DuPont Great Stuff Pro

Great Stuff Pro Window & Door Polyurethane Foam Sealant quickly and cleanly forms airtight, water-resistant seals between framework and rough openings with the precision professionals expect. The sealant expands and contracts to allow for various weather conditions. It is reusable for 30 days when left attached to the Great Stuff Pro dispensing gun. It bonds to vinyl, wood, and metal frames. dupont.ca

Kohltech Flexible Depth Door

The Kohltech Hybrid Flexible Depth Door System is designed to accommodate modern construction methods, including insulated concrete forms (ICF) and other deeper wall depths up to 10-5/8 inches. It easily integrates with ICF and other deep wall structures, ensuring seamless installation in various building projects and providing structural integrity while allowing for effortless installation. Available in both dual and triple glazing. kohltech.com

Mastergrain Logan Door

Mastergrain Logan Door delivers a sophisticated and distinctive presence that is ideal for those who appreciate modern design. Rooted in purposeful minimalism, this door showcases strong lines that offer a fresh aesthetic. What sets Logan apart is its use of contemporary black mirrored stainless-steel inlays paired with a bold black tone-on-tone finish to create an elevated element of surprise. mastergrain.com

JELD-WEN JWC8500 Windows

As climate change reshapes the way we live, Canadian homeowners are facing new challenges. These windows are energy-efficient, delivering products that reduce energy consumption, lowering reliance on heating and cooling systems, leading to lower energy costs and a reduced environmental impact. These windows not only enhance the comfort of Canadian homes but also promote environmental responsibility.
jeld-wen.ca

Warren Cinquina, president of the Canadian Wood Truss Association, gave an exclusive interview with Pro Dealer magazine recently. It was featured in our Q2 issue, which mailed to pro dealers in the middle of May. (If you’re serving contractors as a substantial part of your business, and you’re not getting Pro Dealer magazine, click here to subscribe—for free!)

Cinquina is not only the president of the CWTA, he’s the vice-president of one of Canada’s most important independent truss plants—London Truss, in London, Ont.

One of the themes that came out of Cinquina’s interview was consolidation. Just as many lumberyards and hardware stores are going through succession right now, truss plants are too.

“The market’s looking for it, right? You have a lot of cottage plants, mom-and-pop shops, from the 70s or 80s,” Cinquina said. “They might even be second generation and ready to retire now. Some of these plants, they’re in good locations, they’re strong plants, they’ve got great people. And consolidation really helps a lot of these employees in the industry. It’s not a bad or a good thing. It’s just an opportunity that exists.”

Elsewhere in our truss plants feature, we took a look at Hadi Abassi, whose company, Atlas Engineered Products (AEP), is based in Nanaimo, B.C. AEP has played the role of consolidator in the truss plants business.

Abassi started out by buying a tiny truss plant in Nanaimo in 1999. It had revenues of only $95,000 a year—and the record shows that Abassi paid only $45,000 for it. Fast forward to today. AEP owns no fewer than eight truss plants in four provinces, all of them purchased from independent operators.

To reinforce its position as the consolidator of Canadian truss plants, AEP went public in 2017, when revenues were $8 million, according to reports. It made its first acquisition in 2018, acquiring its second facility, Clinton Building Components, in Southern Ontario. It also bought two other truss plants that year, Satellite Building Components, in Eastern Ontario, and Pacer Building Components, in Southwestern Ontario.

Since them, AEP has acquired South Central Building Systems in Carman, Man.; Novum Building Components in Abbotsford, B.C.; and Hi-Tec Industries, on Vancouver Island, just 17 km from AEP’s original plant in Nanaimo. A huge deal was next: AEP acquired New Brunswick’s Léon Chouinard et Fils, another high volume truss plant. In December 2024, AEP acquired 42 acres of land in Colborne, Ont., where AEP plans to build a high-tech housing components factory.

TIMBER MART’s commercial dealer, Manugypse, has been recognized for their industry-leading performance, its global business practices, and its sustained growth by receiving the prestigious 2025 Canada’s Best Managed Companies award.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies awards excellence in private

Canadian-owned companies with revenues of $50 million or greater. To attain the designation, companies are evaluated on their leadership in the areas of strategy, culture and commitment, capabilities, and innovation, governance and financial performance.

“We are honoured to receive this recognition for our team’s hard work, passion and dedication towards our customer’s satisfaction and innovation in interior systems,” says Steve Rancourt, CEO of Manugypse. “Our business has grown exponentially since our inception in 1983 from one facility to three that serve contractors and builders across the Greater Montreal, Quebec City and Chaudière-Appalaches markets.”

“Manugypse is an industry-leading distributor and manufacturer, with an unwavering commitment to service and innovation. Their pursuit of excellence allows them to continually exceed their customers’ expectations,” says David Rapini, vice-president of TIMBER MART’s commercial division.

“Since [they joined] our group in 2016, we have proudly watched and supported their expansion and development of multiple branches. They have grown into a world-class organization and have deservedly been recognized as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies.”

Founded in 1983 by Canac-Marquis Grenier, Manugypse is a both a manufacturer and distributor of interior systems materials. It has locations in Quebec City, Boucherville, and Mirabel, Quebec.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing innovative and world‑class businesses. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent evaluation process. Applicants are evaluated by an independent panel of judges with representation from program sponsors and special guests.

In late May, Convoy Supply, a major distributor to pros, opened its largest location yet. The branch, which is located in Acheson, Alta., just west of Edmonton, measures 100,000 square feet on 12.8 acres. Convoy Supply has more than 40 locations shipping to pros in the U.S. and Canada. Its Canadian head office is in Surrey, B.C., and its American regional office is in Lynnwood, Wash.

Convoy Supply is one of the biggest building envelope suppliers in North America.

“This beautiful new branch represents our commitment to our customers and this community,” said Jean-Marc Sager. “We are grateful for the warm welcome from Parkland County and look forward to contributing to the development of this region. Congratulations to the team, from Convoy and its partners, who have created this new home for our business, with increased efficiency for our customers and supply partners.”

A company press release said the branch will “continue to serve all of Alberta north of Highway 13, as well as the Northwest Territories and, as before, will carry Convoy’s industry-leading lines of commercial and residential building envelope solutions.”

There were a number of advanced technologies used in the DC’s construction, which include Murox Building System prefabricated load-bearing wall panels. These contributed to LEED certification and substantially reduced the amount of material waste on the job site. “It is the only system that offers integrated solar thermal wall panels [ventilated thermal panels or VTP], with thermal resistance that meets or exceeds updated energy codes,” Convoy Supply said. ”Other sustainable features of the build include motion-triggered LED lighting, an energy-efficient building envelope design including solar-reduction windows, and capacity for charging stations for EVs.”

DuPont FlexWrap

DuPont FlexWrap is a self-adhering butyl flashing that integrates with DuPont air and water barriers. It is a one-step solution for keeping water from seeping through window and door sills. The self-adhered flashing does not require mechanical fasteners, even in flexed corner areas around building openings. This allows it to provide easy, one-step insulation for hard-to-seal corners around windows and doors. dupont.com

Kohltech Select Patio Door

Kohltech’s Select Asymmetrical Patio Door is a premium vinyl sliding door that delivers practicality, performance, quality, and affordability. An adjustable Teflon slide ensures smooth and effortless operation for long-lasting durability. A positive interlock system reduces air infiltration, improving energy efficiency and comfort. Designed for enhanced energy efficiency, it’s available in an eight-foot width with a three-foot operator and five-foot fixed panel. kohltech.com

Mastergrain Bruster Fiberglass Door

Mastergrain Bruster Fiberglass Door showcases rustic European design with timeless craftsmanship. Inspired by traditional countryside homes, it features a Knotty Alder fibreglass wood grain complete with unique knots, enhanced by the Cashew stain that highlights its natural beauty. Curved lines, carved details, and metal accents like clavos and speakeasy grilles evoke historic architectural charm. mastergrain.com

JELD-WEN JWC8500 Vinyl Windows

JELD-WEN JWC8500 Vinyl Windows are a solution for the climate change challenges that Canadians face. These windows are energy efficient, delivering products that reduce energy consumption, lowering reliance on heating and cooling systems, leading to lower energy costs and a reduced environmental impact. These windows not only enhance the comfort of Canadian homes but also promote environmental responsibility. jeld-wen.ca

 
Surrey, B.C.-based Crown Building Supplies, with three contractor-oriented stores in the Vancouver area, has acquired three more pro locations in Alberta. Crown has purchased ADSS Building Supplies, which operates two pro-oriented locations in Edmonton and one in Calgary.

