About Us
Strait Supplies is a supplier of industrial and residential products located in Point Tupper Nova Scotia that has been in business for over 55 years serving the needs of not only the Strait area but of customers across Canada.
Established in the 1960’s to provide much needed materials, supplies and service to the construction industry during the development of the Point Tupper Heavy Industrial zone, Strait Supplies has continued to grow and evolve. Physically, our premises have been renovated with bright, spacious showrooms and customer service areas as well as increased warehouse capacity to allow for an even larger inventory to meet customer demand. As customer demand has increased, so has our staff, as well as our capabilities in order to keep up with the market. We continue to evolve into a more efficient and modernized work environment, one with more technological capabilities to help ensure superior customer satisfaction.
Closely monitoring our customers’ needs and keeping an eye on the ever-changing marketplace enables Strait Supplies to consistently supply product and service in an expeditious manner. Keys to Strait Supplies’ success include top-rate, old-fashioned customer service, such as free delivery around the local area, experience and reliability as some employees have over 30 years of service with the company and last but not least, we sell high quality goods.
Our product line is wide and diversified with not only industrial supplies but also safety, power and hand tools, welding, fishing and marine, trap supplies, hydraulics, plumbing and heating. We carry famous name brands such as Ben-Mor Cable, PIP, Air Liquide, Miller and Victor Welding Equipment, Makita, Dewalt, Gray, Jet, Omega Compressors, Baffin and Dunlop footwear, Gates Canada, Ridgid, International Paints, Helly Hansen Workwear, Walter Surface Technologies, SIA Sanding Products, Stanley, 3M Safety, Jabsco, Rule, Olfa, Dynamic Tools, CMT, King Industrial, Irwin, Bessey, Pioneer Clothing, Bosch, Simpson Strong Tie, Generac & Firman generators and many, many more. We are also a Master Distributor for Maritime Marine and for Rainbow Net & Rigging.
Strait Supplies has not only been providing quality products and service to the local area but also throughout the Maritimes and beyond. We provide quality products in a timely manner to industrial projects; whether it be construction to mining. Strait Supplies has been the supplier of choice for contractors on industrial projects. When it comes to your project’s needs, regardless of size, we can provide you with the products you need in a safe, timely, cost effective manner. The employees at Strait Supplies are the pillars in which the business stands and their knowledge and skills allow them to provide our customers with valuable service.
Meet the team
Brian Bona
Owner Operator
Brian McCarthy
Manager – Industrial Division
Frank DeCoste
Marine/Hydraulic Manager
Mary Hayes
Office Manager/Financial Controller
Berniece Morris
Senior Administrative Officer/Inventory Control
Darren Bona
Sales Associate (Marine/Hydraulics/Industrial)
Matt Bona
Sales Associate (Welding/Industrial)
Jason Bryan
Sales Associate (Industrial)
Alex Guthro
Inventory Control
Michael Comeau
Shipper/Receiver
Rosanne MacNeil
Administrative Assistant
Breton Bona
Chief of Security
Bailey Bona
Junior Security Officer
Staff Bios
Brian Bona
Owner Operator
Prior to buying Strait Supplies Brian spent 24 years in the glass business. In 1998 Brian moved his family to Port Hawkesbury and began his career with Strait Supplies as co-owner. Brian has since become sole owner.
In his personal life Brian is passionate about his family and when it comes to professionally, he says being his own boss. Brian is an accomplished woodworker creating many beautiful pieces, especially his unique cutting boards that can be found from coast to coast. In season Brian can be found taking in a round of golf or relaxing with Cathy at their camper at Cranberry Campground.
Brian is a member of Strait Area Chamber of Commerce and is the proud recipient of the 2011 Jack Hartery Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2017 Excellence in Business Award.
When asked what he would consider his greatest accomplishment, Brian says watching his family, along with the employees, grow Strait Supplies.
If given the opportunity to learn anything, Brian says it would be to speak Spanish.
Brian McCarthy
Manager – Industrial Division
Brian started with Strait Supplies in 1985 and as they say, the rest is history. Brian began as a delivery driver and throughout the years moved to receiving, outside sales, inside sales and purchasing giving him a vast knowledge of the business.
