Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers Limited engages in the retail business in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and internationally. The company is involved in the retail sale of building materials, home and garden improvement, and outdoor living products through its Bunnings stores; apparel and general merchandise, including toys, leisure, entertainment, home, and consumables; and office products and solutions, such as stationery, technology, furniture, art supplies, and learning and development resources, as well as print and create, and technical support services through its 168 Officeworks stores. 

It also provides hardware and software repairs, system security solutions, wireless and wired networking services, virus and spyware prevention and removal, and data backup and recovery solutions. In addition, the company manufactures and supplies ammonia, ammonium nitrate, and industrial chemicals; manufactures, imports, and distributes phosphate, nitrogen, and potassium-based fertilizers; supplies polyvinyl chloride resins; produces wood-plastic composite products, and manufactures and distributes sodium cyanide. 

Further, it produces and distributes liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas; supplies and distributes maintenance, repair, operating products, and industrial safety products and services; manufacturers and markets industrial, medical, and speciality gases; supplies tools, safety gear, personal protective equipment, electricals, work wear, and industrial supplies; and provides risk management and compliance services, as well as footwear; safety products, uniforms, engineering supplies, and packaging services; and engages in other businesses. Additionally, the company provides health, beauty, and wellbeing products; clinical cosmetic and skin care treatments; retail support services; distributes pharmaceutical goods, and operates an online marketplace and data sharing platform. Wesfarmers Limited was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia.

Westralian Farmers Co. operative Limited was formed in 1914 as a cooperative company by the Farmers' and Settlers' Association of Western Australia, to acquire the assets of the West Australian Producers' Union, to be focused on the provision of services and merchandise to the Western Australian rural community. By 1919, more than 65 local cooperative companies were acting as agents for Westralian Farmers Limited. In 1924, it established the first public radio station in Western Australia with 6WF, before it passed into the hands of the Australian Broadcasting Commission in 1929, now called ABC Radio Perth.

By the 1940s, the company's business included "being wheat and general merchants; country distribution for Commonwealth Oil Refineries; wool, livestock, skin and produce auctioneers; grain & fruit exporters; insurance underwriters; acquiring agents for the wheat pool of W.A." Known as Westralian Farmers Limited, it had premises in various locations within the Perth central business district. In the 1940s there were premises at 563-571 Wellington Street. It also had premises on Newman Street in Fremantle.

In 1949, Wesfarmers acquired Ashburton Transport, which at the time was lossmaking. The following year it also acquired its major competitor Gascoyne Trading, combining the operations of the two companies to supply the northwest of Western Australia. Along with wool and mail, it carted bananas from Carnarvon to Perth, returning with stores and mail from Perth. Gascoyne Trading introduced refrigerated transport to the region and three trailer road trains that now carry loads up to 115 tonnes. In 1984, Westralian Farmers Co-operative Limited formed Wesfarmers Limited, restructuring from a co-operative to a public company and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on 15 November 1984. Initially, the Co-operative retained 60% of the ordinary shares, guaranteeing that the co-op's farmer members retained control, and the rest was distributed to its members. In 1991, 19 m3 of the records of the Westralian Farmers Co-operative were deposited with the J S Battye Library in Perth.

Australian Railroad Group began in a joint venture with Genesee & Wyoming by the purchase of Westrail at the beginning of 2000. It was sold in 2006 to Babcock & Brown and Queensland Rail. In 2001, Wesfarmers becomes a freely-traded publicly listed company with open ownership. After becoming a public company, Wesfarmers diversified its interests by acquiring other businesses.

Bought in January 1993 the integration of Dalgety Farmers with Wesfarmers proved more difficult than expected. For a time the merged rural agency and merchandise business was Wesfarmers Dalgety until renamed Wesfarmers Landmark in March 2001, after IAMA Limited was brought in. Landmark, Wesfarmers foundation business, was sold to AWB Limited in August 2003.

An initial investment in 10 percent of Bunnings in February 1987 reached full ownership in January 1994. Bunnings bought UK retailer Homebase in February 2016 and Britain's first Bunnings store opened twelve months later in February next year. They were 265 well-located stores and Wesfarmers believed Bunnings' management would greatly improve their modest profits. The plan was to make changes gently but tactics changed and local management, perceived as underperforming, was removed and replaced by expatriate management. The expatriate management's changes alienated the existing customer base and, aided by a poor retailing climate, brought a rapid decline in losses. A strategic review by Wesfarmers resulted in the May 2018 sale of the Homebase business to Hilco Capital at a loss of $1.96 billion.

Wesfarmers' mission focuses on delivering satisfactory returns to shareholders through financial discipline and exceptional management of a diversified portfolio of businesses. The company aims to achieve this through a strong and capable management team, a commitment to operational excellence, a focus on innovation, and a dedication to building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

Additionally, the company strives to make a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates by supporting local businesses, investing in social infrastructure, and promoting environmental sustainability. Wesfarmers aims to conduct its business in an ethical and responsible manner, with a focus on safety, diversity, and inclusion.

Wesfarmers' vision is to be a respected and trusted corporate citizen committed to creating value for its stakeholders, including customers, shareholders, employees, and the wider community. The company aims to achieve this by focusing on its core values of integrity, accountability, boldness, openness, and respect.

The company strives to be a leader in its chosen businesses and markets and to achieve this, it follows a value-creating strategy. This strategy involves investing in and developing businesses that have strong competitive positions, are well-managed, and have the potential to deliver long-term growth and returns.

Wesfarmers aims to achieve its vision through continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainable business practices. The company believes that by staying true to its values and pursuing its value-creating strategy, it can create value for its stakeholders and make a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates.
 

Wesfarmers is a diverse Australian conglomerate with operations across a range of industries, including retail, home improvement, industrial, and chemicals. The company's major retail brands include Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Group, Target, and Officeworks.

Bunnings Warehouse is the leading home improvement and outdoor living retailer in Australia and New Zealand, offering a range of products including hardware, garden and outdoor living, paint, and plumbing supplies. The Kmart Group includes the Kmart discount department store chain and the Target stores, which offer a range of general merchandise including clothing, homewares, and electronics. Officeworks is a leading retailer of office supplies and equipment.

In addition to its retail operations, Wesfarmers also has interests in industrial businesses such as Blackwoods, which supplies industrial products and services, and Coregas, which supplies gases to industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, and welding. The company also has a significant presence in the chemicals industry through its subsidiary, Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers, which produces and supplies chemicals and fertilizers to customers in Australia and overseas.