Saskatoon, Sask.-based Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) announced on Feb. 3 that it has entered into a joint venture agreement with Blair’s Family of Companies, a fourth-generation, family-owned retail business based in Lanigan, Sask.
The joint venture will own and operate Blair’s seven ag retail locations in Saskatchewan, located at Lanigan, Nokomis, Watrous, Liberty, McLean, Lipton, and Rosthern. The locations will offer a broad range of crop inputs and animal nutrition products and services to area farmers and ranchers.
“Blair’s is a trusted and well-respected local family business with a history of serving farm customers and communities for generations, and whose values match our own,” said Ron Healey, FCL Vice-President of Ag and Consumer Business. “The joint venture is an opportunity for FCL to expand our presence in central and southeastern Saskatchewan, which will ultimately benefit our local Co-op member-owners and the entire Co-operative Retailing System.”
Founded in 1948, Blair’s business operations include Blair’s Crop and Livestock Solutions, Blairs.Ag Cattle Company, Blair’s AgIntelligence, and TexCana Logistics. Blair’s Texcana Logistics fertilizer terminal located near Hanley, Sask., and its farming operations, including Blair’s Ag Cattle Company, are not part of the joint venture.
“A key part of our strategy to continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees, and communities, has been preparing our business for the future,” said Darren Blair, Blair’s Chief Operating Officer. “We believe the joint venture with FCL, which shares the same core values and long-term commitment to agriculture as us, will ensure that we continue demonstrating value to our customers, employees and communities in the future. We are stronger together and better positioned to provide our customers with the solutions they require.”
FCL and Blair’s said the joint venture is subject to standard closing conditions, including Competition Bureau and other regulatory clearance. The companies said operations will largely remain unchanged for customers. Blair’s management and team continuing to lead the day-to-day operations of the ag retail business after closing, while FCL will procure and supply fertilizer, crop-protection, and seed products to the Blair’s locations.
FCL is owned by approximately 200 retail cooperatives that form the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) in Western Canada. FCL was established in 1955 to provide centralized wholesaling, manufacturing, marketing, and administrative services to member co-ops.