Mcmahon Fuel Oil Co-op celebrates 80th anniversary
In an era of amalgamations and consolidations, the Mcmahon Fuel Oil Co-op Association Ltd. remains proudly
independent thanks to the long standing support of their members.
On April 5, the Mcmahon Fuel Oil Co-op hosted a community supper in Rhineland to celebrate their 80 years as a cooperative. The currently boast a membership of 365, and around 200 of those individuals are active members.
“There’s only one family in the actual town, but it’s definitely the surrounding farmers that’s keeping us going,” explained Maggie Legere, who has served as the cooperative’s Assistant Manager since 2013.
“The guys make sure that they’re keeping us going because it is so convenient for them to have it that close.”
In addition to their store in Mcmahon, they operate a card lock location in Pambrun. Their services provide a break from having to drive into Swift Current for gas and simple necessities. They stock a series of bearings, belts and small parts for the convenience of farmers in the area.
President Roy Knelsen has served on the Board for 31 years and is a staunch believer in their mandate.
“It’s due to one thing - and that’s the support of the members. That’s the only thing that keeps it going,” he explained. Why
“Because obviously the people in our community value our home community enough that they will support and keep it there. That’s the only reason.”
The Mcmahon Fuel Oil Co-op Association dates back to 1939 when a total of 50 shares were needed to be sold in order to begin the company, and those initial shared were sold at $10 a share. Their original staff was paid a commission of one cent per gallon of gas sold, three cents per gallon of oil, plus five cents for all grease sold.
Just over a decade ago their members voted almost unanimously in favour of proceeding with the building of a new store. During vote at their 2006 annual meeting a full 94 per cent of the membership was in favour of a new store building, and construction was completed before the end of the year.
“When we built the new building we were at a point where we had to either shut down or build a new building,” Knelsen explained. “We couldn’t do what we wanted to do in there, so it was either shut down or build a new building. That’s been a good step.”
He added that they have been successful because of the quality of staff working with their members.
“Our managers have done a good job of relating to the customers. People enjoy going to the store to get stuff.”
Additionally, in 2016 the Mcmahon Post Office moved into the Co-op location.
Gordon Knelsen, who served as Manager from 2013 to 2018 and remains on as a part-time staff, said the time saving factor has been a big reason for their longevity.
“We’re a half hour from Swift Current and we had things that they could pick up from our store and save them a lot of time. And get back in the field quicker.”
He admitted there have been a few late night calls from members hoping the store can be opened in order to lend them a hand.
“There were a few of those. And we’re always happy to accommodate them. I’ve been a farmer too and things happen outside of business hours which you kind of need a little help to get going once in a while. And we were always happy to do that.”
“We tried to carry your basics for sure, bearings and belts that kind of thing to help them get back in the field.”