WRLA Yardstick: Fall 2023

Fall 2023

GET READY FOR THE 2024 SHOWCASE

TAIGA TURNS 50

40 YEARS IN THE LBM INDUSTRY

C O NNE C T I N G T HE B U I LDI N G SU P P LY I NDU S T RY

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YARDSTICK MAGAZINE

Fall 2023

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE

MASTHEAD Liz Kovach WRLA PRESIDENT

Chris Allinotte

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Connect. Engage. Grow

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DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

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VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Amanda Camara

CHAIR’S MESSAGE Why “Made in Canada” matters

Rebekah Doerksen

MEMBER CORNER What’s happening around the LBM industry

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

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Alisa Luo GRAPHIC DESIGNER

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT Level Up! Fresh New Courses from WRLA Academy

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Bonnie Moore PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

ADVOCACY BULLETIN Tackling Labour Challenges Head-on

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HR CORNER Let’s Go Build is Building!

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Ann O. Olaye

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MEMBERSHIP, COMMUNICATIONS, AND EVENTS ASSISTANT

Travis Waite DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

DOLLARS & SENSE Inflation & The Canadian Economy in 2023

Martine Yzerman

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DIRECTOR, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

SAFETY CORNER Worksite Safety Starts with Training

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Published September 2023

GREEN GUIDE Navigating the Green Path: Small Changes, Big Impact in the LBM Industry

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BETTER BUSINESS CentrePort Canada—A Growing Transportation & Trade Hub

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MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY Rona and Taiga contributing to the community

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2024 SHOWCASE PREVIEW Get ready for the WRLA Building and Hardware Showcase

The WRLA Yardstick is the official publication of the WRLA and is published four times per year. It is mailed to all retail and associate members of the WRLA, to retail lumber dealers and others in the building supply industry in Northwestern Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, and to selected dealers in the Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Views expressed in the Yardstick are not necessarily official WRLA policy, nor does the publication of product information or any advertisement imply recommendation by the WRLA. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the WRLA. Subscription rates in Canada: $12 per year, plus applicable taxes. Outside Canada: $15 per year, no tax. Rates quoted are for non-members only.

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Canadian publication mail agreement #43754013.

Postmaster send change of Canadian address to:

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED. COVER: ALISA LUO

FEATURES MADE IN CANADA A Culture of Innovation and Respect

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WESTERN RETAIL LUMBER ASSOCIATION 95 Cole Avenue Winnipeg, Manitoba R2L 1J3 Phone: 204-953-1698 Toll Free: 1-800-661-0253 Fax: 204-947-5195 wrla.org

MEMBER CELEBRATION Taiga at 50

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Kevin of all Trades—Celebrating a forty-year career in the Lumber & Building Industry 34 Onward and westward in Canada—Alexandria Moulding opens new distribution centre in Calgary Alberta

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*This magazine is printed on recycled paper with 100% post-consumer fiber.

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

C CONNECT.

ENGAGE. GROW.

elebrating the success of our members is always a privilege, and we would like to congratulate all those featured in this issue of the Yardstick. We are excited to share these stories with our members.

Congratulations to Taiga on their 50th anniversary and to Kevin Stricker and Donna Gerrits on their 40 years of service to the industry!

As I read through the issue, a comment from Kevin Stricker’s article stuck with me. He talks about wishing more youth were interested in the industry.

This is something that I’ve heard often over the course of my time with the WRLA and it’s an issue that needs addressing. We want young people to be interested in the industry, but there isn’t enough public awareness about the career opportunities in the industry. If you reflect on your own experiences with career fairs and in school, likely this industry never registered on the career radar.

People won’t be interested in career opportunities that they don’t know exist.

This is why we developed Let’s Go Build: to give the industry a vehicle to elevate the profile of the industry and the careers within it.

We found out through our labour study that 20% of the industry will retire in the next five years, and if we don’t have the people power to fill those gaps, our industry will feel some extreme pressures. We have the opportunity to change this as a collective!

We have listened to member feedback, collected the data, developed the campaign and platform to elevate the LBM industry among the generations—now it’s time to work together.

Creating interest in the industry is something we feel strongly about for our members. We’ve invested heavily into creating a program that is easy for our members to use—all we need is member engagement. My challenge to you is to appoint one person in your operation to work with Let’s Go Build—to make sure your job postings are up to date on your careers page, to promote and share our social media posts, and to share your job openings on socials with the #letsgobuild tag.

Taiga’s article also refers to some of the stats and outcomes of our labour study, and it’s encouraging to see members follow and engage with the work we do in service of our industry members.

On the note of member engagement, thanks to all participants and supporters of our golf tournaments! We had four incredible tournaments, and enjoyed connecting with everyone on the courses. Stay tuned for the announcement of how much we were able to raise for this year’s Education Grant applicants!

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PHOTO: MARY-MARGARET MAGYAR

Liz Kovach PRESIDENT, WRLA

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CHAIR’S MESSAGE

WHY “MADE IN CANADA” MATTERS A

s fall is quickly upon us, the Western Retail Lumber Association proudly presents the Fall Yardstick Magazine, a tribute to the spirit of community and innovation that drives our industry forward. In this edition, we share inspiring stories of our members’ success, continue to celebrate all things Made in Canada, and offer an exciting preview of the upcoming 2024 WRLA Building & Hardware showcase.

At the heart of the WRLA are our members, whose dedication and hard work continue to inspire us. In this edition, we showcase some of these amazing members, what they do, and celebrate the success they have had in their communities.

The 2024 Showcase promises to be a dynamic and immersive experience, bringing together leading manufacturers, suppliers, and other industry experts under one roof in Winnipeg. Attendees can expect to explore cutting-edge products and technologies that will redefine the possibilities in residential, agricultural, and commercial construction.

Our members’ success is evidence of the power of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and support within the building materials industry. By connecting with like-minded professionals and accessing resources to enhance their business, our members have embraced the path of continuous growth and success. We look forward in future issues to continue to show the authority, reach and impact our members are making within their communities and right across western Canada. We should be proud of what we do, and not afraid to share that success with others.

I look forward to seeing new and innovative ideas, from energy-efficient materials to advanced building systems and smart home technologies, this showcase promises to be a must-attend event for all industry professionals wanting to stay up to date and ahead of the curve to take their business to new heights.

The WRLA is committed to promoting and supporting Canadian manufacturers who are leaders in responsible manufacturing standards and adhering to strict quality guidelines. By choosing Made in Canada, our members continue to contribute to the growth of our local economies, while supporting good Canadian jobs, and embracing a commitment to environmental responsibility.

As we set our sights onto the future here at the WRLA, within this issue, we are excited to share some exclusive pre-show announcements for the 2024 WRLA Building & Hardware Showcase. This event has become a staple of the industry, showcasing the latest trends and innovations, along with new and emerging sustainable solutions that will shape the construction landscape for years to come.

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Have a great fall, and I look forward to seeing you all at the 2024 Showcase in Winnipeg!

PHOTO: ANTHONY FERNANDO

In a world where globalization is ever present, there is something very special about products that proudly bear “Made in Canada.” For years, Canadian lumber and building materials manufacturers have been known for fabricating goods with exceptional quality, durability, and sustainability.

As we strive to support local industries and reduce our carbon footprint, the importance of Made in Canada products has become more evident than ever.

As our Fall Magazine celebrates member success, all things Made in Canada, and offers an exciting look into the 2024 Building & Hardware Showcase, it is evident that our industry continues to thrive and be the pillars of our communities.

As we all eagerly anticipate the 2024 Showcase, we look forward to witnessing the remarkable progress and collective achievements our industry has made, because together, we will build a better community for us all.

Andrew Reimer CHAIR, WRLA

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MEMBER CORNER

MEMBER CORNER

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Email us at marketing@wrla.org or reach out via social media. wrlainc

INDUSTRY NEWS HOME HARDWARE WINS LARGE FLEET SAFETY AWARD BY PMTC ST. JACOBS, ONTARIO—June 27, 2023—Home Hardware Stores Limited is pleased to be recognized with the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada (PMTC)’s Large Fleet Safety Award. PMTC and Aviva Canada announced the awards for Canadian Private Fleet Safety as part of the annual conference in Hamilton, Ontario.

The competition is open to all Canadian private carriers and judged by an independent panel. Criteria includes the company’s overall safety regime and over the road record.

“For close to 60 years, Home Hardware Stores Limited has operated one of the most visible private fleets in the country,” said Jason Libralesso, Director, Transportation, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “Every year our truck drivers travel millions of kilometres, delivering quality products to our Dealers, all while keeping road safety top-of-mind.”

