GAINING MOMENTUM AS PILLARS OF OUR COMMUNITIES

As this issue hits print, spring is now upon us and the WRLA Building & Hardware Showcase is now a distant memory of the past. What an incredible week that was had in Winnipeg this past January, with the two solid days of show floor activity, the wonderful educational sessions, the numerous networking opportunities, and the great Thursday awards night. Our 2023 show most definitely set our industry up to continue to gain the momentum we need to be pillars of our communities throughout Western Canada.

I was extremely invigorated to see the activity on Thursday and Friday on the show floor, along with the fantastic educational sessions put on before and during the WRLA show. It really had this feeling that the show was a priority to members, and they were excited to get out and network with their vendors, partners and friends.

During the show we had visits by Ministers and MLAs of the Province of Manitoba along with the Acting Deputy Mayor of the City of Winnipeg to explore the show floor. This was a great opportunity to connect with some of the policy makers for the Province of Manitoba and The City of Winnipeg, showing them our membership, their products and/or services, and how we are impactful in building our communities throughout Western Canada. It was great to see them so active in engaging with our members on issues, their products and some of the innovations that are coming further into our industry. We really have them taking notice and we will ensure moving forward we are active in being that partner they need when they further develop policy and programs for our communities. Our Thursday evening reception was a great event! I want to congratulate all our Sales Rep award winners. It is great to see the Sales Representatives of our industry get recognition for the hard work they put forward daily to see our industry grow. To our retail dealers, if you have an incredible Sales Representative that is a partner in your business, please, this fall when the nominations come out, look at recognizing their work and putting them forward for this award. As well, congratulations to our 2022 Industry Achievement Award Recipient Steve Buckle. Steve, thank you for all that you do for our industry! I look forward to your constant support as our industry continues to grow and prosper for years to come.

Finally, as we enter the spring selling season, and the weather starts to improve, there seems to be a lot of optimism across the prairies for a great season ahead. With the return to normal inching closer, supply constraints behind us on most items, and immigration increasing, it appears our industry will continue to gain the momentum and success we have seen over the last few years.

I wish you all a strong and healthy 2023 in your businesses, and I look forward to connecting with you all this spring and summer at WRLA Industry events to get a better understanding of your business, and how the WRLA can continue to contribute to your growth and success.

Have a great year! And All the Best!

Andrew Reimer CHAIR, WRLA

AD LAUNCHES THE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTOR LEADERSHIP (CIDL)

Wayne, Pa.—AD today announced the launch of the Center for Independent Distributor Leadership (CIDL), a development program designed to prepare the current and future leaders of independent distribution with the competencies and experiences to build longterm, sustainable success for their companies.

“We listened to our owner/member community and found that many can benefit from organized training programs to prepare the next generation to lead,” said Marty McLaughlin, Chief Marketing Officer for AD and co-founder of the CIDL. “The CIDL will give AD members structured education pathways in leadership, sales and operations for up-and-coming leaders to gain core competencies for their future.”

The CIDL will complement and build on existing education offerings from trade associations. The new education initiative features three leadership certification pathways: Leadership Experience, Distributor Sales Leader and Distributor Operations Leader.

• Leadership Experience is a four-year certification program designed for rising and next generation managers who will lead AD member companies into the future. The certification brings together cohorts of 25 to 30 leaders to build upon the success of independent distributors and ensure the sustainability of the independent business model.

• The Distributor Sales Leader program provides sales professionals with a long-term development track including courses and interactive workshops to learn sales strategies ready for immediate field application. The certification program elevates sales teams to better sustain top-line revenue and increase sales growth in highly competitive markets.

• The Distributor Operations Leader program helps operations leaders learn and implement best practices that optimize profitability and performance of independent distributors. The certification program provides leaders with the roadmap, tools and network to drive sustainability and growth among their companies.

AD created each program’s curriculum in collaboration with instructors from top universities like Texas A&M University, leadership coaches and independent distribution thought leaders.

This group of industry experts will teach courses within the three CIDL certification pathways.

“We have amassed the preeminent experts in distribution to help independent distributors work on their business and further develop the talent that leads their growth.” said Brandon Hagen, Vice President of AD Member Education and co-founder of the CIDL. “These are great opportunities for companies to invest in their people and take active steps to shape their next chapter.”

In addition, the CIDL offers the Distribution Manager Development Program in conjunction with Texas A&M University’s Industrial Distribution Program. This offering delivers an introduction into the financial, operational and sales disciplines for emerging managers.

“AD stands with independents; and the future of independents, within each of our industries, will depend in great measure on how well we support and develop the great people who lead and work within them,” said AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg.

Courses in the Distributor Operations Leader program and Distribution Manager Development Program are now open for registration. Additional program dates will become available on a rolling basis this year. AD owner/members can learn more about the programs at adhq.com/CIDL

VISTA EXPANDS INTO MINNESOTA MARKET WITH MINNESOTA VINYL AND ALUMINUM, INC.

