothers’ involvement in the building supply and furniture industry, they will continue to operate their construction division.
“We are very pleased to enter this transaction with McMunn & Yates. They are a dynamic company and have the people and resources in place that will benefit our staff and customers,” says president Brent Weber. “Over the years, it has been a true pleasure to serve our builders and retail customers in both Yorkton and Kamsack. It has also been a great experience to work with all of our dedicated staff members.”
“We are pleased to have this opportunity to enter these two growing markets,” says Jason Yates, vice-president of McMunn & Yates. “The Weber stores are well respected in the industry for their quality of staff and the service that they provide.” He anticipates that the new stores will “make a great fit with our existing operations” because of their similar cultures.
Changes to the storefronts will be made to incorporate the McMunn & Yates banner and additions to the merchandising mix and point-of-sale system will be made over time, the company says.
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General Paint gains national presence with Laurentide acquisition
VANCOUVER — General Paint has purchased Peinture Laurentide, the architectural coatings division of Société Laurentide. The deal includes Laurentide’s architectural coatings manufacturing and employees in Shawinigan, QC, and its distribution system.
The integration of Peinture Laurentide’s business in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces establishes General Paint as a truly national Canadian paint manufacturer. The transaction is also expected to strengthen Peinture Laurentide’s competitive position in the Quebec market, supported by General’s technological expertise.
 The two companies have a history of working together already: Laurentide has distributed General’s Para and Crown Diamond brands in Eastern Canada, while General handles Laurentide’s Boomerang Paint distribution in the West. Now, General can add the Matchless and Laurentide brands to its stable. The Boomerang recycled paint business remains with Société Laurentide, although General will continue to carry it in its corporate stores.
“After more than three years of close collaboration with Peinture Laurentide’s team for the distribution of its Para Paints and Crown Diamond products in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, General Paint is enhancing its strategic position by becoming Canada’s leading paint manufacturer,” says Dale Constantinoff, president and CEO of General Paint.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, General views the acquisition as a strong statement of Canadian unity, one that strengthens the company’s competitive position in Canada.
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Orgill introduces “low-overhead” urban store
BOSTON — A focal point of the Orgill Fall Market, held here last month, was a fully merchandised model store right on the show floor. Called an “urban” store and named “Midtown Hardware,” the space replicated a 3,500-square-foot hardware store designed to fit in a small downtown location, or on the main street of a smaller town.
 “Look at how much variety and types of product you have here,” said Ron Beal, president and CEO of Orgill, waving his hand in front of the aisles of merchandise. “What we’re really excited about is that you’ve got all the major categories here.”
The size and layout, with low sight lines and high peripheral walls, has been designed to be what Beal calls a “low-overhead store,” which could be operated by three people.
The concept, developed completely in-house by Orgill’s store design teams, can carry up to 10,000 SKUs, with newly engineered prominent end caps and uncrowded displays. “This will fit in so many places in Canada,” Beal added.
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RONA buyers will hold face-to-face meetings with new vendors
BOUCHERVILLE , QC — An “open to buy day” with the full merchandising team from RONA will take place at the retailer’s head offices Oct. 19 in an event being organized by the Presidents Council.
The event is open to new suppliers only or new products from existing suppliers. Each supplier will have 20 minutes of face-to-face meetings with the respective buyer for their category. The event is fashioned after the open-to-buy days that the Presidents Council hosts at the National Hardware Show in Las Vegas and the International Hardware Fair in Cologne, Germany.
Presidents Council is an executive organization made up of home improvement retailers, distributors, and suppliers that provides members with information and opportunities to develop their businesses. The two newest members of the Presidents Council’s advisory board are Frank Loncar, vp global sourcing for Lowe’s, and Tim Urquhart, president and CEO of TIM-BR MARTS in Canada.
Participation in the open to buy day is US$400 per meeting (for up to two attendees). For more information and to register for this event, click here.
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Delta Faucet study unveils Americans’ bathroom behaviours
INDIANAPOLIS ― Guess what: one in five adults leaves the washroom without washing their hands. The busiest room in the house may also be the least efficient, according to a recent study conducted by Delta Faucet.
According to the survey, nearly 75% of households up to two bathrooms, which each person uses more than five to 10 times each day.
While many Americans wash hands frequently to cut down on the spread of germs, the study showed that nearly one in five Americans neglect to wash their hands after using the bathroom, with women only slightly more likely to wash than men.
The study also found that respondents who were married wash their hands less than those who were single, and despite all the education available today, so-called millennials (under 25) wash their hands the least, lathering up 10% less than baby boomers.
In addition, the study revealed that, despite increasing emphasis on water conservation, 57% of respondents consistently neglect to turn off the water while brushing their teeth or shaving.
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Classifieds
Regional Sales Manager
We’re fortunate to be working with a well established, diversified Canadian products manufacturer sold through virtually all home improvement retailers across Canada and the U.S. New product development is a forte of the company and keeps them in leadership market positions in their various categories served. This is a great opportunity to demonstrate your skills with a company that typically builds their leadership team from within whenever possible while continuing their excellent reputation among their customer base. An accomplished manager is required to work closely with a sales team based from western Ontario to BC.
You’re accustomed to taking charge of your sales team and maximizing results through managing by example as a road warrior. You can demonstrate superior sales leadership skills as a team “quarterback”, working autonomously from the corporate office. Ability to speak both English and French is strongly desired.
A competitive compensation package including salary, bonus, car allowance and full benefits package is offered, in addition to further career growth.
To explore this opportunity in complete confidence, please call or email your resume in complete confidence to Wolf Gugler, quoting RSM or click here.
Wolf Gugler & Associates Limited, Executive Search & Recruitment for retailers and their suppliers. Email; wolf@wolfgugler.com. Web site: www.wolfgugler.com. Phone: (888) 848-3006.
Sales Prefessionals
PrimeSource Building Products Canada, a new national and growing wholesale distributor of building materials specializing in fasteners and tools, is seeking experienced sales professionals to service the Saskatchewan and Western Manitoba markets.
Responsibilities include territory management, canvassing new opportunities, customer service, and the ability to build relationships and develop new business through face-to-face interaction with both existing and new customers.
Qualified candidates must be self-motivated, quota driven, and results
oriented with a proven and documented history of success. We are looking for
candidates with experience in selling building materials, 2-5 years work
experience in this related field, valid driver's License, current insurance.
PrimeSource offers attractive base salaries, aggressive commission
incentives and competitive benefits package. If you are a proven industry seller, who welcomes the opportunity to work in a challenging and financially rewarding environment, we want to meet you. Please send resumes to dahmerp@primesourcebp.com
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