At the PMTC’s annual conference, Alvin Carter, a longtime driver for Home Hardware Stores Limited, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for Professional Drivers. Carter joined Home Hardware in 1988 and retired in 2022 after 34 years of service. His career includes 40 years of accident and incident-free driving, spanning more than four million kilometres.

PHOTO: HARDLINES.CA

Home Hardware’s fleet is based in the company’s four distribution centres in St. Jacobs and Elmira, Ontario; Debert, Nova Scotia; and Wetaskiwin, Alberta. The fleet consists of 148 tractors, 605 trailers, and two straight trucks with an impressive Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration violation rate of 7.03%. In 2023, the fleet has covered more than 20.8 million kilometres.

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MEMBER CORNER

BIG CHANGES AT GILLFOR DISTRIBUTION Gillfor partners with Weyerhaeuser Gillfor Distribution has entered into a strategic partnership with Weyerhaeuser to distribute its full line of Trus Joist® Engineered Wood products in the Western Canadian market.

The agreement brings together Weyerhaeuser’s extensive Trus Joist® product line and Gillfor Distribution’s six strategically located Distribution Centers from British Columbia to Manitoba, along with two teams working collaboratively to maximize Trus Joist® presence in the marketplace. This partnership will provide operational synergies and advantages to both companies.

The companies will continue to work on the logistics with a formal target launch of January 1, 2024. Additional details to follow later.

“Gillfor’s mandate has always been to align with Triple-A vendors in the product categories we participate in. Partnering with Weyerhaeuser on the Trus Joist® portfolio reinforces this mandate, and we couldn’t be more excited to help promote this market-leading brand!”

—Bob Dosanjh, CEO of Gillfor Distribution “Weyerhaeuser is pleased to partner with Gillfor to enhance the availability of Trus Joist® products across Western Canada. Gillfor’s extensive distribution network will improve our ability to service all customers in all markets.”

—Peter Wood, Sales Director, Canada, Weyerhaeuser Leadership changes at Gillfor Kent Finkbiner has taken on the role of Assistant Division Manager, Calgary Division, effective August 7, 2023. Kent’s primary function will be to work as a cohesive unit with Clay Finkbiner, managing, guiding, and supporting all activities and members of the Calgary Division. Kent brings with him many assets to the role including sales experience and leadership skills that will give him the resources needed to contribute to the further growth and success of the Calgary Division.

AD’S INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR COMMUNITY CONNECTS ACROSS INDUSTRIES AT 2023 AD SUMMIT TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES AMONG FUNCTIONAL AREA LEADERS St. Louis, Mo.—Almost 200 people from AD member and service provider companies across various industries and multiple countries gathered in St. Louis at the 2023 AD Finance, HR & IT Summit from July 19 to 21 for three days of cross-functional collaboration and best practice sharing.

“Across finance, HR and IT, our industries constantly shift and require us to stay up to date on the newest trends and opportunities available to us,” said Drew Moyer, AD’s Chief Financial Officer. “This forum is instrumental in helping our community learn from each other and collaborate, and our members find great value sharing ideas with their peers in other distribution segments.”

The Summit featured over a dozen breakout sessions with a diverse range of topics across finance, HR and IT, giving attendees choices in their areas of expertise, as well as opportunities to branch out to fields of interest to them. Popular session topics included artificial intelligence, data analytics, the impacts of inflation and supply chain disruptions, data analytics, cybersecurity, recruitment trends, understanding a new generation of workers, employee upskilling, and employee experience.

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Bryan Payne is taking on the role of Division Manager, Langley Division, effective September 5, 2023. Bryan’s primary function will be to lead the BC team, manage the profitability of the business, and guide efforts to increase sales and implementation of national programs. Bryan has spent the last 10 years working with Woodtone, most recently as their Canadian Sales Manager while building relationships and leading the BC market to grow their product portfolio.

Bryan has strong relationship-building skills and leadership skills that will give him the resources needed to contribute to the further growth and success of the Langley Division.

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MEMBER CORNER

MORE LOWE’S STORES SET TO CONVERT TO THE RONA+ BANNER As of September 21, 2023, 15 new RONA+ stores will open their doors to the public in Ontario Boucherville, QC, July 26, 2023—RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating or servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners, is continuing its transition plan to make RONA the leader of the Canadian home improvement sector. Today, the organization is announcing the conversion of 15 more Lowe’s stores to the RONA+ banner in Ontario: • Lowe’s Barrie • Lowe’s Belleville • Lowe’s East Gwillimbury • Lowe’s Kanata • Lowe’s Kingston • Lowe’s London North West • Lowe’s London South West • Lowe’s Maple • Lowe’s Nepean • Lowe’s Orleans • Lowe’s Oshawa • Lowe’s Ottawa Gloucester • Lowe’s Pickering • Lowe’s Sudbury • Lowe’s Whitby The stores will remain open during the conversion and RONA’s priority during this transition will remain to offer its customers the best possible shopping experience.

All Lowe’s stores that will be converted will bear the brand-new RONA+ banner. “This is an important step in our vision for the future of RONA,” explained Catherine Laporte, Vice-President, Marketing at RONA inc. “With these conversions, we are making a significant investment and renewing our commitment to the RONA brand. The new RONA+ banner is the first step in a wider plan aimed at redefining how Canadians shop for home improvement, creating new opportunities to improve how we serve them.”

Aluminium B. Bouchard Joins Group for National Buying Power VAUGHAN, ON, June 13, 2023—Located in the Greater Montreal Area, building material dealer, Aluminium B. Bouchard joins TIMBER MART to benefit from the group’s national buying power and achieve their business’s growth goals.

“I decided to become a member of TIMBER MART for the prosperity and future growth of my company,” says Serge Bouchard, owner of Aluminium B. Bouchard. “With TIMBER MART, we will now have access to all the building material and Spancan vendors we need to expand our offerings to our customers and grow the business.”

“Aluminium B. Bouchard will see great benefit in our buying programs as well as our distribution centre in St-Nicolas for inventory fill-ins,” says Alain Charbonneau, TIMBER MART’s national business development manager for Quebec. “We welcome them to the group and look forward to providing them with the programs, services and support they need to prosper in the Greater Montreal Area and continue to grow their business.”

Aluminium B. Bouchard has been serving the communities of Laval, Montreal and the surrounding areas since 1976. Today, the business has grown to offers the contractors, builders and craftsmen of the region, a wide variety of building materials as well as various types of exterior cladding, speciality panels, and many other materials for building envelopes. Aluminium B. Bouchard employs a team of close to 60 staff members and sits on a property that encompasses three buildings i.e. a retail store and two building-material storage buildings, which total 13,200 square feet.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

RONA inc. began their conversion of Lowe’s stores in June of 2023. With this new announcement, it brings the total of RONA+ locations up to 25.

TIMBER MART WELCOMES NEW DEALER IN GREATER MONTREAL AREA

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MEMBER CORNER

WRLA NEWS WRLA IS GROWING! INTRODUCING TWO NEW MEMBERS OF THE WRLA TEAM Amanda Camara—Vice President of Business Development and Marketing Amanda Camara is a highly accomplished marketing professional known for their ability to execute integrated marketing strategies and campaigns across diverse industries. With an impressive career history and a deep understanding of consumer behavior, Amanda has earned a stellar reputation for delivering marketing success through innovative approaches.

Throughout their professional journey, Amanda has held prominent roles in esteemed organizations such as Calm Air, St. Paul’s High School, Metric Marketing, and The Home Builders Association of Vancouver. These experiences have equipped Amanda with a wealth of expertise in various facets of marketing, including strategy development, brand management, effective communication and public relations, creating impactful advertising campaigns, leveraging the power of digital marketing, and orchestrating successful events.

Above: Amanda Camara, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing.

Amanda firmly believes in the significance of engaging with the right audience at each stage of the purchasing journey. This belief is deeply rooted in their commitment to data-driven marketing strategies. By harnessing the power of analytics and insights, Amanda has consistently guided marketing and sales initiatives to achieve exceptional results and propel business growth.

During their leisure time, Amanda finds great joy in traveling, renovating and designing their home, indulging in a round of golf, and cherishing moments with their close-knit Portuguese family. They also enjoy leisurely walks with their lab, Drizzy Drake.

Ann O. Olaye—Membership, Communications, and Events Assistant

Above: Ann O. Olaye, Membership, Communications, and Events Assistant.

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Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in political science, and Public Administration and a Diploma in Law from Nigeria. She also completed a year long PathwayConnect certificate in Life skills, English and Algebra from Brigham Young University (BYU) USA, and another certificate in social media marketing from Ensign College USA. She has gathered 12 years of experience working as an administrative and sales manager. Ann has also worked as a peer mentor servicing students at BYU. Ann is married with 3 children and spends her leisure time having fun with her family.

