It’s a huge multi-million dollar operation, but it’s still family.
“This is a unique business model we have with co-operatives and frankly, it works great,” said Brian Enns, general manager of Southern Plains Co-operative Limited headquartered in Estevan with partnership outlets in Oxbow, Carlyle and Gainsborough.
“Our profits are shared with members,” said Enns, pointing out that Co-op members receive patronage cash refunds.
In the Southern Plains operations last year, $1.4 million was distributed to members based on the local co-op’s total business of just under $78 million in revenues and over $3 million in net proceeds on operations and a patronage refund from the parent Federated Co-operative Ltd. (FCL), which is part of the aforementioned unique business model.
“Our profits don’t go overseas, they don’t go out-of-province, they don’t go to an American owner, they go back into building, upgrades, employees and employee training. It’s invested locally,” Enns said.
With that in the forefront, the local Co-op and its employees are continually and acutely aware of the need to make members or visiting shoppers, feel at home. In fact, that is part of Southern Plains’ logo and branding direction.
“It really does come down to a family feeling and our employees are very important when it comes to that,” said Enns, noting that employees are charged with the duty of making the customers and members feel comfortable while the business side of Co-op strives to keep the employees in a good comfort zone as part of an extended family.
It must work because Southern Plains boats of an employee base where more than a couple dozen have served for 25 years and more.
Carol McKay is one of them. She works in the business, as human resources manager, at the head office in Estevan located in the grocery outlet. She notes she’s logged nearly 40 years and another longtime employee, John Greenhough announced his pending retirement, after more than 40 years.
“So ya, we’ve seen growth,” said McKay with a chuckle.
There are well over 200 employees in the Southern Plains fold and a hiring blitz is on right now at their new Oxbow location which is quickly exceeding expectations in terms of grocery, convenience store and gas bar operations.
“Present staff can’t keep up with the demand. We’re looking for employees there,” said Enns, who later noted that one of the challenges of managing a growing concern like this is keeping the employees updated and well trained. “Employee development is a big thing for us.”
Giving back to the communities is also a big thing. Last year, it was to the tune of $85,000 in “direct community involvement,” said McKay.
It’s a genuine people business, she adds, whether it be employees and families or the customers/members and their families. They have 9,011 active members, a far cry from the first-year membership base of 256 people who each put up $5 for a charter membership in 1946, joining the existing board of directors who had also invested in the future, some with personal loans as well as membership purchases, just so that early Co-op could get off the ground. Membership No. 1 was sold to Rose Adams.
‘We’re always looking at opportunities and service avenues. Last year we handled and sold a number of grain bins from our Kensington (Ave.) cardlock location. In groceries we are continually seeking and finding what our newcomer community wants in the line of different foods or supplies, and what is new for the traditional shoppers. It’s pretty exciting. I think I have the best job in the world right now,” said Enns with a smile.
“In Oxbow, we opened with a deli, big produce section and full lines of meat products and the response has been tremendous. In Gainsborough (with a petroleum service only) they came aboard with three employees in January, so orientation training for them is underway there and they’re happy to have us as a full partner now,” Enns said.
The keystone outlet, the Estevan retail store and administration office situated next to the gas bar, convenience store and car wash, all opened in 1999 and was recently refurbished. It offers over 28,000 square feet of sales space, a large receiving and storage are plus adjoining office spaces.
“Yes, it’s family, we want people to feel at home here and we keep it local,” said Enns.
No matter how much it grows, Southern Plains will be family in southeast Saskatchewan.