“This acquisition represents an exciting new chapter for Crown Building Supplies,” said Gary Sangha, CEO of Crown. “ADSS has built a strong reputation for reliable service and quality products. By combining our resources and expertise—and with the addition of a major facility in Calgary [a 60,000-square-foot distribution and service hub]—we’re positioned to significantly expand our reach and elevate the service we offer to our customers.”

Will Davila, president of ADSS, added: “The acquisition by Crown allows us to bring that legacy into a new era with greater resources, expanded infrastructure, and an even strong commitment to customer satisfaction.”

Crown is a member of AD Building Supplies – Canada. The buying group’s VP Paul Williams said: “AD Canada is proud to support its members as they pursue smart, strategic growth. The acquisition of ADSS by Crown reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and long-term thinking that makes our network strong.”

BMR Group has adopted new marketing, touting its stores as the destination for pros. Montreal creative agency Ig2 is delivering a multi-platform marketing campaign for the retailer. The messages were unveiled in April through various media in Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes, including TV, radio, billboards, and digital media.

The campaign features taglines that target the contractor customer: “Pour les vrais” (“For the real ones”), “Built for pros,” “The experts’ centre,” and “Less dryers, more drywall.”

“At its core, BMR is defined by exceptional customer service, a team of dedicated experts, a high-quality inventory, and a well-established network,” BMR CEO Alexandre Lefebvre said in a release. “This new image reinforces our industry-recognized commitment to quality, while staying true to the core values that have made us successful.”

“We wanted to realign our focus on experts to evolve BMR’s brand positioning and image, to become the experts’ centre for professionals,” Marlène Hins, BMR’s VP of marketing and communications, told PRO Dealer Business. The marketing campaign, she explained, is “based on three key pillars: local, expertise, and products—the right product and quality.”

BMR, she adds, is “already a destination for the contractor clientele but we wanted to put the focus of our campaign on this very business segment, which is one of the pillars of our growth strategy.” At the same time, the company is also keeping a focus on a more skilled retail customer, “DIYers who aspire to be considered pro,” says Hins.

The new campaign encompasses all BMR brands. “Our brand positioning and marketing campaign include all our banners—BMR, BMR Express, BMR Pro, and Potvin & Bouchard—from smaller stores to larger locations, because they all serve, to a certain extent, the pro clientele.”

Prices haven’t changed radically for LBM dealers in the tariffs era. But that situation could change in the near future.

The first tranche of “retaliatory” import tariffs from the Canadian government to be levied on American goods, now two months old, affected some $30 billion of imports from south of the border. The list of products that are incurring the tariff (at 25 per cent) was published by the Finance Department in early March. It included engineered wood products manufactured in the U.S.

PRO Dealer Business reached out to dealers and head offices of independent pro yards, to see what impacts the counter-tariffs were having. Some buyers are looking to switch to Canadian sources of EWP.

When asked what affect the tariffs had on her business, Cythia Prazeres-Mare, president of Senso Building Supplies Ltd., a pro dealer in Toronto’s west end, said, surprisingly: “Not very much.” Senso is a member of AD Building Supplies – Canada. Prazeres-Mare said that she hadn’t noticed significant price increases from vendors.

Kelvin Johnston, senior buyer, commodity lumber and panels, at Castle Building Centres Group believes there’s a reason for that. He said that “Some vendors are absorbing the tariffs for now. They have a lot of product on the ground that was brought in before the tariffs were in place. Some vendors have already changed their pricing while some will do it on a SKU-by-SKU basis as they run through their current inventory.”

