Fonds consists of financial reports, annual reports, and bylaws pertaining to the Alberta Co-operative Wholesale Association, as well as speeches and pamphlets related to A.C.W.A.’s attempt to amalgamate with the UFA.
Administrative History
Alberta Co-operative Wholesale Association Ltd. (A.C.W.A.) was incorporated in 1928 by several local consumer co-ops, for the purpose of improving efficiency through large-scale purchasing and warehousing. In 1938 it reorganized, and was owned by 9 local co-ops. It expanded rapidly, and by 1951 it managed 56 co-op stores by arrangement with their local boards of directors. By 1958 it managed over 100 stores. It dealt in groceries, hardware, dry goods, lumber, coal, petroleum products, fertilizers, feeds, and farm supplies.
The A.C.W.A. was headquartered in Edmonton, and J. Russel Love was its President from the 1940s to 1961. Negotiations to amalgamate A.C.W.A. with UFA Co-op were undertaken in 1958, but was unsuccessful due to differences in strategies and financing structures. In 1961 it amalgamated with Federated Co-operatives Ltd. (FCL), a wholesaler operating in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Custodial History
Records were collected by officers of United Farmers of Alberta Co-operative who attended A.C.W.A. annual meetings.
Creator
Alberta Co-operative Wholesale Association
Related Material
There is A.C.W.A. material in Fonds 4 & Fonds 8, Series 8, File 1 including agreements, transfers of shares, and amalgamation with Federated Co-operatives Ltd.