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22 LBMAO Reporter - March-April 2026 www.lbmao.on.caAtlas Polar.................................................................................5Auto-Stak Systems (Canada) Inc....................................13BIK Hydraulics.........................................................................8Brandt.......................................................................................11Castle Building Centres....................outside back coverHome Hardware...................................................................17Kohltech..................................................................................10LBMAO Buying Show............................................................7Nicholson and Cates Limited............inside back coverNu-Forest Products (Canada) Inc...................................21Polytarp Products.........................................................................19Sexton Group..................................................inside front coverTaiga Building Products.............................................................15INDEX TO ADVERTISERSLetter from the Chair continued from page 4...OBITUARIESProvan \Provan (Pro) Wylie passed away March 6. Pro was a long time executive in the Canadian lumber and building materials industry. He had a 54 year career in the industry, working for companies such as Beaver Lumber, Canfor, Cashway, and Castle. Pro was the president of Castle Building Centres Group from 1994 until his retirement in 2007. Provan was married for 56 years to LindaRae Wylie who passed away in July 2024. He and Linda had two daughters, Lesley Wylie (Tony) and Laura Lavallee (Nick) alonog with six grandchildren. Over the 56 years they both enjoyed many trips for both business and leisure. They also spent their off time during the summer at the beach in Hope Bay and later in Southampton, Ontario. In 2002, Pro was awarded the LBMAO Industry Achievement Award for his many years of distinguished service and dedication to the LBM industry in Ontario. Private interment has taken place. A Celebration of Pro%u2019s Life will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 1:00 pm at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home %u2013 Dublin Chapel (252 Dublin. St. N., Guelph) followed by a reception at Cutten Fields (190 College Ave. E., Guelph). Donations to Hospice Wellington, Canadian Cancer Society or Ronald McDonald House would be appreciated by the family.A sincere thank you to all the people Pro met along life%u2019s journey. The friendships and connections he made over the years enriched his life and were a big part of what made it so wonderful. \Golf Course, we are reminded that our association is strongest when we connect, collaborate, and support one another.The yards are active. The trucks are rolling.And across Ontario, independent dealers are once again at the centre of a season that builds not only projects %u2014 but partnerships.Now for an update on what I have been doing as your Chair. In January I was a guest at the Supply Build Canada show in Edmonton. The show was well attended by dealers from all banners, and everyone I spoke with was upbeat about the coming year. In February I was at the Timber Mart Show in Toronto. Once again, I was pleased to find the show well attended and that both the dealers and suppliers were optimistic for 2026! At the end of February, I joined our snowmobilers in the Haliburton Forest for lunch. Maybe next year I will get up my nerve enough to rent a sled for the day. If you have never driven a sled before, they use a thumb throttle, which I have yet to master the art of controlling. Apparently, you have to try for more than 5 seconds to get it right! The instant speed for many is a rush, but it scared me half to death. Like I said, maybe next year. My brother may let me try driving his sled around the yard.At the end of March, I will be attending the ABSDA show in Halifax and then it is our new LBMAO Buying Show and Training Day in April. Along with the fun, comes work. The show meetings and board meetings have been keeping me busy. As we wrap up prep for the 2026 show, the 2027 show planning gets started. We are looking for members to join social and show committees. Your input is extremely valuable, so if you are able to spare some time to assist, please reach out to Trevor Small or myself. Please note, that if you do want to see changes, we need at least your suggestions if not your involvement. As I will likely have time on my hands between LBMAO events and golf lessons, I am going to enjoy the chance to tour some of our great province. Yes, I plan to include the northern and northwestern portions of the province! While I am travelling for fun, I will stop in and say hello to dealers and suppliers. Look for me at the show, on the golf course, or at your business this spring and summer.Your Chair, Barb Schering