-
5 days ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
West Fraser Timber Co. reported Q1 sales of US$1.46 billion, up from $1.40 billion a year earlier. Earnings of $42 million reversed a $62 million loss in the comparable period of 2024. “Demand uncertainty for wood building products … has only been magnified recently by a U.S. administration that has both threatened and imposed higher lumber duties and punitive tariffs on many of the products we export from Canada to the U.S.,” CEO and president Sean Fraser said in a release.
-
1 week ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
The latest edition of Hardlines HR Advisor hit inboxes this week. In this issue, we look at one building supply retailer’s formula for an award-winning team, how immigration policy can address the shortage of manual labourers, and making your business a great place to work.
-
1 week ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
RONA inc. has announced the addition of Coopérative de Saint-Quentin hardware store in Saint-Quentin., N.B., to its network of affiliated dealers. “La Coopérative de Saint-Quentin has been part of the community for over 85 years,” GM Michelle Dubé (pictured, centre) said in a release.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
A Quebec maker of wood veneers says his business is suffering because of Canadian tariffs on his source materials, even though corresponding U.S. tariffs on his exports have not materialized. Louis Lafleur, president of Les Boisés Lafleur in Victoriaville, told CBC News that he has been paying a 25 percent on duty on all the wood he uses in manufacturing since March 4. In contrast, Lafleur exports three-quarters of his output to the U.S., where it is not subject to tariffs.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Richelieu Hardware reported Q1 sales of $441.7 million, up $34.8 million or 8.6 percent from $406.9 million in the comparable period of 2024. Net earnings of $14.7 million were down 5.2 percent a year earlier.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
At least four prospective bidders have expressed interest in acquiring part of Hudson Bay Co.’s assets, The Globe and Mail reports. In addition to its retail operations, HBC’s intellectual property—such as the striped design on its famous point blankets—and its 78 percent stake in a joint venture with RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust could attract bids. So far, only B.C. mall magnate Weihong Liu has publicly mooted the idea of bidding. The deadline for proposals is April 30.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Ipex has announced the grand opening of the Ipex Centre for Advanced Research, a $30 million facility dedicated to product development and reinforcing the piping and tubing maker’s manufacturing operations. The new centre, in Mississauga, Ont., features over 50,000 square feet of operational space dedicated to testing and developing new products, trialing new material formulations, and a training area where customers can experience new products firsthand.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
In February, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $371.3 million, or 2.9 percent, to $13.1 billion, StatCan reports. Residential construction intentions declined by the same percentage to $8.4 billion. Overall, the multi-family component fell by $224.8 million, while the single-family component decreased by $22.6 million.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
Canadian retailers are refusing to stock U.S.-made products as consumers prioritize buying domestic products. Jessica Hung, CEO of Parasol Co., a California-based manufacturer of diapers, told CTV News her company had been working since January with a distributor to expand carriage of its products in Canada. In early March, however, the distributor stopped working on the project.“They were instructed by a retailer to pause any American brand launch,” said Hung.
-
2 weeks ago | 
hardlines.ca | Geoff McLarney
RPM International has announced an agreement to acquire the Star Brands Group, the parent company of The Pink Stuff, for its Rust-Oleum subsidiary. Star Brands will become part of RPM’s Consumer Group. The transaction is expected to close late in fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 or early in the first quarter of fiscal 2026. Henrik Pade and Tim North, co-managing directors of Star Brands, along with the senior management team, are expected to stay with the business to ensure continuity.
