Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
The Western Retail Lumber Association has been around for 135 years, and after consultation with members, board members, partners and key stakeholders, the association announced it has changed its name, and will now be known as Supply-Build Canada.
“As the association expanded its advocacy efforts and external partnerships, the ‘Western Retail Lumber Association’ name became a limiting factor,” says Liz Kovach, Supply-Build Canada president. “The building supply industry encompasses many building materials beyond lumber, and the association represents manufacturers, distributors and other categories not represented by ‘retail’. Additionally, the association serves members with offices and manufacturing locations outside of the West, making a wholesale change of name both necessary and timely.”
With its new name, Supply-Build Canada will continue to partner with members to build better businesses and lead a stronger building materials industry. Supply-Build Canada is focusing on its core mandates to provide professional development and relevant education, attract new talent to the industry, which currently employs over 461,000 Canadians, connect with members and facilitate key business relationships and advocate for favorable policy and funding support at all levels of government.
The building supply industry represents over $146.4 billion in revenue each year, and provides the components involved in every stage of residential, commercial and agricultural construction, making it a critical piece of the Canadian economy. Members of Supply-Build Canada are building Canada’s communities and shaping the future of the country’s affordable housing and environmental sustainability efforts.
“Sitting on the board of Supply-Build Canada has given me an appreciation for how much work the association does,” says Joel Hartung, owner of The LumberZone. “Lots of people feel we’re just a buying show, but now I understand how much we do and how much value we bring to the industry. It’s been exciting to see the work the association has done in attracting people into our industry with career fairs and in continuing to be the squeaky wheel in government advocacy. We need to unite as an industry to get the help we need. Our association provides the platform.”
Along with the rebrand, Supply-Build Canada announced a partnership with the North American Hardware and Paint Association making Supply-Build Canada the only licensed provider of its educational and training programs Canada-wide.
This new arrangement will ensure that Canadian retailers interested in utilizing any NHPA training programs will have both an ally and a resource in tune with the unique needs of their markets.
