Page 7 - Nov-Dec 2022 Reporter

Message from the PRESIDENT

HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED

TREVOR SMALL s I sit at my desk looking over the parking lot in sure these relationships continue to grow. New people
LBMAO President Abeautiful Mississauga, I have a chance to reflect on in our field need to be trained and mentored so that
my new role here at the LBMAO. I have been a reader
they continue to develop. The LBMAO is an important
of the Reporter since the early 1980’s. My dad was a part of that training and human resource development.
Beaver Lumber Franchise Dealer and used to give me We have a full slate of in-person and on-line training we
the magazine to read. He used to ask me to go through can offer. We are working at adding more courses for
it and pick out things that I thought he should know. Dad this spring.
would say it was important to keep up with the changes In beginning my role role as president, I am aware
in our industry. Little did I know at the time that years that I have big shoes to fill. Our retiring president Dave
later I would be writing for that same magazine. Campbell has done an outstanding job helping our
I think back about the retailers and suppliers who members (both on the retail and the supplier side)
were prominent at that time. MacMillan Bloedel was keep up with current legislation and training. He has
a dominant forest products and building materials also done a great job at making sure that all members
supplier for our store. Towers, Woolco, have had an opportunity to meet and socialize with one
Kmart, Consumers Distributing, Zellers, another. Even though I am just starting this role, I have
"Cashway Building Eaton’s and Sears were the large met many members who have had a chance to add to
retailers of the time. Cashway Building their circle of friends and grow relationships through
Centres was the Centres was the major competitor having a beverage or two with Dave and our group. I
major competitor in our market. Today’s large format have been welcomed warmly into this new role and am
retailers like Walmart, Lowe’s and excited at the opportunity to develop new relationships
in our market. Home Depot were far off our radar. amongst everyone at the LBMAO. Thank you Dave, for
Today's large How times have changed. The the time and effort you have invested in this family!I
retail and supplier networks in Canada am grateful for the support you have shown during
format retailers have been altered dramatically over this transitionary period. I appreciate your help and
the past 40 years. The landscape for guidance.
like Walmart, retailing building materials in Canada Covid has altered the ability to gather and socialize,
Lowe's and Home now has many different elements. but I hope we can get together soon. I am looking
Big box retailers (a term I don’t think forward to being able to meet all our members at a golf
Depot were far off was even thought of in 1980) like outing or a cool ride day. Once you see my golf game,
our radar." Home Depot, now have a presence in you will realize that I have not spent much time on the
golf course. I am much more suited to cool ride days. I
most large markets in Canada. Home
Hardware, Sexton, Timber Mart and love cool motorcycles and cars of all sorts...the faster
Castle have all experienced growth the better. I am planning on getting out and meeting our
and significant changes in the marketplace over the supplier and retail members.
past forty years. BMR has expanded beyond Quebec and What do the next forty years hold for this industry?
now is growing across Ontario. The news that Lowe’s has Only time will tell. One thing I do know is that all our
sold its Canadian business to New York based Sycamore members - suppliers and retailers - will need trained
Partners further adds to the notion that times are people to sell and deliver building materials to their
changing. customers. The materials may change, the delivery
One thing that has not changed in the past forty methods will be different, but the members of this
years is that people are still buying from people. The association will be here to supply Ontario homeowners
supply of building materials is based on relationships. with the products they need.
The manufacturer, retailer and the contractor are all My hope is that there is a young person reading this
important elements in these relationships. The colour issue who will report back to their parent that there
of the shirts may change, but this industry is dominated
by people who have made this field a career path. Now
more important than ever, is an emphasis on making Message from the President ontinued on page 19...
www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - November-December 2022 7