|
The HPBAC Voice is published semi-monthly and is distributed by email to HPBAC members.
Things to do in May...
1. Sign up for HPBAC's LEAN Thinking workshop in your area - details in this issue
2. Send your entries to HPBAC office for Beyond the Black Box Hearth Design Contest - Deadline has been extended to May 15, 2008. For more information contact our office at 1-800-792-5284
3. Download the May is National Barbecue Month Retailer Kit from the HPBA website. See below for the link.
4. Check out the HPBAC 2007 Annual Report - mailed in April to all current and 2007 members. |
|
|
Looking Back at EXPO
Attendance
at EXPO 2008 in Atlanta increased over the 2007 show in Reno by 5% overall. The number of companies in attendance increased by 6.3%.
Interestingly, only 79% of Canadians in attendance were members of HPBAC compared with 82% in 2007. We will work toward improving this number in 2009.
At Focus Canada, HPBAC presented our 2007 Annual Report with information on our strategic plan, government relations efforts, communications, EXPO 2007, membership, financial and chapter reports. The Annual Report was mailed to all members in early April. If you haven't received a copy please call our office at 1-800-792-5284 or 705-788-2221. |
|
Battle for the HPBAC Cup
In a hotly contested hockey tournament SBI once again emerged triumphant at the HPBAC Reception in Atlanta. Along with their medals and bragging rights, the Gold Champions took home the HPBAC Cup, crafted and donated by Pacific Energy.
SBI met the Napoleon Inferno in the final game, a rematch to last year's final when the two faced each other in Reno. Napoleon took home the Silver medals and Pacific Energy won bronze.
Thirteen teams participated in an exciting and highly competitive first round where each team played twice. The four teams with the highest overall points moved on to the semi-final round where SBI faced the Pacific Energy Pounders and the Napoleon Inferno eliminated the Western Wild.
Special thanks to George Leblanc for running the tournament on-site, to Eric Barnhill for his outstanding performance as referee and to Zigi Gadomski and Nicolle Howell - our goalie repair team. We'd also like to thank Wayne Glaspey of Pacific Energy for producing our awesome new trophy.
Participating teams:
Atlantic Higher Flames
Concorde Distributing
Enviro Mentals
Excel Hot Shots
Jotul Flames
Men of Valor
Napoleon Inferno
Ontario Hearthaholics
Pacific Energy Pounders
Regency Renegades
SBI
Vermont Castings Vipers
Western Wild
Thanks for getting into the spirit of fun and helping to make the HPBAC Reception an exciting and successful event.
|
|
2008 VESTA Award Winners
Canadian company and HPBAC member ICC / RSF took home three awards at the VESTA Awards in Atlanta this year winning for their new Renaissance Rumford 1000 Wood Fireplace...
Daniel J. Melcon Best in Show, Hearth Products
Wood Fireplaces
VESTA Challenge - low-emission wood-burning fireplace
We'd also like to congratulate other successful HPBAC member companies:
Hearth & Home Technologies
Heat & Glo Translucent Surround - Montels, Surrounds & Facings
Heat & Glo LUX 60 - Gas Fireplaces
Skytech Systems
SKY-5301 - Hearth Components & Controls
Jotul North America
Jotul GF 370 - Gas Stoves & Inserts
Harman
HydroFlex60 - Gas Fireplaces
Char-Broil
The Big Easy - Outdoor Room Equipment
Dimplex North America
PowerChef Electric Grill - Barbecues, Other Fuels
Congratulations to all Vesta Award winners and finalists.
|
|
Government Affairs Report
EnerGuide for Gas Fireplaces Stakeholder Meeting
On Thursday May 8th industry members will meet with other stakeholders, including Natural Resources Canada, to review the EnerGuide for Gas Fireplaces program and to discuss further implementation of the EnerChoice certification mark. The meeting will be held at the Delta Meadowvale in Mississauga, Ontario beginning at 1:00 pm. For more information contact the HPBAC office at 1-800-792-5284.
