Country Junction Named 2008  Business of the Year

For the third time in four years the Country Junction and its hardworking staff have received a prestigious award from the Wetaskiwin & District Chamber of Commerce.  The Wetaskiwin Co-op was honoured to be named recipient in the Large Business Category at the Annual Business Awards banquet held on October 23rd.

Operations began for the Wetaskiwin Co-op in 1917 when business was conducted on a railway spur at a box car door.   Local members were notified that supplies had arrived and farmers would call at the box car to pick up their orders and sometimes their neighbours' orders as well. Early success was not measured by profit, but by the volume of commodities that were required by the significantly increasing membership.  The Co-op offered residents of Wetaskiwin the same purchasing benefits as the farmers and, after raising $550 for working capital, the first store was opened.

Since then the business has been steadily evolving. Today, the Wetaskiwin Co-op's modern retail space, built in the last seven years, boasts over 42,000 sq ft. Other facilities include the Falun Branch, Feed Mill, an administration building, several warehouses, and the expanding building supply department which has the distinction of being the Largest Building Supply Centre in the Wetaskiwin area.

The business was founded in the spirit of cooperation and, today, that premise is still the force that makes the whole operation successful.  The heart of the organization is its people, the employees and the members they serve. Today the Wetaskiwin Co-op employs close to 150 people and active membership is close to ten thousand.  It is noteworthy that the almost ten percent of its staff have over fifteen years of service and the longest term employee has been with the Co-op for forty years.

This year the Co-op boasts a total sales volume of just under $78 million, with the Falun branch just shy of $10 million (doubling its business in five years).  This success benefits employees and members who benefit from profit-sharing and the community as a whole since the Wetaskiwin Co-op Association is an active supporter of many community projects.

The Wetaskiwin and District Chamber of Commerce organizes this annual awards and celebratory banquet to recognize the business community for its conscientious service to the people of Wetaskiwin and area.  Wayne DiLallo, president of the chamber said that the awards banquet is a "reflection of the diversity in our vibrant business community." 

Businesses were nominated in a variety of categories ranging from Customer Service and Employer of the Year to the small, mediuim and large business classifications.  The nominees for the awards were chosen by the public at large.

Other Pages of Interest

2006 Employer of the Year
2004 Business of the Year
 

 
2004 Business of the Year

It is a proud moment when the community that you serve recognizes your commitment to them. The Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce named the Country Junction the 2004 Business of the Year.   We send a great big thank you to the people of Wetaskiwin for helping us to build and maintain a relationship with our community.  We appreciate the cooperation of the local businesses, too.  

Thanks to everyone for recognizing our achievements.

These achievements are due to the extraordinary efforts and loyalty of the employees - retail and warehouse support, mill hands, drivers, sales and administrative staff.  Many of these fine individuals have served the Co-op for several years, some for decades - their experience and dedication make it easier for new staff to become part of the team and for business to run smoothly.  The Board of Directors and management appreciate everyone's commitment to making the Country Junction the best.

Here's what the Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser said about the 2004 Business of the Year Award.

Anthony Kovats
Staff Writer
Monday October 18, 2004

Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser —
BUSINESS of the YEAR
What a difference two years can make. Now, on the cusp of their second anniversary, this year’s Business of the Year is for a business that has left an undeniable footprint on this community.

And she’s right.

Few have been so heavily involved in community like the Co-op Country Junction. But never one to rest on its laurels, the staff of this ultra- modern facility continues to set a path of being not only the largest farm supply store in the country, but probably the best.

The Co-op has a national view in mind when it opened the doors of the largest farm supply store in Canada two years ago.

The Alberta-based company is owned by 8,100 member-customers. Each is an independent business or individual who recognizes co-operating with each other helps maintain a level of competitiveness in an ever changing market place.

As part of the Wetaskiwin Co-op Assocation , the Country Junction, Falun Co-op, the Co-op Feedmill and other divisions all take direction from that membership - serving not only the co-operative, but the community as a whole.

“Formed by the community, for the community,” stated Wetaskiwin’s general manager, Bert Horvey.

The Co-op is a vision of people working together to improve their social and economic well being and nothing epitomizes this better than the philosophy of the Country Junction.