GUELPH, ON, Feb. 5 /CNW/ - The Co-operators is pleased to announce that
Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL) has been approved for membership in the
insurance and financial services co-operative. ADL joins the ranks of a number
of agricultural organizations from Atlantic Canada, forming the group of
co-operatives, credit unions and like-minded organizations that make up the
ownership group of The Co-operators Group Ltd.
    "We are delighted to welcome Amalgamated Dairies Limited as a new
member-owner of The Co-operators," said Kathy Bardswick, president and CEO of
The Co-operators. "The Co-operators has strong agricultural and rural roots in
Canada. Through the years, the organization has forged strong relationships
with our agricultural members in different regions across the country, and we
look forward to continuing to do the same in the Atlantic with ADL."
    Founded in 1953, ADL now has annual revenues of $120 million. The
organization is known for having strengthened the Prince Edward Island dairy
industry through the years by consolidating many aspects of the Island
industry including production, transportation and processing under the control
and direction of member owners. Today, ADL accepts milk shipments from its
members and manufactures and processes dairy products under the ADL label as
well as other private and store-brand labels. ADL has a continual focus on
producing diverse varieties of high quality cheeses in addition to many other
fine dairy products.
    A co-operative is owned and democratically controlled by members who use
its services or products. The Co-operators 40 member-organizations are based
from coast to coast to coast, representing the agriculture, finance,
retail/consumer, service, health, and labour sectors of Canada's economy.

    About The Co-operators:

    The Co-operators is the leading Canadian-owned multi-product insurance
company, offering home, auto, travel, life, group, commercial and farm
insurance, as well as investment products. With assets of $7 billion, The
Co-operators is a co-operative owned by 40 Canadian co-operatives, credit
unions and like-minded organizations. Well known for community involvement,
The Co-operators is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

For further information: Leonard Sharman, The Co-operators,
1-877-795-7272, ext. 2707