WRLA Yardstick: Fall 2024

Fall 2024

LET’S GO BUILD

LET’S GO BUILD

WELCOMING AND KEEPING GREAT EMPLOYEES

MASTERING THE ART OF ASSORTMENT PLANNING

TIME (AND TECHNOLOGY) IS MONEY

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 2024

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IN THIS ISSUE PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

MASTHEAD Liz Kovach WRLA PRESIDENT

DOLLARS & SENSE

Who are your change champions?

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CHAIR’S MESSAGE In pursuit of lifelong growth

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Chris Allinotte DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

Effective credit management for lumber suppliers, distributors, wholesalers & retailers The downside of Artificial Intelligence

MEMBER CORNER Summer events highlight

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Coming soon: Fit and Focus—Mastering the 5 business stages Continuous learning for your business with WRLA webinars

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VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING

Amanda Camara

Rebekah Doerksen

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EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

When R-Value doesn’t tell the whole story

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HR CORNER 23

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Mastering the art of assortment planning: What you need to know

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Building a strong team through recruitment marketing in a changing workplace

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44 46

Knowledge is sales power!

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Alisa Luo DESIGN AND SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Travis Waite DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY 49

Published September 2024 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.

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Matthew Lucek WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Materials handling solutions designed for your business

Build from the heart

BETTER BUSINESS

Camilla Josef ONLINE MARKETING AND EDUCATION COORDINATOR

Canadian innovation at its finest

Building a strong team: Welcoming and keeping great employees

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GREEN GUIDE 18

ADVOCACY BULLETIN What’s next in government advocacy?

Brenda Bourns EVENTS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

TECH CORNER Time (and technology) is money

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

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Subscription rates in Canada: $12 per year, plus applicable taxes. Outside Canada: $15 per year, no tax. Rates quoted are for non-members only.

Canadian publication mail agreement #43754013.

Postmaster send change of Canadian address to:

WESTERN RETAIL LUMBER ASSOCIATION 102-226 Osborne Street North Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 1V4 Phone: 204-560-8235 Toll Free: 1-800-661-0253 Fax: 204-947-5195 wrla.org

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

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

WHO ARE YOUR CHANGE CHAMPIONS? I

t has been almost eight years since I embarked on my role here at the WRLA. Each year at anniversary time I reflect on where the organization was when I first started, and most importantly, where we are headed.

ambassador and true champion of the many ideas and necessary changes proposed and his business acumen and personality will be greatly missed. I know that he is always just a phone call away and will be positive ambassador as we move forward.

As we go down the reflection journey together, the 10-15 years of my career prior to WRLA had me stepping into newly created roles, charting new paths, or becoming a clean-up artist. Given that pathway, you can have an idea of the excitement I had to captain the ship of an established organization with a long history, large unique trade show, and good position for growth.

With Joel’s departure this year and with Micah Flaig leaving the WRLA membership to take on a new opportunity, we had two board positions to fill. As a result, I am excited to welcome Ryan Kurzac from Kamloops Home Hardware and Greg Lueck from UFA. With their strong experience in retail, and commitment to continuous improvement and knowledge of what the WRLA offers to the industry, I am looking forward to strategic conversations that will help the WRLA continue to elevate its programs and its presence.

I quickly learned that the public perception and the reality I had stepped into did not quite align. The first strategic planning session I took part in was a massive reality check for me and really highlighted what the next three years would look like. In terms of the business cycle model, we were in the decline phase with several key points being identified including:

All organizations need change champions to help their business evolve and help new ideas take root. We know change can be scary, but I know that Ryan and Greg will help us continue to move the needle and champion the necessary changes we need as an organization and industry to move forward.

• The organization is resistant to change, and there hasn’t been much change in the past five years • Programming has become stagnant • There is a lack of focus • Haven’t embraced innovation • Weak value proposition; don’t have a good idea of membership needs.

While on the topic of change champions, there have been many others working with us to support so many of our initiatives and with our organization deep in the process of a rebrand, we will be very excited to announce the next phase of the WRLA in January at the WRLA Showcase.

Understanding where we were and comparing it to the vision I had for this organization (that had not yet reached its potential) meant that the team and I needed to immediately get to work on changing the momentum and addressing all the above points.

Last but not least, Len Regier is stepping into the Chair role, and we welcome his passion for education and sharing his knowledge. Hear more from him in his first ever chair message! Thanks to Andrew Reimer as he moves to the Past Chair position and continues to bring a strong ethic of volunteerism and a high value on community and history to the board.

This is a great segue to thank Joel Seibert for his time serving on the WRLA board. He spent many years supporting brainstorming and strategy sessions with the organization. If I ever needed to bounce an idea off someone, or think an idea through at a higher level, Joel was always a phone call and great spitball session away.

Joel has been a true change champion that is always easy to work with and I’m grateful to have him as a colleague and a positive 4

Speaking of change and education, we have some new programming in the hopper, and you can get a sneak peak in this issue of the magazine!

Enjoy!

PHOTO: ANTHONY FERNANDO

The WRLA has continued to grow and evolve since then despite the many setbacks we faced. Overcoming those challenges has brought us to where we are today. As you well know, when it comes to catalyzing change, it is important to have change champions in your close network that not only support and share your vision, but also help to clear the path necessary to lead.

Liz Kovach PRESIDENT, WRLA YARDSTICK MAGAZINE

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CHAIR’S MESSAGE

IN PURSUIT OF LIFELONG GROWTH L

ike so many in our industry, I was drawn to the building materials and construction world through family influence. I followed the family tradition of building long-time careers in the building industry. I have spent my entire career in this industry and am grateful for the path working for three WRLA member business has given me.

I am also grateful for the education opportunities I was exposed to through the WRLA, which is why I joined the WRLA board of directors. I see it as an opportunity to give back to an industry and an association that has provided a comfortable and rewarding life for my family and me.

Having invested in WRLA training in the past, and, understanding the impact it has had on my career and colleagues around me, I’m proud to have been able to support the education component of WRLA. When it came time to revisit the Estimating program, the WRLA invited Nicole Young and me to participate as subject matter experts (SME’s) in redeveloping the course content and supporting the in-person component. As a result, a new and robust Estimating program has been launched which not only helps estimators become experts at what they do, but also provides salespeople with foundational knowledge through Terminology and Blueprint Reading courses.

The courses are now available online and the WRLA has great package deals for members to help save them a few dollars and ensure they have well-trained staff. Many volunteers have supported the development of the education programs we see today, and I know how much the WRLA team appreciates the SME support to help create relevant and impactful programs for the industry.

As an association, the WRLA has become the strong advocate this industry and membership needs. Recent successes in obtaining grants from the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan reinforce the work of the WRLA team to help further build industry programming. Finally, I would like to thank Joel Seibert as he completes his tenure with the board, and Andrew Reimer as he steps into the Past Chair role. These gentlemen have been a great inspiration to the current board with their passion and vision for the future of our industry. I am humbled to follow in the footsteps of some incredible people in this role and look forward to further serving the WRLA members.

Len Regier CHAIR, WRLA

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PHOTO: ANTHONY FERNANDO

As the former chair of the education committee, my call to action for you and the members of your team is—if you have an interest in expanding education programs, professionalizing the industry, leveling up onboarding new employees to our sector and attracting newcomers to the industry, I encourage you to contact Liz at the WRLA office to discuss how you can get more involved. And for a preview of what’s coming next in education at the WRLA, see pages 18 and onward!

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MEMBER CORNER

MEMBER CORNER SHARING YOUR STORIES

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

INDUSTRY NEWS USPTO GRANTS PATENT AND TRADEMARK STATUS TO TURNX TOOLS’ ULT MULTI SCREWDRIVER Delta, BC, AUGUST 21—TurnX Tools Inc. announces the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) grant of Patent and Trademark status to the company’s invention, ULT—Ultimate Multi Screwdriver, Patent No. D1,039,932. Securing patent and trademark protection validates the innovation and proprietary attributes the ULT brings to the marketplace while strengthening the company’s IP portfolio.

Rolf Effertz, TurnX Tools President & Inventor, added “In the beginning, we created and established ‘PHLiPBiT’ as a brand. Now we have the ULT—it’s an unbeatable one-two punch! I’m thankful to our partners and the TurnX Tools team for making my vision a reality. As a Canadian company, we’ve been able to engage, energize and showcase a unique value proposition with a connected line of power tool accessories that generates repeat sales and end-user loyalty for our dealers.”

TurnX Tools is the distributor and supplier of “PHLiPBiT”, World’s largest selection and combinations of Double Ended Impact Bits, and “ULT”, World’s First Interchangeable Impact Bit and Screwdriver. Available in building supply, trade professional specialty stores, and e-commerce platforms across Canada and United States.

For more information about TurnX Tools, visit turnxtools.com, follow us on social media linkpop.com/turnxtools, or contact Blessy or Jade at media@turnxtools.com, 604-940-9393.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

(Want to know more? Check out the TurnX Tool story in this issue on page 44!)

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MEMBER CORNER

DOIDGE BUILDING CENTRES ACQUIRES TWO NEW RONA STORES Under their new ownership, the Carp and Woodlawn (ON) building centres will be switching over to the RONA banner Boucherville, QC, July 22, 2024—RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating and servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores, announces the acquisition of two new stores by Doidge Building Centres Ltd, which will be converted to the RONA banner: the DEKA Home Building Centres located in Carp and Woodlawn, both in the Greater Ottawa area (ON). This will bring to twelve the total number of RONA stores owned by the group.

This acquisition represents a major step in the group’s objective to grow its footprint across Ontario as it opens up a whole new market for the company who is acquiring its first stores in Ottawa. With their hardware product selection and lumber yard, RONA Carp and RONA Woodlawn building centres are equipped to meet the needs of DIY and Pro customers alike. The new ownership also plans on undertaking renovations to improve customer experience at these locations.

“As a family-owned business our goal is always to work closely with local communities and keep those ties with the local population to support them in every stage of their home improvement and renovation projects,” said Andrew Doidge, President and CEO of Doidge Building Centres Ltd. He also added that James Roy, former owner of the stores, will stay on as a shareholder and key partner in the business. “James built such an incredible business and is well-respected among his community. We are very lucky to continue to build this business together,” concluded Mr. Doidge.

Andrew and his team are great at what they do, and we are thrilled to see them expand their footprint. They show incredible dedication to their business and customers, and possess a strong business sense that generates success in every project they embark on. I’m sure the Carp and Woodlawn communities will greatly benefit from their expertise,” mentioned Alain Ménard, Senior Vice-President, RONA Affiliated Dealers at RONA inc.

TIMBER MART NAMES NEW VICE-PRESIDENT OF DISTRIBUTION

“Throughout the 12 years Jeff has been with TIMBER MART, he has developed and led effective teams to achieve great growth and success for our distribution centres,” says Bernie Owens, president and CEO of TIMBER MART. “I’m confident that our members’ LBM distribution needs will be served well and that our distribution teams will be inspired to achieve continued success for our group with Jeff’s strong leadership skills and progressive experience in operations management.”

Jeff has over 20 years of experience in distribution, customer service, management and building material sales within our industry. He will continue to be based out of TIMBER MART’s distribution centre in Langley, B.C. and report directly to TIMBER MART’s president and CEO, Bernie Owens.

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

VAUGHAN, ON, July 15, 2024—TIMBER MART has promoted their current director of operations, Jeff Campbell to the position of vice-president of distribution, effective immediately. John Morrissey who currently holds the title will be departing from TIMBER MART by mid-year next year to pursue other career opportunities. In his new role, Mr. Campbell will be responsible for the management of the distribution operation arm of TIMBER MART which includes four LBM distribution centres and their respective teams i.e. in Langley, British Columbia, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Mount Forest, Ontario, and St-Nicolas, Quebec.

MEMBER CORNER

CGC BREAKS GROUND ON CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ALBERTA MANUFACTURING PLANT

“This was a true team effort and we would not be here without the support of Reeve Amber Link, the Alberta Government and Invest Alberta, the Siksika First Nation, and many others,” Griffin said.

The state-of-the-art facility in Wheatland County, AB, will create hundreds of new jobs and provide Western Canadian builders with ready-access to CGC’s industry-leading Sheetrock® brand wallboard.

“CGC Inc.’s investment in Wheatland County is helping to diversify rural Alberta and create good jobs for hardworking Albertans,” said Matt Jones, Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade.

“This state-of-the-art wallboard manufacturing facility has helped to expand the manufacturing sector in our province and will ensure residential, commercial, industrial and institutional sectors can get the wall products they need to get their projects built in Alberta and across the country. I want to thank CGC for choosing Alberta for this important investment and for contributing to the vibrancy and resiliency of our economy.”

WHEATLAND COUNTY, AB, May 23, 2024/CNW/—CGC Inc., the Canadian division of USG Corporation, today announced that construction of its new manufacturing plant in Wheatland County, AB, is officially underway. CGC’s $210 million investment to build this facility will deliver the company’s industry-leading Sheetrock® brand wallboard to residential and commercial customers across Western Canada faster, more sustainably, and more reliably than ever.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY CGC

The 220,000 square foot facility, situated on 214 acres of land north-west of Carseland, AB, will create more than 200 jobs during the construction phase and more than 100 permanent, full-time manufacturing jobs once plant construction is completed. Designed to be the most eco-friendly plant CGC has ever constructed, the plant will feature state-of-the-art innovations that enable efficient wallboard production with minimal water usage, energy consumption, and physical waste. CGC is also building a solar field onsite to generate clean electricity for the plant.

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a significant win for CGC operations in Western Canada and for our ambitious growth plans in Canada more broadly,” said Chris Griffin, CEO of USG Corporation. “This project underscores our commitment to being the best wallboard manufacturer to do business with, particularly as builders, governments and communities across Alberta and the West work to expand housing starts, accessibility and affordability.”

CGC first announced its Wheatland County plant investment in July 2022 alongside partners from Wheatland County, the Alberta Government, Siksika First Nation and Invest Alberta. At today’s official groundbreaking, Mr. Griffin reiterated his thanks to CGC’s many local and provincial partners who are collaborating to bring this project to life.

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“Since choosing Wheatland County as the home for its new manufacturing plant in Western Canada, CGC has become an active member of our community,” said Wheatland County Reeve Amber Link. “From fundraising and charitable donations to participating in local events, CGC continues to demonstrate its commitment to being a good neighbour. I look forward to reinforcing and expanding this partnership as CGC becomes one of Wheatland County’s top employers and community builders.”

The contract for the construction of CGC’s Wheatland County plant was awarded to Ledcor earlier this year. CGC’s target is that the construction phase will conclude in 2026 and is preparing for plant recruitment and hiring starting in mid-2025.

CGC Sheetrock® brand drywall is the material of choice for Western Canadian home builders, construction companies and retailers.

Currently, this product is shipped to Western Canada from CGC manufacturing facilities in Ontario and Quebec. The new Wheatland County plant is at the centre of CGC’s strategy to streamline its supply chain, making it more reliable, accessible and sustainable.

Moreover, the plant will help meet increasing demand for CGC products across Canada’s Western provinces with the need for new homes at an all-time high. Roughly one out of every two houses in Canada currently contain CGC products.

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MEMBER CORNER

WRLA NEWS SUMMER EVENT RECAP We’ve had a great summer bringing our members some incredible events. Thank you to everyone who sponsored, and everyone who attended. We’ve got so many more cool get-togethers and networking opportunities coming up. Make sure to check your WRLA Eblasts regularly for updates.

WRLA BRINGS “LET’S GO BUILD” TO THE FILIPINO STREET FESTIVAL Matthew Lucek, Workforce Development Coordinator for WRLA along with WRLA Members Gillfor Distribution and Rogers Communications spent the weekend of August 23 out among the party atmosphere of the Street Festival, and connecting with a cultural community that is brimming with people eager to work! Next up, we’ll be in Calgary on November 20 for our first “Let’s Go Build” Career Fair of the year!

WRLA OFFICE OPEN HOUSE When the WRLA office made a move to our new location in Winnipeg this past June, we realized that we had a great opportunity to do something different. The new space, on Osborne St. N, doesn’t just offer enough offices for the entire staff (which is nice) but we’ve been able to partner with our members to have our office become a showcase for our members’ products.

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

We want to thank City Press Ltd., Kenroc Building Materials Co. Ltd. Winnipeg, Alexandria Moulding, Cloverdale Paint Inc., EcoPoxy Inc., CREEKSIDE TIMBER LLC, Vicwest, Everything Exterior, Timberstone Distribution, LUCKY 5 GLOBAL TRADING, and Pointblanc Agency for their support on the construction and decor of WRLA office.

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MEMBER CORNER

WRLA BUILDHER CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING! WRLA’s Women’s Council is building a dynamic community dedicated to advancing women in the building supply industry. Our vibrant committee of industry veterans, has the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals, share expertise, and champion the cause of gender diversity in our industry.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

This summer, we debuted our dedicated buildHER networking events in Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Calgary and Regina. The theme of the events was “Speed Networking”, which aimed to make sure everyone in attendance met someone new and left with some great contacts—not to mention some new friends. Thanks to all the ladies who attended. We’re already planning our next opportunities to bring together the Ladies of LBM! Next up is buildHER Vancouver! Scan the QR code for more details.

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MEMBER CORNER

WRLA GOLF TOUR 2024: A SUMMER OF NETWORKING AND FUN This summer, the WRLA (Western Retail Lumber Association) Golf Tour brought together industry professionals for a series of unforgettable tournaments across Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Sundre, and Kenosee. The events not only showcased great golfing skills but also fostered networking opportunities for the LBM (Lumber and Building Materials) sector.

WRLA SASKATOON GOLF CLASSIC The kickoff to our tournament series was a fabulous day in the Saskatoon sunshine. During registration we debuted the American Express Golf Simulator challenge, before members headed out onto the fairways to try their luck to get a hole-in-one for $20K from Cherry Insurance and/or $2,500 from PIB Insurance Brokers. The greens were decked out with Vicwest pin flags, and everyone got to enjoy a thirst quencher from the bar cart courtesy of Sexton. In the back nine, our newest addition to the tournaments was a big hit. In exchange for a charitable donation, and sponsored by TIMBER MART, our guest golf pro, Andrew Brown, aka “Happy Gilmore” would take the group’s first shot down the par 5. You could hear his 400-yard drives two holes away! It was great to see so many hole sponsors out on the course, meeting and greeting the members and their guests as they came through!

Thanks also go to our hole sponsors:

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

• Sandman Signature • Falcon Equipment • ABI Moulding • IKO • Gillfor Distribution • Gentek Building Products • Mayfair Lumber • Nu-Fab Building Products • BMF • Alliance Door Products The day ended with a fantastic dinner at the Willows, and the prizes, including a wealth of gift packs brought in by Building Products of Canada, were handed out before everyone headed home.

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MEMBER CORNER

WRLA ROCKGLASS WINNIPEG GOLF CLASSIC When the skies opened up on the morning of the tournament it was looking like we should have ordered some WRLA umbrellas!

However, by the time golfers arrived at the RockGlass Winnipeg Classic, things were starting to warm up, and the sun started to emerge. It was great to have the Deluca Coffee cart on-site, provided

by ACCEO Solutions, for hot and cold coffees before getting going!

Each guest received a sporty golf shirt from Brandt, (were they pineapple-skull themed … or skull-pineapples?) enjoyed a quick BBQ lunch courtesy of Boman & Kemp Manufacturing, and then headed in their carts (sponsored by Wallace + Wallace) out for 19 holes of golf action.

Did we say 19? Yes! For the first time in tournament history, golfers took a quick stopover between holes 18 and 1 for a little bit of fun (and bragging rights) on the American Express golf simulator challenge.

Out on the course, in addition to all the golfing fun, there were so many food and beverage options: • Dan Dan Noodles, sponsored by Brandish • Tacos, sponsored by HUB International • Sliders, sponsored by PlyGem/Mitten • Beer and beverage samples sponsored by Gentek Building Products and by Great West Maintenance Service • A hydration station by Expense Point came in handy as the day heated up • We were thrilled to be flying the Vicwest pin flags again as golfers took their shot at FOUR hole-in-one contests sponsored by: • Cherry Insurance • AMC Foam • Metrie • Falcon Equipment Cloverdale Paint Inc. sponsored the longest drive contest. Our Happy Gilmore pro wasn’t eligible for that one, but TIMBER MART made sure Andrew Brown was back in the action, taking long shots all day in return for donations to charity.

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There were several hole sponsors present on their holes making things challenging with fun and games like ABI Moulding’s Wheel of Misfortune (or fortune—there were some good options in there, too!) and presenting sponsor RockGlass’s chipping challenge. Thanks to all our hole sponsors: • Sexton • ABI Moulding • Allmar • Doortech • IKO • Mayfair Lumber • Vista Railings

WRLA REGAL IDEAS SUNDRE GOLF CLASSIC On Sept. 4, members teed off for our third tournament this year.

With Regal Ideas as the presenting sponsor, we had another big day in store for our members and their guests!

From the jump, golfers enjoyed iced coffee courtesy of NetNow, as they received their limited edition WRLA tournament golf shirt, sponsored by Taiga. They grabbed a great lunch provided by ACCEO Solutions, then headed out onto the course in carts sponsored by Mayfair Lumber.

Vicwest’s pinflags showed the way, while TIMBER MART introduced us to two new pros on the Happy Gilmore hole, Michael Flaherty and Curtis Urniezius. American Express upped the stakes on the golf simulator, with the longest pitching wedge shot of the day taking home a fully stocked cooler. (Winning pitch under our incredibly low-ceilinged-tent: 166.9 yards!)

Out on the fairways, Nucor Harris Rebar provided the hydration station, while Pinkwood and Gentek Building Products are sponsored beverage sample stations. Sexton’s bar cart was also whipping around the course making sure everybody could get a drink of their choice.

There were contests galore on the Sundre course, too. Sika sponsored the longest-drive and closest-to-the-pin contests, while our golfers had four chances to win big with a hole-in-one, sponsored by: • Cherry Insurance • Star Building • Metrie • Creative Door It was another fantastic day with our members and we are so thankful for all the partners that made it possible, including our wonderful hole sponsors: • Falcon Equipment • Alliance Door Products • Alexandria Moulding • ABI Moulding • IKO • Goodfellow • Gillfor • BMF • Vista Railings We owe a final, special thanks to everyone who attended and made the day such a success! Thank you all for your continued support.

As the day came to a close, the golfers collected their souvenir team photos, sponsored by Nucor Harris Rebar, and enjoyed the ever-popular pierogi bar, provided by Vusion. As usual, the WRLA team started planning almost immediately to make next year’s tournament even bigger and better!

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MEMBER CORNER

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS IN KENOSEE! WRLA extends its congratulations and deep appreciation to Don Horvath, of D & D Lumber, who recently hosted the 30th Anniversary Kenosee Golf Tournament in support of our association’s educational programming, including the student grant program for member employees and their families.

Don and his team have worked tirelessly over the years to bring together WRLA members for a day “away from the rat race” at the Kenosee, SK course, located in the heart of Moose Mountain Provincial Park. A real point of pride for the D & D Lumber Team is that traditionally over 50 per cent of golfers at this tournament are from the retail side. That makes it a great day to get away from the store on the dealer side, and a great chance to make new connections with those members from the supply side.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Once again, the entire WRLA team and Board of Directors express their appreciation for Don’s dedication to the Association and this incredible Saskatchewan tournament!

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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

COMING SOON: FIT AND FOCUS— MASTERING THE 5 BUSINESS STAGES Pete Baran, Blueneck Consulting Inc.

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wo things can be true at the same time. There is no lack of ideas that could propel your business toward greater success, and it is also true that market forces around you seem to be effective at holding you in the same place. Sadly because of this, few businesses ever achieve their aspirations. Many end up being satisfied with staying in business for another year.

Yet, some businesses seem to be able to break free from the hamster wheel phenomenon of running hard and getting nowhere. They seem to be doing something differently.

Blueneck has worked with many small and medium businesses and has seen that meaningful success starts with an honest assessment of what you truly want to achieve. For example, do you really want to be the next Amazon, or would you be happy being the next Thermalwood?

1. ESTABLISHING: Opening a new business means finding its place in the market and learning how to become viable. The future is full of possibilities, but survival is the name of the game.

2. STABILIZING: Eventually, a business needs to move from the fluidity and uncertainty of being a start-up to becoming a successful and admired feature of a community. It involves recognizing what works, adding what is missing, and then doing them consistently well.

3. GROWING: Every business needs to evolve to survive, but some want more. They want to get big and capture a meaningful share of their market. Larger players are also more profitable and have better survival rates when conditions change.

4. REPLICATING: After becoming a successful local or regional player, some businesses want to expand by duplicating their business elsewhere. This is a special type of growth that can come with new challenges, but big rewards.

5. HARVESTING: Some successful businesses reach a point in one of the stages above, where they want to cash in on their success and sell all or part of their business to another operator or investor. This can create new paths and opportunities for the business.

These 5 directions, although they all point forward, take different paths each with its own unique features. Knowing which of these 5 stages your business wants to master will help to focus on the right areas with the right ideas.

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PHOTO: ANTHONY FERNANDO

In our work, we have seen 5 general directions a business can take:

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL. FOCUS ON THE RIGHT THINGS FOR YOUR BUSINESS STAGE. Although there is no substitute for putting in the effort and doing it well, hard work alone will not get you off the hamster wheel. Businesses that succeed invest in doing things differently and move out of their comfort zone. A Harvard Business Review study1 found that businesses that made this effort saw, on average, 52 per cent higher operating profits. This is a good indicator that doing the right things will reap rewards for you, no matter what business stage you want to master!

The WRLA has recently launched a game-changing project.

It wants to give its members an opportunity to master the 5 Stages of business evolution to become strong, vibrant and resilient organizations that bring pride to their employees, communities, and industry. It has obtained government funding support and partnered with private sector expertise to develop the “Mastering the 5 Stages of Business Evolution” learning series.

Beginning this winter, this ground-breaking WRLA series will provide established business leaders and new emerging leaders with knowledge, ideas, and insights to take their business forward and equip them with the tools they need to achieve their aspirations.

Some of the topics in this series include: • Foundational Ideas for Each Stage • Strategic Ideas that Work • Revenue Generation Methods • Management Styles • Organizational Development • Processes for Efficiency and Effectiveness • Culture and Brand Reputation

PHOTO: ANTHONY FERNANDO

Blueneck is proud to be a contributing partner to this effort.

We have been in business since 2011 with experience and success in resolving the unresolvable and busting through growth ceilings for our clients. We know all businesses are started by people with a passion. We help create businesses that love them back!

1: Need Speed? Slow Down by Jocelyn R. Davis and Tom Atkinson

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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

CONTINUOUS LEARNING FOR YOUR BUSINESS

WITH WRLA WEBINARS

Interested in more of the Building Science and Canada’s changing step-codes? Blue House Energy has you covered with reviewing the 2024 Building Code and the importance of moving to net zero building. Learn how building science works and how it can improve energy efficiency and energy conservation in new homes. We also invited Joe Kasprick, Program Manager—Building Codes, Inspection and Technical Services from the Manitoba Government to do an in-depth walkthrough on the changing codes, exclusively for our members.

This fall, we’re highlighting even more business topics for you. We’ll be covering topics such as working with interns in your business (a great source of new talent!), and doing a review of the credit process to secure your bottom line and save you money!

Bookmark the Webinars section of our website to stay in the know about all upcoming free webinars! You can also check out all our webinar recordings on our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@wrlainc227

Camilla Josef, WRLA

One recent webinar covers the topic of when and how to collaborate with Building Material recruiters, hosted by DMC Recruitment.

Recruiters can help take over the search to find new hires with top talent and save your time. Learn when to reach out to a recruitment agency and how you can collaborate with them to improve the outcome.

On the topic of hires, DMC has also recently hosted a webinar covering building a magnetic employer brand and retaining employees, which is especially important for the current labour shortage the country is facing due to retirement, attrition, and even business growth! Learn to improve your employer branding on the job market to attract top talent, reduce recruitment costs, improve on retention and avoid the common pitfalls that can bring it down. These are aspects that can also build employee retention and strengthen your business.

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The WRLA welcomes Camilla Josef, Online Marketing & Education Coordinator, to the team.

Camilla will be assisting the team by helping manage and updating WRLA’s website information for social media and events. She will also be assisting in managing the back end of the online education side for WRLA such as with the Across The Yard podcast and the webinar series.

Camilla is a recent graduate from Red River College for Graphic Design and has a passion for coding and design. In her spare time, she enjoys collecting stationery and playing video games.

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Fall 2024

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nhance your learning with WRLA’s ongoing free webinar series on YouTube. It features an expansive list of categories such as Sales, Marketing & PR, Industry Analysis, Climate Consciousness, Building Science, and so much more, featuring the expertise of your fellow WRLA members as guest speakers!

ADVOCACY BULLETIN

WHAT’S NEXT IN

GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY Rebekah Doerksen, WRLA

THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD TO OUR SEAT AT THE TABLE Last issue of the Yardstick, we celebrated some big Advocacy wins for the building supply industry—including a major investment of funds by two provincial governments into our workforce development efforts. We also celebrated the little wins along the way—productive meetings with MLA’s from Manitoba and Alberta, and an increased sense that we are gaining traction and recognition with government bodies.

HOW DID WE GET HERE? Frankly, it was a weekly grind, over many years. When our president, Liz Kovach first started with the WRLA nearly eight years ago, she tried to get meetings with government officials and members of the press for news releases on important issues. She was often ignored or handed off to various departments that were not relevant to us.

The WRLA has over 130 years of history, but it is not well known outside of the industry. Having “Lumber” in our name means we are passed to natural resources ministers and having “Retail” in our name leads to confusion when we speak on manufacturing and supply chain issues. Never mind “Western,” which sometimes leads to us getting “left on read” by any organization east of Manitoba.

It takes time and persistence to overcome these barriers.

It took years of physically going to the legislatures with our members, which we called “Hill Days”, many phone calls, many rounds of participating in Chambers of Commerce events, and a willingness to attend, attend, and attend, even if we didn’t have a voice at the table.

As these things go, it also took a global pandemic to escalate some of our industry concerns to the level of provincial and national importance. A major lumber shortage and huge volatility in pricing prompted government officials to YARDSTICK MAGAZINE

Fall 2024

finally notice an industry whose supply chain and staffing concerns have an impact on every building project across the country. Liz was finally the one getting calls and was able to field them thanks to the many members who shared valuable information during that time.

We did an economic impact study, and on the strength of that, we were able to make a case for a Home Improvement Tax Credit, which was adopted in Saskatchewan, and we’ve been able to build from there to what you see today.

But on the WRLA team, we’re never content to rest on our laurels. Every celebration is an opportunity to ask, “what’s next?”

We are continually asking: how can we more effectively advocate for our industry, and what are the major policy decisions currently impacting members? What’s our next “big ask?”

Success in advocacy requires both continuous effort from the staff team and collaboration from our members to bring issues impacting their business to the forefront.

WE NEED YOU TO HELP US TAKE THESE EFFORTS TO THE NEXT LEVEL. To continue to leverage our success in our government relations efforts, we are shifting our approach to provincial committees.

Starting in September, we will be scheduling provincial committee meetings with interested members from all parts of each province to ensure we can discuss municipal and provincial needs. There will also be opportunity to discuss federal issues that impact our members.

We need you! Call or email Liz to get involved, come tell us what’s impacting your business and your community. Help us build better businesses, better relationships, and a better industry.

A SHORT LIST OF BIG WINS • Successfully garnered a total of $495,000 in funds from the Alberta Government to conduct a labour study PLUS provide funds to execute on the recommendations which include FREE training resources for our members, their staff and those looking to work in the LBM industry.

• Successfully garnered $100,000 from the Saskatchewan Government to support the training needs of our members and help them in their quest to build stronger businesses.

• Represented our members as an essential service to ensure their businesses could continue to stay open during the pandemic.

• Encouraged the federal and all provincial governments to implement a Home Renovation Tax Credit in 2020, and had success with Saskatchewan proceeding to offer it to its residents.

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YARDSTICK MAGAZINE

Fall 2024

HR CORNER

BUILDING A STRONG TEAM: WELCOMING AND KEEPING GREAT EMPLOYEES Natalie Bell, CWS

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n the fast-paced building materials industry, businesses often focus on the tangible—stocking the right products, managing logistics, and meeting customer needs. But there’s another crucial element that supports all these efforts: the people. Your employees are your greatest asset. Let’s explore how to bring new folks into your business and keep them around.

ROLLING OUT THE WELCOME MAT: MORE THAN JUST PAPERWORK Welcoming a new employee (what HR professionals call “onboarding”) isn’t just about forms and a quick tour. It’s a chance to make a great first impression and start building a relationship. Think of it like being a good host at a party—you want your guests to feel comfortable and know where everything is.

Why does this matter? In an industry where safety and precision are crucial, a good welcome can help prevent costly mistakes and accidents. By taking the time to show new hires the ropes—from processes to safety rules and company values—you’re setting them up to succeed and protecting your business.

KEEPING YOUR A-TEAM: IT STARTS ON DAY ONE Keeping great employees around isn’t something to start thinking about when they hand in their notice. It begins the moment they walk through your doors. When people feel supported and part of the team from the get-go, they’re more likely to stick around for the long haul.

Consider this: If someone understands their job, knows the company’s goals, and sees how they fit in, they’re much more likely to stay. But if they feel lost or disconnected? They might start looking for the exit pretty quickly.

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HR CORNER

SIMPLE STEPS FOR A STRONGER TEAM

THE LONG-TERM PAYOFF

So, how can you make this work for your business?

Sure, setting all this up takes some time and effort. But the benefits are undeniable. Employees who feel supported and connected work harder, care more about their jobs and stick around longer. In an industry where skilled labour is hard to come by, keeping top talent is more important than ever.

Here are some practical ideas: • Create a welcome plan. Make a checklist for a new hire’s first few weeks. Include introductions, training sessions, and everything in between.

• Implement a buddy system. Pair new folks with an experienced team member who can show them the ropes and answer questions.

• Set clear expectations. Make sure new employees know what their job is, how it helps the company, and what doing a great job looks like.

• Have regular check-ins. Don’t wait for problems to pop up.

Schedule quick chats during the first few months to see how things are going.

• Invest in learning. Offer chances for people to learn new skills, move up in the company, and get recognized for good work.

By focusing on welcoming people properly and keeping them engaged, businesses aren’t just filling positions—they’re building a strong, reliable team that will help them thrive for years to come. In the building materials world, that’s just as important as having the right products on the shelves.

**This article draws on generally accepted HR practices and the author’s experience in consulting** Written by Natalie Bell, CWS People & Culture Consultant Natalie Bell Consulting “A breath of fresh HR!”

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BETTER BUSINESS

MASTERING THE ART OF ASSORTMENT PLANNING: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Rob Wilbrink, CEO, Burlington Merchandising & Fixtures (BMF)

Above: New Healdsburg Lumber Co. location in California designed with an optimized layout and merchandising strategy.

O PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY BURLINGTON MERCHANDISING & FIXTURES (BMF)

ne of the most fundamental decisions a retailer can make is what to sell. Equally important is the decision of what NOT to sell. The right choices build a business with satisfied customers who can rely on your store to carry the products and quantities they need. Inventory will turn regularly ensuring strong cash flow and a healthy growing business. Conversely, the wrong decisions will create stagnant inventory, poor cash flow, and unhappy customers. Let us break down the art and science of assortment planning to guide you through the steps of creating lasting retail success.

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DEFINE YOUR CORE CUSTOMER

The first step in assortment planning is to define your ideal core customer. Identifying the customer who not only frequents your store the most but also contributes significantly to your sales. The objective is to do everything possible to delight and excite this customer and to attract more like them. For most building supply outlets, the core customer is the general contractor or builder.

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RANK YOUR PRODUCT CATEGORIES

The next step is to rank your current and potential product categories from most to least important to this ideal customer. Work from the top down and assign one of the competitive strategies listed below to each category while factoring in your realities of space, location, suppliers, competition, staffing, passions, and other resources.

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A dominant strategy means your customers will think of you first when deciding where to shop for that category. Your depth and breadth of product, expertise, and supporting services will be second to none in your market.

A competitive strategy means you are “in the game” and comparable to other strong players in the market.

A convenience strategy suggests you are not a destination for these products but are likely to appeal to your customers as an impulse buy or an add-on sale.

An avoid or eliminate strategy is used for categories that may conflict with the ability to accommodate more important categories, while negatively impacting the image, reputation, and profitability of the overall business.

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ALLOCATE SPACE

Once you’ve decided on strategies, the next step is to allocate space to each. You may choose to work with an existing layout, renovate your space to create more capacity, or build a new store. Although optimizing your layout is a separate topic, in each scenario, linear footage should be prioritized based on the assigned strategies.

The showroom needs to represent the entire business. Displays of building materials are essential and many will sell much better if stocked in the store.

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BETTER BUSINESS 4

SELECT SKUS

Once space is allocated it’s time to select SKUs using the following strategies.

MINIMIZE PROGRAM BUYING The temptation is to buy established programs from manufacturers or distributors. The challenge with this is the 80/20 rule—80 per cent of the SKUs deliver just 20 per cent of the sales. Taken a step further, half of the SKUs will deliver just 5 per cent of sales and almost certainly cost the retailer money. Program buying also drives SKU duplication as competing vendors will offer the same products as part of their assortment.

FOCUS ON QUALITY OVER QUANTITY It’s best to focus assortments on higher quality products not stocked at general merchandise stores. Contractors tend to prefer better brands. They are happy to pay three times more for a blade that will last 10 times longer. Often, it’s better to skip the good and deliver a better, best assortment that can yield stronger sales and loyalty. This helps differentiate assortments from box stores and has the added benefit of attracting more serious DIY customers.