Brian’s personal passions include his family and being an avid sports fan. Coming from a large family meant being able to field a baseball team with siblings only and led to many great ball games.
On a professional level, Brian is passionate about customer satisfaction and strives to achieve that through sourcing the best options for his customers.
Brian would like to learn to fly a space ship
Frank DeCoste
Marine/Hydraulic Manager
Frank has been with Strait Supplies for 26 years and brings with him technical and practical knowledge of not only the products, but the process in which they are used. In 1988 Frank graduated as a Machinist from Canso Regional Vocational School. Following graduation, Frank worked his trade locally for five years. He went on to further his education by successfully completing a hydraulic course and continuing his machinist career. Frank joined Strait Supplies at the Marine/Hydraulic division as a sales associate in 1997 and is now manager of that branch of the company.
Frank’s skills and knowledge are so diversified that there is rarely anything that he can’t fix. In his spare time, Frank can be found tinkering in his garage doing repairs and odd jobs for family and friends. At work or at home Frank firmly believes in “doing things right”.
In his professional life Frank’s #1 priority is customer satisfaction.
Frank is most proud of being a part of raising three wonderful children who as young adults, have achieved success in their respective fields. Achieving his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do when in his 40’s is also something Frank takes pride in.
Frank would love to learn How to say No.
Mary Hayes
Office Manager/Financial Controller
Mary has been with Strait Supplies for 21 years bringing with her extensive experience in office administration and considerable knowledge in the sales of chemical gases. Mary began her career at Strait Supplies in office administration and through dedication and hard work has achieved her current position. Her strong work ethic and devotion to her job makes her a valued member of the SS crew.
Mary’s passions include spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and of course, sharing her arm chair with her fur babies, Tupper & Scooby. She likes quilting, gardening and spoiling her work family with baked goods and treats.
Mary’s work family is very important to her and she fosters staff camaraderie and cultivates the relationships between staff and customers.
Her determination to be at work each and every day despite a debilitating illness is an achievement that many would not even attempt.
Mary would like to learn to play piano and play the Mull River Shuffle.
Berniece Morris
Senior Administrative Officer/Inventory Control
Berniece began her career with Strait Supplies in 1979 covering vacations then joined the team full time in 1983 at the Marine/Hydraulics division which at that time was located on Paint Street in the Light Industrial Park. After a brief hiatus Berniece returned to Strait Supplies and, as they say, the rest is history. Berniece brings almost 50 years of experience to her position.
Her personal interests include yard sales, knitting, time with family, the occasional trivia night with friends, and “Lake time”.
Professionally, Berniece is passionate about “the numbers”. Everything must balance! Berniece is always up for learning new skills.
One of the things Berniece is most proud of, besides her family, is her independence and degree of self-reliance in relation to minor repairs and maintenance which she partially credits to osmosis from time spent alongside her late husband.
Berniece hopes to learn crochet without everything turning into a cone.
Darren Bona
Sales Associate (Marine/Hydraulics/Industrial)
Darren has worked with Strait Supplies for 25 years. Upon completion of high school, Darren worked for his father at Brian’s auto glass business in Sackville before moving to Port Hawkesbury in 1998 and beginning his career with Strait Supplies.
Darren is a passionate sports fan, one who not only enjoys watching sports but offering his skills and knowledge by coaching. Darren has coached both baseball and hockey locally at the minor and high school levels. When it comes to a professional passion, Darren strives to ensure each and every customer leaves Strait Supplies with not only what they came for, but wanting to come back.
In regards to Darren’s greatest accomplishment, coaching the Strait Area Sting to provincial minor league baseball championships in 2016, and again in 2018 is something Darren is proud of, not only for himself, but for the young local athletes. In 2018, Darren received a volunteer recognition award from the town of Port Hawkesbury.
If Darren could learn anything, he would take the opportunity to learn to play guitar.