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED AND CHRIS ALLINOTTE

In addition to their professional accomplishments, Amanda is deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community. They actively contribute to various organizations, demonstrating their dedication to social causes. Amanda serves on the Board of Directors for the International Association of Business Communicators, the South Winnipeg Family Information Centre, and Dress for Success Winnipeg. Furthermore, they have volunteered with esteemed organizations such as Manitoba Harvest, The Christmas Cheer Board, Every Child Matters, Easter Seals, and Coats for Kids, where they effectively led and participated in fundraising efforts.

MEMBER CORNER

WRLA GOLF TOURNAMENTS RECAP For the WRLA, we start getting really excited when summer hits, as that means we’ll be able to get out to the golf courses and see our members face-to-face in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, which is, without question, the best part of our jobs.

It was so great to see everyone come out and connect with each other in such a fun environment. It gets even better when we consider how much money is raised through these events that directly benefit members and their families through education grants. Last year we awarded $27,000 in funds directly to students, many of whom are taking their higher education and coming right back to work in the industry, making their teams stronger and more profitable.

Due to the resounding success of the 2023 tournaments, we are on track to present even more educational grants this year. Educational grants can make a real difference for seasonal staff as they head back to school in the fall, and they’re a great way to help current full-time employees upskill through continuing education. Applications for this year’s grants are now closed, and we’ll be announcing the names of the deserving recipients shortly. If you’ve got employees or family members who are heading back to school, or considering it, and they could use a little help, make sure to mark April 1, 2024 on your calendar as we open applications for next year’s grant program.

As we say farewell to the golf course for another year, we have to give a final shout-out to all the sponsors who made the tournaments possible, and our incredible members for coming out to participate. We’ve got an extra-special thank-you for member Don Horvath who, with his team, makes the Kenosee tournament such a great experience year after year! We can’t wait to do it all again in 2024!

If you’d like to sponsor a tournament in 2024, please send a note to marketing@wrla.org.

TEAM WRLA ROLLS UP THEIR SLEEVES FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY On June 21, the WRLA team joined together with a team from Metrie to work on a Habitat for Humanity build in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The team worked all day on the massive, 55 home development on Pandora Ave. Situated on three acres of land, Habitat Manitoba will build 11 blocks of five townhouses each, for a total of 55 homes. The project will house approximately 275 people, including 175 children. These homes will be exceptionally energy efficient and when completed will have a carbonfree zero footprint. Construction is estimated to be complete in November of 2025.

PHOTOS: ALISA LUO AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat Manitoba has helped over 500 Habitat families across Manitoba and in Kenora, ON.

NEED MORE WRLA? CHECK OUT THE WRLA PODCAST! We’ve released some great new episodes of our podcast.

Scan the code, and join us as we welcome special guests to chat with us about a variety of topics. You can also find our show wherever you get your podcasts. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

LEVEL UP! FRESH NEW COURSES FROM WRLA ACADEMY Martine Yzerman WRLA

“For someone in a similar position as myself with no formal training, the WRLA Academy provides a very easy to understand platform for learning construction materials and what they are used for.”

—Terry

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n the lumber and building industry, continuous learning and adaptability are paramount.

WRLA is thrilled to introduce two game-changing initiatives to give our members every advantage to excel. Our partnership with BlueHouse Energy offers exclusive discounts to WRLA members on a wide range of up-to-the-minute courses in Building Science and Energy Efficiency.

We’re also announcing the newest course from WRLA Academy! “Increasing Profitability through Yard and Warehouse Management” will share important strategies and skills to help you increase efficiency and cut costs.

KEEPING UP TO CODE WITH BUILDING SCIENCE & ENERGY EFFICIENCY We recognize that staying ahead in an evolving industry requires an in-depth understanding of building science and energy efficiency. In partnership with BlueHouse Energy, we are excited to present WRLA members with exclusive access to their online learning programs.

Through this partnership, members gain the opportunity to enhance their expertise in energy-efficient building techniques, insulation strategies, air-sealing best practices, and moisture management solutions.

With the world’s focus intensifying on sustainable construction and environmental stewardship, the courses offered by BlueHouse Energy empower our members to lead the charge.

By embracing these courses, industry professionals can navigate the complexities of energy performance optimization, waste reduction, and the creation of healthier indoor spaces.

Members will gain the knowledge and capacity to meet and exceed industry standards, aligning their practices with environmental goals and client expectations.

The cornerstone of every successful lumber and building business lies in its operational efficiency. Recognizing the pivotal role that yard and warehouse management play in shaping the bottom line, we are excited to announce our upcoming course designed to amplify profitability through strategic operations management.

Above: Visit bluehouseenergy.com/pages/ western-retail-lumber-association to learn more about courses at BlueHouse Energy.

“Increasing Profitability Through Yard and Warehouse Management” equips our members with the insights, strategies, and tools needed to master your operations. From optimizing inventory management to enhancing customer service through streamlined processes, participants gain an edge that directly translates into increased efficiency and revenue. The

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PHOTO: BLUE HOUSE ENERGY

OPTIMIZING AND ORGANIZING FOR FUN AND PROFIT

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

course delves into inventory management, operational and supply chain efficiency, automation and technology and cross-departmental collaborative communication. It’s a comprehensive toolkit designed to empower our members to take their operational prowess to the next level.

UPGRADE YOUR SKILLS—WHEREVER YOU MAY BE! WRLA’s online learning option means that, wherever your business is located, you can benefit from the knowledge and training to upskill your employees and maximize your profitability. Our Blueprint Reading course provides a foundational understanding of reading and interpreting blueprints, an essential skill in the industry.

For those seeking to excel in estimating, our Estimating Level 1 and Estimating Level 2 courses equip participants with the knowledge required to accurately assess project costs. Additionally, our Industry Terminology course bridges communication gaps by ensuring everyone speaks the same language, fostering seamless collaboration.

Through flexible, accessible learning options, we are empowering members to continually improve and adapt in an ever-changing industry landscape.

IMPROVING THE INDUSTRY, ONE CLASS AT A TIME!

Above: WRLA Academy offers in-person sessions of the Estimating courses.

As WRLA forges ahead, our vision remains steadfast: to be the catalyst for industry excellence and growth. The partnership with BlueHouse Energy and the launch of the “Increasing Profitability through Yard and Warehouse Management” course embody this vision. We are dedicated to offering members transformative learning experiences that elevate their careers and businesses.

In a world where knowledge translates into power and success, our initiatives are designed to equip members with a dynamic skillset that propels them forward. As we combine building science expertise, energy efficiency insights, and operational proficiency, we create a formidable force for positive change within the industry.

WHAT’S NEXT? YOU TELL US!

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

At the WRLA, we are continuously expanding our educational horizons to serve you better. We are actively crafting engaging learning content for both in-person and online experiences. We encourage you to connect with us if you have a specific topic in mind that you’d like to see covered in our courses. Your input fuels our commitment to providing tailored learning opportunities that address your evolving needs and aspirations.

The journey to professional excellence begins here, with WRLA and our comprehensive educational offerings. With the power of knowledge, strategic partnerships, and cutting-edge courses, we are shaping a future where our members thrive and lead in a rapidly evolving industry.

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ADVOCACY BULLETIN

Reimer added, “It is vital that we reach out to decision-makers to ensure our industry’s voice is heard loudly and clearly. We must continue telling our story. This is about good jobs here in Manitoba and beyond, and we are working hard to ensure our industry thrives.”

In the meetings with government and opposition representatives, we emphasized the current labour force challenges facing our industry, and we offer solutions on how we can partner with the province to solve these issues. We want to connect Manitoba’s talented workforce with our industry’s innovative leaders, to create sustainable jobs, with long-term growth prospects.

The focal point we articulated in these meetings was the Let’s Go Build campaign. We are stressing that there are endless opportunities available everywhere in the industry, and benefits like work-life balance, exciting and enjoyable work, inclusive culture, transferable skills, and good pay.

Above: Liz Kovach (middle bottom) and Andrew Reimer (right) met with Nathan Laser (left) and Mark Rosner (second left) from the Official Opposition office.

TACKLING LABOUR CHALLENGES HEAD-ON

Manitoba will soon be holding a general election, and it is important that the WRLA continue to inform all parties, plus public servants, of the vital work being done by the LBM sector. While the official election will be called in early September, the campaign is unofficially underway. Members may notice less communication by government departments, which is due to Manitoba election laws.

From August 3 onward, government resources cannot be used for political announcements, in order to level the playing field for all political parties vying for office.

While the Progressive Conservatives led by Premier Heather Stefanson have had their challenges since the pandemic began, the polls now show a competitive race province-wide between them and the New Democrats led by Wab Kinew.

