Page 19 - Jan-Feb 2021 Reporter - web optimized

"They do anticipate supply chain problems into the last half of the year but demand for lumber
of all types will be strong, with the US and Canadian economies driving sales and keeping
pressure on high prices for those commodities."

Jon Irwin VP Member Services & Ian Cook, Regional Director of Member
Services , TIMBER MART

building supply and members and vendors.
hardware outlets Jon and Ian are cautiously optimistic
experienced. Jon’s feeling for 2021 once the pandemic subsides and
is that this will continue the economy opens. They do anticipate
into 2021 as housing supply chain problems into the last half
demands in the U.S. of the year but demand for lumber of
and Canada will cause all types will be strong, with the US and
shortages in commodities. Canadian economies driving sales and
Early 2021 has keeping pressure on high prices for those
transitioned in a more commodities. The concern is that the
orderly fashion to the 2nd number of Canadians who will be still out
lockdown, as systems and of work, as well as businesses that have
protocols were already not been able to open, could dampen
in place for the TIMBER sales into 2021. Jon also sees that there
MART dealers to service will be an absorption of small businesses
their customers with by larger conglomerates which will have a
curbside and online/ destabilizing effect on the market.
phone ordering. From TIMBER MART head office has
the head office point implemented effective protocols for their
Both Jon and Ian are well seasoned
veterans of this industry and have a close of view, working from home for most head office in managing the pandemic for
working relationship with the TIMBER of the employees was not a difficult employees, offering a suite of employee
MART dealer network. When reviewing the transition since most of the marketing support programs as well as work at
challenges of the pandemic and answering and dealer support personnel were already home flexibility. They also have provided
the questions put forward to them, using home offices. Their accounting a platform of communication to their
they were quite candid on the effects of department primarily was the only unit members to provide guidance on HR issues
COVID-19 on both the head office and the that had to make the transition but did for support of the members’ employees.
dealer network. so seamlessly. Both Jon and Ian did
As with most retailers in the home express their desire to get “back on the
improvement industry, early last year saw road” to meet face-to-face with both their
a severe decrease in sales at the beginning
of the pandemic and lockdown. Who
would have expected the comeback in
consumer demand once the lockdown
came into effect and consumers had the
time and money to drive those renovation
projects?
Jon and Ian are grateful for being in
our industry, looking at the devastation
upon the tourist, convention, sports and
other retail sectors that have not enjoyed
the robust sales and profitability we have
had in 2020. Key to adapting to the new
reality was TIMBER MART's support of their
members with weekly, and sometimes
daily, communication on adapting to the
ever-changing landscape on compliance.
Of course, TIMBER MART and its
members suffered the same inventory
shortages throughout 2020 that all

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