OFFER PRODUCT DEPTH For contractors, time is money. There is nothing more frustrating than needing 20 of something and there only being eight in stock. For them, the depth of their most used items is far more important than a broad assortment. Identifying these items and investing appropriate inventory dollars and space should always be a top priority.

CONSIDER BRAND LOYALTY Contractors also tend to be brand loyal. A large national chain purchased a smaller chain of lumber yards and intended to consolidate all its roofing purchases with one vendor for extra negotiating power that would deliver higher margins. “A shingle is a shingle” was the refrain. The blowback from customers was intense, resulting in them having to reverse the plan. Brand loyalty for contractors extends to categories such as paints, power tools, blades and bits, fasteners, caulking, and even drywall. This makes brand choices that fit your local market and customer base all the more important.

MAKE LOCAL PRODUCT DECISIONS Decisions on product assortment need to be made locally. I once visited a store in rural Saskatchewan that had just been renovated. They had delegated assortment planning to a vendor a couple of thousand miles away. There were 12' of chainsaws and 8' of gate hardware. Looking across the prairies, there was hardly a tree in sight and certainly no fences that needed to be locked.

LIMIT DABBLING IN TOO MANY UNRELATED CATEGORIES There is always a temptation to add product lines to draw in a broader base of customers.

Having a few feet of automotive, pool supplies, pet supplies, blinds, or appliances may seem like a good idea, yet analysis almost always shows they don’t justify the space they occupy. Even electrical and plumbing perform poorly without sufficient commitment to space and inventory.

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Above: Healdsburg Lumber Co.’s lighting department showcasing strategic product placement for easy access and selection.

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MEASURE THE SUCCESS

Now that you’ve selected SKUs, it’s key to measure the results. Gross Margin Return on Investment (GMROI) is an important measure of profitability which factors inventory turns and margin to rank the utility of SKUs against each other. The highest-margin products are not necessarily the most profitable. A product with a 70 per cent margin that sells once in two years is much less profitable than one with a 30 per cent margin that turns five times a year. Stocking the slow-moving product not only ties up cash but also takes up valuable space that could be used to sell more profitable items.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER In a competitive market, it’s important for retailers to not only focus on the array of products offered but also on the strategic selection and management of inventory.

By focusing on quality over quantity, understanding the specific needs of your customer base, and measuring success through metrics like GMROI, retailers can optimize their offerings, enhance customer loyalty, and achieve sustainable growth.

Interested in learning more about the benefits of investing in your store with BMF’s full range of retail renovation services? Visit bmfonline.com or contact info@bmfonline.com.

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY BURLINGTON MERCHANDISING & FIXTURES (BMF)

AVOID SKU CREEP Curating assortments is essential as SKU creep adds operational complexity and customer confusion. For example, when I ran a chain of building centres, our stores analyzed tape measures and discovered we had 117 different products listed. We reduced to 23 (maybe still too many) and sales went up by double digits. Sometimes having too many choices makes a customer hesitate and choose to buy nothing at all. Adhesives, utility knives, and paintbrushes are examples of other products prone to SKU creep.

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BETTER BUSINESS

BUILDING A STRONG TEAM THROUGH RECRUITMENT MARKETING IN A CHANGING WORKPLACE Brandish Agency

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n today’s rapidly evolving work environment, the expectations of both employers and employees are shifting dramatically. For industries traditionally rooted in hands-on, on-site work—like the building and construction sectors—adapting to these changes is not just about survival; it’s about thriving. One critical area where this shift is most evident is in recruitment marketing. By understanding and leveraging modern recruitment marketing strategies, companies can build stronger, more dynamic teams that are better suited to meet the demands of the future.

THE UNIQUE LANDSCAPE OF THE BUILDING INDUSTRY While many sectors have embraced remote and hybrid work models, the building industry remains firmly anchored in hands-on labor.

You can’t frame a house from a home office or operate a mill from a remote location. This reality doesn’t mean the building industry is stuck in the past; rather, it underscores the need for a tailored approach to attracting and retaining talent.

Despite the unique challenges, companies in the building industry can still benefit from recruitment marketing principles. It’s about recognizing that while the nature of the work may not change, the expectations of the workforce certainly have. Workers today seek more than just a job; they want a sense of purpose, a supportive work environment, and growth opportunities.

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UNDERSTANDING RECRUITMENT MARKETING Recruitment marketing is the process of promoting a company’s culture, values, and career opportunities to attract potential candidates. It’s about positioning your company as an employer of choice, not just within your industry but across the broader job market.

In essence, recruitment marketing borrows principles from consumer marketing—targeting specific demographics, creating compelling messages, and using data to drive decisions. It’s a strategy that goes beyond posting jobs on a website; it’s about creating a holistic narrative that appeals to the kind of talent you want to attract.

KEY STRATEGIES FOR EFFECTIVE RECRUITMENT MARKETING 1. Embrace Digital Platforms: While the building industry has traditionally relied on local networks and physical job boards, expanding your reach through digital platforms can be a gamechanger. Utilizing social media, job search engines, and even niche industry forums can help you reach a broader audience.

Remember, your future employees are likely spending a significant amount of time online—meet them where they are.

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BETTER BUSINESS

2. Highlight Company Culture: Today’s job seekers are looking for more than just a paycheck; they want to be part of a culture that aligns with their values and provides a sense of purpose.

Use your website, social media channels, and recruitment ads to showcase what makes your company unique. Whether it’s a commitment to sustainability, a family-oriented environment, or opportunities for professional development, these are the stories that can attract the right talent.

3. Leverage Employee Advocacy: Your current employees are some of your best recruiters. Encourage them to share their experiences on social media and participate in recruitment efforts.

Employee testimonials and stories can be incredibly powerful in building credibility and attracting like-minded individuals.

4. Invest in Employer Branding: Much like a customer-centric brand strategy, employer branding focuses on your reputation as a workplace. This involves creating a consistent and positive image of what it’s like to work at your company. Engage with potential candidates through content that highlights employee success stories, community involvement, and unique company perks.

5. Optimize the Candidate Experience: The recruitment process itself is a reflection of your company. Ensure that it is smooth, transparent, and respectful. Candidates want to feel valued throughout the process—regardless of the outcome. A positive candidate experience can lead to great word-of-mouth referrals and a stronger reputation in the market.

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MOVING TOWARDS A MORE PROGRESSIVE APPROACH For the building industry to attract top talent in today’s competitive market, it must evolve. This doesn’t mean abandoning the values and strengths that have defined it for decades. Instead, it’s about incorporating new strategies that reflect a modern workforce’s changing needs and expectations.

Being progressive in recruitment marketing isn’t just a trend; it’s a necessity. It’s about recognizing that the workplace is not a one-size-fits-all environment and that different perspectives and skills are needed to drive growth and innovation. Even in industries where remote work is not feasible, companies can still create a work environment that values flexibility, support, and employee well-being.

The future of the building industry depends on its ability to adapt to a changing world. By embracing recruitment marketing strategies that focus on culture, branding, and candidate experience, companies can build stronger, more resilient teams ready to tackle the challenges and opportunities ahead. It’s time for the building industry to be more progressive, to think differently, and to attract the best talent to drive our future success.

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DOLLARS & SENSE

EFFECTIVE CREDIT MANAGEMENT FOR LUMBER SUPPLIERS, DISTRIBUTORS, WHOLESALERS & RETAILERS NetNow

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n the Lumber and Building Materials industry, credit is fundamental to how business is done. Oftentimes, your customers will ask you for Terms or a Credit Account.

Your Credit or Accounts Receivables teams then need to kick off the credit approval process. This usually involves 1. Sending the customer a credit application (usually this is a PDF document or a printed form) 2. Waiting to get all the information back from the customer (this can take a lot of time and require a lot of back and forth) 3. Doing some research on the customer which typically involves calling trade references, bank references, checking for any risk of fraud, running a credit report, and in certain cases asking for financial statements 4. Putting it all together to get a clear picture of your customer’s creditworthiness

2. Implement the 5 C’s of Credit. This is the most widely used framework that companies use to ensure they are making good credit decisions 3. Adopt Technology to help streamline operations and save costs. The manual way of approving credit accounts can be tedious and timeconsuming and can significantly decrease the productivity of Credit & AR teams. Implementing technology can help make things run smoother, provide your customers with a better experience, and free up your Credit team to focus on the more important tasks like Collections, Customer Relationships, and Risk Analysis.

ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD CREDIT APPLICATION FORM SET-UP We have provided below a quick list of best practices when it comes to your credit application

PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY NETNOW

This entire process can be pretty time-consuming, requiring multiple phone calls, emails, faxes and back-and-forth with the customer. Rushing through this process and making a poor credit decision could result in longer DSOs (Days Sales Outstanding) and a lot more effort when it comes to collections. However, if you take too long, or go back-andforth with the customer too much, they can get frustrated and go elsewhere. It’s a fine balance between due diligence and speed to decision making. Credit Managers are under constant pressure to effectively make the right decisions on issuing credit in a timely manner.

There are several things you can do as a business owner to ensure your credit process is running smoothly and that you’re not losing out on new customers or taking on too many late payments.

1. Ensure that you have a good Credit Application form set-up-one that provides you with key information you need to open a Credit Account for your customer but is easy enough to fill out

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DOLLARS & SENSE

IMPLEMENT THE 5 C’S OF CREDIT In the world of credit management, especially when it comes to trade credit applications, having a robust framework for evaluating creditworthiness is crucial. Enter the 5 C’s of credit: Character, Capacity, Capital, Conditions, and Collateral. These five pillars provide a comprehensive assessment that helps credit managers make informed decisions, essential for your success.

1. Character refers to the borrower’s reputation and track record in repaying debts. It’s all about trustworthiness and reliability.

