FIRST OF ITS KIND PROGRAM GIVES SMALL MANUFACTURERS OPPORTUNITY TO BRING
INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS TO CANADIAN MARKET

The Home Depot Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade launch Innovation for Sustainability

TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Bringing a new product into the mass fold of Canadian retail is not easy - especially for smaller manufacturers. That's why The Home Depot Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (OMEDT) have partnered to launch Innovation for Sustainability - a first of its kind project to enable qualified small companies with innovative, environmentally-preferred home improvement products the opportunity to build the resources needed to work with a large Canadian retailer. 

From now until November 19, 2010, any small or medium-sized Ontario manufacturer can submit information about its innovative home improvement product or technology at www.homedepot.ca/innovationforsustainability.  After reviewing entries, the merchandising team at The Home Depot Canada will invite prospects with potential to the first of four "Meet the Buyer" events on December 13, 2010 in London, Ontario.  Following this first event, selected products will be stocked by The Home Depot in three London-area stores and assessed for expanded distribution in the Canadian market.

"Ontario is proud to work with companies, like The Home Depot Canada, that are leading by example in their efforts to conduct business in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner," said Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade.  "Innovation for Sustainability promises to drive innovation, sustainability and economic opportunity for Ontario-based companies.  For the first time, small companies that haven't been able to meet the requirements of the large retail market are being given that opportunity through this partnership between the province and The Home Depot Canada."

As part of its mandate to bring innovative and environmentally-preferred products to its stores, The Home Depot Canada has conducted numerous initiatives to offer manufacturers an opportunity to pitch new products or technologies; however these typically target larger companies ready to supply a national retailer. Through Innovation for Sustainability, The Home Depot Canada is creating an environment for success with an incubator model developed to nurture and help smaller manufacturers build the capacity to do business with a large-scale retailer.

"This project not only supports our business goal of bringing innovative home improvement products and technologies to market, but offers important insights on existing gaps, opportunities and how business and government can best support manufacturers looking to move beyond research and development to retail success," said Gino DiGioacchino, VP of merchandising, The Home Depot Canada. 

Innovation for Sustainability is aligned with the Ontario Government's economic revitalization strategy which has seen the introduction of policies such as The Green Energy Act to stimulate innovation, job creation and economic growth in the manufacturing service and related sectors.

How to apply:
Qualified small and medium-sized Ontario manufacturers with an innovative home improvement product must submit information at www.homedepot.ca/innovationforsustainability before November 19, 2010 to be eligible for consideration at the December 13, 2010 Meet the Buyer event in London, Ontario. All proposals received after this date will be considered for upcoming Meet the Buyer events. The Home Depot is looking for the following types of innovative and environmentally-preferred home improvement products: indoor/outdoor building materials/supplies/tools (siding, cement, lumber), lawn and garden, shelving, storage and organization, plumbing, paint, electrical, power equipment, hardware, outdoor furniture, lawn mowers, kitchen and bath, appliances, window treatments (blinds, shutters), flooring (tile, carpet, hardwood), sheds, décor, heating and cooling, safety and security, lighting, fans, cleaning and janitorial products.

About The Home Depot
Founded in 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, currently operating more than 2,200 stores, including 179 The Home Depot stores across Canada. In fiscal 2009, The Home Depot had retail sales of $66.2 billion and earnings from continuing operations of $2.6 billion. The Company employs more than 300,000 people, including more than 28,000 Canadians.

For further information:

Or interview, please contact:
Alison Jones / Aly Ruiz
Environics Communications
416-969-2820 / 416-969-2763
[email protected] / [email protected]