After 75 years in business Alberta Wheat Pool is no more.
Delegates and shareholders voted unanimously at a Calgary meeting to merge with Manitoba Pool Elevators to create Agricore, one of Canada’s largest grain handling and marketing co-operatives.
“It’s probably one of the most historic meetings Alberta Wheat Pool delegates have ever participated in,” said former acting Alberta pool president John Pearson during a news conference.
The new company serves producers in the four western provinces.
Agricore plans better marketing opportunities for farmers such as moving Manitoba barley to Alberta or pooling durum or oats for new markets. New products should appear sooner as large farm supply companies want to tap into the larger customer base.
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Delegate structures will change and over time districts will be redrawn to provide farmer direction, said Pearson.
Alberta Pool had 72 delegates and Manitoba had 80 delegates.
All directors and delegates remain in place until a new structure is approved in March. Districts should be reorganized over the summer and a new set of representatives will attend the first annual meeting of Agricore in the fall.
Xcan Grain will continue to operate in partnership with Saskatchewan Wheat Pool to handle offshore markets of non Canadian Wheat Board grains.
“We need to come to an agreement with our partner on how many board members we need to have. We clearly will not need as many board members to represent two organizations,” said Cummings.
A toll-free phone number and e-mail will be set up for farmers who need to talk to head office staff in Winnipeg.
The 300 employees in Calgary will be reduced to about 200. The merger saves money because Agricore won’t have to operate two computer systems or require two offices such as human resources or payroll.
The Alberta Pool building in downtown Calgary is for sale. The listed price is $14 million.
The executive team has drawn on staff from both companies.
The chief executive officer is Gord Cummings, who held that job in Alberta.
Ron Gorst manages Agricore’s grain division across the Prairies, as well as terminals at Thunder Bay, Ont., and the West Coast.
Ed Rodenburg is manager of agricultural inputs, special crops, seed, beans, Sunny Boy processed foods, as well as research and development.
Geoff Southwood, former chief financial officer for Alberta pool, becomes responsible for working with the board of directors and management on strategic planning. He will also direct information systems, legal systems and the Manitoba Co-operator, a farm newspaper owned by Manitoba Pool.
Gary Timlick is the chief financial officer for Agricore. He was CFO for Manitoba Pool.
Dennis Sutton from Manitoba is the human resources manager.
Dale Riddell manages corporate and business communications, government relations, policy and business research and member relations for Agricore. Formerly with Alberta Pool, he is moving to head office in Winnipeg.
Gordon Miles, Manitoba manager of services and development, will manage the merger transition for Agricore.