2. Credit History: Analyzing past payment behaviors, credit scores, and any history of defaults or bankruptcies.

3. Capacity measures the borrower’s ability to repay the loan or credit based on their income, cash flow, and existing debt obligations.

4. Capital refers to the borrower’s investment in their own business. It shows how much they have at stake.

5. Collateral is the asset that the borrower pledges to secure the loan. In case of default, the lender can seize and sell the collateral to recover the debt.

About NetNow NetNow is the leading technology vendor that supports businesses across key industries including lumber & building materials, electrical wholesale, HVAC, heavy equipment, roofing, general wholesale & distribution and many more.

The streamlined NetNow platform helps suppliers & distributors manage Trade Credit applications digitally.

Credit teams can offer digital forms to buyers (no more PDFs), issue trade & bank references automatically, create automated workflows for faster approvals, access key business data sources, and much more. www.netnow.io

It’s no secret that technology can help streamline operations for any team or function in a business. New technology solutions focused on Credit, Collections and Cash Applications are seeing a massive wave of adoption lately. NetNow recently surveyed over 400 Credit and Finance leaders across North America and the overwhelming majority said that implementing new technology to support Credit & Collections is the highest priority over the next 1-2 years.

So how can these tools actually help? We’ve outlined a few of the most important features to look for when evaluating new technology solutions: 1. Fully customizable digital credit application form (the ability to create a fully digital, mobile-friendly form that your customers can easily fill out) 2. Automation capabilities: The ability to automate reaching out to trade references and bank references

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We hope this article has provided you with a good overview of credit in the Lumber & Building Materials industry and why it’s so important to ensure you have a smooth and efficient credit process.

If you’re interested in getting access to the NetNow Credit Handbook or a copy of our recent report “The Modern Credit Department—Trends & Insights 2024”, please email us at info@netnow.io for a free copy of both reports.

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY NETNOW

ADOPT TECHNOLOGY TO HELP STREAMLINE OPERATIONS AND SAVE COSTS

3. Access to Key Credit & Fraud Data: The ability to easily pull all key credit, fraud and business data from one portal so that your Credit teams are all working from one centralized platform 4. On-going monitoring: The ability to keep track of key changes to your customer’s creditworthiness and financial health and be notified automatically 5. AI tools to help Credit teams operate faster: The ability to leverage AI to do financial analysis, communication & responses to customers, summarize notes and key findings etc.

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DOLLARS & SENSE

THE DOWNSIDE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Travis Waite, WRLA

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f you are keeping up with the latest trends in technology or have been observing from the sidelines, then you have probably heard discussion around artificial intelligence (AI), automation, or Generative AI.

We are currently in an era that could be looked back on as one of the most pivotal in our history when it comes to technological advancements. For some, this is a scary realization, and for others it’s a time of excitement. Most pragmatic observers likely feel a bit of both depending on the day and the context around these discussions.

Though AI is a hot button topic today, its history is long spanning and filled with times of advancement, stagnation, and decline. The term Artificial Intelligence was coined in 1956

by John McCarthy in a proposal that he contributed to while he was a Professor at Dartmouth College and later MIT. The roots of AI can be traced back much further, to a device known as “Antikythera” created in the 2nd Century BCE by Hellenistic age scientists. It was used to predict astronomical positions of the sun, moon, planets, and eclipses decades in advance. It used an automatic gear mechanism inside of a woodenframed case.

Fast forward to today, we have seen some incredible developments in AI, particularly in the past decade, including the development of Alexa (and other “virtual assistants”), Tesla’s self-driving technology, and OpenAI, the company responsible for developing ChatGPT. According to a recent survey, approximately 28 per cent of current employees have admitted to using ChatGPT on a work device to assist with their job responsibilities. The consequences of this could be substantial and the repercussions unknown to employees.

ChatGPT is an example of Generative Artificial Intelligence (or Gen AI). Gen AI tools can create new content and ideas based on the data they have access to. Employees could unknowingly be sharing confidential information to ChatGPT, without understanding that it is learning from this information and in turn, potentially sharing it with others. This means that users, along with developers, have a responsibility and impact on how these Gen AI tools evolve over time.

Because it is relatively new technology, IT providers are struggling with policing the use of these free AI tools and many business owners may not understand the implications of using these programs or be aware that their staff is using it.

It is important to be skeptical when using Chat GPT and Gen AI tools, as there are drawbacks and limitations to their use. Here are a few drawbacks to consider when using these tools:

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DOLLARS & SENSE

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LIMITATIONS & “HALLUCINATIONS”

Generative AI tools are developed with the goal of helping solve problems for people. This is a double-edged sword, as it has evolved into a people-pleasing tool. Because of this, if you query ChatGPT and it cannot find an answer, it may pull irrelevant information or even make something up that is not accurate.

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PROMPT ENGINEERING

Prompt engineering is the process of guiding Gen AI tools to generate a desired output.

Even though Gen AI attempts to mimic humans, it requires very detailed instructions to create high-quality and relevant output. This often results in confirmation bias tainting these prompts. Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for information in a way that confirms or supports one’s prior beliefs or values.

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BIAS IN, BIAS OUT

Human beings have biases, both conscious and unconscious. Because of the importance that humans have in developing these Gen AI tools, our bias can easily come out during development and use, resulting in Gen AI systems that learn from and mirror these biases.

This point raises the importance of having a diverse team of people having a stake and impact in Gen AI development.

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NOT THAT SMART

Though these programs provide a lot of benefit in helping improve efficiencies or replace mundane and repetitive tasks and have evolved to a point unseen before, if you were to look at AI in the context of a human regarding learning development, it’s still very much in its infancy stage. This means there is a lot of room for growth and development, but also raises the importance of using skepticism when relying on information obtained from Gen AI tools.

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EXPENSIVE, HIGH ENERGY, AND NOT SUSTAINABLE

The development and maintenance of Gen AI tools requires facilities equipped with high performance computing servers, storage systems, networking infrastructure, and specialized hardware, known as an AI data center. These data centers are very costly and use a non-sustainable, high level of energy input to operate. According to the Wall Street Journal, global spending on AI data centers is expected to exceed $301 billion by 2026, and operating costs are growing annually at an estimated 26.5%. Data centers currently account for around 1.5% of total global electricity use.

Artificial Intelligence is not going away, and these drawbacks highlight a few important complications that business owners and employees need to be cognizant of. Employees should use caution when using externally built or free AI tools. If you are using these tools in the workplace, any confidential information should be redacted from prompts. Any results obtained should be looked at with a skeptical eye and not merely taken as fact.

Business owners and executives should consider incorporating AI usage policies to help safeguard its use by employees. Many companies block the use of free AI tools in the workplace and large corporations have even begun to implement internally created Gen AI tools for employees use, so that information is kept confidential, and usage is monitored.

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TECH CORNER

TIME (AND TECHNOLOGY) IS MONEY Chris Allinotte with JRTech Solutions

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here’s a popular saying going around the internet these days, referring to Artificial Intelligence that says, “I don’t want a robot to do my creative work so I have more time to do the dishes and laundry, I want a robot to do my dishes and laundry so I have more time to do my creative work!”

What if that time-saving technology existed? How great would that be?

The good news is that, in a way, it’s already here. While we’ll still have a while to wait for our automatic laundry, there are innovations in the retail sector that are freeing up teams to spend more of their work time engaging with customers, and less time doing repetitive tasks like ordering, inventory, and price changes. That commitment to let the human element shine is one of the things that drives companies like JRTech Solutions.

Diego Mazzone, President and CEO of JRTech Solutions, saw an opportunity to start improving the way people do business 17-18 years ago with the debut of electronic shelf label (ESL) systems.

JRTech officially started as a company in 2008, but it would be almost a full year before getting their first installation in 2009 at a Unimat Store, now BMR, in Lac Mégantic. This hardware store, in a remote area of Québec, officially became the first hardware store in North America to have electronic shelf labels. The promise of the technology caught the interest of the Unimat head office, and JRTech was invited to trade shows to demonstrate this new system.

Today ESL systems are operating in over 470 hardware stores, and are represented in locations under every major banner in Canada—including 80 per cent of Canadian Tire stores, with the last 20 per cent scheduled to be converted this year.

Above: JRTech Solutions at 2022 WRLA Building & Hardware Showcase.

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From hardware, JRTech expanded into grocery, pharmacy and electronics, and is serving customers from the Arctic Circle to Hawaii, so there doesn’t seem to be an upper limit to how far this new technology will go.

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“We’d seen it,” he says, “and we thought it was very interesting. But no one was doing it here in Canada, it was not installed anywhere.

So I did a market research plan and realized there could be a market for it here. It might have been a little early, but the market was wide open.”

TECH CORNER

But why?

The unique thing about hardware retailers, says Mazzone, is they understood quickly that this was going to help them not only with price changes, but with other operational benefits, like managing inventory. One of their most recent partners, fellow WRLA member Woodland Lumber, certainly saw the benefits of changing their pricing system.

First and foremost, the obvious time savings is in the human resources required to do price changes. When a store can stop changing prices by hand, they are freeing up those employees to do more meaningful tasks— especially engaging with customers and selling more!

Beyond price changes, there are other advantages to making the switch including inventory management. With electronic labels, the current in-stock amount of any given SKU is displayed, which if the shelf is empty—can let the customer know they can still get what they came for, and for employees, they know it’s time to restock. Taking things a step further, when the inventory drops below a set number, the labels will flash yellow in the mornings to prompt reordering.

The ability of the labels to flash can also help customers locate their product on the shelf, as well as help with the restocking process. By doing a lookup on a tablet nearby, the tags will then flash green and direct the user right to the precise location—quite an advantage when you’re thinking about small parts and fittings that are very similar to other SKU’s they are shelved with.

