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A good turn-out of CHHMA members were present to hear Mr. Rod Baergen, General Merchandise Manager, Federated Co-operatives Limited speak at our breakfast meeting held on November 23rd at the International Centre Conference Facility in Mississauga, Ontario.
Mr. Baergen gave an excellent presentation which included a summary of FCL's history, current structure and operations, different store formats and future growth plans. FCL has been experiencing strong growth in recent years which has put some pressure on their warehouse but with an extra 75,000 sq. ft. becoming available in their Calgary DC, this will provide an opportunity for vendors to expand product listings and for FCL to take on more independent dealer business. Rod discussed FCL's recent moves to the Spancan (general hardware products) and ILDC Lumber (building products) buying groups which they have been very pleased with and they also remain part of the MEGA buying group for furniture and electronics. FCL's focus will remain on the West with no plans to move east into Ontario.
Rod even modelled the latest in fashion headgear, a plastic Saskatchewan Roughrider watermelon helmet which FCL will be proudly selling in 2010 while the Riders celebrate their 100th anniversary. |