A recent Mainstreet poll, published on July 27 showed that among decided voters, the PCs had the support of 42% of Manitobans, with the NDP at 38% and the Liberal Party at 12%. However, the key battleground will be in the City of Winnipeg, where the NDP has been polling around 50% for months on end. Ridings such as Riel, currently held by the PCs, will help determine which party forms government in October.

Wes McLean, Prospectus Associates

Thanks to Jonathan Middlestead, Steve Buckle and Andrew Reimer for their participation in these efforts. Their contributions were integral to demonstrating the challenges faced by the LBM sector. As Mr. Buckle noted in the meeting with the two deputy ministers, WRLA member firms remain local and are committed to their communities.

Buckle later stated, “Our industry is local to the community we serve and provides excellent jobs right here at home. The jobs in this industry are many, and there’s upward mobility and an entrepreneurial path as well.”

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We need your help! Our advocacy efforts work best when we can work directly with, and hear from, our members who directly feel the effects of government policies and programs. To join us in our advocacy efforts, email Liz at lkovach@wrla.org.

Are you receiving our Advocacy bulletins? Send us an email at marketing@wrla.org to be added to our communications list.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

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he WRLA is continuing its efforts to influence decision-makers over the summer months. This past August, we met with Mark Rosner, Chief of Staff to the Leader of the Manitoba New Democratic Party. Shortly thereafter, we sat down with Jerin Valel, the Deputy Minister of Economic Development and his colleague Michael Swistun, the Secretary to the Economic Development of the Manitoba Cabinet.

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HR CORNER

LET’S GO BUILD! ARE YOU WITH US? Prospectus Associates

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he Let’s Go Build campaign launched this past Spring, and, with the help of our members, it’s been gaining steam ever since! Please read on for a quick overview of how the campaign has been performing to date.

BUILDING INDUSTRY & CAREER AWARENESS • The campaign is performing exceptionally well on digital and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Snapchat, Google, etc.

• Our communication is reaching thousands of members of our target audiences.

• Hundreds of thousands of people have seen our social media ads, sending over 10,000 hits to our website.

• More than a thousand people have clicked through to member websites.

BUILDING INDUSTRY REPUTATION AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP • Through print, online, and podcast interviews in wellread publications like the National Post, Calgary Herald, Winnipeg Sun, Vancouver Sun, Vancouver Province, Edmonton Journal, Canadian Contractor, Journal of Commerce, etc., we are strengthening awareness about our industry and the benefits of working with us.

WHAT’S BUILDING NEXT? • Phase 1 (May 2023 to October 2024) set the foundation for success.

• In Phase 2 (November 2023 to April 2024), we will go where the job seekers are and provide avenues for them to connect with us directly (offline and online). We will continue focusing on awareness of the opportunities, addressing misperceptions about our industry and strengthening engagement with our stakeholders and target audiences.

• For example: • Meetings and discussions with government representatives to explore their support.

• Campus outreach and career fairs: Enabling potential/ future employees to share their resumes with our members.

• Outreach to new Canadians: Through interviews and guest sessions on media platforms, we will create awareness among new Canadians about our industry and encourage them to apply to work with us.

• Veterans and their families: We are working on reaching out to organizations that serve Veterans and their families ​and encouraging them to apply for work in our industry.

• Media coverage, interviews, podcasts and vodcasts to continue to amplify our message.

HOW CAN YOU ENGAGE? Get the most out of this program by ensuring your job postings on the Let’s Go Build website are current. Check your entry(ies) on the Careers portal, and let us know if any changes are needed.

Download and implement the Job Posting Strategy tool kit.

Share Let’s Go Build content on social media and spread the word.

Tell us how ‘Let’s Go Build’ can further help your organization.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Recommend to your employees that they participate as campaign advocates—check out some of the employees we have already profiled as part of the campaign: https://letsgobuild.ca/our-people/. Interested in profiling an employee? Please send us an email to callinotte@wrla.org.

Above: Let’s Go Build published on Calgary Herald.

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DOLLARS & SENSE

INFLATION & THE CANADIAN ECONOMY IN 2023 W Travis Waite, WRLA

elcome back to another edition of Dollars & Sense! In our fall issue one year ago, I wrote about inflation and how it impacted the Canadian economy in 2022. Since we are once again devoting the theme of our fall issue to “Made in Canada”, it felt appropriate to provide an update on how the economy has fared since my last writing.

If you haven’t had a chance to read my article in the Fall 2022 issue, I invite you to have a look, as it covers some basics about what inflation is, what affects it, and how it is calculated.

Last time we checked in on inflation was June 2022, when it was at a 40 year high of 8.2%. I noted in the closing remarks of that article that June 2022 was likely the peak of inflation. This turned out to be true. As you can see from the graph below, annual inflation has steadily decreased over the past year and as of June 2023, has cooled down to 2.8%. Leading experts predict that Canada will likely avoid a major recession and instead deal with a “soft-landing,” meaning a moderate economic slowdown, followed by a period of growth. See Figure 1.

The latest inflation data is encouraging, even in the face of high consumer demand, and is now within the Bank of Canada’s target range of 1-3%. The main factor of this decrease is a steep decline in gas prices from a year ago, but other components of the consumer price index, such as food (up 9.1% annually in June), continue to be stubbornly high and are affecting Canadians’ abilities to make ends meet.

PHOTOS: TRADINGECONOMICS.COM/STATISTICS CANADA

The Bank of Canada has followed their US counterparts lead in being aggressive with interest rate hikes to lower inflation. The results are there, but many (including myself) wonder if they have gone too far. Since March of 2022, the bank of Canada has raised interest rates 10 times, from 0.25% to 5.0%—the highest rate in 22 years.

There has been a lot of pushback and criticism from Canadians regarding rate hikes. Though they have helped curb inflation, they are also causing struggle for small business owners and consumers, specifically those that are dealing with variable loans and mortgages. In fact, rate hikes on consumers with variable and recently renewed mortgages are having the opposite effect in curbing inflation, causing somewhat of a “Catch-22” situation. If we take out the increased costs of mortgages due to higher interest rates, inflation is closer to 2%.

by high immigration rates. Canada surpassed the 40 million population mark for the first time in June. See Figure 2.

The underlying data does show that hiring is slowing down, and population growth is outweighing job growth, causing job vacancies to decrease, signaling that unemployment should continue with moderate increases and approach the expected rate of 6% by the end of 2023. Wage growth has also slowed down year over year, as a larger labour pool means businesses have less competition to find talent and don’t need to pay as large of a premium to secure skilled workers.

The Bank of Canada recently met on September 6, 2023, and announced that they would be holding the overnight rate target until they meet again on October 25, 2023. This was consistent with rumblings in the economy that they will be holding this rate for the rest of the year and could begin to lower rates as soon as early 2024. This will all depend on how the Canadian economy continues to react to the recent rate hikes and what the inflationary data tells us as it continues to be released. Though we are in a much better place than we were a year ago, the work and hardship is not fully realized, and Canadians should continue to be vigilant with their spending as we weather the economic storm that has become a reality these past two years.

Figure 1: Inflation in Canada from Jul 2022-Jun 2023.

Other factors driving down inflation in Canada include the price increases from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continuing to fade, and a downward trend in the price of raw materials and industrial prices.

The labour market is another area influencing the economy and interest rate hikes. Despite unemployment rates being at its lowest levels over the past two years since the 1970’s, the job market is showing some signs of slowing down. Unemployment rose despite a higher-than-expected increase in new job growth, to 5.4% in June 2023 (up from 5.2% in May). This is mainly due to surging population growth in Canada in recent months, fueled

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Figure 2: Unemployment rate in Canada from Aug 2022Jun 2023.

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SAFETY CORNER

WORKSITE SAFETY STARTS WITH TRAINING Brandt

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afety is the ultimate concern when handling materials and equipment that can weigh tens of thousands of pounds. Mistakes can mean property loss, reduced productivity, and reputational damage, not to mention injuries and even fatalities. There is no room for error.

Fortunately, risk can be mitigated with proper equipment safety training, which provides workers with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to operate powered mobile equipment safely and efficiently. Some of the benefits of having employees safety certified include improved overall work safety culture, reduced safety incidents, increased productivity, compliance with safety regulations, and cost savings.

Brandt delivers the full range of forklift classification training, from sit-down counterbalance and narrow aisle, to truck mounted, side loader, and pallet jack. Along with these forklift solutions, they also offer mobile elevated work platform, fall protection, telehandler, skid steer, cranes and rigging, excavator, front-end loader, backhoe, and grader solutions at WRLA membership discounted rates.

