TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Starlight Investments Capital LP (“Starlight Capital”), announced today the 2022 monthly distributions for its exchange-traded funds (ETFs) – The Starlight Global Infrastructure Fund (NEO:SCGI.UN) and Starlight Global Real Estate Fund (NEO:SCGR.UN). Unitholders of record will receive cash “per-unit” distributions as per the below schedule:

Starlight Global Infrastructure Fund Distribution Rate	Starlight Global Real Estate Fund Distribution Rate	Ex-Div Date	Record Date	Payable Date
$0.0477	$0.0485	4/Jan/22	5/Jan/22	8/Jan/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	5/Feb/22	8/Feb/22	12/Feb/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	5/Mar/22	8/Mar/22	12/Mar/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	1/Apr/22	5/Apr/22	9/Apr/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	7/May/22	10/May/22	14/May/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	4/Jun/22	7/Jun/22	11/Jun/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	2/Jul/22	5/Jul/22	9/Jul/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	6/Aug/22	9/Aug/22	13/Aug/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	2/Sep/22	3/Sep/22	10/Sep/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	1/Oct/22	4/Oct/22	8/Oct/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	5/Nov/22	8/Nov/22	12/Nov/22
$0.0477	$0.0485	3/Dec/22	6/Dec/22	10/Dec/22

For eligible unitholders, a distribution reinvestment plan is available. Interested unitholders should contact their brokers and consult the full text of the plan. A copy of the plan is available on www.sedar.com or can be requested from our Advisor and Investor Experience Department (contact details below).

The tax composition of the ETFs’ distributions will be determined on an annual basis and will be available only after the ETF’s tax year-end.

About Starlight Global Infrastructure Fund

The fund’s investment objective is to provide regular current income by investing globally in companies with either direct or indirect exposure to infrastructure.

About Starlight Global Real Estate Fund

The fund’s investment objective is to provide regular current income by investing globally primarily in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and equity securities of corporations participating in the residential and commercial real estate sector.

About Starlight Capital and Starlight Investments

Starlight Capital is an independent asset management firm offering mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, offering memorandum funds and structured products. Our goal is to deliver superior risk adjusted returns to investors through a disciplined investment approach, Focused Business Investing. Starlight Capital is a wholly owned subsidiary of Starlight Investments. Starlight Investments is a privately held, full service, real estate investment and asset management company. The firm manages over $20.0 billion of assets on behalf of institutional joint ventures as well as publicly listed REITs, closed end funds and investment funds and is driven by an experienced team of over 300 professionals. Please visit us at www.starlightcapital.com and connect with us on LinkedIn.

Contacts

Marco Drumonde
Director, Advisor & Investor Experience

1-647-245-2045

mdrumonde@starlightcapital.com

HARVEY, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Atkore Inc. (“Atkore”), today announced the acquisition of Sasco Tubes & Roll Forming Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of metal framing and related products serving the electrical, mechanical, construction and solar industries (www.sascostrut.com).

“With more than 65 years in the industry, Sasco has developed an extensive range of sizes, gauges and multiple combinations of strut channels and fittings,” commented Mark Lamps, President of Atkore’s Safety & Infrastructure business. He added, “This acquisition complements Atkore’s existing product portfolio and enables us to improve the customer experience by providing a broader range of solutions.”

Sasco Tubes & Roll Forming Inc. is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with approximately 50 employees. It will continue operating at its current location. Terms of the sale are undisclosed.

About Atkore Inc.

Atkore is forging a future where our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities are building better together – a future focused on serving the customer and powering and protecting the world.

With a global network of manufacturing and distribution facilities worldwide, Atkore is a leading provider of electrical, safety and infrastructure solutions.

To learn more, please visit www.atkore.com.

Contacts

Lisa Winter

Vice President – Communications

Atkore

708 225-2453

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Granite Real Estate Investment Trust (“Granite”) (TSX: GRT.UN / NYSE: GRP.U) announced today that its board of trustees has declared a distribution of CDN $0.2583 per stapled unit for the month of December 2021. The distribution will be paid by Granite on January 14, 2022 to stapled unitholders of record at the close of trading on Friday, December 31, 2021. The stapled units will begin trading on an ex-dividend basis at the opening of trading on Thursday, December 30, 2021 on the Toronto Stock Exchange and on the New York Stock Exchange.

