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= 36 -- Scugog Citize ¢ii_ = Tuesday, December 30, 1008 U.S. Co-op buys assets of UCO for $45 M. Illinois-based Growmark Inc. announced Monday it has bought the assets of United Co- operatives of Ontario (UCO) for $45 million (Cdn.) Growmark is a regional farm supply and grain marketing co- op headquartered in Bloomington Illinois and markets products under the FS trademark through a system of more than 90 local co-ops in Illinois, Wisconsin and lowa. 'This marks the first time an Amerigan Co-op has undertaken this kind of venture to move into the Ontario market. For that special person on your list .a Gift Certificate to dine at ... ~% EMIEL'S PLACE In Downtown Port Perry 151 QUEEN STREET 985-2257 or 985-2066 Make your BROOK'S Feed Store Christmas Shopping Spot! | - Premium Wild Bird Seed Black Sunflower Seeds BIG BEN - IAN MILLAR Limite Edition Even though the groundwork for the deal began several months ago, it was formalized October 12 when UCO agreed to sell its assets pending member approval which came in November. Norm Jones, chief executive officer for Growmark said Monday operations in Canada will be divided into two regions--one based in Mississauga. And he said "it is expected the Regions and operating facilities "will be staffed primarily by current employees." Terms of the deal include the purchase of feed mills, dry fertilizer storage facilities, a distribution centre land 50 per cent ownership in UCO Petroleum Inc. (UPI) A four per cent investment in CF Industries, the world's largest fertilizer supplier co-op was also acquired by Growmark. The Ontario member companies have agreed to make an initial investment commitment in Growmark of $4.5 million (Cdn.) In exchange they will receive stock ownership in the US cooperative. Growmark in 1994 posted earnings of $19.4 million on sales of $884 million (US) and returned $17 million in patronage refunds to its members. Claude Gauthier, president of the UCO board said the cooperative looked at several Striped Sunflower Seeds Ib. - forget J fo feed our =; Feathered - Friends i BROOK'S nn 20 kg. «peeeee 3 g & . KAMIK LINED ' RUBBER BOOTS Mens .......... $35.95 Ladies ....... $29.95 Receive ... ONE FREE BAG with the purchase of 10 BAGS on SELECTED st ral Purina Products Until December 22nd, 1994. 1580 HWY. 7A WEST - PORT PERRY 985-7992 options for revitalization before agreeing to Growmark's offer. "UCO was not equipped to handle the high level of service our customers deserve. As a result we entered negotiations with Growmark to ensure a strong regional would serve the needs of Ontario's ag-based cooperatives," he said. "To the new Growmark cooperative, the FS trademark signifies a fresh start. However, these cooperatives are still the same business, governed by the same local ownership with the same goals--to improve the profitability of their owners," said Gauthier. UCO has 40 member cooperatives, several affiliates and 21 independent dealers. SaJes this year were estimated at $134.2 million (US) with sales at UPI at $150 million (US). At the Movies From page 14 loved it, that was good enough for me. Never underestimate the power of 4 kids in a theatre. They can pick a bad movie from a mile away. I've just finished trashing "Drop Zone", but if I had gone with a group of muscle-bound navy-seal type guys I certainly would have viewed it differently. This is going to end up being a "chicks" review and I know these guys won't like it. We had a long conversation about movie critics and we though that for most people movies were just another form of entertainment. I don't have a clue what a real movie critic does and you make up your own mind anyway. Basically, look at the reviews for what they are, just someone else's opinion. Thank-you to those people that called me this week with such nice things to say. I'm glad I could help some of you with the movie schedules. I had a problerh getting through to the theatre on Saturday and I started calling them at 7am. If somebody, who knows body, who knows at this theatre let me know, I would appreciate the info. Merry Christmas. Hottest Videos The following are the new videos and the top ten \*deos for the week of December 19, courtesy of Metro Video in the Port Perry Plaza. New Releases: The Client, Wagons East, Lassie, Land Before Time 2, Running Free, Eyes of an Angel. Top Ten: Bev. Hills Cop 3, Wyatt Earp, Speed, Cops and Robbersons, City Slickers 2, Blown Away, With Honours, Awarding Tess, When a Man Loves a Woman, Four Weddings and a Funeral.