Courses provide workers with the basic principles of materials handling and construction equipment operation, load handling, maintenance, and safety. They begin with a theory portion, followed by a theory exam and hands-on practical equipment training and practical skills assessments using the newest equipment in the industry.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY BRANDT

Penny Coleman, Health & Safety Manager for Timbertown Building Centre has sent 82 employees from their Calgary and Edmonton locations for training at Brandt since 2021. This included forklift training, mobile elevated work platform and fall protection for MEWP training, and telehandler. More recently, they have trained new, inexperienced employees in the enhanced forklift operator training classes. They also appreciate the WRLA membership discount for the training courses. “This training enhances our health and safety program and supports our compliance with OH&S. We have reduced incidences and have created more confident and skilled employees, resulting in a successful workforce,” Coleman says.

She appreciates how Brandt has made booking training easy and flexible with monthly calendars, new additional training courses, and flexibility in changing dates when needed. “Working with Brandt training coordinators and a group of great trainers has been a part of our success,” Coleman continues. “When I took my forklift training, my instructor made the classroom portion interesting with his injections of humour and knowledge that made the hands-on part of the training both enjoyable and educational.”

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which is renewable after three years. Brandt certification exceeds safety standards across Canada, with Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) and Canadian Safety Association (CSA) compliance. By going above and beyond safety standards, Brandt gives students an understanding of the safety regulations at a federal, provincial, and individual company level as well as a review of employer, supervisor and coworker health and safety responsibilities in the workplace.

The training solutions are also flexible, with online, in-class, and on-site options. Online training programs allow students to complete theory learning at their convenience and provide them with the ability to schedule the practical hands-on equipment training at a Brandt training center to obtain full certification. The in-class option takes place at more than 10 training centers throughout Western Canada, with certified trainers hosting regularly scheduled materials handling and construction equipment training classes on a wide breadth of models. And on-site training can be provided at your company’s location, ideal for on-the-job learning and group courses. There are even group discounts for on-site materials handling and construction equipment training.

Brandt operator safety courses offer hands-on, practical training to allow time for students to become familiar with equipment controls and demonstrate safe operating procedures. Hands-on training helps them develop skills in pre-use inspections, start up, operating assessment, maneuverability, parking, re-fueling or battery maintenance, and shut down.

There is also a Train the Trainer option that makes it possible for you to facilitate your own in-house training courses using Brandt training materials. Instructor kits include job hazard assessment training, applicable OH&S regulations, course presentation materials, resources, adult learning and presentation skills training, theory exams, and answer keys and practical skills assessments.

Greg Britton, Corporate Training Manager for Brandt, commented, “In todays highly competitive business and labour market, every WRLA member company wants to have an engaged workforce, reduce turnover, retain top talent, lower equipment maintenance and training costs, increase productivity/profitability and do all this as safely as possible.

Equipment training from Brandt can help make that a reality, and we are here to help you with your training solutions.”

For more information, visit more.brandt.ca/training.

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GREEN GUIDE

NAVIGATING THE GREEN PATH: SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT IN THE LBM INDUSTRY Bonnie Moore WRLA

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s a newcomer to the industry, I’m excited to share that the WRLA Academy team has been diligently creating and preparing our latest course, “Enhancing Profitability with Yard and Warehouse Management.” While I initially entered uncharted territory in the lumber building sector, I soon realized that Canada’s dedication to net-zero through Energy and Sustainable Development significantly influences all aspects of lumber yard and warehouse management. This commitment shapes Inventory, Supply Chain, and Operational Management, revealing a dynamic interconnected landscape.

Global industries reevaluate waste practices for an eco-future. Amid growing eco-concerns, businesses recognize their carbon impact. This article explores recycling in Canada’s lumber and warehouse sector—benefits, challenges, and innovative waste strategies.

THE NEED FOR CHANGE “Did you know—Buildings generate nearly 30% of all greenhouse gases, and 35% of landfill waste, while consuming up to 70% of municipal water—The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC).”

The lumberyard and warehouse sector, crucial for construction and manufacturing, produces significant waste, including timber offcuts, packaging materials, plastic wraps, and equipment discards, often destined for landfills. To address this, industry leaders are now prioritizing recycling to mitigate waste and advance sustainability.

RECYCLING BENEFITS • Environmental Preservation: Recycling conserves natural resources, like timber, by reusing materials, reducing the demand for new resources and lessening the impact on forests and ecosystems.

• Reduced Landfill Waste: Recycling diverts waste from landfills, easing the strain on waste management and curbing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

• Energy Conservation: Recycling consumes less energy compared to using raw materials, resulting in lower energy use, reduced emissions, and a smaller carbon footprint.

• Cost Savings: Implementing recycling programs can lead to significant cost savings by decreasing waste disposal fees, lowering material procurement costs, and potentially generating revenue through the sale of recyclable materials.

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GREEN GUIDE

• Positive Reputation: Embracing recycling showcases a company’s commitment to environmental stewardship, enhancing its reputation among customers, partners, and the community.

CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS While recycling in the lumberyard and warehouse industry offers clear advantages, challenges like limited infrastructure, awareness gaps, and logistical issues exist. Yet, industry leaders are responding with innovative solutions: • Education and Awareness Campaigns: Educate stakeholders to emphasize the importance of recycling, fostering increased involvement.

• Partnerships: Team up with recyclers, waste firms, and authorities for efficient processes and options.

• Material Separation: Set clear guidelines, collection spots for sorted materials, improving recyclable quality.

• Circular Economy Initiatives: Embrace circular practices, reusing/recycling materials for a sustainable loop.

LOW HANGING FRUIT: QUICK WINS FOR SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS The WRLA recently conducted a site visit to Madero in Winnipeg, an experience that left a lasting impression. Walking through their vibrant facility, one could clearly sense their unwavering commitment to sustainability.

It’s worth mentioning that Madero’s core residential exterior door program beautifully showcases these values, offering a range of options crafted from either steel or fiberglass, ensuring both durability and environmental consciousness.

Steel is highly recyclable, supporting a circular economy for customer and environmental benefit. Madero’s fiberglass products also demonstrate their commitment to eco-friendliness, providing a green alternative in line with modern standards.

Madero’s inventive pallet return initiative stands out. Drawing inspiration from the beloved Pic-a-Pop model from Manitoba’s past, they encourage pallet returns with incentives.

This creative approach highlights the power of simple ideas for meaningful change. While subtle, such shifts can lead to significant impact over time. Sustainability doesn’t demand huge changes.

Companies can take practical steps now to improve their environmental footprint. Start by considering these questions: Question: How can you lead a recycling drive for electronics, paper, cardboard, and plastics to demonstrate our commitment to sustainable resource management?

Solution: By implementing a comprehensive recycling program, you can significantly reduce waste and underline our commitment to responsible resource usage.

PHOTO: MARTINE YZERMAN

Question: What are the benefits of having a dedicated area for composting organic materials like wood scraps and sawdust?

Solution: Creating a designated composting zone allows you to repurpose organic waste and contribute to a more sustainable approach to waste management.

Above: Kristin Tyluk-Brown and David Rae from Madero.

Solution: You can identify opportunities to reintroduce reusable practices in your operations, from packaging materials to product returns, reducing your ecological footprint.

Question: What strategies can you employ to repurpose old or damaged equipment, moving away from disposal and considering refurbishing or upcycling?

Solution: Refurbishment or upcycling options for equipment promotes sustainability by extending machinery lifespan and minimizing waste.

By focusing on these accessible and tangible changes, companies can make swift progress in their journey towards sustainable lumber yard and warehouse operations. As the industry evolves, even small steps pave the way for a brighter and more eco-friendly future, one recycled material at a time.

Question: Can you transition towards a paperless operation by digitizing documents and processes, aligning with both environmental responsibility and operational efficiency?

Solution: Embracing a paperless approach not only benefits the environment by saving trees but also streamlines processes, making them more effective.

Question: Drawing inspiration from Madero’s pallet return program, how can you explore similar practices within supply chains, promoting the concept of reuse?

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CENTREPORT CANADA—A GROWING TRANSPORTATION & TRADE HUB Carly Edmundson, President & CEO, CentrePort Canada Inc.

A Above: CentrePort Canada Rail Park Site Map.

t 20,000 acres, CentrePort Canada is North America’s largest trimodal inland port, providing companies with excellent access to a variety of transportation options, fully-serviced industrial land and existing infrastructure that supports future growth.

CentrePort Canada lands are located in Manitoba, falling in both the R.M. of Rosser and the City of Winnipeg. With over $400 million worth of development permits issued over the last five years, and 2 million square feet of new construction either complete or underway, the area is experiencing considerable growth.

Bottom: CentrePort Canada Rail Park Aerial Map.