Granite confirms that no portion of the distribution constitutes effectively connected income for U.S. federal tax purposes. A qualified notice providing the breakdown of the sources of the distribution will be issued to the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation subsequent to the record date of December 31, 2021, pursuant to United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.1446-4.

ABOUT GRANITE

Granite is a Canadian-based REIT engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership and management of logistics, warehouse and industrial properties in North America and Europe. Granite owns 126 investment properties representing approximately 53.3 million square feet of leasable area.

OTHER INFORMATION

Copies of financial data and other publicly filed documents about Granite are available through the internet on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) which can be accessed at www.sedar.com and on the United States Securities and Exchange Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (EDGAR) which can be accessed at www.sec.gov. For further information, please see our website at www.granitereit.com or contact Teresa Neto, Chief Financial Officer, at 647-925-7560 or Andrea Sanelli, Manager, Legal & Investor Services, at 647-925-7504.

Contacts

Teresa Neto

Chief Financial Officer

647-925-7560

or

Andrea Sanelli

Manager, Legal & Investor Services

647-925-7504

The Greater Toronto Area becomes the Place To Be for Canada’s Craftsmen

LEIPHEIM, Germany & VAUGHAN, Canada–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The 24/7 self-checkout store concept developed by Wanzl together with Würth is already established in Germany. Now, Würth’s Canadian subsidiary of the assembly and fastening materials provider has followed this frictionless format, which gives customers the flexibility to shop around the clock via a Würth eShop account. Würth Canada Ltd. opened North America’s first flagship store in September of this year, located in Vaughan, a city in the Greater Toronto Area. This marks an important milestone for Würth and Wanzl North America (NA).

Würth offers more than 4,000 products in the Canadian 24/7 store. From hardware to hand tools, to chemicals, electrical supplies, abrasives and PPE, Würth has what you need for your everyday industrial needs. As with the German 24/7 stores, this store is a hybrid solution. As Würth Vice President Goran Abramovic explains, “We want to give our customers the optimal shopping experience no matter how they choose to buy from us. During normal opening hours, we invite all customers to come see the breadth of our product range, receive product and technical advice from our qualified staff, and pay for their purchases at the service check-out desk. Additionally, approved business customers have the option of accessing the 24/7 functionality at any time (day or night) with their activated Würth eShop account. Whether someone needs an item early in the morning, late at night, on a weekend or a Holiday, Würth is always there for you.”

Store technology, Shop Equipment and Support – Wanzl North America’s contribution

Wanzl NA has provided a turnkey solution for this project by transferring the self-checkout concept from German 24/7 Würth stores. As with the German stores, Wanzl is responsible for the back-end technology in the Canadian 24/7 store. At its heart is the WanzlConnect® software platform. All technical processes in the store are controlled via WanzlConnect – including 24/7 access. Approved customers need to log-in to their Würth eShop account to access the store and request a QR code. They scan the code at the outer store entrance to enter the building, and a second time inside at the eGate entrance system. Once on the retail floor, the customer can browse the extensive range of products at their leisure for up to one hour.

To purchase, the customer scans the QR code at the exit gates, and accesses the self-checkout station through a Wanzl Galaxyport. To initiate checkout, the initial QR code is scanned at the self-checkout station. Here, merchandise is scanned, and automatically debited from the customer’s Würth eShop account.

The modern and structured look of the Würth Canada store design borrows heavily from Würth Germany’s stores, co-developed last year with Wanzl Germany. Wanzl NA supplied “wire tech 100®” shelving for product presentation, hand baskets, shopping carts, and local sourcing of millwork, such as the Service Desk and decorative items. Additionally, on-site installation, assembly and commissioning were the responsibility of Wanzl, as is ongoing 24/7 technical support for Würth Canada.

Ben Hinnen, CEO of Wanzl North America, stated that, “This is the first Würth 24/7 store in North America and is a clear demonstration of Wanzl’s global capabilities as a partner, executed locally. Wanzl is a total solution provider of not only products, including self-checkout systems, but also of store concept development through planning, design, and installation, in addition to complete lifecycle technical support during ongoing operations.”

