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four.cycle

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Oct 19, 2015
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Location
Tacoma, Washington
K13 said:
No they are not a manufacturer and they aren't really a tool store either.
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I know they offered some private label hand tools, but also knew they were NOT a tool manufacturer, which would be the reason they were never entered in that list. I've really tried to keep it limited to TOOLS, but there are entries in there for a lot of other oddball widgets one would find in lots of "mechanics" workshops.
 
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mike93lx

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Dec 9, 2013
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Richmond, VA
K13 said:
No they are not a manufacturer and they aren't really a tool store either. It's a small section in the store. They are very hard to describe if you have never been in one. Auto parts and accessories, tools, home renovation stuff but no lumber (plumbing, Electrical, paint) sporting goods, garden stuff, kitchen products including small appliances, seasonal stuff like Christmas decorations, some home decor stuff. As I said very hard to label. LOL
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Sounds like Sears used to be
 
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JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
Messages
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Location
Alberta
mike93lx said:
Sounds like Sears used to be
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That's not a bad comparison. Not much clothing in a Canadian Tire (maybe some winter jackets, workwear, boots), but otherwise kind of similar. There's an auto service center attached to each one, plumbing, hardware, games & toys, lawn care, hunting, fishing, auto care & tool departments.

Walmart is in the same genre I suppose, minus the tool section and adding in grocery.

I disagree about tools not being a major part of it though. I expect, when Sears died, Canadian Tire took over as the de facto general purpose homeowner tool store. There probably isn't a Canadian who owns tools that doesn't have something Mastercraft or Maximum branded. There is probably MORE of that than Craftsman here.

That said, it's not a specialty or premium tool store, Most Mastercraft hand tools are made by Stanley - and to that same level of quality. There's a few decent things, but lots that just gets-the-job-done-cheap. Current Maximum stuff is made by Apex, so you see lots of things cloned from Gearwrench. It's far from junk - but Gearwrench isn't a premium brand either. I'm not sure who is making the cordless tools, but it's not SDB.

With the house brand tools, you might think to make a Harbor Freight comparison, but Canadian Tire also doesn't get into the niche stuff like HF, nor do they sell any of the bargain-basement, only-does-the-job-once tools.
 
K

K13

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Oct 24, 2007
Messages
2,233
Location
St. Albert, AB Canada
mike93lx said:
Sounds like Sears used to be
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Kind of but no regular day to day clothing, no large appliances, no large home decor. I am not sure if Sear in the US had plumbing and electrical sections but the ones up here didn't really have much so that's different as well as these are the equivalent to a small home improvement store.
 
K

K13

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Oct 24, 2007
Messages
2,233
Location
St. Albert, AB Canada
JradM said:
I disagree about tools not being a major part of it though. I expect, when Sears died, Canadian Tire took over as the de facto general purpose homeowner tool store. There probably isn't a Canadian who owns tools that doesn't have something Mastercraft or Maximum branded. There is probably MORE of that than Craftsman here.
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When the tool section is about 1/20th of the floor plan in a typical Canadian Tire I wouldn't call it a major part of what they do. Especially since you never buy a tool there unless it is on sale or you are desperate because their regular prices are a rip off. Yes lots of people have their tools but at least around here it is usually the quietest part of the store on any given day.
 
L

Lumpy102

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Aug 26, 2012
Messages
207
Location
Ontario Canada
I didn't read every entry. but didn't see Home Hardware on the list, Its supposed to be completely Canadian owned. I buy my woodworking hand tools from Lee Valley and my lathe stuff from Oneway, was to their shop in Stratford a couple of months back to pick up some wood lathe parts. Couldn't get a shop tour though. I wouldn't buy Canadian Tire tools except for the Maximum labelled stuff, it was all lifetime guaranteed, not sure if it still is.
 
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PlanB

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Joined
Jul 21, 2022
Messages
265
Location
Saskatchewan
My last batch of autoparts was Mevotech from Partsavatar. Sure the parts were made in China but imported by a Canadian company and then resold by a Canadian company. Actually shipped out of Calgary.
 
