Fonds F 534 - Hipperson Family Businesses fonds

Alfred William Smith Hipperson was born in England on September 7, 1884 to Alfred K. Hipperson and Mary Elizabeth Smith. He had four sisters: Lois; Lily; Irene and Anna. William emigrated from Norwich, England to the Peterborough, Ontario district around 1901 and moved to Regina, Saskatchewan in 1906. Around the same time, William began to drop the Alfred and Smith from his name and signed legal and business documents as simply William Hipperson.

Hipperson married Wilhelmina Gumpricht on December 15, 1911 in Peterborough, Ontario. Wilhelmina passed away on May 19, 1920. William and his second wife, Margaret, raised three children: William Lloyd (born around 1916), Evelyn Margaret Wilhelmina (born August 4, 1925), and Donald Kemp Hipperson (born August 8, 1928). Donald Kemp Hipperson and his wife Nancy had four children: Karen Jane (born ca. 1953), Donald Ramsay (born June 2, 1955), Douglas John (born November 11, 1957), and Gordon Kemp (born April 6, 1960).

William worked as a carpenter and a general contractor in Peterborough and in Saskatchewan, and by 1927 had established Hipperson Construction Ltd. in Regina. William also entered into several related business enterprises, including Regina Sash and Door Limited; Hy-Grade Millwork Limited; Qu'Appelle Apartments Ltd.; Somerset Properties Ltd.; and Southfields Investments Ltd.. The family also owned three farming operations in the Cymric, Duval and Cupar areas of Saskatchewan that included grain farming, livestock (Southfields Hereford Farm), and fur farming (Hygrade Silverfox Company).

The family's participation in these businesses ranged from acting as the principle shareholders to actively managing and administering their operations as directors and executive office holders. The family's involvement in additional business operations continued after Donald Hipperson took primary control of the businesses in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Donald further established companies such as Hipperson Investments Ltd., Hipperson Holdings Ltd., and D.K.H. Enterprises Ltd., but the family has subsequently divested itself of its involvement in the farming and fur operations and Regina Sash and Door and Hy-Grade Millwork. Gordon Hipperson has continued many of the family businesses, including restructuring Hipperson Construction as a new corporation, Hipperson Construction Company (1996) Ltd.

William Hipperson died in Regina on April 2, 1966. Margaret Hipperson died on January 20, 1990. Donald K. and Nancy E. Hipperson currently (2010) live in Regina.

Independent carpenter and contractor William Hipperson began Hipperson Construction Ltd. of Regina, Saskatchewan shortly after arriving in Saskatchewan in the early twentieth century. Incorporated and registered under The Companies Act on April 23, 1927, and re-registered under the Business Corporations Act, Hipperson Construction operated as a general contractor for construction, renovation, and demolition projects, and was responsible for supplying the material, labour, equipment and tools, and services necessary for the construction of the project as outlined in the contracts/agreements.

When Hipperson Construction was incorporated its directors were William Hipperson (President), Margaret Hipperson (wife of William), and John W. Hill. For much of its history, the third director of the company appears to have been the construction foreman/supervisor. William and Margaret maintained their involvement as directors until 1961, when the presidency of Hipperson Construction formally passed to their son Donald Kemp Hipperson. Donald's wife Nancy held the office of vice-president.

Effective October 4, 1996 Hipperson Construction changed its name to 316310 Saskatchewan Ltd., which was later struck from Saskatchewan's corporate registry on September 30, 1997. Gordon Hipperson (son of Donald and Nancy) subsequently restructured the company and incorporated it as the new corporation Hipperson Construction Company (1996) Ltd.

In 1930, the directors of Regina Sash and Door Company Limited began proceedings to establish parallel business operations in Saskatoon to facilitate the provision of the services and materials necessary to complete projects/contracts in the Saskatoon district; accordingly, on February 14, 1930 Hy-Grade Millwork Limited was incorporated and registered in Saskatchewan under The Companies Act. The objectives of the company were first the manufacture, distribution, buying, and selling of wood and lumber products necessary for the construction, finishing, furnishing, and equipping of houses and buildings of all types; and second the entering into construction contracts for works both public and private, as a general contractor. Millwork products included bank, office and store fittings, sashes, doors, metal trim and mouldings, plate and window glass, fixtures, frames, and cabinets.

The operations of Hy-Grade Millwork were controlled by a board of directors (elected from the shareholders), executive officers (selected from amongst the directors, and consisting of a president, vice-president and secretary-treasurer), and a general manager (who may or may not be one of the directors). The president served as the chief executive officer of the company and presided at all meetings of shareholders and directors. The vice-president held the powers and duties of the president in their absence. Meanwhile, the secretary-treasurer was to complete the customary duties associated with such a position as well as ensuring the company's books and records are retained in accordance with the provisions of any legislation. The manager controlled the daily business operational affairs of the company and consulted with directors and executive officers. In order to monitor Hy-Grade's performance and as part of its continued involvement in the company, Regina Sash and Door Company Limited, appointed a representative to participate in shareholder meetings.

At the first annual general meeting of Hy-Grade Millwork on April 10, 1931, William Hipperson was chosen as President, R.F. Hockin as Vice-President, and H. Hilsden as Secretary and Manager.

In April 1953, a meeting of the Hy-Grade Millwork board of directors saw a resolution pass which authorized the changing of its name to Saskatoon Millwork Limited. In 1957, Hy-Grade purchased the Saskatoon operations and assets of The Winnipeg Paint and Glass Company Limited. This deal was contingent on the understanding that for a period of ten years the new enterprise would refrain from selling products under that name in northern Saskatchewan and that the name should be changed to indicate that it represented a Saskatoon-based company without an allegiance to the Winnipeg-based company. " As a result Hy-Grade conducted these business operations under the name Winnipeg Paint & Glass (Saskatoon). In December 1969, the directors certified that it intended to carry on business under the name "Hy-Grade Hardware and Supplies." In 1979 director discussions were held on methods to mitigate the large percentage of operating capital being lost to income tax, resulting in the proposal to construct a new office and warehouse for its operations and thereby decrease material handling expenses, decrease the loss of stock due to inadequate storage facilities, and increase efficiency in the use of space.

Hy-Grade Millwork currently (2010) operates as a partnership of Hy-Grade Millwork Ltd. and 601935 Saskatchewan Ltd. with Donald Ramsay Hipperson serving as president.

On May 20, 1914, Regina Sash and Door Limited of Regina, Saskatchewan was incorporated and registered under the terms of The Companies Act. Regina Sash and Door was a manufacturer of window-frames, windows, sashes, doorframes, doors, counters, tables, chairs, storefronts, bank and office fixtures, wainscoting, church furniture and other articles of lumber or wood. The objectives of the company allowed its participation in any "suitable" business or property that would enhance its ability to carry out the manufacturing business, including timber berths, lumber companies, plate glass manufacturing, and warehouses.

The Board of Directors and executive officers provided the administration and the overall direction of the company, with the day-to-day operations controlled by a (general) manager. The Directors were elected annually by the shareholders at a general meeting of the company and the Directors elected the executive (President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer) from amongst their numbers.

The first general meeting the company was held on May 22, 1914 and was attended by George Harold Hilsden, William Hipperson, and George Wilcox. All three were selected as directors and motions were passed electing Wilcox as President, and Hilsden as Secretary-Treasurer. At the directors meeting held the same day, a resolution was passed to purchase Regina Sash and Door Factory and assume its assets and liabilities.

Regina Sash and Door experienced a period of reduced net sales beginning in 1964, followed by a dramatic decrease in its net profit before depreciation and income taxes. By the end of 1969, its net income was approximately one-third of what it had been in 1961, and this reduction in profitability ultimately led directors to empower D.K. Hipperson on February 23, 1970 to sell the remaining supplies, machinery, and equipment of Regina Sash and Door to Hy-Grade Millwork Limited of Saskatoon. As well he was authorized to rent the property for a period "as said D.K. Hipperson deems advisable" and to negotiate but not finalize any sale of the real property without the approval of the directors. By 1971, Regina Sash and Door had ceased business operations.

During its operations, directors of the company included William Hipperson (1914-1962), George Wilcox (1914-1917), George Harold Hilsden (1914-1958), John D. Martin (1918-1927), R.F. Hockin (1918-1942), Norman Hilsden (1920-1929), Mary Eileen Bancroft (1943-1971), Evelyn Tidholm [née Hipperson; daughter of William Hipperson] (1969?-1971), Donald Kemp Hipperson [son of William Hipperson] (1962-1971), Carl Chipley (1969?-1971), and Gordon A. Millin (1959-1971). The Directors who served as Presidents of Regina Sash and Door were George Wilcox (1914-1915), R.F. Hockin (1925-1928?), William Hipperson (1916-1924, 1929?-1962), and Donald Kemp Hipperson (1962-1971).

Qu'Appelle Apartments Limited was incorporated in Saskatchewan on May 8, 1928 as a business corporation to operate and manage the rental properties in the building of the same name located at 2105 Hamilton Street (the corner of Hamilton and 13th Avenue) in Regina, Saskatchewan. Hipperson Construction was in charge of the building operations during the construction of the Qu'Appelle Apartments in 1928. At the first meeting of the Qu'Appelle Apartment shareholders on May 12, 1928, D.J. Champ, J.S. Robertson, Dr. S.H. Minion, B.F. Fell, Dr. W.A. Hotham and William Hipperson were elected as directors with William Hipperson appointed President and Managing Director, and Dr. S.H. Minion appointed Treasurer.