About Wanzl North America

Wanzl North America, formerly Technibilt Ltd, is a leading B2B solution provider for Retailers. Founded in 1946 and acquired by Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA in 2012, Wanzl North America is the leading manufacturer of shopping carts, and enhances retailer’s customers’ shopping experience through superior solutions in design, innovation and customer service. The parent company, Wanzl GmbH & Co. KGaA, is an owner-managed family company in its third generation, with over 4,600 employees, global production sites and sales outlets. Together, Wanzl offers over 100,000 products, solutions, and innovations. Visit Wanzl North America at www.wanzl.com/NA.

About Würth Canada Limited

Würth Canada Limited was founded in Montreal, Québec in 1971. Its state-of-the-art Head Office has been located in Guelph, Ontario since 2014. Würth Canada has established itself in the Automotive, Trucking, and Industrial marketplaces and has more than 400 sales representatives servicing customers from Victoria, British Columbia to St-John’s, Newfoundland. Visit Würth Canada Limited at www.wurth.ca.

Contacts

Jeffrey Armstrong, Director of Marketing and Product Management, jeff.armstrong@wanzl.com

TORONTO & WATERLOO, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Looking back at 2021, there’s really only a couple of words that come to mind to describe the year-in-review at Bridgit – growth & momentum. As we prepare for another year around the sun, we wanted to celebrate the progress we’ve made with our construction workforce intelligence solution, Bridgit Bench, and our evolution as a company. This was made possible by our investors, our passionate and dedicated team, and most importantly, our customers who will continue to be Bridgit’s foundation and catalyst heading into the new year.

Looking ahead to 2022, we wanted to share a few highlights from the year behind us.

This year alone, our customers have:

• Added over 9,700 projects to Bridgit Bench
• Added over 4,600 trackable staff
• Added over 1,800 new users
• Saved 7-8 hours/week per office maintaining workforce data
• Cut workforce planning meeting times in half (50%)

Bridgit team grows by 55%

We started the year with 58 team members, but by the year’s end, we’ll be roughly 90 strong. We were also recognized as a Great Place to Work® and one of 2021’s Best Workplaces Managed by Women and will continue to invest in our people and culture as we keep scaling the team, through FY22.

Some of our notable hires include:

• Amy Abascal, VP of Marketing – Amy brings with her a wealth of experience in the construction technology industry and will be at the helm of the marketing team’s mission to make Bridgit a household name for all North American GCs.
• Jason Fitzpatrick, Senior VP of Sales – “Fitz” brings with him more than 20 years of experience in technology sales, and leads a team dedicated to helping our customers reduce risk and optimize their workforce.

Bridgit’s VP of Software Development, Andrew Lockwood, has also recently announced the addition of two new development teams at Bridgit: Architecture and Data.

Interested in joining our team? To see all of our active job postings, check out our careers page.

Bridgit expands customer base

Bridgit Bench, our workforce intelligence solution, made waves in North America throughout 2021. We onboarded more than 60 new general contractors, including 27 of the top ENR 400 contractors in 2020. (The ENR 400 is a list curated by the Engineering News Recorder and is akin to the Fortune 500, but for General Contractors). Some of our notable ENR 400 onboardings include Gilbane (#10), Clayco (#23), Burns and McDonnell (#34), Robins & Morton (#77), The Boldt Co (#110), and Columbia (#254). These new additions mean that nearly 20% of the ENR 400 are using Bridgit Bench to create strategic, long-term workforce strategies.

Bridgit increases revenue by 125% YoY and raises $24M in Series B funding

Our Series B funding brings our grand total to CDN $43.5 million CAD in equity financing. This comes as no surprise given that Bridgit has increased revenue 125% YoY in FY21. Our latest funding round was co-led by Camber Creek and Storm Ventures. Additional investors include Nine Four Ventures, along with existing investors BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund, StandUp Ventures, Sands Capital, and Vanedge Capital.

Along with our Series B raise, we announced that Arun Penmetsa, a Partner at Storm Ventures, and Mitchell Schear, Executive Partner at Camber Creek, will be joining the Bridgit board of directors.

Bridgit launches new branding

One of the biggest changes at Bridgit through 2021 was the launch of our new look and voice. We are building a brand that represents Bridgit, and we’re aware it may be different from what the industry expects. But that’s who we are — we didn’t want to choose the obvious. Bridgit is a trailblazer. Our brand is bold, unexpected, and embraces the human side of construction tech. Learn how we developed our new brand.

Bridgit Bench integrates with leading ConTech software

One of our ongoing goals is to create a seamless workforce planning experience. For contractors, that means not having their data siloed off in their respective tools. This year, we’ve launched over 16 integrations with leading construction software. Some of our notable integrations include Procore, Autodesk Build, BIM 360, and BuildingConnected. Read about all of our integration offerings.

Bridgit Bench updates

A lot of the momentum that we’ve built in 2021 is a direct result of the hard work our product and development teams have put into improving our workforce intelligence solution, Bridgit Bench. This work takes months of research, both with our customers and the larger industry, to build meaningful features that can impact contractors’ bottom lines.

This year alone, our development team has pushed out a staggering 42 updates into Bridgit Bench based on direct customer feedback. We always aim to put our customers’ problems first, and work backward to create meaningful solutions for them. Some of our most notable additions include:

1. Pursuit tracking

“Forecasting is probably one of our biggest challenges. [Without Bridgit] we don’t know about projects until somebody sends us the setup plans and then we still don’t know if it’s going to be ours or not. We don’t know how many people we’ll need or if we have enough. Do we need more people? Fewer people? That’s a big challenge for us.”

– Bridgit customer

Create more meaningful collaboration with your business development team by tracking project bids and opportunities directly in Bridgit Bench using Pursuit Tracking. Import your project pipeline and start planning your project team without impacting your utilization rate.

“Our business development team turned down an opportunity to tender for a job because they didn’t think there were any resources available to take on the work. A couple of months later, they found out we did have enough people available, so we missed out on an opportunity to win a job for no good reason.”

– Bridgit customer before Bridgit Bench

2. Smart suggestions

Bridgit Bench will give you smart suggestions on whom you could assign to the role based on previous project history and roles. When you go to assign a person to a role, you’ll see a list of suggestions based on fields from previous projects.

As you build project history in Bridgit Bench, the platform will become more intelligent and show you better suggestions.

3. Certification tracking

“One thing we’ve talked about with Health & Safety is ‘how do we know if our team’s certifications are good?’ Is CPR updated or expired? That’s something that has definitely come up in our discussions.”

– Bridgit customer

You can now track certifications with Certification Tracking in Bridgit Bench. Create a master list of certifications and set warning date ranges so you’re notified well in advance of the certification expiring.

Add the certification to a person’s profile and set the expiration date for their certification. As the certification’s expiry date approaches, you’ll start to see warnings appear.

4. The Strategic Workforce Plan Report

“We did a three-month look ahead by market to see if we needed to hire from February to March. For example, we’ll need five licensed electricians and three crane operators. Can Bridgit Bench help us forecast in a way that shows our current pool of team members and help identify any gaps?”

– Bridgit customer

With the Strategic Workforce Plan Report, Bridgit Bench helps you make better staffing decisions. The report shows you an accurate image of workforce capacity and project demand for both projects and project opportunities, allowing you to filter by role to get granular insights on your workforce needs.

5. Scenario planning

“When we start chasing some of these larger jobs and big projects, we’ll have 150-200 people on them. We try to run scenarios in Excel, but we’re trying to manage documents, marrying this one to that one. It’s a broken system. I’ve had enough. So that’s what drove us to ask you.”

– Bridgit customer

We’ve expanded our forecasting tools to include Scenario Planning for the Utilization Rate Chart. Now, you can plan scenarios for the entire forecasting dashboard, which includes both the Strategic Workforce Plan report and the Utilization Rate Chart.

With Scenario Planning, you can see the impact of your project pursuits on your people. Use it to identify gaps in your allocations and plan in advance for project bids you think you might win.

Putting a bow on 2021

Here we are, with another year in the books. This year was a record-breaking one for the team at Bridgit and we couldn’t have done it alone. Everything we do is a team effort. We have the backing and incredible support from our investors, a team that is obsessed with solving the construction industry’s most prevalent problems, and most importantly we have a star-studded base of customers that includes some of the sector’s most influential players.

These customers worked with us to build Bridgit Bench into what it is today, and will continue working with us to take workforce intelligence to the next level. We’re excited to continue our push forward as a team in 2022! What better way to wrap up the year than with a message from our CEO and Co-Founder, Mallorie Brodie:

“Bridgit Bench was designed by listening to the needs of general contractors and understanding how we could best help them reduce risk and be more profitable. Taking workforce planning out of Excel or other outdated solutions lets them accurately plan, efficiently allocate their staff, and strategically bid based on workforce availability,” said Mallorie Brodie, Bridgit CEO and Co-Founder. “Because listening is ingrained in our corporate DNA, nearly all of our feature releases have been inspired by or directly requested by our customers. There is no other workforce planning tool that can say that customer love drives their roadmap! Our 2022 plan includes aggressive product enhancements, more integrations, and new ways we can help GCs put their people first. We’re looking forward to another banner year!”

+++

About Bridgit

Bridgit is workforce intelligence for the construction industry. Bridgit’s mission is simple — to help the construction industry maximize profits by taking a people-first approach. Workforce Intelligence from Bridgit transforms workforce data into actionable insights that inform an organization’s strategic and tactical business decisions. Bridgit is a privately held company, having raised over $43.5 million CAD in equity financing, with capital from investors such as Autodesk, BDC Capital’s Women in Technology Venture Fund, Camber Creek, Export Development Canada, IAF, Nine Four Ventures, Salesforce Ventures, Sands Capital, StandUp Ventures, Storm Ventures, and Vanedge Capital. Learn more about Bridgit at gobridgit.com.

Contacts

Media Contact

Jesse Kent

Derring-Do Inc.

jesse@derringdo.com
909.781.3892

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

OTTAWA, Ontario–(BUSINESS WIRE)–InterRent Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX-IIP.UN) (“ InterRent”) announced today that its distribution declared for the month of December 2021 is $0.0285 per Trust unit, equal to $0.3420 per Trust unit on an annualized basis. Payment will be made on or about January 17, 2022 to unitholders of record on December 31, 2021.

About InterRent

InterRent REIT is a growth-oriented real estate investment trust engaged in increasing Unitholder value and creating a growing and sustainable distribution through the acquisition and ownership of multi-residential properties.

InterRent’s strategy is to expand its portfolio primarily within markets that have exhibited stable market vacancies, sufficient suites available to attain the critical mass necessary to implement an efficient portfolio management structure, and offer opportunities for accretive acquisitions.

InterRent’s primary objectives are to use the proven industry experience of the Trustees, Management and Operational Team to: (i) to grow both funds from operations per Unit and net asset value per Unit through investments in a diversified portfolio of multi-residential properties; (ii) to provide Unitholders with sustainable and growing cash distributions, payable monthly; and (iii) to maintain a conservative payout ratio and balance sheet.

The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contacts

Sandy Rose, CFA

Director – Investor Relations & Sustainability

(514) 704-2459

sandy.rose@interrentreit.com
www.interrentreit.com

PASADENA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#crowncommercialservice—Tetra Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTEK), a leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services, announced today that it has been awarded a place on Crown Commercial Service’s Construction Professional Services framework.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) supports the United Kingdom’s public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2020/21 CCS helped the public sector to achieve commercial benefits equal to £2.04 billion—supporting world-class public services that offer best value for taxpayers.

The framework, which has a potential spend of £1.7 billion, will cover multi-discipline environmental, civil and structural engineering, building services engineering, architectural, cost management, and project management services.

Tetra Tech has been awarded a position on all six lots of the new four-year agreement—the only consultancy to do so. The lots are divided by project type and focus on the built environment and general infrastructure, urban regeneration, international, high-rise structures, defense, and environment and sustainability.

This new framework replaces CCS’s previous Project Management and Full Design Team Services framework (RM3741), on which Tetra Tech was a named supplier. Tetra Tech has worked on projects for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), HMRC Transformation Programme, South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust (SEHSCT), University of Exeter, and numerous local authorities across the UK.

“Public sector organizations across the UK are investing in their infrastructure using frameworks like those offered by CCS to ensure the highest quality and best value are achieved for their communities,” said Dan Batrack, Tetra Tech Chairman and CEO. “Using Tetra Tech’s Leading with Science^® approach, we can continue delivering excellence across vital public sector works and help support the Government’s long-term infrastructure strategies across the UK, including the design of sustainable infrastructure that helps achieve the UK’s net zero emission targets.”

About Crown Commercial Service

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is an Executive Agency of the Cabinet Office, supporting the public sector to achieve maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. To find out more about CCS, visit: www.crowncommercial.gov.uk. Follow us on Twitter: @gov_procurement and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/2827044

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 21,000 associates working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems in water, environment, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and international development. We are Leading with Science^® to provide sustainable and resilient solutions for our clients. For more information about Tetra Tech, please visit tetratech.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Any statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements made in this release represent management’s best judgment as to what may occur in the future. However, Tetra Tech’s actual outcome and results are not guaranteed and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions (“Future Factors”), and may differ materially from what is expressed. For a description of Future Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see the discussion under the section “Risk Factors” included in the Company’s Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts

Jim Wu, Investor Relations

Charlie MacPherson, Media & Public Relations

(626) 470-2844

Not for distribution to U.S. News Wire Services or dissemination in the United States.

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#ChoiceProperties–Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (“Choice Properties”) (TSX: CHP.UN) announced today that the trustees of Choice Properties have declared a cash distribution for the month of December, 2021 of $0.061667 per trust unit, representing $0.74 per trust unit on an annualized basis, payable on January 17, 2022 to Unitholders of record at the close of business on December 31, 2021.

About Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust

Choice Properties is a leading Real Estate Investment Trust that creates enduring value through the ownership, operation and development of high-quality commercial and residential properties.

We believe that value comes from creating spaces that improve how our tenants and communities come together to live, work, and connect. We strive to understand the needs of our tenants and manage our properties to the highest standard. We aspire to develop healthy, resilient communities through our dedication to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. In everything we do, we are guided by a shared set of values grounded in Care, Ownership, Respect and Excellence.

For more information, visit Choice Properties’ website at www.choicereit.ca and Choice Properties’ issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Contacts

Mario Barrafato

Chief Financial Officer

Choice Properties REIT

(416) 628-7872

Mario.Barrafato@choicereit.ca

Simply Group’s data also shows surge in essential home upgrades as Canadian homeowners prepare for winter

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As temperatures drop nationwide, Canadians are preparing their homes for winter while overcoming the rising cost of goods and supply chain delays. Simply Group, Canada’s non-bank consumer lender of choice, analyzed the third quarter of 2021 to understand how Canadians are planning their home improvement projects in anticipation of changing seasons and supply chain shortages.

In Q3, Simply Group’s data reported a 10 per cent increase in the total value of loan applications for home renovations and upgrades, when compared to the second quarter of 2021. Although the company saw a slight decrease in the number of loan applications, the total number of approved applications has remained steady (0.3 per cent).

“The rising cost of goods and services due to the supply chain issues has driven an increase in the total value of loans issued this quarter,” said Lawrence Krimker, CEO of Simply Group and owner of SNAP Home Finance. “With our innovative financing solutions, homeowners can better manage the rising costs associated with the products and services they need to modernize or safeguard their properties.”

Canadians prepare for winter with increase in HVAC installations

Although there was a slight decrease in essential renovation financing applications Q3 vs. Q2, Q3 reported a 27 per cent increase in application volume vs. Q1. This points to steady investment in essential home upgrades, such as HVAC, windows and doors, and roofing.

“This continued investment in essential home renovations shows that Canadians are still motivated to complete upgrades on their homes, and I expect to see this trend continue through Q4 and the winter,” added Krimker. “I would advise, that everyone considering these improvements plan ahead to avoid supply chain delays that are expected to continue through the winter.”

Maritime provinces show highest increase in applications

On a provincial level, Simply Group reported that Nova Scotia saw a 77 per cent increase in home renovation loan applications in Q3, compared to Q2 2021. Newfoundland followed with a 24 per cent increase in applications, and New Brunswick with a 6 per cent increase on loan applications in Q3, compared to the previous quarter. This provincial breakdown suggests growth of home-improvement financing in the Maritime Provinces – a trend tied to the record number of Canadians who re-settled on the Atlantic coast throughout the pandemic.

About Simply Group

With more than $3 billion home improvement loans to over 500,000 Canadians, Simply Group (mysimplygroup.com) provides consumers with industry leading, high-efficiency, home comfort equipment and financing solutions, to modernize their residential properties. Simply Group knows that its people are its greatest asset and is proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified since 2016. In 2020, Simply Group was named Best Business of the Year by the Canadian SME National Business Awards.

Contacts

For further information:

Jake Watson

VP Marketing

(647) 296-5160

Jacob.Watson@mysimplygroup.com

For media queries:

Emily Ellis

Senior Account Coordinator

Kaiser & Partners Inc.

emily.ellis@kaiserpartners.com
(905) 599-6138

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U) (TSX: SGR.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate, announced today that the Board of Trustees has declared a distribution for the month of December 2021 of U.S.$0.072 per class U unit of the REIT (“Class U Units”), or U.S.$0.864 on an annualized basis.

