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LIGHTING ONE ENTERS CANADIAN MARKET
St. Louis, MO (December 26, 2007) — Lighting One announces that E.G. Penner
Building Centres in Steinbach, Manitoba in Canada in now a part of the cooperative
as its first Canadian member.
“We are excited any time a new market is being developed, as it offers that area
a choice in high-quality product selection,” said Lighting One president Mike Cherico.
“We are especially pleased that this is our first step in our international expansion.”
Lighting One has a successful history across the United States as a cooperative
of retail lighting showrooms and as part of the large home furnishings group, CCA
Global Partners. According to Mike Cherico, “We want to take that same energy with
which we have served our members and expand it to the rest of North America. We
have proven success in Canada through our sister companies and we feel that we can
offer Canadian lighting showrooms the same opportunities.”
Ernest Penner started as a woodcutter in 1959. Coordinating the home building supply
side of the business to a more rounded full-service source for home building and
decorating needs, E.G. Penner expanded into other areas including lighting. In May
of 2000, they moved into their current 90,000 square foot location in Steinbach
and they are considering expanding again. E.G. Penner Building Centres is a branch
of parent company Pennco Canadian, Ltd. owned by Ernest Penner. The daily operations
of E.G. Penner’s lighting showroom are managed by Vice President of Marketing Mr.
Allan Hiebert.
About Lighting One
Lighting One (www.Lighting-One.com)
is a cooperative retail organization consisting of over 150 member-owned retail
lighting stores throughout the United States. Founded in 1999 as Ilucio, Lighting
One joined CCA Global Partners, one of the world’s largest specialty home furnishings
groups, in 2001. Lighting One’s purchasing power allows members to enjoy rebates
on products, as well as participate in national programs. The cooperative also provides
its members with extensive marketing services and exclusive merchandise. Lighting
One prides itself on its ongoing education programs for managers and salespeople.
The learning opportunities Lighting One provides help members increase customer
satisfaction and employee retention.
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