By Paul Cowley
Red Deer Advocate staff

In a unique business swapping move, insurance and registry firms are changing hands and locating next to each other.

Alpine Insurance and Financial president Ken Hughes announced Wednesday he has acquired The Insurance Outlet in Red Deer.

Hughes bought the company from Cheryl Davis, who also owns One Stop Licence Shop. In turn, Davis is buying Alpine Registries and setting up a second One Stop location in the south end. Hughes said the deal allows he and Davis to concentrate on the businesses they are best at and enjoy the most.

Davis opened the registry in 1994 and added a small insurance business about seven years ago. "I've always wanted to expand my registry to a second location," she said.

"(The sale) was an opportunity for me to do that."

To further cement the business relationship, One Stop and Alpine plan to set up shop next to each other at two locations.

They will remain separately owned and operated businesses.

Hughes got into the local insurance business by buying Wiseman Coupland last year. The company also had a small registry business.

On Wednesday, Wiseman Coupland was moved from its downtown location to 2250 50th Ave. just north of Chapters in the former home of TBS - The Team and Corporate store. It opens under a new name Alpine Insurance and Financial and One Stop Licence Shop will be located next door.

Alpine will also operate an insurance outlet next to the One Stop Licence Shop at Gaetz Avenue and 77th Street.

Hughes said the insurance and registry businesses are very compatible.

"Often people looking for registrations are also looking for insurance at the same time."

"It's a convenience for clients to be able to obtain insurance services when they go the registry."

The Insurance Outlet is the fifth brokerage to join the Alpine group. Other offices are in Canmore, Lethbridge, Edmonton and Calgary.

Wiseman Coupland's satellite branch in Delburne is also Alpine-owned. The company was started in Canmore in 2001 and is now one of the top 40 insurance brokers in Canada, said Hughes.

"I'm continuing to look for other opportunities for expansion," he said.

© Copyright 2005 Red Deer Advocate