Mobile Klinik is a Canadian retailer and repairer of mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. The company was founded in 2004 and has grown to over 100 stores across Canada. Mobile Klinik provides services like screen repair, battery replacement, device cleaning, data transfers, and more for various brands of mobile devices.
Telus is one of the major telecommunications companies in Canada, providing services in wireless, internet, TV, healthcare, and more. With millions of customers across the country, Telus is a major player in the Canadian mobile market. This leads many people to wonder if there is any connection between the large national telco and the mobile repair chain.
The History of Mobile Klinik
Mobile Klinik was founded in 2004 by entrepreneurs Dean Murray and Frank Holler. The first Mobile Klinik store opened in London, Ontario that year.
The company saw quick growth, expanding to 20 stores by 2007. The stores provided repairs, accessories, and unlocking services for mobile phones, responding to growing consumer demand for mobile device support.
By 2015, Mobile Klinik had grown to 80 stores across Canada. The company received a significant investment from Birch Hill Equity Partners in 2016, helping to further expand the chain.
Over the next few years, Mobile Klinik continued its rapid expansion through both company-owned stores and franchise locations. By 2022, the company had reached over 100 stores across Canada.
While Mobile Klinik has expanded greatly since its founding in 2004, it has remained a private Canadian company. The current CEO is Dean Murray, one of the original founders.
The History of Telus
Telus is one of Canada’s big three national telecommunications companies, along with Rogers and Bell. The company has a history dating back over 100 years.
In 1990, TELUS was created through the merger of two western-based companies, BC TEL and Alberta Government Telephones. This created a telecom company covering British Columbia and Alberta.
Over the 1990s, TELUS acquired additional telecom providers and expanded nationally. They began offering wireless services in 2000 after acquiring Clearnet Communications.
TELUS continued growing through various mergers and acquisitions in the 2000s. This included acquiring wireless provider Mike in 2008. By 2010, TELUS provided services to over 10 million customers across Canada.
The company has expanded into other areas like healthcare technology and agriculture technology while continuing to be a major telecom provider in Canada. TELUS is a publicly traded company on the TSX and NYSE with annual revenues of around $17 billion.
Mobile Klinik’s Independent History
Despite both companies being major players in the Canadian mobile industry, Mobile Klinik has operated fully independently from Telus over its history.
Mobile Klinik was founded and funded privately, with no Telus ownership involvement. The founders, Dean Murray and Frank Holler, retained control over the company as it rapidly expanded across Canada.
The sole major outside investment into Mobile Klinik was Birch Hill Equity Partners in 2016. Birch Hill is an investment firm and not affiliated with Telus.
Mobile Klinik has never been owned by Telus and there have been no mergers or acquisitions between the companies. The repair chain has expanded to over 100 locations independently from any involvement by the major telecom.
Mobile Klinik and Telus Today
Currently in 2023, Mobile Klinik remains fully independent from Telus.
Mobile Klinik continues to be privately held. Dean Murray maintains an ownership stake and serves as CEO. The company headquarters is located in London, Ontario.
Meanwhile, Telus remains one of Canada’s largest telecom providers. They have not acquired or purchased any ownership stake in the mobile repair chain.
While Telus and Mobile Klinik operate in related mobile industries, they continue to be fully separate, independent companies. Telus does not have any ownership interest or control in Mobile Klinik and its 100+ retail locations across Canada.
Partnership Between the Companies
Although Telus does not have an ownership stake in Mobile Klinik, the two companies do maintain a partnership relationship.
This involves certain joint initiatives and customer service coordination between the telecom provider and the mobile repair chain.
Some examples of the Mobile Klinik and Telus partnership include:
- Mobile Klinik stores often sell Telus branded accessories and devices.
- Some Telus retail locations contain a Mobile Klinik “store within a store” for device repairs.
- Mobile Klinik performs warranty repairs on Telus mobile devices.
- Telus employees may refer customers to Mobile Klinik for out-of-warranty repairs.
- The companies occasionally run joint marketing initiatives and promotions.
However, this partnership relationship is limited. Telus does not have any direct control or ownership of Mobile Klinik itself.
Reasons for Confusion
Despite a lack of direct ownership, there are some reasons why consumers may mistakenly believe Telus owns Mobile Klinik.
Telus is one of Canada’s most visible companies with retail locations across the country. With Telus selling phones and Mobile Klinik repairing them, some customers assume the two brands are connected.
Additionally, the partnership initiatives between the companies, like Telus retail sites housing Mobile Klinik shops, may give the impression of shared ownership.
The companies also occasionally run joint marketing campaigns. A recent example was an August 2022 back-to-school promotion offering bundles of Telus smartphones and Mobile Klinik accessories. This type of cross-promotion may further blend the brands in some consumer perceptions.
However, while the two mobile companies maintain a constructive relationship, Mobile Klinik operates as an independent organization from Telus.
Conclusion
In summary, despite similarities between the companies and their partnership initiatives, Telus does not own Mobile Klinik.
Key facts demonstrating this include:
- Mobile Klinik was founded independently in 2004 by Dean Murray and Frank Holler.
- The repair chain has expanded to over 100 stores without Telus ownership or investment.
- Current CEO Dean Murray maintains part ownership in the still privately-held company.
- While Telus and Mobile Klinik collaborate on certain initiatives and customer service, they remain separate entities.
Confusion on this issue is understandable given the high visibility of both brands in Canada’s mobile market. However, the evidence clearly shows Mobile Klinik operates independently from direct Telus ownership or control since its founding.
References
Mobile Klinik. “About Us.” Accessed October 4, 2023. https://mobileklinik.ca/pages/about-us
TELUS. “Our History.” Accessed October 4, 2023. https://www.telus.com/en/about/our-history
MobileSyrup. “TELUS partners with Mobile Klinik to open 20 repair shops at TELUS stores across Canada.” July 25, 2017. https://mobilesyrup.com/2017/07/25/telus-partners-mobile-klinik-open-repair-shops-telus-stores-canada/
Retail Insider. “Canadian Wireless Telecom, Repair Chain Mobile Klinik Sees Growth: Interview.” May 7, 2022. https://www.retail-insider.com/retail-insider/2022/5/canadian-wireless-telecom-repair-chain-mobile-klinik-sees-growth-interview