Holders of Class U Units may elect to receive their distribution in Canadian dollars and should contact their broker to make such an election.

Holders of class A units of the REIT (“Class A Units”) will receive a distribution equal to the Canadian dollar equivalent (based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution) of U.S.$0.072 per Class A Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in U.S. dollars. Holders of class I units of the REIT (“Class I Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per Class I Unit, unless the unitholder has elected to receive distributions in Canadian dollars. Holders of units of subsidiaries of the REIT that are exchangeable into Class U Units (“Exchangeable Units”) will receive a distribution of U.S.$0.072 per unit.

If a holder of Class U Units or Class I Units elects to receive distributions in Canadian dollars, the holder will receive the Canadian dollar equivalent amount of the distribution being paid on the Class U Units or Class I Units, as applicable, based on the U.S./Canadian dollar exchange rate at the time of payment of the distribution.

Distributions on all unit classes of the REIT, and distributions on Exchangeable Units, will be payable on January 17, 2022 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2021.

About Slate Grocery REIT (TSX: SGR.U / SGR.UN)

Slate Grocery REIT is an owner and operator of U.S. grocery-anchored real estate. The REIT owns and operates approximately U.S. $1.9 billion of critical real estate infrastructure across major U.S. metro markets that communities rely upon for their daily needs. The REIT’s resilient grocery-anchored portfolio and strong credit tenants provide unitholders with durable cash flows and the potential for capital appreciation over the longer term. Visit slategroceryreit.com to learn more about the REIT.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform focused on real estate. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform has a range of investment strategies, including opportunistic, value add, core plus and debt investments. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SGR-Dist

Contacts

For Further Information
Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

TORONTO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN) (the “REIT”), an owner and operator of office real estate, announced today that the Board of Trustees has declared a distribution for the month of December 2021 of C$0.0333 per trust unit of the REIT, representing $0.40 per unit of the REIT on an annualized basis.

The distribution will be payable on January 17, 2022 to unitholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2021.

About Slate Office REIT (TSX: SOT.UN)

Slate Office REIT is an owner and operator of office real estate. The REIT owns interests in and operates a portfolio of 32 strategic and well-located real estate assets across Canada’s major population centres and includes two assets in downtown Chicago, Illinois. 61% of the REIT’s portfolio is comprised of government or credit rated tenants. The REIT acquires quality assets at a discount to replacement cost and creates value for unitholders by applying hands-on asset management strategies to grow rental revenue, extend lease term and increase occupancy. Visit slateofficereit.com to learn more.

About Slate Asset Management

Slate Asset Management is a global alternative investment platform focused on real estate. We focus on fundamentals with the objective of creating long-term value for our investors and partners. Slate’s platform has a range of investment strategies, including opportunistic, value add, core plus and debt investments. We are supported by exceptional people and flexible capital, which enable us to originate and execute on a wide range of compelling investment opportunities. Visit slateam.com to learn more.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information herein constitutes “forward-looking information” as defined under Canadian securities laws which reflect management’s expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the REIT. The words “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “does not anticipate”, “projects”, “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results “may”, “will”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “occur”, “be achieved”, or “continue” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the REIT cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings of the REIT with securities regulators.

SOT-Dist

Contacts

Investor Relations

+1 416 644 4264

ir@slateam.com

Move signals Exertis’ intent to expand global technology distribution footprint and accelerate North American expansion plans

PHILADELPHIA & DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–DCC Technology, which trades as Exertis and is one of the world’s leading technology distribution and services businesses, has announced its acquisition of Almo Corporation in North America. The acquisition is the biggest yet in the history of parent company DCC plc.

The move signals an ambitious strategy for Exertis, extending its international scale in the Pro AV sector and ramping up its expansion in the North American market. The addition of Almo Corporation builds on other acquisitions in North America such as Stampede, Jam Industries, The Music People and JB&A, adding depth to its consumer portfolio. It expands Exertis’ Pro AV capability to form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America.

Alongside its Pro AV business, Almo Corporation is the largest distributor of mainstream appliances, delivering a comprehensive portfolio of products including full kitchen packages with essential appliances to small and medium-sized retailers throughout the U.S. In addition, it is the leading distributor of premium appliances, serving retailers and builders designing luxury residential installations for refrigeration, ventilation and cooking in both indoor and outdoor settings. Almo’s thriving business in consumer appliances and lifestyle products will add scale to Exertis North America’s business in the consumer channel.