Wood burning Inserts
The HPBA GAC has approved funding toward developing a standard for installing wood inserts in factory built fireplaces. |
|
EXPO Photo Gallery 
.
|
|
Brookstreet Resort in Ottawa to be site of 2009 Ontario Summit 
The Ontario Chapter board has selected beautiful Brookstreet Resort as the location of the 2009 Summit to be held June 6-8, 2009.
Brookstreet is a perfect location for this event and will provide a relaxing and intimate environment similar to Deerhurst in 2007.
For a preview of what Brookstreet has to offer, join us on Monday, June 23rd for the LEAN Thinking workshop. | |
|
New Web Site for the BC Building Industry
BC Building Info is a new Web site created specifically for the BC building industry. It has an ever-expanding Directory with thousands of links to online resources; forums for discussing problems & ideas; Ask An Expert service; and free e-mail newsletter covering current events, issues & information.
Long-time industry member Ken Farrish says he launched the site to "help people save time and money in finding information and resources, and offer a place where industry members can share problems and ideas." The site is at www.bcbuildinginfo.com |
|
Sincerely,
Laura Litchfield
HPBAC
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dave Pomeroy Brings LEAN Thinking to HPBAC Members
LEAN Thinking is a set of principles whose goal is cost reduction through the elimination of waste. Dave Pomeroy will show you how to create a company culture of LEAN thinking that results in the elimination of all waste while providing your customer what they want, when they want it.
Dominique Page, of SBI, recently attended a half day session of Dave Pomeroy's LEAN Thinking and had this to say, "Retailers are going to get so much out of this session. I can't wait for the full day workshop." |
|
Coming this Spring
LEAN Thinking workshops will be held in all HPBAC Chapter regions this spring. Bring your staff to this eye opening workshop on how to create a company culture of LEAN thinking that results in the elimination of waste while providing your customer what they want, when they want it.
Early Bird Registration Fee
Members $79
Non-Members $129
After Early Bird Deadline
Members $99 - first participant
Non-Members $149 - first participant
Additional Participants (from same company)
Members $89
Non-Members $139
|
Our LEAN Thinking National Sponsors
Regional Sponsors
Vancouver & Calgary
Ottawa & Niagara
|
|
|
Selkirk Aligns for Sales and Marketing Success
Selkirk Canada announced the following appointments, effective May 1, 2008:
Tim Rothgeb, Vice President, Sales for the US.
John Vukanovich, Vice President, Marketing for Selkirk Corporation
Bob Emmell, VIce President, Sales for Selkirk Canada will add Commercial Sales to his responsibilities.
From Tim Valters, President, Selkirk Corporation, "I am confident this new sales and marketing structure will lead us to increased communications and interaction with the customer base - this is a key to the future success of Selkirk".
Industry News
Landscape Ontario will hold its 2009 'Congress' January 6 to 8 in Toronto, ON. Congress is Canada's largest horticultural lawn and garden trade show with an audience of more than 12,500 from across Canada, the United States, and Europe. It covers more than seven acres of exhibits ranging from garden tools to excavators and patio furniture to nursery stock. This year marks the 36th running of the show and introduces a new partnership with Communities in Bloom to present 'The Green Forum.' For more information, visit www.locongress.ca |
|
Other News
Business Exits Discussed
How to exit a business on your own terms will be the topic of a session May 8 in Markham, ON. Co-sponsored by the Alternative Board York Region and the ESOP Association Canada, it will feature Perry Phillips, president ESOP Builders Inc., and W. Ross Campbell,director of transition funding. They will discuss exit strategies using ESOPs and private equity. For more information, contact 866-601-3081 or info@esop-canada.com |
|
Get your Retailer Kit
May is National Barbecue Month - don't miss out on this opportunity to promote barbecues. Go to http://www.hpba.org/index/php?id=282 to get the Retailer Kit from HPBA's Communications Department.
Did you know?
According to a survey conducted by Leger Marketing on behalf for Weber-Stephen, Favourite Foods to Barbecue...
1. Hamburgers - chosen by 89%
2. Chicken - 85%
3. Steak - 78% | |