One of the most recent projects to be brought to market is the CentrePort Canada Rail Park which is currently under construction and in development by Focus Equities Inc. The

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PHOTOS: SIPPLIED BY CENTREPORT CANADA INC. PHOTO:

BETTER BUSINESS

BETTER BUSINESS

665-acre rail served industrial park is a unique real estate development, offering globally connected businesses with large-volume shipping needs the ability to access, transfer, and transport goods between road and rail.

On August 1, 2023, Fastfrate Group, one of Canada’s largest privately held transportation and supply chain providers, was announced as the first tenant to break ground in the Rail Park. The company is investing $55 million to build a 140,000 square foot facility, bringing four of the company’s brands together under one roof. The facility will be home to Fastfrate, Challenger Motor Freight, ASL Distribution and Canada Drayage Inc. Meanwhile, in CentrePort South (City of Winnipeg lands), the Government of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg announced $60 million in funding to initiate the first phase of servicing to install critical infrastructure in the CentrePort lands in west Winnipeg. This infrastructure will enable the development of a new 500-acre residential area, the 260-acre West Side Airport Campus and other service-oriented industrial developments in this part of the city.

If you take a drive around CentrePort today, you’ll see active construction sites in every direction. Here’s a look at some of the latest projects: West Creek Industrial Park: Under construction at the corner of Red Fife Road and Durum Drive, this two-building, 294,150 SF industrial development is expected to be complete this year.

Steele Business Park: Phase 1 of this multi-tenant industrial development opened in fall of 2021 and is now fully leased. Phase 2 of 3 has recently completed construction and space is now available for lease. Tenants include ClearSecure Manufacturing & Distribution, Mercury Specialty Products, Milwaukee Tool and Lennox International.

15 Davis Way: Situated adjacent to Tim Hortons and Shell Canada, this 10,000 SF office/flex space is complete with space available for lease in Brookside Business Park. The first tenant now operational in this new building is South Interlake Planning District.

BrookPort Business Park: Construction is underway in all four phases of the sold out 280-acre BrookPort Business Park. Completed buildings include Nutrien, Ayr Motors, Cantrans Containers, Haulster Transport, Rig Logistics and more.

Made in Manitoba Manufacturing Spotlight— ClearSecure Manufacturing & Distribution ClearSecure is a manufacturer and distributor of RockGlass, one of the best and only solutions to broken glass. RockGlass is used for businesses, commercial properties, government buildings, residential homes, schools and heavy equipment machinery. The goal is simple: to solve the broken glass problem. RockGlass is lighter, stronger and more impact-resistant than regular glass and can withstand any type of damage, whether vandalism or storms.

Traditional glass options within the industry have the tendency to break—float glass, tempered glass and laminated glass have been used for almost everything but still need to be replaced upon breaking. RockGlass is an unbreakable safety glass and is a revolutionary solution to this problem.

RockGlass is impact resistant and can withstand multiple impacts to the glass without breaking. The product is also scratch resistant and will meet the best energy performance glass options being offered in the industry today.

ClearSecure is currently manufacturing and shipping worldwide from their new location in CentrePort Canada, serving clients such as McDonald’s Restaurants, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Sobeys, Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), and a variety of schools and hospitals.

ClearSecure Manufacturing & Distribution is now open and operational in Steele Business Park in CentrePort Canada. Learn more at: rockglass.ca.

National Research Council of Canada: This $62 million advanced manufacturing research facility is focused on research in additive manufacturing and sustainable packaging.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY ROCKGLASS

O Foods Ltd: Construction was recently completed on Paterson GlobalFoods’ $94 million oat processing facility, O Foods Ltd. The mill will process 125,000 metric tonnes of oats from Western Canadian farmers, with expansion plans to reach 250,000 metric tonnes. The facility operates with an integrated sustainable and renewable energy system and will be the most efficient mill of its kind in the world.

The inland port continues to draw interest from external markets, particularly as a preferred location for value-added agribusiness production facilities, advanced manufacturing companies, and e-commerce, warehousing and distribution services. With existing transportation infrastructure in place, industrial land available and a special planning area in place to expedite approvals, CentrePort Canada is an ideal location for companies looking for North American locations and it is expected to see significant activity and growth in the years to come.

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MADE IN CANADA

Above left: Owens Corning’s Valleyfield Plant in Quebec. Above right: Owens Corning’s Scarborough Plant in Ontario.

A CULTURE OF INNOVATION AND RESPECT Owens Corning

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ithout necessarily knowing it, Owens Corning is widely recognized. The Company manufactures fiberglass insulation, shingles and roofing accessories, as well as mineral wool and extruded polystyrene rigid insulation, installed in a significant number of buildings and homes from coast to coast. A look back at 80 years of innovation and environmental awareness by an industrial giant easily recognizable by its mascot, the Pink Panther.

PHOTOS: OWENS CORNING PHOTO:

It was in 1938, exactly 85 years ago, that Owens Corning invented FIBERGLAS® insulation. This thermal and noise-absorbing insulation changed the construction industry and increased the energy efficiency of buildings, thus increasing the comfort of their occupants.

A Fortune 500 company for the past 66 years, Owens Corning employs 19,000 people in 31 countries. Innovation is at the heart of its business. So much so that the Company helped design the beta fabrics used in the Apollo spacesuits in the 1960s and 1970s.

In Guelph, Ontario, Owens Corning owns 1 of 32 Owens Corning composite plants located in the world. Thanks to its composite materials division, Owens Corning is a global pioneer and leader in the production of fiberglass reinforcement, and non-woven and specialty composite materials, with a long-standing focus on product innovation with a customer-centric approach.

The Owens Corning Science and Technology Center, located in Granville, Ohio, is where many research and development activities are conducted, and where the Company’s researchers and scientists continually strive to provide promising and innovative, sustainable building materials and solutions for the North American market.

In January 2021, Owens Corning (NYSE: OC) announced a new product line: FOAMULAR® NGX (Next Generation Extruded). The proprietary blowing agent in this new line of extruded polystyrene (XPS) foam products delivers a 90% reduction in global warming potential (GWP) without sacrificing product performance.

And more recently, Owens Corning launched PINK NEXT GEN™ FIBERGLAS® Insulation It’s not just the next generation of PINK® insulation—it’s the new standard. And the right choice for safety, precision, comfort and sustainability.

Owens Corning is committed to continually providing sustainable building materials and building enclosures that mutually benefit contractors, builders, and owners. Long live the Company.

For more information about complete enclosure solutions for all your building construction projects, reach out to our Canadian Building Science Team at www.owenscorning.ca.

73% recycled content is based on the average recycled glass content in all Owens Corning fiberglass batts, rolls and unbonded loosefill insulation manufactured in Canada, SCS certified.

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Compared to previous FOAMULAR® blowing agent formulation.

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In Canada, Owens Corning has two plants that manufacture PINK® FIBERGLAS® insulation, one in Toronto, Ontario, and one in Edmonton, Alberta. It also operates a plant that manufactures FOAMULAR® extruded polystyrene rigid insulation in Valleyfield, Quebec.

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2023 Owens Corning. All Rights Reserved.

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MEMBER CELEBRATION

Above: Unloading trucks at Taiga’s Calgary yard. Rocky View, AB

“Taiga is committed to being North America’s most reliable and efficient distributor of building products.”

TAIGA AT 50 Chris Allinotte, WRLA

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fter fifty years of distributing building materials in Canada and beyond, Taiga Building Products (TSX: TBL,) shows no signs of slowing down. “The sky is the limit,” says Joal Wishart, Vice President of Western Canada. Joal’s career with Taiga began 23 years ago—though his relationship with the company goes back even longer than that. “I had always known about Taiga as a supplier of various products to the company I had worked for; Taiga even became a customer of mine at one point in the late 90s. I had a pretty good relationship with several of the staff at Taiga; I always enjoyed dealing with Taiga, so when an opportunity came up in 2000 to join the team, I made the move.”

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BY TAIGA BUILDING PRODUCTS LTD.

The company, which began as a small group of brokers in 1973, first called themselves Taiga Forest Products. A year later, they opened their first distribution and sales centre in Calgary. Success followed, and within the first five years, they expanded into Ontario.

Now, in 2023, Taiga spans the country from British Columbia to and Newfoundland and is one of the Lumber and Building Materials Industry leaders in distributing a diverse offering of products from flooring to insulation to Envirofor Preserved wood, which the company produces at its facilities in Langley, BC, Edmonton, AB, and Monetville, ON. The company also has a preserved wood manufacturing location in addition to three distribution centres in the United States and regularly exports products overseas as well.

Above: Yard worker scanning lumber.

