People - Our Castle Team makes the difference
The Castle Buying Group is recognized in the industry for its forward thinking leadership, experienced management team, professional buyers and finance experts. Its Business Development Managers are focused on the profitability and growth of each of its over 300 independent retailers and wholesalers across Canada.
The Castle VISION: To strengthen the independent by maximizing each shareholder's profitability and growth.
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Ken Jenkins, President (left)
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Ken has worked in the LBM business for over 17 years, including senior management experience in the manufacture of building products. He has a keen understanding of the relationship among vendors, manufacturers and the independents, as well as a thorough understanding of the contractor and consumer base in every region of the country. Ken's highest priority for Castle is to "buy competitively day to day" in order to keep its independent dealers competitive. "The result of this approach is that Castle shareholders enjoy greater returns today than ever before. There can be no greater testament to the strength of the team we've built," says Ken. "My job is to make them stronger and stronger."
James Jones, Vice President
James has over 24 years experience in the home improvement industry, working in retail, commercial and industrial and has been buying and merchandising with some of Canada's largest regional and national retailers including Lansing Buildall, Aikenheads, Réno-Dépôt, Home Depot Canada and Rona. James is ideally suited to negotiate the best buys in Castle's core business - lumber and plywood, gypsum, insulation, roofing and siding as well as millwork (moulding, doors and windows). Plus the hardlines to help you complete the sale. In addition, James continues to head a variety of Castle's valued-added programs such as central invoicing, buying, weekly updates, retail price comparisons, comparative store benchmarking and Castlecare health, financial and marketing programs.
Sandy Welsh, Atlantic Region
Sandy is the Business Development Manager for Atlantic Canada. Sandy has over 32 years experience as a senior manager in sales, marketing, and distribution within the retail, wholesale and manufacturing sectors of the building materials industry. During his career he has focused on supporting and strengthening the independent retailer. "During the next decade we'll see a changing dynamic in our industry as customers demand higher levels of personal service, quality products and a retailer they can depend on," says Sandy. "The independent retailer that lives and works in their community is able to respond quickly to a changing marketplace, without the interference of, or the need to check with, a corporate head office. I believe Castle ensures this freedom for our members. Whether they are branded Castle or their family name." He adds,"Castle shareholders are very excited about the future and look forward to welcoming new independent retailers to the family." Contact Sandy.
Robert Legault, Quebec and Northern New Brunswick
Robert is the Business Development Manager for Quebec and Northern New Brunswick regions. Robert brings over 30 years of experience and knowledge of the Quebec independent lumber and building materials marketplace to Castle. His excellent relationship in Quebec and his background in national sales management will assist both existing and prospective members grow their business. Contact Robert.
Robert est le Directeur de développement des affaires pour les régions de Québec et le nord du Nouveau Brunswick. Robert apporte plus de 30 ans d`expérience et sa connaissance des marchands québécois de matériaux de construction. Ses excellentes relations d'affaires et son expérience en direction des ventes lui permettront d'assister les membres Castle d'aujourd`hui et de demain dans la croissance de leur entreprise. Contactez Robert.
Bruce Holman, Central Region
Bruce is the Business Development Manager for Ontario & Quebec regions. Bruce has worked in the LBM business for over 30 years with the last 22 years in a mid-management role at the distribution level. During this time he has built a great understanding of the needs of the independent retail building supply dealer as well as the needs of the distributor. "It is this understanding of the needs of both sides of the distribution channel that has enabled Castle to build a strong relationship with both its membership and the vendor community, while operating in an atmosphere of honesty and integrity," says Bruce. Contact Bruce.
Alan Schoemperlen, Prairies Region
Alan is the Business Development Manager for Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Territories. Alan has over 30 years experience in the hardware, lumber, and building material industries across Canada. Alan has worked with independent dealers, franchisees, buying groups and suppliers. He has also been responsible for establishing a major hardware program on a national basis. In his over 7 years with Castle, the most enjoyment and challenge that Alan gets is to improve the growth and profitability of each and every Castle member regardless of the size of operation. "Castle's dynamic model is designed to provide all of the tools to make the independent Castle member the most competitive and profitable in their marketplace," says Alan. He adds that "there is nothing more rewarding than to hear independents or dealers from other groups after joining Castle say ‘my only regret is that we didn't make the move sooner!'" Contact Alan.
Les Gillespie, Western Region
Les is the Business Development Manager for British Columbia. Les has been actively employed in the hardware and home improvement retail industry in Canada for over 25 years. He has enjoyed working with independent home improvement retailers from the east coast to the west coast in many facets of the retail hardware and home improvement business. He has worked with small community hardware stores and large multi-store building supply groups. Les has also gained experience on the supply side both from a distribution as well as a manufacturer and importers perspective, and has gained great respect for the Independent retailer. With the rapid changes in our market over the past few decades, Les has a unique exposure to the challenges that face the independent retailer today, from competitive pressures of big box retailers to maintaining a solid supply source with local and national distributors. Les believes that "Castle can help today's truly independent retailers maintain their entrepreneurial and community spirit and prosper in our marketplace." Contact Les.
Ron Craighead, Commercial
Ron is the National Business Development Manager for CBS Commercial Builders Supplies Inc. - a wholly owned subsidiary of Castle Building Centres. Ron has been in the building materials business for over 30 years in senior sales and marketing positions with industry leaders such as Weldwood of Canada, CanWel Building Materials, Domtar, Georgia-Pacific and Lafarge. Ron has managed and thoroughly understands the total North American LBM business process from manufacturing through to the end user. "I've interacted with all the buying groups in Canada over the years. It's my belief Castle truly understands the market dynamics from coast to coast, as well as the service requirements of the independent entrepreneur," says Ron. His strong interpersonal skills coupled with his extensive relationships in the industry, give him the background to manage Castle's effort to build the commercial side of the business. Contact Ron.