Skip to content

Half Lowe's Sault workforce will be full time, says president

Sylvain Prud’homme, president of Lowe’s Canada, said he hopes residents of Sault Ste. Marie will welcome the new home improvement store, even if there is already stiff competition in the market.

Sylvain Prud’homme, president of Lowe’s Canada, said he hopes residents of Sault Ste. Marie will welcome the new home improvement store, even if there is already stiff competition in the market.

“Everywhere we went so far we have been welcome after we come in because people realize we are here to support the community. I think the fact that job creation is from within the community is all good news,” he said by phone Friday morning.

The store is expected to hire between 120-140 positions when it opens this summer, most of which will be hired from the Sault’s workforce.

Many new retail stores will transfer some staff from existing locations, but Prud’homme expects the distance of the store from others will make transferring staff a challenge.

He said store managers are often transferred from other stores, or that current employees who are originally from the Sault and want to move back home could be considered for a transfer.

Prud’homme said the split of full-time and part-time employees to be hired will be about 50/50.

“It is extremely high. I come from both Loblaws and Wal-Mart and this is a higher ratio,” he said.

“People are expecting much more expertise when they get into a home-improvement store than when they get into a food store,” he adds.

Lowe's looked at various factors before coming to the Sault, including revenue levels, employment level, age of housing and proximity to the United States market.

The store will include about $7-million in investments to the plaza on Northern Avenue at Great Northern Road, including many environmentally-friendly upgrades.

“The Zellers store was not in good shape. I think we owe it to the community to take care of these buildings and do it in a way that it helps the environment,” said Prud’homme.

The roof membrane has been upgraded to a “cool roof” and high-efficiency heating and air conditioning will be added to the store, along with low-flush bathroom fixtures.

The exterior lights in the parking lot will also be upgraded to low-consumption LED lighting.

“All of these investments will benefit the plaza and the environment,” said Prud’homme.

As far as questions about whether the Sault needs yet another home improvement store, Prud’homme said, “Every single time a new competitor comes to town, the winner is always the customer.”


What's next?


If you would like to apply to become a Verified reader Verified Commenter, please fill out this form.




Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
Read more