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HALF A CENTURY OF UNCLE BEN'S HISTORY
1954:
Ultra Service, a three-bay service station, was opened on Gaetz
Avenue in downtown Red Deer.
1955:
Benny Janko, at 17 years of age, became the Ultra Service Station
manager. Customer Service was uppermost in this young businessman's
plan, and it was an early morning routine for Ben to clean the
windshields and headlights of every car parked at the local hotels.
He left a note on each vehicle that this service had been provided
by "Ultra Service, conveniently located on Gaetz Avenue in downtown
Red Deer".
1957:
Ultra Service established continuous 24 hour service towing and
repair service at the 4303 50th Avenue location in Red Deer Alberta.
To facilitate this round-the-clock service, Ultra Service maintained
full two-way radio communication for all its service vehicles, plus
private line communication to the different sales parks and mobile
home factories throughout Western Canada.
1958:
Ben Janko at 20 years of age becomes the owner of Ultra Sales and
Service and adds the exclusive British Ford Franchise to their
location, along with a modern three-car showroom, and an expanded
parts department. Ultra Service was recognized by the national trade
magazine "Canadian Garage" as one of the best service stations in
Canada.
1959:
In one year, Ultra became one of Canada’s largest British Ford
Dealers. Using their own production of a motion picture on the
British Ford Anglia 105E, and capitalizing on a high performance run
in the British Ford Zephyr from Red Deer to Vancouver, Ultra enjoyed
international recognition at the New York Auto Show.
1960:
Ultra expands again, adding new service and parts facilities to meet
the needs of the increasing business.
1961:
Ford Farm Equipment was added to the expanding business. To meet the
needs of the Agricultural Community, Ultra offered farmers in
Central Alberta 24-hour service on parts, and a 24-hour field-call
service.
Four additional service bays were added further defining the
company’s commitment to customer service. In October of this year,
Ultra scored another 'first' with their complete radio controlled
towing service.
1970:
Ultra Sales and Service diversified into Mobile Home Sales, opening
Southmoon Mobile Home sales in a modern sales park at 2930 Gaetz
Avenue in Red Deer, Alberta.
1972:
A new Ultra Modern Sales Park was opened in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
1974:
On January 26 Uncle Bens Ultra Sales and Service opened a
six-thousand square foot indoor showroom, the first of its kind in
Western Canada at the original location in downtown Red Deer.. Uncle
Ben’s innovative indoor showroom established another level of
customer service, with its climate controlled atmosphere,
well-lighted displays, carpeted offices, and efficient inter-office
communication system. Service and Parts Departments kept pace with
facilities that increased their efficiency and productivity.
1974:
A third Ultra Sales Park was opened in Brooks, Alberta. 1974 was
also the year that Ben Janko, as the building chairman for the
Kinsmen Club of Red Deer, spearheaded the building of the Kin City
Ice Centre. The project was dubbed "Ice for More in '74", and this
$320,000 venture by the Kinsmen saw Ben Janko calling on the
community for donations of time, money and materials. The response
was prompt, and it was a proud day, when Ben, his committee, and
fellow Kinsmen turned the Arena over to the City of Red Deer.
1979:
Uncle Bens made history once again, taking delivery of one hundred
Glendale motorhomes. This was the largest single shipment of Glendale RV's
ever shipped from the Glendale Plant to Red Deer. Uncle Ben's proudly
received and ultimately sold every one of these units.
1980:
Uncle Ben's moved to 2930 Gaetz Avenue on the south hill in Red Deer.
This original Southmoon location became Uncle Ben's Recreation Centre
and marked the first location move since 1958 for this up-and-coming
company.
1983:
In February, 1983, Ben Janko, founder of Uncle Ben's passed away.
This progressive and growing business continued to thrive under the
guidance of Ben's two sons Rob and Andy Janko, and Ben's widow Joy.
1988:
Uncle Ben's acquired the Travelaire franchise. From 1989 to 2003,
Uncle Ben's became the Number One Volume Travelaire dealer in Canada.
1993:
Arctic Cat Snowmobiles joined the Uncle Ben's family of recognized
nationally known RV's, ATV's and New Car franchises.
1997:
Uncle Ben's became Subaru Dealers.
2000:
Uncle Ben's made the big move to a new location in Gasoline Alley on
Highway 2 south of Red Deer. The new premises are a spacious 25,000
square feet, with a 5-acre sales facility, and a 20 acre detail,
storage and clean up area... The natural stone waterfall, fish pond
and bridge walk way, a signature feature from the 1974 showroom,
made the move, establishing their traditional place in the new
location.
2008:
Uncle Ben's RV & Auto proudly celebrates 50 years of service, Half a
Century of growth, 5 decades participating in the growth and
development of Central Alberta.
"Decide
early in life what you want to do, then put in 14 or 15 hours a day"
Ben Janko, (from an
interview), May 21, 1970
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