RONA Inc., a leader in the Canadian residential renovation sector, has launched a new initiative that will highlight over 6,500 Canadian-made products in its RONA+ and RONA stores across the country, as well as online at rona.ca.
This move is in response to the increasing demand from both consumers and contractors for locally-made items that meet Canadian building codes and standards, the retailer said.
RONA operates more than 425 corporate and affiliate stores across Canada, and the company said it is working to make it easier for customers to identify and select Canadian-made products.
“We’ve always had a strong selection of Canadian-made products. In fact, less than 10% of our supply comes directly from the United States. The challenge was primarily about making these products more visible. To help consumers choose Canadian-made products, they need to be clearly identified, well-organized, and prominently displayed. This is where our partnership with ‘Well Made Here’ truly makes a difference,” said J.P. Towner, President and CEO of RONA Inc.
“Thanks to the close collaboration with Mr. Darveau and his team over the past few weeks, thousands of additional products have now been endorsed under the ‘Well Made Here’ program, addressing the need to make it easier for consumers to find Canadian-made products.”
“Well Made Here” is a federally chartered non-profit organization founded in October 2018. Its mission is to promote the purchase of quality building materials and hardware products made in Canada for the residential market.
The company said the effort comes at a time when Canada faces a growing need for construction and renovation materials, while tariff disputes with the United States loom over trade relationships.
Richard Darveau, President and CEO of “Well Made Here,” sees the initiative as a timely boost for Canadian manufacturers.
“This initiative from RONA comes at a crucial time when the country is facing a critical need for construction and renovation, while tariff dispute with the United States looms. Our manufacturers need this kind of support and visibility now more than ever. We hope residential homeowners and construction contractors will discover Canadian brands and remain loyal to them beyond these challenging times,” said Darveau.
RONA has been involved with the “Well Made Here” program since its inception, and with this new commitment, the company said it is reinforcing its support for Canadian manufacturers. More than 5,000 additional products will soon be added to the program, each bearing the “Well Made Here” label both in-store and online.
The “Well Made Here” program, developed by the Québec Association of Hardware and Building Materials (AQMAT), ensures that products meet the following criteria:
- Compliance with Canadian construction codes, regulations, and other legal requirements;
- At least 51% of the direct production or manufacturing costs must have been incurred in Canada;
- The final substantial transformation of the product must have occurred in Canada.
In the coming weeks, RONA said it will also be training its in-store staff to better guide customers in selecting “Well Made Here” products.
As part of the initiative, RONA is also reminding Canadians of its strong Canadian roots. Founded 85 years ago in Canada, RONA’s headquarters are located on Montreal’s South Shore, and the company employs nearly 21,000 people across the country. Nearly half of RONA’s stores are affiliate stores owned by entrepreneurs who are deeply embedded in their local communities.
“Now more than ever, RONA’s legacy—a company founded by independent dealers here in Canada—reminds us that we can achieve great things when we work together,” said Towner. “I am incredibly proud to see our teams, vendors, and partners come together during this uncertain time to better showcase Canadian-made products.”
RONA Inc. is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers, operating over 425 corporate and affiliate stores under the RONA+, RONA, and Dick’s Lumber banners.