Matt Bona
Sales Associate (Welding/Industrial)
Matt graduated from NSCC in 2005 with a diploma in Welding and has over 15 years with Strait Supplies. After graduation, Matt worked locally for 10 years as a welder/fabricator before beginning his full-time career with the company.
Some of Matt’s personal passions are family, boxing and hockey. When away from the office, Matt can be found camping with his family or at the local arenas supporting his children in their boxing and hockey endeavours. On a professional level, Matt is passionate in helping ensure the success of the business as well as ensuring customer service is met with the highest standards.
As for his greatest accomplishment, Matt insists it is his family, above all others.
When asked if he could learn anything, what would it be, Matts initial thought is a mind reader, but if that can’t happen than he would like to learn another language.
Jason Bryan
Sales Associate (Industrial)
Jason graduated from NSCC with both pipefitting & welding diplomas and has been with Strait Supplies for seven years. He brings with him experience in hands on trades as well as up to date safety knowledge.
He has an educated knowledge of the products and product lines we sell and has years of experience in customer service. His affable nature and commitment to customer service makes for pleasant and satisfying encounters with both staff and customers.
Jason’s passions include creativity and continual learning.
As the dad & husband of a young family Jason is proud of his ability to provide for them while being able to work locally and remain at home.
Given the opportunity to learn something new, Jason would choose to learn a new language.
Alex Guthro
Inventory Control
Alex has been with Strait Supplies for over 2 years and brings with him 15 years of inventory management experience. Alex gained valuable warehousing and inventory management experience from working on different sites in Northern Alberta for 10 years. After moving back to the area, he continued with inventory management for 5 years before joining Strait Supplies.
Some passions include spending time with his family, helping others, hunting and sports. He is a self-taught handyman and has acquired a high level of skill in many fields. He can bring a project to life right from the planning stage to the final blow of the hammer.
Professionally, Alex is always willing to take on a new challenge and strives to promote a professional but personal work environment, one for both staff and customers.
Alex says aside from his family, one of the things he is most proud of is achieving his yellow belt in Six Sigma which exemplifies his desire in process improvement.
Alex would take the opportunity to learn computer programming.
Michael Comeau
Shipper/Receiver
Michael has been with Strait Supplies for a year and a half and brings with him several years experience in shipping & receiving as well as a business administration diploma from NSCC. Michael has gained skills and knowledge in unloading, loading, sorting, shipping and receiving product and continues to broaden his knowledge of the store’s vast inventory.
His personal interests include listening to podcasts, music, playing video games and being a Leafs fan.
Mike’s professional passion is ensuring efficient shipping/receiving practices that prioritize the needs of the customer.
Mike takes great pride in achieving his NSCC Business Administration diploma
If Mike could learn anything it would be a new language, such as French or ASL.
Rosanne MacNeil
Administrative Assistant
Rosanne joined Strait Supplies in 2022 and brought with her experience, knowledge and energy to the team. Rosanne has worked in highly competitive and stressful work environments which have provided her with valuable skills that are key to customer satisfaction at Strait Supplies. Rosanne’s career spans from working as an office manager for a construction company to being a program manager in the financial world. For most of Rosanne’s career, she has been providing quality customer service to people in various business sectors.
Rosanne is passionate for her family & friends first and foremost. She enjoys being creative and seeing beauty in life with her camera, crafting and spending time on the water kayaking. Professionally, Rosanne aspires to learn new ways to make work life more efficient and organized.
If given the opportunity to learn something, Rosanne says it would be becoming more self-sustainable in her home life.
Breton Bona
Chief of Security
Breton joined Strait Supplies as a trainee under the patient guidance of then COS, Teddy. He was an eager and capable student and soon became the Junior Security Officer. Upon Teddy’s retirement, Breton moved into the COS position with ease. Breton works for treats and is very gracious when being compensated for his work.
Bailey Bona
Junior Security Officer
Bailey also began as a trainee and continues his security training under the watchful eye of his mentor Breton. Bailey is very exuberant which can sometimes get him in a jam but Breton has confidence that the youngster will learn to focus his energies in a positive direction. Bailey can be quite successful in charming extra treats for both him and Breton.