In collaboration with real estate/property management agencies (such as McCallum Hill & Co., and Nay and James), the directors of Qu'Appelle Apartments Ltd. are responsible for the administration and maintenance of the apartment building on behalf of the owner and shareholders. Administration work may include: managing the financial operations, (collecting rent, paying the mortgage and taxes, maintaining insurance premiums and making sure all maintenance is paid for on behalf of the owner); enforcing terms of lease agreements; and preparing and submitting periodic reports on the financial status, occupancy rates, leasing status and other relevant topics to the owner and shareholders. In addition, the directors and property managers direct the work to keep the property maintained including responding to the concerns of residents and coordinating necessary repairs; engaging contracts for all janitorial, security, grounds keeping, trash and recycling removal services and ensuring that all are available and running smoothly for the building.

As of 2010, the Qu'Appelle Apartments Limited board of directors was operating with six directors including one, Donald Kemp Hipperson - son of William Hipperson, serving as president.

Somerset Properties Limited is a commercial property management company located in Regina, Saskatchewan that was incorporated and registered in Saskatchewan on May 7, 1929 under The Companies Act. The activities of Somerset Properties have included: handling tenant relations and communications; coordinating the leasing of properties, including the screening of perspective tenants and managing rental/lease agreements; administering building workers and maintenance contracts related to the properties; managing disputes with tenants, contractors and other agencies, including where necessary responding to or initiating legal action; ensuring that matters related to insurance for the properties are managed appropriately (claims, renewals, levels of coverage); and employing and maintaining a relationship with an accountant who manages the accounts and finances of the properties.

Currently (2010), Somerset Properties Limited operates with three directors, including a President (Marie McMillan) and Vice-President (Donald Kemp Hipperson).

Southfields Investments Ltd. (S.I.) was a joint stock company established in Regina, Saskatchewan that was incorporated and registered in Saskatchewan under The Companies Act on October 7, 1952. When it began, Southfields Investments was to have five primary objectives. Firstly, to manage (invest, sell, and exchange) shares, stocks, bonds, debentures, debenture stock as issued or guaranteed by any corporation, company, chartered bank, association, partnership, syndicate, person or governmental, municipal or public authority, domestic or foreign. Secondly, to invest and lend money at interest. Thirdly, to promote, organize, manage, or develop or to assist in the promotion, organization, management or development of any corporation, company syndicate, firm, partnership or enterprise in which Southfields may be interested or in whose securities funds may have been invested. Fourthly, to acquire, hold or otherwise deal in personal property in particular as it relates to contracts, annuities, patents, licenses, and securities. Lastly to procure capital, credit or other assistances for establishing, extending or reorganizing any enterprise or industry. Although the direction of the operations of Southfields rested with its directors and officers (president, vice-president and secretary), the acquisition, selling, or transferring of securities were handled by an outside agency such as James Richardson & Sons Ltd.; and Wood Gundy.

The first directors of Southfields were William Hipperson and his son Donald Kemp Hipperson, with William serving as President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Board of Directors until his death in 1966 and Donald as Vice-President during the same period. Donald Hipperson subsequently became President and Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1966 and Margaret Hipperson, widow of William Hipperson, served the remainder of 1966 as Vice-President. In 1967, Nancy E. Hipperson, wife of Donald Kemp Hipperson, became a director and the Vice-President of Southfields. Nancy Hipperson resigned as a director on March 2, 1984, but remained identified as Vice-President until 1986; thereafter Donald Hipperson was the only director of Southfields until March 31, 2002, when Southfields Investments Ltd. was struck from the Business Corporations Register in Saskatchewan.

Hipperson Holdings Ltd. is a holding company established in Regina, Saskatchewan. The company was incorporated on December 18, 1980. Hipperson Holdings does not transact business itself, but exists to improve and bring together the business enterprises such as Hipperson Investments Ltd. and Hy-Grade Millwork Limited. Its business activities consist of holding shares in these other companies, realizing earnings from such investments and in so doing minimizing the risk for the owners and improving the ability to control the different companies. Hipperson Holdings is registered with Corporations Branch as operating with a minimum of one and a maximum of three directors; currently (2010) only Donald Kemp Hipperson is identified as being a director.

Hipperson Investments Ltd. of Regina, Saskatchewan was incorporated as a business corporation on December 18, 1980. In partnership with Hipperson Construction, Hipperson Investments provides property development and management services for tenants including offering financing, conceptual development, leasing arrangements, design, and construction.

Donald Kemp Hipperson is currently (2010) the sole shareholder and executive officer (president) of Hipperson Investments Ltd.

D.K. Hipperson Enterprises Ltd. of Regina, Saskatchewan was incorporated on December 30, 1986 and thereafter commenced active business operations as a consulting and investment company. D.K. Hipperson Enterprises currently (2010) has a single director, D.K. Hipperson, who also serves as president.