Major Independent Ontario Dealer Kemptville Building Centre Joins RONA

BOUCHERVILLE, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 5, 2012) - RONA inc. (TSX:RON)(TSX:RON.PR.A), the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, renovation and gardening products, today announced that independent dealer-owner Kemptville Building Centre in Ontario has joined RONA. Owned by the Norenberg family, the Kemptville Building Centre located on 2540 Highway 43 has been serving the Kemptville community since 1974.

The company was founded by the late Karl Norenberg and continues under the leadership of Eric Norenberg. Kemptville Building Centre is the leading home improvement store in Kemptville, operating a 22,000 square feet store on a 5 acre site with a furniture store.

Kemptville Building Centre is a one stop shop for home improvement. It offers a specialty flooring selection, designers and decorators services and an extensive professional Installs program. Specialties include kitchens and bathrooms with full furniture and appliance centre that allows customers to realize their all projects with success.

"We are extremely proud to be joining RONA and look forward to becoming part of a strong banner with a national presence and a very promising business plan, said Eric Norenberg. We know we can count on RONA's team to work with us and help us achieve our growth plan. Our goal is clear: continue to offer our customers the best product selection and the best service in Eastern Ontario while maintaining our long standing ties to our community."

"Over the past few years, we've grown our network of affiliated stores not only by recruiting independent dealers but also through the development projects undertaken by the dealers themselves, said Tim Kester, RONA's Director of market development. With RONA, independent dealers can trust they will get the support they need to face today's market realities. By joining the RONA family, they also have access to our many experts' support, plus the strongest purchasing power in our industry in Canada," he added.

About RONA

RONA is the largest Canadian distributor and retailer of hardware, home renovation and gardening products. The Corporation operates a network of more than 800 corporate, franchise and affiliate stores of various sizes and formats under several banners, and a network of 14 hardware and construction material distribution centres which are flexible and perfectly adapted to the diverse needs of its clientele. RONA is also a leader in the specialized plumbing and HVAC market, primarily serving commercial and professional customers with a network of close to 60 sales outlets and four distribution centres across the country.

In total, RONA supplies nearly 1,500 sales outlets, of which more than 830 are under one of its banners, as well as close to 600 clients, independent dealers, in its distribution network. With close to 30,000 employees working in every region of Canada, the RONA store network generates consolidated sales of $4.8 billion and more than $6 billion taking into account the total impact of the retail sales of franchise dealers, affiliates and other independent dealers who buy their supplies at RONA. For more information, visit www.rona.ca.