JRTech has done the math and found that an employee with less than two years experience can take up to four minutes to find where a product goes on a shelf and often they’ll make errors and put items in the wrong spot.

Comparatively, the most experienced employees can accomplish the task in about 10 seconds. With ESL in place, and the tags flashing appropriately, this task, which can take up to 30-40 per cent of an employee’s day, is accomplished in less than half the time.

The technology doesn’t stop there, either, and integrates with “click & collect” ordering to create optimized picking lists, all the way up to the latest breakthroughs that feature inventory robots that will scan the aisles for gaps and reference inventory to flag restocking and reordering.

Locations that adopt these systems, according to Mazzone, often bring them online strictly for the time savings in changing prices over, and then, as time goes on, they start adding more and more functionality. One particularly great feature in the Building Materials sector is the ability to integrate with AI price optimization systems that can factor in market and shipping fluctuations to ensure that the price showing on the shelf is within a desired profit margin.

That amount of automation and technology can be daunting for a small business owner, but luckily, “We have integration experts on our team,” says Diego, “that support the business, helping them get online, getting the system set up through their Point of Sale (POS) system, etc,” and added that their system works with practically every available POS system.

So ultimately, embracing new technologies and automating some of the repetitive tasks can increase employee productivity, and likely improve job satisfaction at the same time, as less time is spent doing mundane tasks.

When employees are freed up to interact with customers, we know that client satisfaction, loyalty, and sales increase.

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These benefits make sense to the government as well, who frequently offer incentives to businesses to change over or upgrade their systems to make them more modern. Most often these are offered at the provincial level. Although these grants often go fast, it’s well worth it for a business owner/ manager to be aware of them, where to find them, and check back often as new programs are coming out all the time.

Even without subsidy, Mazzone estimates that an in-store ESL system will pay for itself within 16 months of installation, based on time and salary savings—not to mention print costs for paper labels. The company offers an online assessment that businesses can fill out and see how long it will take to pay off the system.

The future is here and changes come in a flash. The good news is it’s making jobs more fulfilling for the humans in your business—which, in a relationship-based business like the BLM industry, only means good things for your bottom line!

Learn more about JRTech Solutions online at https://jrtechsolutions.ca/

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GREEN GUIDE

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GREEN GUIDE

WHEN R-VALUE DOESN’T TELL THE WHOLE STORY Ryan Cullen, Quik-Therm

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hen it comes to the energy efficiency of a building, the R-value of the insulation product is just one small part of the equation. Air tightness of the building envelope is just as important, or arguably more important, than the R-value of insulation.

Moisture management is a major consideration and heat loss (thermal bridging) through framing members is extremely important. In order to create effective and sustainable insulation solutions—we need to let physics drive the design.

“It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble.

It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

—Mark Twain Scientists consider physics the “model” scientific field. Physics possesses a well-tested collection of defining theory, abandonment of theories that don’t survive reality-testing and a high degree of intellectual honesty.

WHAT REALLY IS R-VALUE? The R-value standard was developed over 75 years ago by Everett Schuman, Director of Penn State’s Housing and Research Institute. The purpose was to provide professionals and building owners a simple and repeatable comparison method when evaluating an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow. When it was created, R-value was the only useful tool in evaluating the thermal performance of building insulations. Much has changed in the last 75 years. Today, designers, engineers, code officials and savvy building owners know better than to focus on just a material’s R-value. The fact is; R-value by itself can be dismissed as a relatively meaningless number.

R-VALUE—LABORATORY VS. REAL WORLD

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When questioning whether R-values should be used to compare insulation systems, the US Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) states the following: “R-values are a good starting point— but they are the results of small, meticulously prepared laboratory samples and do not necessarily reveal how an insulation system performs once installed in actual buildings. Different insulation systems with the same laboratory R-value can deliver many different levels of comfort and energy efficiency.” Zero wind, zero moisture, zero solar radiation and meticulously installed insulation is not the real-world. Buildings leak air, vapour, water and heat.

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GREEN GUIDE

THERMAL BRIDGING Thermal bridging is the movement of heat through an object that is more conductive (wall framing) than the materials (insulation) around it. The conductive material creates a path for heat loss. Thermal bridging through wall and roof framing is a major source of energy loss in homes and buildings—which leads to higher utility bills.

EFFECTS OF MOISTURE ON R-VALUE Small amounts of moisture cause a dramatic drop in R-value—often by as much as 50 percent or more. According to Steven Badger, Ph.D., water’s thermal conductivity is nearly 20 times higher than the conductivity of the average thermal insulation. Professional Service Industries Inc., a division of construction materials testing firm Intertek states: “Absorption of only 20 percent moisture can cause up to 55 percent loss of insulation value.

THE ONGOING MOISTURE BATTLE When heating a building, the high temperature/high moisture indoor environment wants to blend with the low temperature, low moisture outdoor environment. Basically, they want to become one and the same—achieve equilibrium.

When cooling a building, the opposite occurs. The high temperature, high moisture outdoor environment wants indoors. There is a constant battle of moisture moving in and out of the building envelope. Air conditioning adds insult to injury. But, since we humans like comfort more than we dislike the negative consequences of moisture; comfort takes precedence. We can have both—we simply need to conform with—rather than challenge the laws of physics.

BUILDINGS GET WET AND OFTEN STAY WET As a result of construction moisture, buildings often start off wet. Regardless of whether the building starts wet or dry, insulation is typically connected to, and/or sandwiched between framing members, poly, substrates and cladding materials. Within the assembly, building materials are touching or pressed against one another. As a consequence, there is minimal air circulation to help with drying. Sooner or later the negative effects of thermodynamics (physics) kick in—moisture happens. Thermal bridging, combined with air leakage magnifies the process. Moisture is often trapped in-place with nowhere to go. The assembly gets inherently damp or wet, and its R-value is dramatically reduced. The potential for mould and material degradation also increases.

NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS! Mould, mildew and degradation of building materials occur when these issues aren’t addressed, which is why today’s informed builders and contractors are rightly looking much deeper than R-value to plan for and ensure the comfort of the homeowner for years to come.

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“Excessive moisture accumulated during cold weather normally will remain in the insulation or membrane until warmer weather and even then, drying is not assured.”

—Effects of Moisture in Built-Up Roofing, US Department of Commerce

Quik-Therm is committed to engineering, developing, designing, and manufacturing insulation solutions with superior durability and insulative qualities Their innovative insulation materials can be installed quickly and intuitively. They’ve carefully engineered their products to be used without the need for other products like sheathing and house wrap. The QuikTherm system also limits or eliminates thermal bridging and fastener bridges on their products.

The result is high-quality, easy-to-install insulation that can be used in a wide variety of different circumstances, including the brutally cold weather found here in northern climates. For more information check out https://quiktherm.com/

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Above: “On a BiT of a Roll”. The TurnX Tools Team. Las Vegas, NV, 2024

CANADIAN INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST TurnX Tools

A BIT OF HISTORY Canada—British Columbia, in particular—has a legacy for multi-bit screwdriver innovation. In the mid 60s, Cluthe Manufacturing in Ontario with its Uni-Driver started it all.

While Cluthe is long gone, one company in Ontario and five in BC currently manufacture & distribute multi-bit screwdrivers to the world-wide market.

A BIT LUCKY

Above: “This ain’t my first rodeo”—Adam, Showcasing PHLiPBiT and ULT. San Antonio, TX, 2023

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Fast forward to now supported by a growing North American dealer network, TurnX Tools has become the world’s leading seller of double-ended impact bits with more than 30 combinations and lengths of square, Phillips, Star/Torx®, slot, hex and Pozi-Drive. In April 2024, TurnX Tools launched “ULT”, the world’s first impact bit and screwdriver system.

Combined with PHLiPBiT, it’s an unbeatable one-two punch providing independent building and specialty tool stores a connected power tool accessory brand generating repeat sales and end-user loyalty.

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED BY TURNX TOOLS

Above: The PHLiPBiT Guys, Their First WRLA Show. Calgary, AB, 2020

Spring 2017, Shuswap region, BC—A lot of great inventions have humble beginnings. As fate would have it, Rolf Effertz was asked to remove a sunshade from the front of his in-law’s home. With a power driver and #2 Square bit ready to go, perched high on a ladder, the process of removing screws began. Hanging on to the sunshade in one hand, he was about to complete the job when he realized the last few screws were Phillips! Frustrated by the experience of having to re-install screws, search for a Phillips bit and re-start the process, he thought to himself… wouldn’t it be better to have a square and Phillips tip on a single bit? Wouldn’t it be better if the tips were uniquely colour-coded for quick identification? Wouldn’t it be better if it worked in an impact driver? And most importantly, wouldn’t it be great to bring this problem-solving solution to others? After all, he couldn’t be the only one that faced this dilemma.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

PHLIPBIT, NOT JUST A BIT… A LOT BIT BETTER! In 2018, Rolf, together with sons Nathan and Adam, determined that only a small selection of double-ended impact bits was available, with limited combinations, lengths, and not user intuitive. Within the year, the PHLiPBiT journey commenced: the overall design and features were established, a manufacturer was sourced, and an order was placed for 7 initial models. Rolf and Adam took them to customers of Preferred Industrial, an affiliated company focusing on Maintenance Repair Operations (MRO) accounts, ie: Hospitals, Schools, Manufacturers, Government, Utilities, Trucking and Fleet etc. It didn’t take long to see this problem-solving solution gain traction. A common question encountered was, “Where can I purchase PHLiPBiT for myself?”

