Kingland sold to Alberta company
Dealership's owners announced sale in a memo Monday
James Goldie
Northern News Services
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
The owners of Kingland Yellowknife have announced the dealership's sale along with seven other businesses located throughout the territory.
The sale of Kingland Ford and several other companies under the same ownership was announced Monday. - James Goldie/NNSL photo |
On Monday, Kingland Motors announced in a memo the King family had sold off most of their company to the Edmonton-based Go Auto, which it described as a "future-driven" company.
"Go Auto shares the King family's vision of excellent customer service and care for our employees," the company stated in its message, which was distributed online via Facebook and addressed to friends, employees, supporters and business associates.
In addition to the Yellowknife dealership, the family also sold Kingland Hay River, Kingland Freightliner, King Manufacturing, Mining Division, Klassic Autobody and Hay River Esso. The King family will retain Kal Tire/Tire North.
The sale is expected to be effective as of Sept. 30.
"An important part of the decision was an agreement with the new owners that all employees are retained and have job security," the memo stated.
"It's been a difficult process," said family spokesperson Arlene Mills of the decision to sell. "The family believes it's in the best interests of employees, the longevity of the company and the King family."
"Our employees in the Northwest Territories, both in Hay River and in Yellowknife, are our main focus this week," she said Monday.
Kingland Ford is a member of the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce and has been for "many years," according to executive director Deneen Everett.
"It's always sad to hear that business owners are choosing to sell their business, but we wish them all the best in their next projects," she said.
Everett said it was too soon to speculate what, if any, impact the sale might have on Yellowknife's business community.
Go Auto is the owner of Yellowknife Chrysler, which is not currently a member of the chamber.
"We're always looking for new members so I definitely will reach out to (Yellowknife Chrysler) again," she said.
Neither the managers of Kingland Yellowknife or Yellowknife Chrysler responded to Yellowknifer's interview requests; however, Mills said the King family will discuss the sale in more detail within the coming week.
