Page 21 - Jan_Feb 19 Reporter

o ial media resen e and digital ommuni ation will el grow t e

usiness ut t e will ne er lose sig t o t e ans iloso a
strong ommunit resen e wit engaged and
ustomer oriented em lo ees

being prepared to respond to a changing
market. For example, he noted a marked
change in the Sudbury DIY market in a
relatively short period of time.
With an expanding staff, range of
product and services, and sales volume,
organization and administration of the
company became correspondingly more
complex. In recognition of this fact, it was
computerized using early MAI hardware
and a software system devised in-house in
consultation with MAI. The system provided
a high level of technical support in such
areas as inventory control, purchasing,
sales analysis accounting and financial
management. While the system did not
initially include point of sale technology, it
was adopted later. As Ted Evans was quick
to point out, “You want to augment your
staff’s full potential with the best support
equipment available.” As well, Ted served as
a director and Chair of the LBMAO.
By any name, this company has always
valued its independence. Nevertheless, the
Evans management team determined that
the combination of strong membership and
strong buying power is most formidable in
the competitive retail LBM industry. With
this in mind, and following the demise
of the Allont buying group in the 1980s,
the decision was made to join Homecare chair in 2004-05. new ownership is also committed to the
Building Centres Limited; in part because In 1999, the new ownership group local community and to maintaining the
Ted Evans felt that Homecare’s program was pursued a merger with the Sudbury heritage and tradition of Evans Lumber.
most compatible with his company’s goals franchise of the Beaver Lumber chain. The With Peter’s background in the industry,
and objectives. two stores were consolidated at the Pine they will continue to evolve and grow the
In 1996, Evans Homecare celebrated St. location with the amalgamated business business to meet the challenges of the new
its centenary. A major celebration took representing a much larger operation. That technological environment we do business
place and the company embarked on its same year, Beaver Lumber was sold by the in today. Social media presence and digital
second century of operation with a high Molson Company to Home Hardware of St- communication will help grow the business;
level of optimism. Having been involved Jacobs, Ontario. Nationally, all of the Beaver but they will never lose sight of the Evans
with the company for more than a century, Lumber stores were converted to the Home philosophy - a strong community presence
the vans family decided it was a fitting Hardware banner. Since 2001, the company with engaged and customer-oriented
time to sell the business to a group of has operated as Evans Home Building employees.
long-time employees. Judi Fex and John Centre. Another interesting fact: Five LBMAO
Carrey became co-owners of the company; When Ted Evans took over the company, Past Presidents/Chairs came from Evans;
and both invested considerable time and he kept up a tradition of community D. H. Andress (1933), H. M. Claridge (1949),
effort to grow the business and ensure the involvement. Judi and John carried on the E. D. Evans (1970), J. G. Giff (1993) and J.
longevity of the Evans name in the Sudbury tradition as part of the Evans team until Carrey (2004-5).
marketplace. John Carrey was also heavily 2014 when the company was purchased
involved with the LBMAO and served as its by Dan Bachand and Peter Lavalle. The

www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - January-February 2019 21