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Construction Supply Giant Celebrates a 25 Year Strong Commitment

A family business has flourished into a multi-million dollar company. As a team, the De Giorgio’s number one priority is to serve as a one-stop-shop for contractors. A special event will be held at IHL on Tuesday, July 20th.

Toronto, Ontario – July 14, 2010 – Investments Hardware Ltd. (IHL) is a construction and industrial supply centre located in Woodbridge, ON. This year marks their 25th anniversary of supplying the industry with an ever-growing product line. IHL is a family owned and operated business that has flourished into a multi-million dollar company. Working as a team, the De Giorgio family’s first priority is to serve the diverse group of contractors that make up the bulk of their client base.

IHL is highly invested in their client’s projects from start to finish. It takes research, planning and persistence to guarantee that clients get the lowest price and the highest level of quality and service within such a volatile market.

To keep abreast with all the changes, IHL has placed a great emphasis on product knowledge. “Increasingly, this business is becoming knowledge based. Building codes, safety and environmental regulations are constantly evolving, which, is in addition to a slew of new and innovative products being introduced by our suppliers. We want to help our staff help our clients navigate the labyrinth of information, making sure our clients make the right decision” notes Domenic, president of IHL. Almost every Friday there is some sort of training going on at IHL.

“I always find it hard to describe IHL, construction store just doesn’t do it justice” states Juliea who works in their marketing department.

“We are unique in the sense that Jack or Jill can walk in and pick up everything they need for the work week, well, everything but lunch!” jokes Joe Martino, VP of Operations. “Be it clothes, boots, safety gear, hand tools, power tools, fasteners, storage equipment, building materials, the list goes on and on. And there’s always someone available to answer questions or just ‘ShopTalk’, you know?”

In honour of the 25th Anniversary, Bosch’s power tool division is hosting a single-day-sale on Tuesday, July 20th. They’ve called it “Bosch Blitz” and they’re excited to invite all tradesmen and women to see what’s new from Bosch and Powers Fasteners. Visit this Tuesday July 20th and see “Bosch Blitz” in action.

For those who don’t know, a single-day-sale is just as it sounds a one day event where tools and accessories are presented well below the market price. “–paired with free goods too!” blurts Amir, the director of marketing. “It’s become a trademark event for IHL. Partnering with suppliers, the day is really our way to appreciate the contractors, giving them the best offering possible. Similar to what Henry Ford said, ‘It is the customer who pays the wages!’ and we need to recognize that”.

For customer convenience, IHL is open from 6 AM to 6 PM Monday to Friday and from 6 AM to 12 PM on Saturdays.

Contact: Investments Hardware Ltd.
127B Aviva Park Drive, Woodbrige, ON L4L 9C1
416-748-0204
www.InvestmentsHardware.com
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SafetyTalk: A 200 lbs. Person Hitting a Hard Surface Can Generate Thousands of Pounds of Force

- Gabriele Fusco P.Eng., President Peakworks Inc.

Everyday as we climb into our cars over 90% of us will do up our seatbelts without thinking. Those that don’t fasten their belts roll the dice either because they are invincible or didn’t do well in high school physics. The same scenario plays out everyday on worksites across Ontario. Instead of seatbelts, workers play roulette with their fall protection equipment. On December 24th, four workers plunged to their death in Toronto.

In Ontario, the law dictates that anyone more than 3 metres (10 feet) off the ground must have some sort of fall protection. In most cases, workers wear a harness and are connected to a solid structure with a lanyard. If the worker should fall, the harness and lanyard keep the worker from falling to the ground. In the tragedy on Christmas Eve, it is unclear what safety equipment the workers had.

Our laws go further than just calling for fall protection equipment. Every person that works at height must be trained in fall protection. All fall protection equipment needs to be inspected by a qualified inspector at least once a year. Ministry of Labour inspectors regularly check both industrial and construction sites to ensure that workers are trained and have the proper equipment. Despite the diligence of the Ministry of Labour, it is easy to spot violations. Drive around your neighbourhood and have a look at workers up on roofs. It is an easy bet that you will find one without any fall protection equipment.

Any company that has workers that are exposed to fall hazards must have a fall protection plan. The plan must identify the fall hazards that exist, what equipment will be used to mitigate the risk of the hazard, what personnel are qualified to use the equipment and a rescue plan in the event of a fall. Despite the resources available to help create a fall protection plan, many companies are without one.

Despite the legislation in Ontario that makes supervisors and managers responsible for safety in their facilities and locations, every person must take ownership for their own responsibility. In Ontario employees have the right to refuse work if they deem it to be unsafe.The physics behind falling is eye opening. After falling 10 feet, a person will be travelling almost 30 kilometres per hour. A 200 pound person hitting a hard surface can generate forces in the thousands of pounds. None of us would step in front of a car travelling at 30 kilometres per hour, so why don’t we wear fall protection equipment.