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As cross-country celebrations take place among all branches of the company, hundreds of Taiga staff and their families as well as their many customers, will celebrate this milestone, and Joal is confident when he speaks about the secret to Taiga’s success—it’s the people.

“We have made great progress in the last couple of years coming of out COVID, focusing on health and safety, culture and technology,” says Joal. “We are continually providing our teams with new tools to help streamline the day-to-day responsibilities, which ultimately will lead to Taiga providing an even better experience for our customers and vendors when they interact with Taiga.”

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MEMBER CELEBRATION

Above: Loading trucks at Taiga’s Calgary yard. Rocky View, AB

First, they foster an entrepreneurial spirit across their branches, trusting that the talent they have in place possesses the creativity and drive to make pivotal decisions and bring added value to their customer network. The company embraces change, primarily through technology, which is critical for a distributor. During COVID, the company found ways to improve its procedures, including making great strides in its health and safety plans.

Secondly, community is another core principle that has proved to be just as crucial during the company’s 50 years—both internal community and external. Taiga has a wellness program that promotes health and well-being among the staff at Taiga, in which many people across Canada participate.

Just as importantly, the company and its employees take that same concern for others out into the communities where they do business.

As a corporation, Taiga supports communities directly through donations, and indirectly by supporting its employees’ efforts in the places they live.

“We think it is imperative to do our part in those communities on an ongoing basis, especially when an unfortunate act of nature devastates a community,” says Joal. “Taiga has always worked with various organizations across Canada to help communities in need, and we plan on continuing with that commitment.”

This commitment to community was at the forefront recently as Canada has faced a truly historic wildfire season. Several of Taiga’s customers were displaced from their businesses and homes in Atlantic Canada, though luckily there were no reported health issues related to that. As far as how the fires directly affected Taiga’s operations, the damage and devastation had apparent effects, first and foremost, on the log supply coming into mills and all the way down to finished consumer lumber. There were also many interruptions in the trucking and rail routes, causing supply chain issues for all goods going to and from affected communities. To this end, Taiga was quick to donate to relief efforts in many of the affected communities.

“It gives me great pride to acknowledge the numerous individual Taigans across the country who go above and beyond the call of duty to help when needed. I can’t say enough about our people at Taiga—truly the best,” said Joal.

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Community and the building industry go hand in hand. As the demand for housing in Canada grows, the career opportunities in the businesses that supply those projects will continue to expand. WRLA recently completed an intensive labour study highlighting that the LBM industry’s current workforce is heading for a significant wave of retirements over the next 5-10 years. These two trends emphasize a sector-wide need for new workers that is only growing more urgent.

“There seems to be a lack of people in the 18–35-year-old demographic starting in this industry,” Joal remarked. “We have been working on ways to promote our company and our industry to this group of people to show them that there is demand for construction and building supplies well into the future.”

WRLA is supporting the efforts of Taiga, and all its members, to find those new workers through the “Let’s Go Build” campaign—directly targeting youth and other demographics typically underrepresented in the LBM Industry, including women, indigenous persons, and Canadian newcomers.

Taiga Building Products has been an important partner and member of the WRLA as the organization has grown over the years and is a valued supporter of the association’s programs, including the yearly golf tournaments, the Building and Hardware Showcase, and various training programs.

As for what the next fifty years hold for Taiga, Joal is confident that the future is very bright due mainly to the fantastic people.

“We are a family at Taiga, and our culture is awesome. Taiga definitely benefits by being involved with the WRLA, and I think the membership benefits by Taiga being involved as well; it’s symbiotic and works well for Taiga.”

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY TAIGA BUILDING PRODUCTS LTD.

That focus on people can be found in two key areas of Taiga’s core values:

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MEMBER CELEBRATION

KEVIN OF ALL TRADES— CELEBRATING A FORTY-YEAR CAREER IN THE LUMBER & BUILDING INDUSTRY Above: Kevin Stricker working in his office.

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Chris Allinotte, WRLA

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BY FRIES TALLMAN LUMBER

Above: Story front of Fries Tallman Lumber.

MEMBER CELEBRATION

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here’s a smile in Kevin Stricker’s voice when he talks about his history with Fries Tallman Lumber, the business started back in 1956 by George Fries and Gord Tallman. “I really wasn’t that interested in the building supply industry at all growing up. That’s what Dad did, and he did well at it. But I thought there was another path in my life. I was going to become a farmer and dad’s brother had the family farm and I was preparing to get involved in that.”

Kevin’s father, Art, became the lumber yard’s bookkeeper in 1958 until 1976, when he became a partner, and grew the business until he retired in 2001.

An unexpected loss in the family resulted in the farm being sold, leaving Kevin to graduate high school without a career. “I graduated at five (minutes) to twelve, and I started working for my dad at 1 pm, and that was forty years ago on June 15,” he says, smiling.

In the years since, Kevin, now the owner of Fries Tallman, got to know his new profession inside and out. From humble beginnings in the saw shed—“which the absolute worst job there is in a building company” he eventually held every different position in the business at one time or another, with the exception of controller.

Though it may not have been the career that he’d planned, Kevin found he had an affinity for the business, and was instrumental in helping grow the business, and became one of the strongest advocates for expanding the store to a second location in Fort Qu’Appelle.

“We had, I think there was a complete staff of eight and, you know, there was Dad. Dad was a child of the Depression and he was he was always really gunshy to take a lot of risk. I told Dad that we were going to have to grow. It wasn’t sustainable the way it was. He understood and he respected that, he just didn’t want to take the risk. So I finally talked him into another store in Fort Qu’Appelle and we’ve added multiple facilities here in Regina and it’s been very challenging but extremely rewarding and I’m very thankful that the opportunity presented itself and that Dad took the chance on me because it’s been a great career and I’ve met lots of fantastic people.”

It’s that history with the business that he’s grown to love, perhaps, that has given Kevin such clear insight into the industry at large.

The recent work by WRLA by way of the Let’s Go Build campaign struck a particular chord with him.

“I wish it (the industry) was more appealing to more younger people, although I think it’s starting to change a little bit now. But it’s a great industry, fabulous people, clean work, honest work. I think there’s room in a building supply store for absolutely every diversity, every walk of life and every skill set needed. I mean, from professional to entry level, some people just never really want to do anything other than drive a truck or work in the yard. And you’ve got to respect that.”

Promoting the industry to the next generation is top of mind for Mr. Stricker these days, as his son, Jon, has recently joined the Fries Tallman team. Recognizing the value of bringing fresh energy into the business, Kevin says, “We’re getting into the third generation now. I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored by my father, and now my son is mentoring me!”

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The Fries Tallman Lumber (FTL) of today has grown beyond the retail lumber store of its beginnings. Everything they do, though, is in service of the customer—encouraging folks to come into their locations and see, touch, and learn about the products. Their tagline “Let’s get you building!” is all about empowering the DIY customer while also making it very easy for commercial contractors to do business with them. Since the store’s beginnings as a lumber shop, FTL has added additional service lines that have helped the business grow and weather a little bit of the instability that recent events have brought to the entire industry.

One of these additions to their offering, the pre-hung door shop, has proved to be a particularly good investment.

“We’ve been pre-hanging doors for twenty years, and it just came out of a marketplace that had a need for it. It was a good growth opportunity and adds some value to a to a product that is limited on the margin you can make. But if you assemble it all and put it together properly, you know, you’ve got a great opportunity to selling the trim package as well, maybe even the cabinets. So it was just a real good fit for us.”

In addition to their door shop, Fries Tallman offers equipment rental, and custom estimating. When speaking about estimating, Kevin mentioned that he was a proud graduate of the WRLA course, that at the time was taught by Bill Darling. The relationship between FTL and WRLA goes back a long time, and Kevin recalls his parents looking forward to the then-titled Prairie Showcase as one of the only times that they’d get to travel in a year. Kevin’s involvement with the Showcase goes even further, as he was a member of the first-ever planning committee for that event. WRLA, for its part, benefited from his experience and leadership when he sat on the Board of Directors of the association from 2001 through 2009 and served as the Board’s Chairman in 2006 and 2007.

The future is looking bright for Fries Tallman Lumber, as they eye the possibility of further expansion in the next few years. In Kevin’s opinion, this is due in part to a period of revitalization and growth that he sees happening in Saskatchewan at large.

“I think that we are truly about six months away from southern Saskatchewan, really, having a tremendous build. I’m not going to say boom, because this one’s going to be sustainable. There’s so much capital investment coming into the southern part of the province. I think, you know, everything in the world needs, Saskatchewan has and lots of it. When I look at the agricultural sector, the mining sector are very robust economies. I think we’re retaining young people in the province. Immigration is going the right way. And we’re also due to people like WRLA, our industry, and the construction industry, we’re kind of appealing to a new demographic of people.”