A prominent vice-president of a major LBM buying group, who declined to be identified, concurred with Johnston that a number of vendors are absorbing the tariffs for now, hoping they will be rescinded. “But they will have no choice eventually,” the VP said.

“Some vendors are changing sources to mitigate the tariffs, for example, shipping from EU factories as opposed to their U.S. plants. Many other categories of LBM will be affected if [Canada] applies their second and third potential tariff lists. That has not happened yet.” Composite decking is among the categories that could well be hit in that case.

Diablo Drill Bits

Diablo’s Metal Demon Drill Bits have the industry’s first three-in-one bit to tackle all metals: mild, hardened, and stainless steels. The Metal Demon bit’s exclusive design brings a one-bit solution for any application, ensuring maximum durability, speed, precision, and productivity. Diablo’s proprietary Thermal Shield Protective Coating creates a multi-layered protective barrier around the tip to shield against heat. diablotools.com

BP Canada’s Shingles

BP Canada’s Signature Shingles combine durability, style, and unique character. Crafter to withstand the harshest weather conditions, these Canadian-made shingles offer a stunning selection of natural and vibrant colours. With advanced Weather-Tite Plus Technology and a reinforced Hurricane Band, they provide outstanding defence against wind-driven rai and blow-ofss, along with superior resistance to nail pull through. saint-gobain.com

Richelieu PWR Screws

Richelieu’s PWR Drive Finishing Screws are designed for one-step cabinet installation. These fasteners provide a clean, recessed and quick finish improving job speed and accuracy. Designed for wall and cabinet to cabinet mount, these fasters require no-pre drilling and offer a discrete T-5 drive. No pre-drilling tip also means no splitting, making these fasteners ideal for wood or metal studs. richelieu.com 

DeWalt Rammer Kit

DeWalt’s Powershift 60kg Class Rammer Kit delivers high performance. It is highly maneuverable in trenches, around pipework, and foundations for efficient working on the job. It operates with a powerful sealed brushless motor that requires no maintenance, making it ideal for site preparation applications in tough environments. The rammer also features DEWALT’s patented soft start for enhanced control during start up. operation. dewalt.ca

Starting this summer, there will be a new contender in homebuilding in Alberta—and it uses robots.

Promise Robotics is opening a new 60,000-square-foot warehouse in Calgary where robots will create modular panels for housing. Promise calls the facility and technology its “Homebuilding Factory-as-a-Service” (FaaS) platform.

Pro Builder Business recently interviewed Promise Robotics co-founder and CEO Ramtin Attar, a former architect and Autodesk employee, about the opportunity. Which is, according to press releases, simply to “deliver homes faster with significantly fewer resources.”

“I spent 13 years at Autodesk (a software company that developed AutoCAD software),” Attar told us. “This industry has been building homes the same way for a century. The labour shortages, the escalating cost, and the supply needed is going to put a lot of pressure on this industry.”

Attar’s co-founder in the venture is Reza Nasseri, a homebuilder. Attar describes Nasseri this way: “He has committed his entire life to advancing construction and homebuilding.”

“I said, ‘Reza, how do you think we can make this accessible to the rest of the industry?’ We need foundational innovation in space [industry],” Attar said. “We raised investments and we started building our artificial intelligence model for construction.”

Promise Robotic uses the same robots that are used in auto plants. “It’s a commodity, it’s off the shelf, the costs keep coming down,” Attar said. “Right now, the cost of that robot in automotive plants is about 30 cents an hour.”

“We take the same thing, we add the construction belt tool to it, and a Promise Robotics brain.”

“In automotive, you’ve got five players that basically produce every single car in the world. So they’re highly motivated. Whereas the construction industry is highly fragmented.

“What [we] have done is to say, we can actually get robots to not care what they’re building. And essentially advance enough to build highly variable things.”

Promise Robotics’ Calgary plant will be able to produce up to 1,000,000 square feet of housing annually, fabricating modular panels, Attar said. The new plant is building on the success of Promise Robotics’ factory in Edmonton.