L

lilredex

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Joined
Apr 29, 2006
Messages
5,956
Location
Toronto
K13 said:
No they are not a manufacturer and they aren't really a tool store either. It's a small section in the store. They are very hard to describe if you have never been in one. Auto parts and accessories, tools, home renovation stuff but no lumber (plumbing, Electrical, paint) sporting goods, garden stuff, kitchen products including small appliances, seasonal stuff like Christmas decorations, some home decor stuff. As I said very hard to label. LOL
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Don't forget the Party City sections recently slipped into the floor plan, at least here in Ontario. Not sure how they match up with the real stores.

Party City: Shop Our Online Store | Canadian Tire

Shop Party City for balloons, décor, bakeware, favours, games, and other fun and festive essentials for your upcoming occasion. Shop top brands including Disney, Marvel and more.
www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca

Store Details Template

www.partycity.ca www.partycity.ca
 
K

K13

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Joined
Oct 24, 2007
Messages
2,233
Location
St. Albert, AB Canada
lilredex said:
Don't forget the Party City sections recently slipped into the floor plan, at least here in Ontario. Not sure how they match up with the real stores.

Party City: Shop Our Online Store | Canadian Tire

Shop Party City for balloons, décor, bakeware, favours, games, and other fun and festive essentials for your upcoming occasion. Shop top brands including Disney, Marvel and more.
www.canadiantire.ca www.canadiantire.ca

Store Details Template

www.partycity.ca www.partycity.ca
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Yeah we have that as well. Right in the middle of the automotive section. Replaced things like brake lines and fittings being on the floor for us. They used to be great for getting stuff like that because you could self serve now it's all in the back so you have to go through the parts counter that always seems busy.
 
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J

JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
Messages
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Location
Alberta
I made multiple additions and did a light re-organization.

I haven't settled on categories just yet and didn't want to clutter up the post. Instead, I just tried to group similar things together. E.g. there are four different Canadian Multi-bit screwdriver manufacturers, multiple tool box and organization companies, multiple heating companies, etc...

Restaurants and beer companies... is that going too far for a tool and garage-related list? I see a loose connection. I'll add a third major category if that seems appropriate.

P.S. Banded Peak Microburst is obviously the world's best beer, so I'm not sure how all y'all left it out:

65cf18e8938ef7cfeaaeedfa_microburst.png
 
A

AreBeeBee

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Sep 17, 2020
Messages
415
Location
Wisconsin
JradM said:
That's not a bad comparison. Not much clothing in a Canadian Tire (maybe some winter jackets, workwear, boots), but otherwise kind of similar. There's an auto service center attached to each one, plumbing, hardware, games & toys, lawn care, hunting, fishing, auto care & tool departments.....

I disagree about tools not being a major part of it though. I expect, when Sears died, Canadian Tire took over as the de facto general purpose homeowner tool store. There probably isn't a Canadian who owns tools that doesn't have something Mastercraft or Maximum branded. There is probably MORE of that than Craftsman here.
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We live in Wisconsin, but my wife's family is mostly in Guelph, Ontario, and we do visits at least once a year. For me, Canadian Tire is just about my favorite store there. It's such a collection of interests under one roof. We never make a trip where I don't spend an hour+ in there and about the same in one of the Home Hardware stores in town. I use Robertson screws for most projects, and that's where I restock because I can get a wide variety of types and sizes.
 
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jollygreengiant

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Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Messages
2,368
Location
Ontario, Canada
Here's a few that I don't think I seen anywhere yet:

Federated Tool Supply in London

Chery Industrial. I believe they started making their cabinets in Quebec but now the market has been flooded with cheaper chinese built knock offs.

RoyceAyr, manufacturer of precision cutter heads, saw blades, etc.
 
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JradM

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Sep 4, 2019
Messages
1,821
Location
Alberta
Firebrick43 said:
still don't have JessEm on the list
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Not sure how I managed that. I swear I had it at one point - maybe accidentally removed when I reorganized. Added back in!

KnurledNut said:
You guys in Calgary have a GEM of an option for Toptul!
A brick and mortar store plus online sales!
https://mytoolshop.ca/
Looks like they carry a wide range of open stock.
Sorry for the photo bomb!
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Damn! Had no idea that place existed. I'll check it out! Thanks.
jollygreengiant said:
Here's a few that I don't think I seen anywhere yet:

Federated Tool Supply in London

Chery Industrial. I believe they started making their cabinets in Quebec but now the market has been flooded with cheaper chinese built knock offs.

