Anderson Pump House has been sold, in a move that will retain the 45 employees in the North Battleford and Prince Albert branches. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Era ends

Anderson Pump House sold, employees retained

Mar 3, 2021 | 6:25 PM

After almost 40 years of operating Anderson Pump House, Howard and Sharon Kirby have decided to sell.

The water systems supply and service business, which has branches in North Battleford and Prince Albert, will be sold to Aquifer Distribution Ltd, a Saskatchewan owned company based in Saskatoon. This ends more than 50 years that the Kirby’s have been involved in the industry.

In an interview with battlefordsNOW, Howard said they had made the decision at the beginning of February, but had started planning for this possibility since the fall.

“Sharon and I aren’t getting any younger and it’s always in the back of my mind what the future would hold or if and when a person should sell their business,” he said. “We never wanted to sell unless the right opportunity came along and this sort of came our way and took the bill in all areas.”

Howard and Sharon Kirby have operated Anderson Pump House for 38 years. (Submitted photo/Howard and Sharon Kirby)

historic mission

Space enthusiasts excited as Canadian set to circle the moon

14h ago

Navigating the law

PLEA launches new legal resources for Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan

15h ago

aftermath

Roof collapse leaves future of Goodsoil curling rink uncertain

16h ago

One of the factors that was important to the Kirby’s was being able to keep their staff employed and make sure customers receive the same quality service. Howard said the buyers, Glen and Jodi Wig, have been competitors and friends of theirs for 35 years, which made them the right choice. Between the two locations, Anderson Pump House employs 45 people.

“It needed to be good for customers and employees,” Howard said. “Sometimes you see a business sold and a year or two down the road you don’t recognize it anymore. We never wanted that to happen.”

Howard originally joined Anderson Drilling in 1970, leaving for a few years to finish school and returning in 1976, where he worked until breaking off in 1983 to start Anderson Pump House in 1983.

He said it still hasn’t totally sunk in, as he’s continued to come to work everyday to help with the transition. Now that it’s official, the feeling is bittersweet to say goodbye.

“It’s exciting, but leaving the industry after so many years is a little bit concerning as well,” Howard said.

Howard will continue to help the transition process on an informal basis for a few months.

“We have a great management team, both here and in Prince Albert, so they can work with Aquifer, so I’m just working in the background,” he said.

Even after the change is complete, the Kirby family will remain a part of the business. Their son, Rod Forman, has been Howard’s number two for many years and will become general manager of the North Battleford and Prince Albert branches.

“So, Rod will be working with Aquifer and taking the business forward,” Howard said.

In the coming months and years, Howard said he plans to start enjoying retirement a little bit. The two live out at Jackfish Lake and plan to spend more time with family in the Battlefords and start traveling once that becomes available to them. Looking back at his time running Anderson Pump House, Howard said he’s most proud of building a loyal customer base and a great staff

“Knowing that our business can carry on, our staff will remain employed and our customers will be served as good tomorrow as they were yesterday, it’s very rewarding,”

Howard thanked his customers and staff that helped make Anderson Pump House what it is today, as well as the community as a whole, adding that they will miss the friendships and relationships developed over 38 years.

“Thanks for allowing the company to grow successfully and be able to carry on,” he said. “I’ve been in the Battlefords since 1975, it’s a great place to live and be in business.”

“It’s a fantastic community and we’re just happy to have been part of the business community and that our business is going to continue to be part of that. We’re going to enjoy our retirement for years to come.”

—

josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports