MOOSEJAWEXPRESS.COM • Wednesday, May 16, 2018 • PAGE A1
MOOSE JAW
Volume 11, Issue 20 Wednesday, May 16, 2018
EXPRESS Moose Jaw’s REAL community newspaper
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Moose Jaw Co-op pays members $2.5 million from patronage purchases By Ron Walter For Moose Jaw Express
Parts, Service & Repair on: • Agriculture • Industrial • Commercial
Plus on site repairs
We also specialize in Custom Hauling/Recovery
In a year when the Saskatchewan economy recovered by posting 2.9 per cent growth, the Moose Jaw Co-op outperformed the province. Sales at the Co-op increased seven per cent to $86.1 million while savings increased almost six per cent to $5.9 million. The successful year allowed the directors to keep the same percentages on patronage dividends as in 2017; 6.5 per cent on food, pharmacy, and petroleum; 6.5 per cent on non-food; and 12 per cent on oil and grease. The annual meeting was told that cheques to Co-op members total $2.5 million with the average cheque size of $1,950. Sales in all divisions increased: gar bars were up 8.2 per cent; agro centre was up 7.2 per cent; and the Marketplace sales were up five per cent. The cardlock facility was re-located during the year to a spot north of the Trans-Canada Highway and Ninth Avenue Northwest. Construction on the access road interrupted access to the cardlock most of the summer. The Co-op’s success is largely due to careful planning and management, said Board President Marc Girard. Businesses must continue to evolve to “remain relevant and competitive,” he said. “We have all witnessed examples of businesses that tried to operate in a status quo environment… Quite simply they do not survive.” Management staff and the board will be vigilant and explore any beneficial opportunities. General Manager Gerry Onyskevitch said the excellent sales and savings made it possible to return record amounts of cash to almost 13,000 members. Since 2008, sales have increased from $54.5 million to $86.1 million with savings ranging between $4 million and a record $7.1 million in 2013. The Co-op returned $38 million to members since 2008. He said the Co-op is in excellent condition with facilities, staff, equiopment and people to build on the success achieved. The number of long-term employees says something about the Co-op being a good place to work.
Transmission & Automotive CONVENIENTLY LOCATED DOWNTOWN
COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE AND DIAGNOSTIC REPAIRS
Gerry Onyskevitch
Continued support by the members has allowed the organization to succeed. Last year the deli service was department of the year for the Regina region of Federated Co-op. This is the third year in a row that award was won by this Co-op’s food department. Among numerous community contributions last year was funds for a Humane Society van. Returned to the board by acclamation were Karen Tysowski, Robert Gottselig and Don McMillan. About 25 members attended the annual meeting. Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
Ends May 31st 2018
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