RoyceAyr, manufacturer of precision cutter heads, saw blades, etc.
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Added them. Thanks!
mike93lx said:
MDT makes rifle stocks and chassis systems in BC

MDT Chassis Systems, Magazines & Accessories for Precision Rifles

mdttac.ca mdttac.ca

They also have an office in Idaho
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Neat! Thanks for sharing.
 
P

PhantomEB

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Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Messages
6,817
Location
Medicine Hat, AB, Canuckistan
I dunno, I find that my weekly shopping, isn’t gonna make a difference in with this Buy Canadian thing. That being said if theres something, that I can support a Canadian company with vs the alternative of my usual, I will go with the Canadian.

we try to buy local veggies when we can. Need to get a second freezer If we want to go with a quarter a cow.

Now for the twice a year trips down to Havre, I am hard pressed to buy anything expensive as the 70c CDN dollar makes it hard enough to justify but now add this extra 25% on top…..yeah I think the bronco sheet metal may have to wait a bit.
 
O

Ohio Andy

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Joined
Jul 31, 2024
Messages
2,359
Location
Columbus, Ohio
KnurledNut said:
I don’t think LTT has been mentioned. They offer ratcheting screwdrivers, bits, cable management accessories, etc.
BC-based IIRC.
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I had no idea...

assembled in Canada, with some parts manufactured in China and others in Canada

I only own one, but it's very nice. roll gear probably has lower back drag, and that's also made in Canada.
 
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P

PhantomEB

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Messages
6,817
Location
Medicine Hat, AB, Canuckistan
KnurledNut said:
You guys in Calgary have a GEM of an option for Toptul!
A brick and mortar store plus online sales!
https://mytoolshop.ca/
Looks like they carry a wide range of open stock.
Sorry for the photo bomb!
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Will definitely check em out when I roll thru there to go campin!

as for Craftsman/Mastercraft….I still lean towards Craftsman if I can for my ratchet and sockets. Good old Rona still carries Craftsman.

if it’s a full blow molded socket set then I got no issues going with Mastercraft maximum.
 
R

rancherbill

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Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
5,336
Location
Foothills County, Alberta, Canada
AreBeeBee said:
Now I have heard from the relatives in Canda (Charlie Farquharson voice) that Rona is now owned by Lowe's. Any truth in that?
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According to google AI :


No, RONA is not owned by Lowe's anymore. Lowe's sold its Canadian operations, including RONA, to Sycamore Partners in February 2023, and the business now operates as RONA inc.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Lowe's Acquisition: In 2016, Lowe's acquired RONA for $3.2 billion CAD.

  • Sale to Sycamore Partners: In November 2022, Lowe's announced it would sell its Canadian operations, including RONA, to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm.

  • Deal Completion: The deal was completed in February 2023, and the Canadian business, including RONA, now operates under the name RONA inc.

  • Lowe's stores rebranded: All Lowe's stores in Canada are being rebranded as RONA.

    • Rona+: Rona announced in July 2023 that it would begin converting Lowe's locations to the new banner Rona+.

    Sycamore Partners is a New York-based private equity firm specializing in consumer, distribution, and retail-related investments, with a strategy focused on partnering with management teams to improve operating profitability and strategic value. They recently acquired Walgreens Boots Alliance in a deal valued at $23.7 billion.

    Here's a more detailed breakdown:
    • Focus: Sycamore Partners specializes in consumer, distribution, and retail-related investments.

    • Strategy: Their approach involves partnering with management teams to enhance the operating profitability and strategic value of their businesses.
      • Acquisition of Walgreens: In early March 2025, Sycamore Partners entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) in a deal valued at $23.7 billion.
      • Other Investments: Sycamore Partners has a history of acquiring retailers, including Staples Inc. and Belk Inc.
      So ona in America. pity.

    • So that leaves Home Hardware and the local guys for building materials. The one things that's unclear is the RONA franchise stores and whether they were bought out.
 
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