Do you have an innovative home improvement product?

A collapsible rain barrel, solar room heaters and a snap-on gutter guard are just some of the innovative products from 40 Ontario and Quebec manufacturers now available at The Home Depot Canada ® in select stores.

How did they get there? As a result of The Home Depot Canada’s partnership program with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation and the Quebec Ministry of Economic Development, Innovation and Export Trade – Innovation for Sustainability. The project opens new retail channels for small and medium Ontario and Quebec-based businesses – bringing products to market that will drive innovation, sustainability and economic opportunity.

This is your opportunity to partner with the world’s leading home improvement retailer – The Home Depot Canada – to bring your product to market. In late fall 2012; The Home Depot Canada will host its third Meet the Buyer event in Toronto, Ontario. Small and medium-sized manufacturers from Ontario and Quebec with an innovative home improvement product or technology are invited to apply.

Manufacturers of promising products will be awarded a trial in select Home Depot locations. A dedicated consultant will be available to help selected manufacturers navigate the various steps and requirements involved in becoming a Home Depot vendor. Products that are successful during the trial will be scaled up to larger markets, with an ultimate goal of national availability.

To qualify, the product must be:

• Innovative
• Made for retail sale to home improvement customers
• Designed, manufactured or assembled in Ontario or Quebec

There are no fees to apply or to attend the Meet the Buyer event. Manufacturers are invited to apply online from August 6 to September 30.

The date for the Innovation for Sustainability – Meet The Buyer Event is Wednesday November 7, 2012.

Apply online at www.innovationforsustainability.ca

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Bryan Murray

Senior Business Consultant
Business Development Unit
Investment & Industry Division
Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation

56 Wellesley Street West, 4th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2E7
Ph: 416-326-9621
E-mail: [email protected]