After 128 years of operation, the policyholders of Peel Maryborough Mutual Insurance Company approved a company name change that took effect Sept. 1.
Moving forward the company will operate under the new name Edge Mutual Insurance Company.
Company representatives state there was no merger or acquisition that prompted the change to Edge Mutual, nor was there any change or proposed change to the mutual ownership structure. The company remains a pure mutual, where every policyholder has the right to vote on key decisions affecting the company.
The new name and contemporary logo was developed through the professional guidance of Bark Communications out of London.
“Since Edge Mutual solely relies on a dedicated network of independent brokers, they were challenged to pinpoint a brand name that would not only resonate with stakeholders, but also [simultaneously] encapsulate the progressive nature of the company, the ongoing drive towards enhanced broker solutions, and that would mirror the value proposition offered by brokers,” states the company in a press release.
Change ‘overdue’
For some local residents of north Wellington County, the change could be considered “well overdue” when factoring the historic roots of the previous Peel Maryborough name, company officials state.
The original company name was born from two local townships that amalgamated back in 1999 and no longer exist.
While the company was started by local farmers in the Drayton area over a century ago, Edge Mutual now serves policyholders right across Ontario, with products ranging from personal lines and commercial lines to more specialized products geared to agribusiness and rural living.
“I’m very proud to be part of the Edge team. Having been with the company for 35 years I’ve watched the company successfully grow and progress,” said president and CEO Ruth Donkersgoed. “The launch of our new brand marks a fresh new beginning; a new chapter that acknowledges our rich history and promises an even brighter future.”
The launch of the new brand coincides with a building expansion that roughly doubles the size of the previous facility.
“With continued and steady growth over the years, the Board of Directors is intent on remaining loyal to the Drayton community, both as a corporate citizen and employer of insurance professionals in the region,” the release states.
