Duane Hicks
In a move to remain competitive in a changing marketplace, two of the oldest businesses in Fort Frances—Cousineau Brokers Inc. and Gillons’ Insurance Brokers Ltd.—will merge on Jan. 1.
The company will operate under the name of Gillons’ Insurance Brokers Ltd. and be located at Gillons’ current location (326 Church St.)
The merger is a decision based on reducing expenses and remaining competitive against other means of insurance distribution being offered in this day and age.
“It was kind of something we considered over the years,” Larry Cousineau said of the merger.
“We always had such a good relationship in business, and as business changes and things get larger, we always talked about that when the time comes, it would make sense to have the conversation,” noted Duane Cridland of Gillons’.
“You get two sets of really qualified people who love their jobs, and if you’re lucky enough to put them in one environment, you’re going to make things work well for the consumer and the employees,” he added.
“We always competed against each other strongly, but it was always above board,” echoed Cousineau. “We respected each other; there was never anything that happened over the years, as long as I can remember, that sent you home mumbling at night.
“Competition was always above board,” he stressed.
Starting in January, Cousineau and staff members Anne Forget, Debbie Armstrong, Cathy Wrolstad, Trish Larson, and Tyler Cousineau will be moving over to work at Gillons’.
No staff will be reduced because of the merger.
“Our staff is happy about going over to Gillons’. I think they’re excited about the fact that it will help both sets of clients due to the fact there will be more products offered—we have some companies Gillons’ doesn’t have, and vice-versa, and now we’ll be able to offer those companies’ high points to each set of clients,” Cousineau remarked.
“You might say it’s a win-win for the clients,” he added.
“The transition is going to be on our front burner,” Cousineau pledged. “We want people to feel comfortable with this transition, and we want them to know we’re considering all their needs the same way we always have.”
The merger will not affect existing policies, which will continue to renew at their usual time.
Cridland said, from the merging parties’ perspectives, it would “make no sense” go through with it if the merger didn’t include all the experienced staff from both companies coming together.
“Our business is people and relationships—nothing more,” he remarked.
Both companies stressed the new business arrangement will not affect service to their current customers.
“The simplest reality is we both have great sets of long-term customers, and really, to the consumer it’s not going to change that much,” Cridland said. “If you’ve dealt with Anne for many, many years, you’re going to deal with Anne. If you’ve dealt with Larry for a long time, those things are not going to change.
“It’s going to be under one roof, and it’s going to give us some economies moving forward to compete with the other types of distribution that are out there,” he noted.
“I think the marketplace is getting so big now, with all the mail-ins people are getting about insurance, as local brokers we want to remain strong,” said Cousineau.
Cridland said “local” is the key word. While there are many options out there for insurance (from banks, over the Internet, etc.), Gillons’ will continue to be there to meet face-to-face with its customers and act on their behalf when dealing with insurance companies.
“Larry’s been successful, we’ve been successful, just by having that for the consumer—an individual who can speak on their behalf versus trying to do that sort of thing over the Internet or the telephone,” he remarked.
Cridland also said both Cousineau’s and Gillons’ always have had a philosophy of supporting the community they do business in—and that will continue into the future.
“That part is only going to get stronger,” he vowed. “We have the better products to keep the insurance dollars spent in our community, and I can’t express how much we will continue and improve on that.”
“From the insurance companies’ point of view, we have the strongest insurance companies in Canada in Fort Frances. It’s as simple as that,” noted Cousineau, citing Dominion of Canada General Insurance, Aviva Canada Inc., Lombard Canada Ltd., and Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company as a few examples.
“We’re not out there looking for new companies because we’ve got the best ones now.”
“Strong, strong Canadian-owned companies,” agreed Cridland.
Cridland said Gillons’ will have enough room to accommodate the new staff at its current location.
“I guess my dad had the foresight a long time ago to build some extra space,” he said. “We’ll be filling about 6,800 sq. ft. now with staff when all is said and done.”
The merger under the Gillons’ banner also marks the end of an era for Cousineau Brokers Inc.—at least under that name.
“That was most difficult part for me. Cousineau Brokers has been synonymous with insurance for 60 years downtown here,” admitted Cousineau, who himself has been working there for 44 years.
Meanwhile, Dan Cousineau will stay at Cousineau Brokers’ current location (250 Scott St.) and continue to own and operate the real estate business under the name of Cousineau Real Estate Ltd.
“We’re excited because it does give us new space, and new opportunities to move forward and serve our customers better,” said Dan Cousineau.
Cousineau Real Estate Ltd. will move from the upper floor to the ground floor of the building.
“It will be a little easier for our clients. There will be no stairs for them to [climb], and it does give the opportunity to expand,” Dan Cousineau added. “It will give us more room and we’ll be looking at that in the future.
“There will be more office space for clients to come in and talk. It will be a more comfortable place to do business,” he pledged.
