Mountain Equipment Co-op

Mountain Equipment Co-op

Type	Co-operative
Industry	outdoor equipment
Founded	Vancouver, BC (1971)
Headquarters	Vancouver, BC, Canada
Number of locations	14
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 fourteen cities. MEC has over 3 million members in Canada and internationally.^[2]

Organization

The MEC store in Ottawa.

Members can shop at any of the fourteen 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^{[citation needed]}. 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.

Elections

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, this represents a voter turnout of significantly less than 1%.

Board of Directors

MEC is governed by a nine-member board of directors. Each year, three directors are elected to three-year terms.^[9]

Annual General Meeting

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.

Values

The green roof on the MEC store in Toronto.

Mission

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]

Social Initiatives

MEC has undertaken many initiatives in the name of attempting to fulfill its value of social responsibility, including the following:

• As a member of 1% for the Planet, MEC donates 1% of its gross revenue each year to environmental causes. In 2007, this was "an estimated $2 million".^[13]
• Is a member of the Fair Labor Association.
• In May 2007 MEC became a bluesign member.^[14] Bluesign is a third party environmental, health and safety standard for the textiles industry.^[15]
• Operates a garment recycling program for polar fleece and polyester garments. This program has been discontinued as of January 2009 due to lack of use.^[16]
• Is a founding member along with CPAWS of 'The Big Wild', an online initiative to protect 50% of Canada's wild spaces.^[17]
• In 2007 MEC launched its 'Ethical Sourcing Blog', which examines the relationships between MEC's supply chain and a variety of human rights issues.^[18]
• MEC promotes a variety of outdoor education opportunities to its membership via an online calendar of events service. Postings must be related to instructional, non-motorized wilderness activities or environmental initiatives.^[19]
• In December 2007, MEC became the first retailer in Canada to stop selling certain water bottles and food containers containing bisphenol A, a chemical used to make some plastics that has been linked in some studies to increased incidence of cancer and other diseases.[1]

Business Initiatives

Among MEC's many business initiatives undertaken to better serve its members as well as secure long term financial sustainability are:

• In 1997 MEC introduced its popular (and free of charge) online gear swap where members can recycle used outdoor gear.^[20]
• The Fall 2007 launch of MEC’s new larger distribution centre in Surrey BC. This new distribution centre is the first “Green” LEED (Silver) accredited distribution centre in North America.^[21]
• In November 2008 MEC opened bicycle repair shops in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal stores. The Winnipeg and Burlington stores opened their repair shops in March 2009.
• In the summer of 2008 MEC developed and launched a series of annual national paddling and biking expositions appropriately named "MEC Paddlefest" and "MEC Bikefest". Billed as the most important date on the paddling or cycling enthusiast calendar these events promote all levels of participation in each activity and interesting enough although sponsored solely by MEC feature all MEC's major competition in each category. The Toronto MEC Paddlefest already rated as the second largest Paddling festival in North America as rated by participation.
• November 10, 2010 is the announced launch date of MEC's 14th store located in Barrie, Ontario.

Growth

MEC store in Edmonton.

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:

• Vancouver (site of the 1971 foundation)^[23]
• Calgary (since 1977)^[24]
• Toronto (1985)^[25]
• Ottawa (1992)^[26]
• Edmonton (1998)^[27]
• Halifax (2001)^[28]
• Winnipeg (2002)^[29]
• Montreal (2003)^[30]
• Quebec City (2004)^[31]
• North Vancouver (2004)^[32]
• Victoria (2006)^[33]
• Burlington (2008)^[34]
• Longueuil (2009)^[35]
• Barrie, Ontario (2010)^[36]
• London, Ontario ( Fall 2011)^[37]

MEC Festivals

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 has announced that its third National Festival, Snowfest will begin in all MEC cities during the winter of 2011.

MEC Bikes

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.

Motion to boycott Israeli goods

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]

See also

• Cooperatives
• R.E.I., a similar U.S. chain
• MEC Paddlefest
• MEC Bikefest
• MEC Snowfest
• MEC Blog

Notes

1. ^ Mountain Equipment Co-Op Among Top 'Green' Retailers Worldwide. Newswise. 20 Nov. 2009.
2. ^ "About Mountain Equipment Co-op". http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038657&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038657&bmUID=1266868843950. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
3. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881700
4. ^ http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/publications/commercial/nbp2002-03e.cfm
5. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883380&bmUID=1266956905650
6. ^ Made in Canada - As Long as We Don't Have to Make It http://blog.mec.ca/2008/02/its-ironic-we-w.html
7. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038657&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038657&bmUID=1207613184755
8. ^ "Election Results". http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881769&bmUID=1179954950082. Retrieved 2007-05-23. 
9. ^ "BOD Biographies". http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881762&bmUID=1266879917148. Retrieved 2010-02-22. 
10. ^ "MEC Annual General Meeting". http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881752&bmUID=1179956219536. Retrieved 2007-05-23. 
11. ^ "MEC Charter". http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673220379&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881729&bmUID=1179955674143. Retrieved 2007-05-23. 
12. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881729&bmUID=1267034739598
13. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302884543&bmUID=1266957837556
14. ^ http://www.bluesign.com/fileadmin/downloads/Press_Information_MEC_E.pdf
15. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886090&bmUID=1266956374987
16. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302884171&bmUID=1266958178030
17. ^ http://www.thebigwild.org/
18. ^ http://blog.mec.ca/
19. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Apps/courses/courses_main.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038680&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038680&bmUID=1266872727597
20. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Apps/outdoorGearSwap/gearswap_main.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396038596&FOLDER%3C%3EbrowsePath=1408474396038596&bmUID=1266872727596
21. ^ http://www.buntingcoady.com/projects/MEC-Surrey/index.html
22. ^ "MEC looks within for its new CEO". Media Release. Mountain Equipment Co-op. 4 December 2007. http://images.mec.ca/media/Images/pdf/MEC_New_CEO_release_v1_m56577569830644179.pdf. 
23. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881717&bmUID=1266867426552
24. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881710&bmUID=1266867908754
25. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881716&bmUID=1266867956460
26. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881714&bmUID=1266867994572
27. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881711&bmUID=1266868022349
28. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881712&bmUID=1266868045555
29. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881718&bmUID=1266868076173
30. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881719&bmUID=1266868101130
31. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881720&bmUID=1266868129034
32. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302881721&bmUID=1266867826505
33. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302882480&bmUID=1266867754701
34. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302885012&bmUID=1266961780592
35. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886290
36. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886290
37. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Main/content_text.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886290
38. ^ http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302886456&bmUID=1266955847820
39. ^ Boycotting Israeli Apartheid. The Global Educator.
40. ^ O'Brian, Amy (2009-04-22). Outfitter urged to boycott Israeli goods. Canwest News Service (printed in the National Post), 22 April 2009. Retrieved from http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=1520281.
41. ^ Hill, Mary Frances. Mountain Equipment Co-op votes down Israel boycott. National Post. 1 May 2009.
42. ^ Hill, Mary Frances (2009-05-01). Mountain Equipment Co-op votes down Israel boycott. Canwest News Service (printed in the National Post), 1 May 2009. Retrieved from http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=1553265.

External links

• Official web site French and English versions
• 'Reach' MEC's 2007 Accountability Report MEC's second Accountability Report, which outlines the social, environmental, and economic impacts of its business activities
• MEC's ethical sourcing blog
• The Big Wild blog Founded by MEC and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS)