| Type | Co-operative |
|---|---|
| Industry | outdoor equipment |
| Founded | Vancouver, BC (1971) |
| Headquarters | Vancouver, BC, Canada |
| Number of locations | 15 |
| Key people | David Labistour, CEO |
| Website | mec.ca |
Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) is a Canadian consumers' cooperative, which sells outdoor recreation gear and clothing to its members exclusively. MEC is notable for its commitment to environmental protection and other causes.[1] As a co-op, MEC sells only to customers who hold a lifetime membership, which is technically a share and can be purchased by anyone for $5. MEC bills itself as Canada's largest supplier of outdoor equipment. Since its founding in Vancouver, British Columbia in 1971, MEC has expanded across Canada and now operates stores in fifteen cities. MEC has over 3.3 million members in Canada and internationally.[2]
Contents |
Members can shop at any of the fifteen retail stores, on-line, or by mail order from their catalogue. MEC also operates a "Corporate & Group Sales" store for large orders at discounted prices.[3] Among MEC's best "corporate" members are the military, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, parks agencies and various search and rescue organizations. In addition, the MEC stores are known for their eco-friendly design; features are often used. The Ottawa[4] and Winnipeg stores were the first and second retail buildings in Canada to comply with Canada's C2000 Green Building Standard, which acknowledges buildings that achieve a 50% reduction in energy consumption over conventional structures.[5]
MEC distinguishes itself from other outdoor retailers through its eco-friendly product line and intensive focus on corporate social responsibility. The company is noted for their ethical sourcing, labour commitments, co-operative structure, and innovation in sustainability. The co-op designs and produces the majority of its gear although also carries products by many other well-known companies. A significant proportion of the company's inventory is manufactured abroad in Asia although they also have six contract factories in Vancouver.[6] This allows it to have some control over quality and price issues, placing it in a superior position in the eyes of its customer base. Furthermore, directed by the members, MEC fulfills its core purpose: to help people enjoy the benefits of self-propelled wilderness-oriented recreation. They accomplish this by selling outdoor gear, clothing, and services.[7] MEC's head office and phone/service centre are located in Vancouver. Its distribution centre is located in Surrey, B.C.
Each year, every member of MEC has the opportunity to vote in the elections for its board of directors, as well as on "ordinary resolutions", through a variety of methods. Before the election period, an information package with platforms of candidates and information on resolutions is distributed. Election results are announced at the annual general meeting.
In the 2007 elections, 14,996 members voted online, 2,510 members voted by phone, and 201 members voted by mail.[8] Given that MEC has around 2.9 million members (2007), this represents a voter turnout of significantly less than 1%.
MEC is governed by a nine-member board of directors. Each year, three directors are elected to three-year terms.[9]
Each April, MEC holds its annual general meeting in Vancouver. At this meeting, the Chief Executive Officer and other staff deliver their annual reports, and answer questions from co-op members. "Special resolutions" may also be brought forward and voted upon. In 2007, up to 50 members could attend via teleconference. Additionally, the AGM was webcast on the Internet and in the Calgary and Toronto stores.[10] Typically, members recite their member numbers before speaking and these numbers are recorded in the official meeting transcript.
MEC describes its mission as follows:
| “ | Mountain Equipment Co-op provides quality products and services for self-propelled wilderness-oriented recreation, such as hiking and mountaineering, at the lowest reasonable price in an informative, respectful manner. We are a member-owned co-operative striving for social and environmental leadership.[11] | ” |
The co-op also has codified a purpose, a vision, and values which express similar sentiments of self-propelled recreation and environmental responsibility.[12]
MEC has undertaken many initiatives in the name of attempting to fulfill its value of social responsibility, including the following:
Among MEC's many business initiatives undertaken to better serve its members as well as secure long term financial sustainability are:
MEC's growth has been slow and methodical over the last 30 years. During Peter Robinson's tenure as CEO from 2000 to 2007,[22] the chain targeted one new store opening per year. With a 2007 sales target of almost a quarter of a billion dollars, MEC continues to look for new ways to fulfill its mission statement of "getting people outdoors".
By early 2004 MEC culture, sales and internal financial health was once again thriving, posting surpluses in excess of 5% of sales.
MEC's long-term challenge is to remain relevant to a quickly changing demographic that prefers urban outdoor experiences to those that MEC traditionally caters to.
MEC has expanded across Canada as follows:
In 2006 MEC began a national program of outdoor "festivals" in every MEC city across Canada. MEC Paddlefest was the first of these and billed itself as the most important date on the paddlers' calender. In 2008, MEC Bikefest was launched in 6 cities and is now in every MEC city. MEC launched its third National Festival, MEC Snowfest, in all MEC cities during the winter of 2011.
From 2009-2011 MEC expanded its traditional back-country assortments to now include urban outdoor pursuits. Road running, bikes and yoga were successfully introduced and have now become a permanent mainstay of the assortment.
In November 2009 MEC began selling MEC-branded bikes in seven stores: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Burlington, Toronto, Montreal, and Longueuil. There are six urban/hybrid models: 'Hold Steady', 'Shadowlands', 'Origami', 'Skyway', 'Desire', and 'Midtown'. Three road models are available: 'Col', 'Cote', and 'Nineteen Seventy-One'. Three mountain bike models are also available: 'Lynx', 'Chinook', and 'Ace'. Three models, 'Desire', 'Midtown', and 'Col', are available with women-specific geometry. One model, 'Ace', is specifically for kids. Five to Six additional models are scheduled to launch in 2011.[38] By the winter of 2011 only Quebec City MEC store does not have full bike repair shops and MEC's line of road and off road bikes.
In April 2009, a motion was proposed by BC Teachers for Peace and Global Action (PAGE) to call for MEC to boycott Israeli-made products (MEC purchases seamless underwear and a hydration system for hikers and bikers from Israeli companies). PAGE argued: "MEC's members may not be aware of their organization's disturbing lack of concern for the human rights of Palestinians."[39] The motion immediately fueled a storm of controversy.[40]
On 30 April 2009, at the chain's annual general meeting, the motion was soundly rejected. The Canada-Israel Committee praised the outcome stating: "The policy of MEC has been upheld. It made sense, because it's not just about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but about ethical sourcing and MEC policy."[41] Conversely, Hanna Kawas, chairman of the Canada Palestine Association, stated that his organization will continue to publicize the chain's sale of Israeli-made goods and called for a boycott of all Mountain Equipment Co-op outlets. Kawas stated: "(MEC) is supporting war crimes and apartheid. We will promote a boycott. It's a global movement that's gaining strength. We'll continue to do what South Africans did against apartheid."[42]