Clearview posts banner year, plans for expansion
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This article was published 05/04/2023 (775 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Clearview Co-op posted another strong fiscal year and revealed plans to enact a pay-at-the-pump system at all gas bars and expand and overhaul existing locations at their annual general meeting March 28.
General Manager Henry Nickel told a crowd of members at the Mennonite Heritage Village the cooperative is working on securing a new point-of-sale system which will be followed by updates to all pumps to include the convenient payment method.
“Our board management is continuing to explore opportunities to expand our services and to diversify our business to be able to stay relevant for many generations to come,” said Nickel.
Despite the rising cost of fuel and ongoing supply chain disruptions the local reported strong numbers for 2022, including $218 million in sales, their best year yet, and a patronage allocation of $9.2 million, up from $6.9 million in 2021.
Net savings before the patronage allocation increased to $19.6 million, up from $13.4 million last fiscal year while assets stood at $60 million, $17 million more than in 2021.
Financial Auditor Tim Cook of BDO Canada LLP said the inflated numbers could be attributed, in part, to Clearview’s amalgamation with St Malo Co-op.
On battling supply chain issues, Nickel said the price and availability of products prompted Clearview to source products from different suppliers.
“At the end of the day, I believe we met the needs of our customers,” Nickel said.
Nickel went on to say the cooperative plans to expand the food store on La Broquerie, which has more than doubled its sales since its amalgamation in 2019, and an intention to rebuild the gas bar in Landmark.
Director and Vice President David Wiens discussed Co-op’s future as the need for fuel is expected to wind down as electric vehicles rise in popularity.
“We’re constantly looking for strategic opportunities to diversify our operations,” Wiens said, adding the addition of a food store in Ste Anne is as much a strategy as it is filling a need for the growing community.
With a recent purchase of all Husky gas bars across Western Canada by Federated Co-op, Clearview assumed distribution of fuel at two locations, one in Richer and the other in Fort Frances, ON.
“It was a move to seize a larger share of the fuel business in a declining market,” Wiens said.
Wiens alluded to future development of Clearview through land purchases in various communities.
Long-time board member Menno Plett announced his retirement from the role, leaving a vacant spot on the board of directors. Don Falk was re-elected while nominee Myron Trudeau edged out a win to fill the vacant seat.