Vista Railing Systems Inc., the market leader in exterior railing products that are both stylish & simple, is partnering up with Minnesota Vinyl and Aluminum in Shakopee, MN. This relationship represents significant growth potential for each company in a significant aluminum railing market.

“We are very excited to work with Minnesota Vinyl and Aluminum to make our Cable Railing system readily available in the Minnesota market.”, said Kalvin Eden National Sales Manager, Vista Railing Systems Inc. “They have been providing excellent service to the Minnesota market for several years, and they have a major customer base that our Cable Railing system will fit nicely. The addition will help round out their exterior railing offering to the market and open up new opportunities.

“At Minnesota Vinyl and Aluminum, we strive to have best in class knowledge and experience that allows us to be a relied upon supplier to all of the market’s railing and decking needs, which has resulted in long tenured mutually successful relationships with all our suppliers and our customers. Vista Railing Systems’ people and products fit into this same approach and will help us continue to grow our market reputation,” said Taylor Buker, Owner of Minnesota Vinyl and Aluminum, Inc. “We are excited and privileged to align ourselves with an organization with the same customer-first philosophy with years of knowledge and experience to offer the market. Always offer the best products and services to your customers and good things will happen.”

TIMBER MART HOSTS FIRST-EVER HYBRID BUYING SHOW

With over 1,000 dealers and vendors in attendance, TIMBER MART is hosting its first-ever hybrid national buying show on February 16 and 17 via its virtual cloud-based tradeshow platform, and at the Toronto Congress Centre.

“Due to convenient hybrid format, the member-exclusive deals and the valuable networking and business opportunities being offered, we’ve seen very strong attendance and support for our show this year,” says Bernie Owens, president & CEO of TIMBER MART. “We’ve applied the best practices from our last two virtual buying shows to this year’s event and maintained our focus on offering a true buying show—one that we believe has become one of the best buying shows our industry has to offer.”

In addition to the hundreds of TIMBER MART stores in attendance, 270 vendor booths filled the virtual and 70,000-square-foot show floor at the Toronto Congress Centre. New to the event this year, was a show app designed to hold pertinent event information like the schedule of events and show floorplan as well as facilitate online chat between attendees and appointment scheduling between dealers and vendors.

The in-person show floor featured a wide range of show displays and attractions, including TIMBER MART’s new pallet-buy area that presents a wide range of products for sale in pallet quantities. At the centre of the floor, the TIMBER MART area encompassed hubs for all of TIMBER MART’s services and programs, including: TIMBER MART LBM Distribution, dealer marketing, merchandising and banner support. In light of TIMBER MART’s partnership with the CFL, the CFL Grey Cup was prominently positioned on the show floor for photo opportunities as attendees enter the hall.

On Wednesday, February 15, TIMBER MART hosted dealers meetings, where members were kept abreast of the group’s activities. Later that evening, a welcome reception was held for attendees. Tonight, a networking and recognition reception will be held where select vendors will be presented with awards for their excellence in customer service, dealer support, product value and operations.

FALCON EQUIPMENT’S REGINA BRANCH IS EXPANDING

Falcon Equipment’s Regina Branch is expanding! Falcon Regina is growing by 6,600 square feet and adding 4 brand new bays to their shop including a drive through uptime bay for same day equipment diagnostics.

“We’ve had roots in Saskatchewan since 2010 and we continue to grow to better meet our customer’s needs. The expansion does not interfere with our regular hours, and we continue to offer equipment sales, rentals, service & parts support to all of Saskatchewan,” said William Worth, Branch Manager of Falcon Equipment Regina. “With this expansion we are going to be able to better accommodate our customers, old and new.”

Some of Falcon Equipment’s core product lines include Palfinger knuckleboom cranes, rail cranes, hooklifts, and truck-mounted forklifts, Boss railcar movers, Wilcox service mechanic packages, ETI bucket trucks, LaRue snow blowers, Henderson snow and ice equipment, and more.

The expansion is slated to be complete in June 2023!

Branch Information:

Falcon Equipment Regina 369 Sherwood Road, Regina, SK S0G 5K0 306-352-4266

Book Your Courses

Your next opportunity to attend our revamped Blueprint Reading, Estimating Level 1, and Estimating Level 2 is here.

We’ll be offering the following sessions:

Regina, SK April 5 & 6 Instructor, Len Regier

Leduc, AB March 29 & 30 Instructor, Len Regier

To help us plan these sessions, we’re asking interested members to complete a quick survey (scan the QR code) that should take no longer than two minutes to complete, and will also let you tell us what other courses you’d like to see!

If you’d like to get registered for the sessions above, send an email to Martine Yzerman at myzerman@wrla.org today.

SEE YOU AT WRLA BUILDING & HARDWARE SHOWCASE IN 2024

The Building & Hardware Showcase is making its way back to Winnipeg, MB in January 2024. Our thanks to all the members, volunteers, and sponsors who made this year’s event such a huge success!

Make sure to mark your calendars, and if you are planning to exhibit, make sure to secure your preferred booth location early to avoid disappointment!

January 17 - 19, 2024

RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg, MB