Page 19 - July-August 2025 REPORTER - optimized

What we do at the LBMAO

talk to many people during the course of a championship team, 17 courses on how members to understand and adopt new
I my time here at the LBMAO. I get asked by to improve profitability in the store, 8 on technology and to show their customers how
some what we do and why should they be a general selling skills and finally 10 classes technology can be used and implemented to
member of this great group. A bit of history are offered for drivers – teaching things like assist them in their projects.
- the LBMAO was formed in 1917 as a not- securing loads. Wow that is a lot of training Our latest project involves hosting a trade
for-profit trade association. It was a group of opportunities! show next April which will bring training and
independent lumber and building material We still work at government advocacy. products together in front of this group of
retailer entrepreneurs, who recognized that We have been collaborating with our lumber and building material entrepreneurs.
they had common issues and collectively members and the government of Ontario We plan to showcase products that may
they could work together to solve their to see if there are ways to reduce the not yet have been featured by some buying
problems. The most pressing issues at that development charges that municipalities groups. We are happy to host you – no matter
time were training, government advocacy, charge. This has been a golden goose for with which group you are affiliated. You are
and economic turmoil, not to mention a many local governments. Making sure welcome at the LBMAO.
world war. The founders of this association members understand the new building The group formed in 1917 were not
felt that they could use the resources and codes and updates so they can assist their perfect. They learned a lot from other
experiences of others – even if those were customers has also been an important part of members. Some of our best social events
competitors - to improve their businesses. our approach to working with the provincial allow the flow of ideas and dialogue that is
One hundred and eight years later we government and their agencies like the not possible in a store or an office. Some of
have a pool of independent entrepreneurs building officials and the WSIB. the most interesting discussions retailers and
who have many, if not all, the same issues. We have been working with other trade suppliers have had come on the golf course
Training is still a major part of what the associations in other provinces and in the (or at the 19th hole) during the LBMAO
LBMAO can do to help our members. We United States to help our retailers and our tournaments.
offer different training programs now than supplier members gain easier access to other What do we do here at the LBMAO? In
in 1917, but we still equip staff to serve the markets and other products. We are doing short – a lot! I have just scratched the surface
needs of the lumber and building materials our best to minimize the tariff implications. of things we accomplish. If you are not a
industry. We offer over 100 different We feel that the lumber and building member, you are missing out. Let me know
training classes. Some are one or two day material retailers need to be at the table with and we would be happy to have you join the
in-person training sessions, where we all associations like the home builders to group.
teach estimating, sales, yard management, guide the Ontario housing industry. We are always interested in new ideas.
forklift driver certification, boom truck Technology has been a concern for our If you have a way you think would help our
operator certification, plus plumbing and members for over 100 years. Back in the members grow or enhance their business or
electrical information classes. We also have day it was the Sear’s catalogue which would if you have a fun event, you think we should
12 on-line classes offered for Health and sell the complete materials for a new home try please email me at: tsmall@lbmao.on.ca
Safety training. There are 13 classes on and deliver that direct to the customer.
contractor sales, 14 classes on customer Today customers can buy almost anything
service. 18 classes are offered on building on the internet. We are consulting with our

www.lbmao.on.ca LBMAO Reporter - July-August 2025 19