In the immediate future, Kevin is celebrating his fortieth anniversary, and expresses that same enthusiasm for bringing Jon into the business, and keeping Fries Tallman Lumber growing along with the province that he loves.

“One thing that we’ve really prided ourselves on in the 66 years of this company is we’ve helped to shape the skyline of southern Saskatchewan. When you’re driving down the road, you see a building that you’ve supplied. And that’s pretty neat.”

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MEMBER CELEBRATION

ONWARD AND WESTWARD IN CANADA—ALEXANDRIA MOULDING OPENS NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTRE IN CALGARY ALBERTA Chris Allinotte, WRLA

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his fall, Alexandria Moulding will open a state-of-the-art 196,000 sqft distribution centre conveniently located in the Balzac area of Calgary Alberta. Alexandria will continue to employ its “Mega-Centre” model approach to distribution rather than utilizing small-scale, small-capacity DC’s spread across the country. Presently, Western Canadian consumers through their long-standing clients have been serviced from their Moxee Washington facility.

Donna Gerrits, Vice President of Sales & Marketing indicates that Alexandria will be in a position to further improve upon their industry-leading service model. Expedited service and even same-day delivery where applicable is our objective, says Gerrits. The plan will see Alexandria concentrate their initial efforts in the greater Calgary marketplace and expand organically and swiftly from there to manage all orders from Alberta to Thunder Bay, Ontario from the new facility.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BY ALEXANDRIA MOULDING

Alexandria Moulding is thrilled to announce that shortly after commencing and normalizing operations from the new Calgary based facility, it will mark this milestone achievement by celebrating with customer partners and colleagues alike. Alexandria will host a large-scale open house to appropriately celebrate this next exciting chapter in Canada.

Above: Donna Gerrits from Alexandria Moulding

Gerrits says they will look to host celebrations in early 2024 once they have completed their distribution rollout. She adds, “We are so pleased to engage a team of experts from within the company. The wealth of knowledge and tenure within Alexandria will allow the team to commence operations seamlessly and set the stage for a bright mutually beneficial growth plan for Western Canada.”

Gerrits is certainly part of this wealth of experience as she celebrates 40 years in the industry later this year. Donna is well known and respected as she has served the industry admirably for almost four decades.

With this experienced leadership and ambitious growth plan with this new expansive capacity, WRLA wishes Alexandria Moulding great success in this newest venture.

Above: Alexandria Moulding builds a distribution centre in Calgary to serve its western customers.

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MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY THE RONA FOUNDATION WILL PRESENT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO SIX CANADIAN NPOS AS PART OF ITS NEW BUILD FROM THE HEART PROGRAM Boucherville, Québec, July 19, 2023—The RONA Foundation, which oversees the philanthropic activities of RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers which operates the Lowe’s, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick’s Lumber banners, will present a total of $500,000 to six non-profit organizations (NPOs) as part of its new Build from the Heart program.

Launched on May 11, 2023 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the RONA Foundation, Build from the Heart aims to support NPOs in carrying out projects to revitalize living environments or make it easier to access housing for Canadian populations in need. Following a call for applications that resulted in more than a hundred applications, a selection committee chose the projects of six NPOs from provinces where RONA has stores.

List of organizations supported by the Build from the Heart program in 2023 Province

Organization name

Amount presented

AB

Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society

$50,000

BC

Turning Points Collaborative Society

$75,000

MB

Habitat for Humanity Manitoba

$35,000

ON

Colborne Community Association

$125,000

QC

Le Petit Patro des Basses-Laurentides

$150,000

SK

SOFIA House

$65,000

The distribution of the total $500,000 presented under the program was made in proportion to the distribution of RONA network stores in each province.

TAIGA BUILDING PRODUCTS DONATES $20,000 TO THE CANADIAN RED CROSS FOR ALBERTA WILDFIRE APPEAL BURNABY, BC—Taiga Building Products has announced a donation of $20,000 to the Red Cross.

These funds will be utilized to support immediate and ongoing relief, recovery, and resilience efforts in response to the 2023 spring wildfires in Alberta.

Taiga is dedicated to supporting our communities in times of need, and we are all devastated to hear about the damages caused by wildfires in Alberta. We hope our donation can help ease the suffering of those impacted and help rebuild the communities that were affected by the fires.

“Taiga stands in solidarity with our customers, suppliers, and families directly affected by these devastating forest fires”—Michael Sivucha, COO.

Members of the RONA Foundation Board of Directors join Andrew Iacobucci, Chief Executive Officer, RONA inc. (from left to right): Philippe Element, Vice-President, Sales and Dealer Support, RONA inc.; Catherine Laporte, Vice-President, Marketing, RONA inc.; Mélanie Lussier, Senior Director, Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainable Development, RONA inc.; Josée Lafitte, Director of the RONA Foundation; Lyna Pilote, Senior Advisor, Legal Affairs, RONA inc.; Andrew Iacobucci, Chief Executive Officer, RONA inc.; and Jean-Sébastien Lamoureux, Chair of the RONA Foundation’s Board of Directors and Senior Vice-President, RONA Affiliates, Wholesale and Public Affairs, RONA inc. Absent on this photo: Jean Grou, Divisional Vice-President, Finance, RONA inc.

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Taiga Building Products encourages other businesses and individuals to join the relief efforts by donating to the Canadian Red Cross or other reputable organizations working towards the recovery efforts of Alberta communities.

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Funds for this program were raised thanks to the generosity of RONA vendors who took part in the RONA Foundation’s annual Golf Day, held at Club de Golf La Vallée du Richelieu on July 17. “This day has become an amazing vehicle for solidarity, enabling us to join forces with our vendor partners and make a real difference in the lives of the underprivileged with the funds raised,” said Josée Lafitte, Director of the RONA Foundation. “I’d like to extend my warmest thanks to all the vendors who generously contributed to the success of this project through sponsorship or by being there with us at the event yesterday.”

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2024 SHOWCASE PREVIEW

30 YEARS OF THE WRLA SHOWCASE! CHECK OUT WHAT’S NEW FOR 2024!

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF BRINGING THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER! Chris Allinotte, WRLA

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all is here, and all our thoughts at the WRLA office are starting to turn toward our favourite event of the year—the Building & Hardware Showcase!

This annual event is a week-long celebration of the Lumber and Building Materials Industry, culminating in two full days of fun, networking, and deals on the exhibition floor.

For this coming year, the excitement is hitting an all-new level, as we’ll be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Building and Hardware Showcase! Though WRLA, in its over 130 years of operation, brought members together on a regular basis for conferences, the “big show” in its current form dates back to 1994. A milestone like this calls for an extra-special celebration—and that’s just what we’re going to do.

In January 2024, we’re planning for the best show yet! Read on for a sneak peek of what you can expect at this year’s show.

Above: Lauren Johnson.

KICKOFF BREAKFAST

BOOTH SALES ARE OPEN!

No matter what side of the tradeshow booth you’re on, everything is better on a full stomach!

Exhibition space is starting to fill up, and it’s looking like we’re going to have another huge show floor at this year’s event. There are plenty of great places still available, but the sooner you register, the more likely we’ll be able to accommodate any additional requests (see registration form for details.)

Lauren Johnson is a mental performance coach and keynote speaker. She works with CEO’s, professional athletes, and Fortune 500 companies through national speaking engagements, workshops and consulting. Prior to opening her own consulting practice, Lauren served as the Mental Conditioning Coordinator for the New York Yankees. She received her Masters Degree in Performance Psychology from National University. Lauren’s practical, straight-forward advice and mental performance strategies help individuals become elite decision makers because her belief is you become elite by choice, not by chance.

This session is included in your admission—don’t miss it!

MORE TO DO FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM! Do you have staff looking to upskill? Are you looking for a boost in your sales, marketing, recruitment and retention? How about business succession planning? We’ve got you covered with a full slate of half-day workshops at this year’s show!

Additionally, we’ll be offering full-day, in-person sessions of our WRLA Academy Courses.

Be the first to attend “Increasing Profitability Through Yard & Warehouse Management” in person (read more about it on page 14 of this issue!) Check out the brand-new Estimating Level 3, and so much more. Be sure to plan for an extra day or two to make sure you can take advantage of all the courses you or your staff want to attend!

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Scan the QR code to go directly to the Booth Registration form on www.wrla.org

HOTEL ROOM BOOKING When booking your stay for the showcase, make sure to check the WRLA website for special discount codes. Scan the QR code to go directly to the accommodation page.

(Member sign-in required.)

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This year, ahead of the official opening, everyone will have the chance to get together for a special breakfast event, featuring a keynote speech by our special guest, Lauren Johnson.

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