Page 22 - LBMAO - May-Jun 2020 REPORTER - web optimized

offs, AFA has not had to access any of the grief and Randy foresees that the summer from Luke’s ability to set up communication
government assistant programs. George months will be busy but the product with all of them at least once a week
notes that their shipments to customers are shortages will continue. (usually more often) on what is happening
in smaller quantities as retailers are gauging Soo Mill did not have to lay off any and procedural changes. Like most
their inventory requirements. He also feels employees and noticed a considerable dealers interviewed, Luke indicated that
that overall, his customers are appreciative uptick in retail sales with home renovations transactional sales were up at lower dollar
of the level of customer service they are being strong, driving paint and hardware volume. However, overall sales, although
providing to help them through these sales beyond normal demands. Randy also soft, are not disastrous.
challenging times. mentions that many of their sales and office The business took advantage of the
With the challenges of social distancing staff had already been on a work from home government loan program and the 10%
and their attendance at trade shows program, so they did not have to implement wage subsidy. They did not have to
now going virtual, George suggests that any major changes in that respect. lay off many employees and only a few
this format for exhibiting new products This community, like many other took advantage of the CERB. Living in
and show specials will continue and will outside of the GTA did not experience the these unprecedented times meant more
probably become a mainstay of interaction full impact of the COVID-19 virus and, at employees had to deal with reduced hours
between retailers and their suppliers. this time, the Algoma district had only 69 and having to work out family situations
Overall, the response from government cases of which all had been resolved. Soo such as daycare.
has been effective with a suggestion Mill did donate $22,000.00 worth of PPE Also, phone business was way up as
that testing for the virus was inadequate equipment to the local hospital with an new customers, who were frustrated with
from the beginning and should have been additional $100,000.00 at cost. Randy dealing with the box stores, frequented
ramped up sooner. pointed out that he felt both levels of the store more often. They do not have an
George expressed his appreciation of government reacted in the best interest of online presence, but Luke felt that since the
this industry and how we have reacted by its citizens in a timely and helpful manner. business was holding its own it probably
adapting to the needs of customers at all He did comment that the area they did fail would have been more trouble than they
levels. This is a strong and independent on was the management of providing PPE could handle. Most builders were busy
sector! to the health network. As well, closing the although a few have opted to stay at home.
Sault Ste Marie is a community that construction industry probably was not Luc agrees that shutting down construction
knows the ups and downs of the economy necessary with the level of infections in this sites outside of the GTA possibly could have
based on the demands on the steel industry area. Randy’s comment was “The Soo will been avoided but recognized it was a tough
in this city. Over the years, “The Soo” has survive!” decision to make from the government
weathered boom or bust and this pandemic Luke McLenaghan, owner of Perth point of view. Overall, he felt that the
has caused some disruption like in other Planing Mill Supply (TIMBER MART) in Perth communication from both the federal and
areas. Soo Mill & Lumber Co. Ltd, a well- Ontario, met the challenge head on in March provincial governments was timely and
established retailer with a strong contractor when the pandemic started to take hold. accurate.
and commercial base, has adapted to doing Luc expressed his appreciation of his staff Luke expressed what many of us feel,
business in the pandemic disruption. Randy who diligently adapted to the extra work “What will be the cost of all these programs
Aikens, President of Soo Mill, pointed out and stress of doing curbside pick up and a and how will they be paid for?” Something
that they adapted quickly and were able to high volume of phone calls. we all are concerned with.
maintain strong sales noticing as with other The challenge they found with curbside The good thing is that, after 2 1/2
retailers, transactions were up considerably pick-up was changing customers’ orders months, his wife has given him his first
however sales per transactions were less when asked to add or delete products from haircut!
due to the leveling off of building projects. the original order. How do you say no and
Sourcing inventory such as white wood expect them to come back when business
during this pandemic has caused some opens again? The employees benefited

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS

ACCEO .....................................................................................11 Nu-Forest Products (Canada) Inc. ........................................10
AFA Forest Products .................................... inside front cover Polytarp Products .........................................................................13
Alexandria Moulding ...........................................................5, 9 Programmed Insurance Brokers ................................................10
Kwik Mix Materials Inc. .............................outside back cover TIMBER MART ................................................................................. 7
Nicholson and Cates .....................................inside back cover

22 LBMAO Reporter - May-June 2020 www.lbmao.on.ca