Let's Go Build is WRLA's signature program to help recruit new talent into the Lumber and Building Materials industry. Promotion of this program kicked off last year with a public awareness campaign in newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and social media.

Now, in 2024, we're taking this program to the next level as we head out on the road for a series of Career Fairs and school information sessions, as well as offering our members access to our all-new Job Board. Chris Allinotte and Matthew Lucek, two members of the WRLA team leading the way on the Let's Go Build Program, join Liz to talk about the past, present, and future of this exciting campaign, and what it means for the LBM industry!

Building on Let's Go Build with Team WRLA (s2e04)

At some point, we all encounter broken glass. Whether we break it, someone else does, or it breaks on its own, what solution do we have to solve that problem? To make it stronger, of course!

This week on Across the Yard, Liz Kovach and Vince Croker discuss the thought process and motivation behind creating unbreakable glass, the possible impacts of tariffs, how insurance plays a role, and how ROCKGLASS can transform community and public spaces.

Tune in to discover how much actually goes into this innovative technology.

Enjoy the show!

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: supplybuild.ca 
Supply-Build Canada Support Local Campaign - find local building supply retailers near you: supplybuildcanada.info/shoplocal 
ClearSecure: https://rockglass.ca/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Unbreakable: The Science and Impact of ROCKGLASS: Across the Yard with Vince Croker from ClearSecure

Housing affordability has been a prominent topic of discussion for many years, but are we actually taking steps to get there?   

On this week’s bonus episode of Across the Yard, host Liz Kovach, Jim Tobin President & CEO of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and Kevin Lee CEO of the Canadian Association of Home Builders (CHBA) discuss the current climate of affordable housing and the direction it's heading both in Canada and the United States. Tariffs, duties, building codes, are just some of the items on the immediate horizon that will impact the economy and housing affordability. Tune into this in-depth episode to gain perspective from both a Canadian and American view. 

Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: supplybuild.ca 
Supply-Build Canada Support Local Campaign - find local building supply retailers near you:  supplybuildcanada.info/shoplocal 
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): https://www.nahb.org/ 
Canadian Association of Home Builders (CHBA): https://www.chba.ca/ 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales. 

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers. 

The Shifting Landscape in Housing Affordability: Across the Yard with NAHB and CHBA s03e08

It has been a perplexing week to say the least. For weeks Canada has been accused of many things and we fully expected sweeping tariffs to be implemented on the 2nd, however Canada and Mexico did not make it onto the sweeping list of announcements on April 2nd, yet there is no real sense of relief, and the uncertainty continues.  

As a business, it’s impossible to chart a course when the road map continues to change. Don Humphrey joins Liz Kovach to help shed light on where we are now, what may unfold and where some potential opportunities lie for Canada. While we don’t have a crystal ball, there may be some positive outcomes for Canada as we navigate the through the chaos as a country.  

Enjoy the show!

Links:
Supply-Build Canada: supplybuild.ca
Supply-Build Canada Support Local Campaign - find local building supply retailers near you:
wrla.org/shop-local.html
Sexton Group Ltd: sextongroup.com/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser.

Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

The Looming Uncertainty of Tariffs Continue: Across the Yard with Don Humphrey, Sexton s03e09

All it takes is a spark to lose everything. So, what can we do to better protect our homes from fire?

This week, Liz welcomes Mike Baker, CEO of BarrierTek, and Ewan Davie, Vice President of Sales, to break down the science behind engineering fire-resistant treatments. They share the research that led to them to create this innovative treatment, challenges they've faced, their upcoming plans for BarrierTek, and much more!

Tune in to this week’s episode to discover the science behind preventing fire in wood construction.

Enjoy the show!

Links: Supply-Build Canada: supplybuild.ca Supply-Build Canada Support Local Campaign - find local building supply retailers near you: supplybuildcanada.info/shoplocal BarrierTek: https://www.barriertek.com/ Mike Baker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelryanbaker/ Ewan Davie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewan-davie-6b035747/

Sponsor info:

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers.

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Science vs. Fire: Building with Fire in Mind: Across the Yard with Mike & Ewan, BarrierTek s03e10

Do you ever wonder how you can better connect with people? Why people are the way they are? Or how to improve the workplace culture? Are you aware of how much time the human brain spends in survival mode? (you will be shocked to hear the stat!!!) 

On this week’s Across the Yard, Liz sits down with Dr. Eugene K. Choi, a Neuroscience-Based Leadership Coach, to discuss the science behind the survival and executive state of the brain and how it influences our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions every single day. From workplace dynamics to personal relationships, they dive into the unconscious patterns that shape our reactions, and how becoming aware of them can help us grow, connect, and communicate better. 

Tune in to discover how understanding your brain can transform the way you see yourself and those around you. 

Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: supplybuild.ca 
 
Dr. Eugene K. Choi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eugenekchoi/ 
Eugene’s website: https://destinyhacks.co/ 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales. 

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers. 

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Rewiring Your Brain for Better Connections: Across the Yard with Dr. Eugene Choi s03ep11

With the Canadian election now behind us, the building supply and construction industry has a brighter spotlight than ever before in the public eye. But what does the road ahead look like? 