In January 2020, Rolf and Adam, aka: The PHLiPBiT Guys, attended their very first WRLA Showcase. Not knowing what to expect, with a rudimentary display and limited models in hand, off they went to Calgary. The show provided a forum & opportunity to engage with dealers—many of whom gave a PO on the spot! In 2021, TurnX Tools was incorporated to handle the growing list of retail stores and create separation from Preferred Industrial. The team behind the scenes produced marketing material, launched the website and web-store platforms, designed logos, secured intellectual property protections, expanded models and combinations, revamped merchandisers and built the back end. On the front line, the PHLiPBiT Guys continued to forge relationships with dealers: travelling store to store, presenting the value proposition, securing orders and establishing “PHLiPBiT” as a brand.

come together. The next three years were spent refining technical specs, getting engineering validation, drafting blueprints, creating 3D samples, securing a top-tier manufacturer, producing mould and assembly components, selecting raw materials, resolving engineering, addressing manufacturing and assembly concerns, then refining the fit and finish and creating industry and language compliant packaging. I.e. It was a lot of work.

The end result? The “ULT—Ultimate Multi”, has a distinctive robust design, class-leading bit access/storage, palm-safe cap with integrated screw gauge & ruler, anti-roll brake, and more. Finally, there was a professional-grade multi-bit screwdriver working in tandem with an impact driver and a retail merchandiser system for end-users to source replacement bits.

In April, the TurnX Tools team proudly launched the ULT, bringing to market a multi-bit screwdriver system like no other. Recognizing its innovation and technical achievements, in August 2024, the USPTO granted the ULT patent and trademark status.

WHAT’S NEXT? Innovation is the necessity of progress. TurnX Tools has exciting news to share regarding our next invention, advanced bit geometry, new combinations & lengths, contractor packs, marketing campaigns, the unveiling of our official mascot and much more.

Stay tuned by following us on our social media accounts: linkpop.com/turnxtools

MULTI-BIT SCREWDRIVERS

MAKING THE CONNECTION

Having experience with a variety of multi-bit screwdrivers, it was apparent that the included bits weren’t impact rated, nor could they be interchanged with an impact machine. Generally speaking, multi-bit screwdrivers hadn’t changed much in decades, and all shared similar deficiencies. Common weaknesses included outdated handle designs, limited features and benefits. The bits weren’t impact rated, and they were usually single-ended, had challenging in/out access, difficult tip identification, in addition to being short length, loosely secured, easy to lose, and it was nearly impossible to get replacements—the list goes on! Often end users were forced to buy another screwdriver just for the bits! If the success of PHLiPBiT was any indication, it was time for a re-think. So began the journey to invent and develop a new interpretation of the multi-bit screwdriver, the genesis of which was already percolating.

Canada is a big country with a small building supply community. In our travels, we’ve had the honour and privilege to meet with dealers coast to coast and everywhere in between. To those who support us, we say thank you. For those who’ve yet to experience the power of PHLiPBiT and ULT, we’d love to talk with you. We look forward to connecting at your store or the WRLA Showcase, Edmonton 2025.

THE ULTIMATE 3-YEAR JOURNEY Dealing with the events of 2021, the team spent this time engaging with industry leaders to engineer a radically different multi-bit screwdriver. After a rough sketch was drafted, the concept took shape. Featuring a unique hourglass handle, open face storage, organization, easy access to 4" PHLiPBiTs, and a ¼" hex quick connect/release collet, like a jigsaw puzzle the ULT started to

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BLUE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

KNOWLEDGE IS SALES POWER! DuPont

C

hange can be confusing and disruptive. Upcoming building code revisions and additions, the evolution of greener building and consumer awareness are all creating change in how we consult with our customers. Your customers come to you for fast, accurate and knowledgeable service. How can you possibly keep up with all of these changes and still be customer focused?

Above: Dupont’s specialist network provide support on building envelope solutions, not just product.

One opportunity for success is to rely on industry partners to provide information, focused training and field support. Partners can act as an extension of your business with a level of professionalism that can set you apart from your competition. This can result in a more profitable bottom-line, by removing the constant pressure on price and creating a more loyal customer.

A NETWORK OF SUPPORT WHEN AND WHERE YOU NEED IT.

Look to your DuPont Specialist for: 1. On-site technical support 2. Installation training 3. Design guidance 4. Product specification 5. Building code updates 6. Project observations 7. Warranty inquiries and observation 8. Contacts to independent (third-party) Building Science experts When you choose DuPont Building Envelope products like Tyvek® and Styrofoam™ you get products that meet high standards performance standards and are backed by industry-leading building science. The unrivaled support from your DuPont Specialist is backed by the DuPont™ Building Knowledge Center, helping provide the DuPont product and technical information needed to build quality, durable and energy-efficient structures.

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Above: DuPont™ Tyvek® and DuPont™ Styrofoam™—products you’ve trusted for decades to perform.

THE KNOWLEDGE ADVANTAGE When your employees know the answers or can quickly access the answers to questions about your products, they can save time and money for customers who oftentimes have homeowners keeping a close eye on the bottom line. When you’ve established yourself as a trusted partner and made it easy to do business with you, it makes it much more likely you’ll get the first call next time, and the time after that—regardless of price.

Supplier partners understand that purchasing-decision-making flow, and those that have invested in making sure their product and installation knowledge is readily available and freely given, like DuPont’s Specialist Network, are proving themselves to be committed to helping build those trusting relationships between you and your customers.

Note: All rights reserved. DuPont™, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with ™, SM or ® are owned by affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. unless otherwise noted.

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PHOTOS: SUPLLIED BY DUPONT

The members of the DuPont Specialist Network share one thing in common: a passion for building science. Each Specialist is highly trained with an in-depth knowledge of building envelope performance and best practices. Working with architects, specifiers, builders, general contractors and installers, DuPont Specialists offer the on-site guidance, training and expertise it takes to remove the stress of change and increase the opportunity of a satisfied customer.

MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

AD PARTNERS WITH CASE FOR SMILES IN GIVING BACK EVENT Wayne, Pa.—On June 12, AD associates from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico came together for a heartwarming Giving Back event. They supported Case for Smiles, a volunteer organization dedicated to uplifting young patients and their families in hospitals worldwide by donating whimsical pillowcases, coping boxes with helpful activities for siblings, sharing relevant resources, and more.

Case for Smiles brought over 35 volunteers at AD Wayne to facilitate this incredible event. Associates pinned and sewed over 160 pillowcases and made over 160 coping boxes. Each box is filled with toys, games, and resources to help families through this challenging time.

By the end of this year, it will have donated 3 million pillowcases since its founding.

AD’s Chairman and CEO, Bill Weisberg, emphasized the company’s dedication to community service.

“At AD, serving others isn’t just something we do; it’s at the core of our mission,” said Weisberg. “Our Giving Back Committee is dedicated to giving our associates opportunities to volunteer and make a real impact in our local communities year-round. Supporting Case for Smiles is a perfect example of the meaningful contributions we’re proud to make.”

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

AD presented Case for Smiles representatives with a generous check for over $15,000, which was fundraised and donated by AD associates. This contribution underscores AD’s profound commitment to giving back.

Case for Smiles has had a meaningful impact not only in the Philadelphia area but also throughout North America. Every month, the organization donates 1,200 pillowcases in the Philadelphia area.

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MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY

Boucherville, Québec, July 16, 2024—The RONA Foundation, which oversees the philanthropic activities of RONA inc., one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers operating and servicing some 425 corporate and affiliated stores, will present a total of $1,000,000 to seven non-profit organizations (NPOs) as part of the second edition of its Build from the Heart program, which was launched in May 2023.

“At the RONA Foundation, we’re driven by the desire to make a difference in the lives of people every day. At a time when access to housing is a challenge, making Canadian populations all the more vulnerable, we want to help communities,” mentions Catherine Laporte, President of the RONA Foundation’s Board of Directors and Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Customer Experience at RONA. Build from the Heart aims to support NPOs in carrying out construction or home improvement projects to revitalize living environments or make it easier to access housing for Canadian populations in need. More specifically, the program seeks to help victims of domestic violence and their children, low-income families, and people with disabilities or mental health issues. Following a call for applications that resulted in a hundred applications, a selection committee chose the projects of seven NPOs from provinces where RONA has stores.

The funds distributed as part of this program were raised through various initiatives, including:

The RONA Foundation’s annual golf day, which took place at La Vallée du Richelieu Golf Club on July 15, 2024 and to which many RONA vendors participated.

“This day was an incredible demonstration of solidarity. We work hand in hand with our vendor partners to bring real change to the lives of vulnerable people thanks to the funds raised,” said Josée Lafitte, Director of the RONA Foundation. “I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to all the customers who generously contributed to the campaign last May. Thank you, your donations make a real difference!”

List of organizations supported by the 2024 Build from the Heart program: Province

Name of the organization

Donation

Alberta

Homes for Heroes Foundation

$100,000

British Columbia

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan Society

$150,000

Manitoba

Rainbow Resource Centre

$50,000

New Brunswick Hestia House Inc.

$50,000

Ontario

Cornerstone Housing for Women Foundation

$300,000

Québec

Fondation L’Intermède

$300,000

Saskatchewan

Lloydminster Interval Home Society

$50,000

The amount raised during the Foundation’s golf day was allocated proportionally to the number of RONA stores in each province, while in-store donations were redistributed directly in the province in which they were raised.

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

THE RONA FOUNDATION WILL PRESENT ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO SEVEN NPOS AS PART OF ITS 2024 BUILD FROM THE HEART PROGRAM

A fundraising campaign held in all corporate stores and some RONA affiliated stores last May. The sale of winter hats bearing the logo of the Foundation.

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