Join Us as We Induct Michael McLarney and Bill Morrison Into the Industry Hall of Fame

On the afternoon of November 21^st, two well-deserving gentlemen will be inducted into the Canadian Hardware & Housewares Industry Hall of Fame – Mr. Michael McLarney and Mr. Bill Morrison, at a luncheon being held during the CHPTA-COPA Fall Conference at the Richmond Hill Country Club in Richmond Hill, Ontario.  There are pricing options to attend the full day (conference & luncheon) or luncheon/inductions only.  Individuals who are not members of the Association can attend as well.  Click here for all the details and to register. 

The Canadian Hardware & Housewares Industry Hall of Fame was established in 1984 to recognize the achievements of our industry’s leaders and pioneers. The CHPTA is honoured to serve as the custodian of the Hall.  Since that time, seventy-five industry icons, inventors, business founders and builders from the retail, manufacturing and media sectors have received the honour.  To view the entire list of those previously inducted into the Hall of Fame, or the criteria to nominate someone for next year’s award, please visit https://chpta.ca/about-chpta/hall-of-fame/. 

2024 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

Michael McLarney

Founder & President, HARDLINES newsletter; Managing Director, Canada for the North American Hardware & Paint Association (NHPA).  

With 35 years of experience analyzing and reporting on the retail home improvement industry, Michael is considered the leading retail analyst for Canada’s home improvement sector. He oversees the Hardlines Information Group, which includes the weekly HARDLINES newsletter for retail executives, Hardlines Home Improvement Quarterly magazine for dealers, Hardlines Dealer News, Hardlines HR Advisor, and a range of podcasts and reports that analyze the trends and growth within the industry. He also founded the industry’s “Outstanding Retailer Awards” and the annual Hardlines Conference. 

As Managing Director of NHPA Canada, Michael represents that association and the training and services it offers to independent dealer-members in Canada. A dynamic and thought-provoking speaker who has presented at business conferences in the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe, Michael has been quoted in many of North America’s leading business publications. 

He is a frequent guest on radio and television programs across the country. In 2011, he received the Industry Achievement Award from the Lumber and Building Materials Dealers Association of Ontario.

Bill Morrison

Past President of Ace Canada, Past President & CEO of TruServ Canada, Past Vice President of Hudson’s Bay Company, Past Vice President of Foot Locker  

 Bill Morrison has one of the strongest CVs in retail in the Canadian hardware & housewares industry.  Early in his career, he was responsible for turning around the Foot Locker business in the mid-1990s, before moving to HBC, where he was in charge of rolling out the Home Outfitters chain. He introduced the U.S.-style big box format to these stores, and grew the chain to 45 locations in less than three years. He then joined TruServ Canada in Winnipeg and built and evolved that company for six years; this included integrating it with RONA when that company acquired it. When it was changed to Ace Canada, he oversaw that transformation and grew the banner to 125 stores nationwide. He then was instrumental in preparing it for sale to Peavey Industries. In 2022, Bill returned to the industry in “sales floor retail ” as Sales Manager IKEA Etobicoke and has enjoyed 2+ years of customer interactions (ending this August).  

 Bill has likely done as much as any person alive in the industry to provide services and opportunities for the smaller independent dealer in Canada. His guidance and leadership have ensured that options remain for smaller dealers in every part of this country.