小蓝视频ern Plains Co-op is known in the southeast area for the diversity of its service, and that has been reflected through the Readers鈥� Choice Best of Estevan contest offered by Estevan Mercury Publications.
The co-op, which has been around for more than 70 years, scooped up three awards 鈥� best gas station, best fuel supply and best bakery.
General manager Brian Enns and human resources manager Carol McKay said they are grateful to be recognized, and to be able to provide such services.
鈥淚 feel very proud to be recognized, to be able to provide those services, and for the communities to say that we are outstanding in those areas,鈥� said McKay, whose entire 40-year career with the co-op has been in Estevan.
鈥淎ll of this comes down to our team members and the job that they do, and the hard work,鈥� said Enns, who has been with the co-op for four years and has 35 years of experience in the co-op system.
Bulk fuel is something they鈥檙e particularly proud of. The team of two drivers and two other employees works very hard to supply the delivery of fuel to farms.
鈥淲hen it鈥檚 spring seeding and fall harvest, they go around the clock, and I think that recognition, they truly do deserve it,鈥� said McKay.
鈥淭hey work hard looking after our customers,鈥� added Enns. 鈥淭here is pride in their work. The big thing for them is making sure that the customer never runs out of fuel, so they can continue their operations and get the crop in the bin.鈥�
The co-op has not only seen its number of services grow, but it also serves a number of communities. Not only does it have operations in Estevan, but it also has a presence in Oxbow, Carlyle, Alameda and Gainsborough. About 200 people work for the co-op.
In Estevan, the co-op has its grocery store on Fourth Street, its service stations on Fourth Street and Kensington Avenue, the bulk fuel and agro centre on Kensington Avenue, and a cardlock location on Kensington. Another cardlock will be constructed on the truck bypass in the spring.
鈥淲e have 鈥� many, many different varieties of commodities that we provide to the membership,鈥� said McKay. 鈥淲e have that ability to say that we鈥檙e not just food, we鈥檙e not just petroleum, we are a large variety of commodities and services.鈥�
Enns is particularly proud of the co-op鈥檚 business style.
鈥淥ur profits, at the end of the year, are divided amongst the membership based on their purchases,鈥� said Enns. 鈥淪o the money stays here.鈥�
A co-op owes its success to people, they said, thanks to the employees, the members and the customers.
鈥淧eople are a large part of it,鈥� said McKay. 鈥淭hey become your family. You have a home family and a work family.鈥�
The co-op also has a strong connection with the community. They have helped out various organizations and events with fundraisers and donations.
Last year the co-op hosted the Trail of Terror for the first time at Woodlawn Regional Park鈥檚 Larry Preddy Trails. They hope it can continue to grow.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not just big events that we鈥檙e involved in,鈥� said McKay. 鈥淲e do so many small contributions to smaller groups that are looking for some help in doing whatever they need.鈥�
Thanks to the support last year, the Trail of Terror is now going to be an annual event, they said.
鈥淲e track our staff in the hours they contribute to the community in volunteering,鈥� said Enns. 鈥淭hat number grows and grows year after year. It鈥檚 just our team members helping out in the community where they can. It鈥檚 great to see.鈥�
