Hardwoods Distribution Inc. Announces Executive Appointments

TRADING SYMBOL: Toronto Stock Exchange – HWD

LANGLEY, BC, Sept. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Hardwoods Distribution Inc. ("Hardwoods" or the "Company") (TSX: HWD) today announced the following executive appointments:

• Jason West, Vice President, Canada;
  
  
• Brian Graham, Vice President, Pacific Northwest, Rocky Mountain, and Texas;
  
  
• Dan Figgins, Vice President, Imports.

Mr. West, Mr. Graham and Mr. Figgins all have extensive industry expertise, and each brings to their new position close to two decades experience with the Company in progressively senior managerial positions.  Concurrent with the above appointments, Dan Besen, currently serving as Vice President of the California group, has assumed expanded duties to include oversight for the Company's Lake States operations.  John Griffin continues his existing accountability as Vice President of the Company's Frank Paxton Lumber Company business locations.

"I am pleased to announce these organizational changes," commented Lance Blanco, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our business has delivered significant growth in the last two years, with our sales increasing by $150 million or close to 50% in the two years ended December 31^st 2014.  We have continued to grow in the current year as well, with sales increasing by 25.5% in the first half of 2015."

"The growth we have achieved in the past two and a half years has largely been absorbed without making significant changes to our executive structure," added Mr. Blanco.  "Looking ahead, we see additional positive growth opportunities for the Company, by capitalizing on an improving US housing market, as well as by executing on our core strategies of growing import sales and expanding further into commercial markets.  With the targeted changes we are making today to our executive team, we are adding managerial capacity that enhances our ability to achieve the next phase of the Company's market expansion plans."  

The Company also announced today that Garry Warner, currently Vice President of Canada, will be retiring at the end of this year. Mr. Warner has been with the Company for 37 years. "Garry has been an invaluable member of the executive team and instrumental in achieving the success the Company has enjoyed. We appreciate his contributions and leadership and wish him the very best for the future," Mr. Blanco commented.         

About Hardwoods

Hardwoods is one of North America's largest distributors of high-grade hardwood lumber, sheet goods and architectural millwork to the cabinet, moulding, millwork, furniture and specialty wood products industries.  The Company currently operates a network of 33 distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada.

SOURCE Hardwoods Distribution Inc.

Faiz Karmally, Chief Financial Officer, Phone: [phone], Fax: [phone], Email: [email protected], Website: http://www.hardwoods-inc.com