Rona Chairman Robert Chevrier, right, and Lowes International president Richard Maltsbarger shake hands at a news conferernce in Montreal, Wednesday, Feb.3, 2016. U.S. giant Lowe's has proposed to buy Rona in a $3.2-billion friendly deal that would shake up Canada's home improvement industry.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
February 03, 2016 - 11:42 AM
TORONTO - U.S. chain Lowe's is proposing to buy Quebec-based Rona in a $3.2-billion deal that is poised to change the landscape of Canada's home improvement market. Here's a look at some of the biggest players in the industry:
Rona: Founded in Boucherville, Que. as a hardware-buying co-op in 1939. Roughly 500 stores across Canada. Nearly 24,000 employees.
Lowe's: Founded in North Carolina in 1946. More than 1,840 stores across North America, including 42 in Canada. Approximately 265,000 part- and full-time employees.
Home Depot: Founded in Atlanta in 1978. 2,273 stores across North America. More than 370,000 employees.
Canadian Tire: Founded in Toronto in 1922. 495 stores across the country, not including its gas bars and other brands. 58,000 employees across Canadian Tire, Mark's and FGL Sports.
Home Hardware: Founded in St. Jacobs, Ont. in 1964. 1,100 locations. Roughly 18,000 staff.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2016