1950s Changing Pace

Husky reorganized in the early 1950s, creating Canadian and American branches. Soon after the division, Husky purchased Canada Western Distributors Ltd., which gave it its first service stations and bulk plants in Alberta.

The Company took on some creative marketing techniques for their growing retail stations, including handing out actual husky puppies to customers. Marketing and refining efforts were expanded into Ontario, with the purchase of Riverlake Oils Ltd., a refinery in Fort William (Thunder Bay). Two years later, the Company launched “Husky 120,” a great lakes bunkering ship.

In 1955, the first Husky Travel Centre was introduced in Dryden, Ontario, and nine other centres were quickly setup across the country. By the end of the decade, Canadian operations far surpassed American activities.

The Canadian company reversed roles with its American parent company, turning it into a subsidiary. The merger created quite the media story, and it helped streamline operations, reduce duplications and overhead, and improved Husky’s financial stability.

• Handing Out Puppies to Customers
• Lloydminster Refinery
• Downtown Lloydminster
• Lloydminster Refinery

1952

• Initial offering of common shares in the United States.

1953

• Incorporated Canadian operations under the name Husky Oil Ltd. with shares issued in both Canada and the United States.

1954

• Expanded into Ontario with the purchase of a small refinery and a string of retail outlets.
• Purchased a refinery in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

1955

• Unveiled first Husky Travel Centre.

1956

• Purchased bunker oil ship to fuel ships on the Great Lakes.