Almo’s 75-year-old, third-generation, family-owned business brings 660 employees, nine distribution centers and more than 2.5 million square feet of warehousing space across North America. Almo Corporation will benefit from leveraging Exertis’ financial resources and supply-chain logistics, delivering to its vendors and partners a host of improved business opportunities, efficiencies and potential for profit. The acquisition will provide Exertis North America with increased back-end economies of scale allied to the front-end specialization that will add multiple benefits for all its vendors and partners.

Almo will continue to be operated by the Chaiken Family, with Warren Chaiken as President and CEO and Gene Chaiken as Chairman. The combined Exertis and Almo Pro AV divisions will in due course be led by Sam Taylor, current Executive Vice President & COO of Almo Pro AV. Shortly after the completion of the integration, the combined business will be rebranded as Exertis Almo Pro AV.

John Dunne, a long-time senior executive with Exertis, currently leading the Exertis Pro AV team in North America, will join the Almo executive team and help lead the integration. The Premium Appliances and Mainstream Appliances divisions will continue to be led by Steve Terry and Jack Halperin respectively – both industry veterans in those markets.

Exertis’ expanded North American operation becomes a $2.4 billion business overseen by Martin Szpiro, Managing Director of Exertis North America. It forms part of the international expansion strategy of Exertis International, under Managing Director Clive Fitzharris.

Tim Griffin, DCC Technology & Exertis Managing Director says, “The acquisition of Almo Corporation is the largest in DCC’s history and signals our confident and ambitious intent to expand DCC Technology. By integrating Almo with our North American Business, we will form the largest specialist Pro AV business in North America. Almo’s 75-year history of growth and success, combined with its longstanding relationships with industry partners and its ability to continually innovate and expand will be great assets to Exertis. In turn, we will bring significant economies of scale, global supply chain access and other benefits to the customers of Almo Corporation.”

Warren Chaiken, Almo Corporation President & CEO says, “Having just completed a year-long celebration of 75 years of growth and business success, the time is right to give our manufacturer and channel partners a truly global distribution stage so they can operate their businesses at a greater capacity, leverage more buying power and the ability to compete for a more comprehensive position in the global supply chain. We are committed to growing with our partners by remaining their value-added distributor with larger scale and access to more products, more services and more financial support. For them, this transition will be seamless in that we will operate business as usual.”

About Exertis

Exertis is one of the world’s leading technology distributors of consumer, business and enterprise products from pioneering technology brands, playing an integral role in supplying the world with cutting-edge tech. For forty years Exertis has distributed the technology that transforms societies and facilitates the world’s transition to digital. These days Exertis distributes everything from AV solutions to AI-powered smart-tech.

Exertis is powered by the mantra ‘our people, our customers, our business’ and its reach is global. A wholly owned subsidiary of parent company DCC plc, a FTSE 100 company, it has offices in Europe, North America, Middle East and China, representing 2,400 brands. In 2021 it had a turnover of £4.483 billion. As technology evolves, so does Exertis. www.exertis.com.

About Almo Corporation

Since 1946, Almo Corporation has served as the largest independent distributor of appliances, consumer electronics, professional Audio/Video equipment, furniture and housewares in the United States. Meeting the needs of retailers across the country, Almo operates nine regional distribution facilities with over 2.5 million square feet of warehousing. Almo focuses on four major business segments: Major Appliance and Electronics, Premium Appliances, Professional AV and e-Commerce Fulfillment. For more information, go to www.almo.com.

About DCC plc

DCC is a leading international sales, marketing and support services group with a clear focus on performance and growth. DCC is an ambitious and entrepreneurial business operating in 21 countries, supplying products and services used by millions of people every day. Headquartered in Dublin, the Group operates across three markets: energy, healthcare and technology, employing approximately 15,000 people. DCC plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100. In its financial year ended 31 March 2021, DCC generated revenue of £13.4 billion and operating profit of £530.2 million. www.dcc.ie.

Contacts

U.K. & Europe

Dominic Dawes
dominic.dawes@exertis.co.uk

Anna Thorn
anna.thorn@exertis.co.uk

Laura Easton
laura.easton@exertis.co.uk

U.S.

Traci Schaefer
tschaefer@tlscommunications.com