In this week’s episode, Rodrigue Gilbert, president of the Canadian Construction Association, sits down with Liz Kovach to unpack the election results and explore what this means for the industry’s future. They touch on recent advocacy wins, what they hope to see from the government, and the biggest challenges that are currently facing this industry. They also dive into how government and communities can do better to address the labour shortage we are facing and how you can help drive that progress. 

Don’t miss this timely discussion on the opportunities, roadblocks and critical next steps shaping Canada’s construction and building supply landscape. 

Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/
Rodrigue Gilbert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodrigue-gilbert-56950210/ 
Canadian Construction Association: https://www.cca-acc.com/ 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales. 

Introduce your customers to HiLine Treated wood – ideal for use in decks, fences, landscaping and general exterior construction, with its rich, natural tone, and no special fasteners required, it’s the ideal choice for outdoor projects. Combine this with a high-quality substrate, and West Fraser’s HiLine Treated wood delivers exceptional value to both dealers and consumers. 

Learn more at hilinetreated.com

Building the Path Forward, Post-Election: Across the Yard with Rodrigue Gilbert, CCA s03ep12

Did you ever imagine yourself in the building supply industry– or even owning a business in it? 

In this week's episode, Liz sits down with Rob and Joanne Lawrie, owners of The Lawrie Group of Home Hardware Stores, to hear the story of how they got started and built their business together.  

They talk about their early days, what it’s like running a company as a couple, and the challenges they faced along the way. Rob and Joanne also discuss their plans for the future, along with sharing advice for the next generation who are either hesitant about joining the industry or are already a part of it. 

Tune in to hear their inspiring journey in this week’s episode on Across the Yard. 
Enjoy the Show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ 
Rob Lawrie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-lawrie-97ab4a3a/ 
Joanne Lawrie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-lawrie-456419264/ 
The Lawrie Group of Home, Home Hardware: https://thelawriegroup.ca/ 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.  
Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com 

DNA of an Entrepreneur: Across the Yard with Rob & Joanne Lawrie from Home Hardware s03ep13

Every business, no matter big or small, deals with mundane, repetitive tasks. From processing invoices to managing warehouse & stock reconciliation. But what if you could handle all of that and focus on bigger projects at the same time? 

In this week's episode, Liz sits down with Mohan Mailvaganam, National Canadian Practice Leader at Xerox, to explore the company’s surprising evolution from a legacy printer brand to a provider of cutting-edge business solutions, with today’s focus on their Robotics Process Automation (or RPAs). They also dive into Xerox’s journey from expanding beyond printers, what RPAs are and how they work, and how any business, regardless of size, can benefit. 

Tune in to discover the latest innovation from an unexpected place. 
Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ 
Mohan Mailvaganam: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohan-mailvaganam-92833111/ 
Xerox: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xerox/ 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.  
Learn more at hilinetreated.com 

Automating the Mundane: Across the Yard with Mohan Mailvaganam, Xerox s03ep14

What happens when a family’s journey across continents leads to a thriving business in Canada?  

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, we are joined by Rebekah Doerksen, Executive Assistant with Supply-Build Canada, as this week's temporary host, and Harry Sunner, owner of Durabuilt Windows & Doors, to talk about his journey from living in England to leading one of Canada’s most successful window and door companies. 

Harry shares how his family got into the industry, what it’s like growing a family-owned business, and the leadership lessons he's learned while scaling Durabuilt. They also explore the unique challenges of succession, innovation in a traditional field, and what it takes to stay resilient in a competitive market. 

Tune in to hear the unique journey of Durabuilt’s origins and growth in this week’s episode of Across the Yard. 
Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ 
Harry Sunner: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/harry-sunner-3204a72b 
Durabuilt: https://ca.linkedin.com/company/durabuilt-windows-&-doors 

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by HiLine Treated wood by West Fraser. Elevate inventory, elevate sales.  
Learn more at hilinetreated.com 

Scaling your Business: Across the Yard with Harry Sunner, Durabuilt s03ep15

Looking to transform your outdoor living space this season? 

In this week’s episode of Across the Yard, Liz sits down with Rob Mitchell, President and CEO of Vista Railing Systems Inc. And Rob Stewart, Office Manager of DeckRite Canada Sundecks Ltd. to discuss the latest trends in Canadian outdoor living. They explore regional preferences, underutilized products, and emerging trends in the industry. The conversation also touches on how contractors and dealers can maximize sales on these products, as well as the potential impact of aluminum tariffs on the market. 

Tune in to hear the latest trends in Canadian outdoor living in this week’s episode on Across the Yard! 

Enjoy the show! 

Links: 
Supply-Build Canada: https://supplybuild.ca/ 
Rob Mitchell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-mitchell-50aa618/?originalSubdomain=ca 
Vista Railing System Inc: https://www.linkedin.com/company/vistarailingsystems/ 
Rob Stewart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rstewart29/ 
Deckrite Canada Sundecks Ltd: https://www.linkedin.com/company/deckrite-canada-sundecks/  

Sponsor info: 

This episode of Across the Yard is brought to you by Durabuilt Windows & Doors.  
Take the next step to grow your business at durabuiltwindows.com 

Building on Let's Go Build with Team WRLA (s2e04)

Across the Yard Podcast