U.S. Home Systems Cabinetry Services Moves Into Canada

DALLAS, TX -- Kitchen and bath cabinetry refacing firm U.S. Home Systems, Inc. (NasdaqNGM: USHS) says it has entered the Canadian market for kitchen and bath cabinet refacing services through retailer Canadian Tire, operating as Canadian Tire Home Services. .

U.S. Home Systems formed a new Canadian subsidiary, Canadian Home Systems, Ltd., which entered a three-year contract with the Canadian Tire Financial Services subsidiary of widely established retailer Canadian Tire Corp., Limited  (Tsx:CTC).

"The strength of the Canadian Tire brand in Canada is truly unique with instant recognition by Canadian shoppers," said Murray Gross, CEO of U.S. Home in a statement announcing the move.

 U.S. Home will test the offerings in Toronto beginning in July, opening two sales and installation centers, one that will double as the Canada headquarters.

The cabinet refacing program will roll out throughout Ontario Province by the end of  December 2012. If Canadian Tire and U.S. Home's Canada unit agree, the cabinet refacing program will be expand to British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec.

Canadian Tire has product offerings in automotive, living, repair, other retail, and financial services. More than 90 percent of Canadians live within 15 minutes of one of Canadian Tire's 488 stores, according to Gross.

"We have strong expectations that the introduction of our kitchen and bath products and services will be well received by customers in Canada," he says. 

The Canadian economy has maintained much of its strength, with housing especially strong compared to the U.S. market.  A surge in housing starts in April put the Canadian home building industry on pace to build 244,900 units for the year, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).