Gateway Co-op has accomplished a significant landmark within the Saskatchewan business community.
Gateway broke into the recently released annual Top 100 Companies of Saskatchewan, featured in SaskBusiness magazine, ranking in the 97th position.
Brad Chambers, Gateway Co-op General Manager, said it was gratifying to learn of the recognition.
鈥淚 was very excited and proud of what we achieved,鈥� said Chambers, 鈥渁nd grateful to our members and team members that helped us get here. This is a great milestone as we continue to grow year over year.鈥�
SaskBusiness stated, 鈥渁ll representatives on this list have what it takes to weather a multitude of challenges,鈥� including 鈥淣AFTA (or lack thereof), low dollar, tenuous relationships with some of our largest trading partners and Mother Nature, all of this affects their bottom line.鈥�
Chambers said the people involved in various ways are the main factors in this recognition for Gateway.
鈥淭here are many people involved in making this happen; from our members that support us, to our board of directors鈥� oversite and all the hard work that our team members put in on a daily basis,鈥� he explained. 鈥淚n addition, the Co-op brand has always been prominent in western Canada, but additional efforts have been made in the recent years to increase the reputation of the brand.鈥�
Chambers said the 100 Gateway employees play important roles in making the top 100 list.
鈥淲e could not do this without the great efforts of our team members,鈥� said Chambers. 鈥淎 cornerstone of the Co-operative model is excellent customer service which our team members provide on a daily basis by providing full service at the pumps, bagging groceries, or preparing no-cost project quotes.鈥�
The continuing support of members is key to Gateway鈥檚 ongoing success.
鈥淎s a Co-op all of our profits are returned to the members we serve from investment in facilities that serve our community to donations to the local service groups, and of course in equity and cash back,鈥� said Chambers.
Gateway Co-op was originally formed in 1940, and has seen many significant changes over the years.
鈥淭here were additions of commodity lines and amalgamations with other Co-ops,鈥� said Chambers.
鈥淧reeceville Co-op is one of the oldest Co-operatives, having been incorporated in 1914. Gateway Co-op was initially incorporated as Canora Consumers Association Limited in 1940. But then after a series of amalgamations with Pelly Co-op, Buchanan Co-op and Sturgis Co-op during 1966, the legal name was changed to The Gateway Co-operative Limited in 1968. Over the years, the locations of the main business lines of food, petroleum, lumber and hardware may have changed, but Gateway Co-op is always considering commodities that will allow our Co-operative to remain relevant to our members into the future. Commodities that have been added in recent years include grain bins, augers and liquor while other services such as auto service bays and custom/wild meat cutting were discontinued.鈥�
Even with its lengthy history, Gateway Co-op continues to look to the future.
鈥淐urrently we are working on a major project in Preeceville with the construction of a new Home Centre/C-store hybrid and lumber buildings. Beyond that, we are continuously exploring opportunities to invest in,鈥� concluded Chambers.
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