Agrium Business History
SMALL BUSINESS DISCOVERY
Divya Chakshu Instructor: Jay Fisher October 3, 2014Overview
Agrium is a retail supplier of agriculture products and services in North America and South America. It is the leading wholesale producer and marketer of all three major agricultural nutrients. The organization is also premier supplier of specialty fertilizers through its advanced technologies business unit. The organization is employing over 14, 000 workers in the company.
It is driven by growth whether the products or service is to improve the performance of crops that feeds …show more content…
Agrium has divided the company in three strategic business units. They are nutrients for growth, solutions for growers and value through technology. (Who are We)
History
In 1931 Cominco Ltd enters fertilizer business in the Agrium Company. Along that the following years many more other fertilizing and crop companies started to enter the Agrium. Sherritt Gordon Fertilizers is the second to enter the company in 1954. Vanscoy Potash Operations open in 1969 and enter the business. Fort Saskatchewan Alberta plant opens in 1983. Comnico Fertilizers Ltd trades on TSE as a separate company in 1993. Crop Production Service is acquired in 1994. Cominco Fertilizers changes their name to Agrium Inc in 1995 during the same year Argentina Farm Centers opened. Western Farm Services is acquired along with Nu-West Industries. Viridian (Sherritt) Fertilizer assets were acquired while Agrium listed on NYSE in 1996. Kapuskasing Phosphate Mine begins production in 1999. Profertil S.A. comes on …show more content…
Is a lot of capital needed to enter your industry? Yes There is a lot of technological capital needed.
6. Does the newcomer have any problems in obtaining the necessary skilled people, materials, or suppliers? Yes Maybe for the nitrogen containing fertilizers and all the advanced technology.
7. Are there any licenses, insurance, or qualifications which are difficult to obtain? No 8. Can the newcomer expect strong retaliation for entering the market? No Criteria – Bargaining Power of Buyers Yes (+) No (-) Comment
1. Is there a large number of buyers relative to the number of firms in the industry? No Because the products are only used on fertilized land for agriculture purposes
2. Do you have a large number of customers each with relatively small purchases? Yes As they are retailers too, they sell a lot to small farmers.
3. Does the customer face any significant costs in switching suppliers? No 4. Is there anything which prevents your customer from taking things in-house? Yes Chemicals are not safe to keep in
Divya Chakshu Instructor: Jay Fisher October 3, 2014Overview
Agrium is a retail supplier of agriculture products and services in North America and South America. It is the leading wholesale producer and marketer of all three major agricultural nutrients. The organization is also premier supplier of specialty fertilizers through its advanced technologies business unit. The organization is employing over 14, 000 workers in the company.
It is driven by growth whether the products or service is to improve the performance of crops that feeds …show more content…
Agrium has divided the company in three strategic business units. They are nutrients for growth, solutions for growers and value through technology. (Who are We)
History
In 1931 Cominco Ltd enters fertilizer business in the Agrium Company. Along that the following years many more other fertilizing and crop companies started to enter the Agrium. Sherritt Gordon Fertilizers is the second to enter the company in 1954. Vanscoy Potash Operations open in 1969 and enter the business. Fort Saskatchewan Alberta plant opens in 1983. Comnico Fertilizers Ltd trades on TSE as a separate company in 1993. Crop Production Service is acquired in 1994. Cominco Fertilizers changes their name to Agrium Inc in 1995 during the same year Argentina Farm Centers opened. Western Farm Services is acquired along with Nu-West Industries. Viridian (Sherritt) Fertilizer assets were acquired while Agrium listed on NYSE in 1996. Kapuskasing Phosphate Mine begins production in 1999. Profertil S.A. comes on …show more content…
Is a lot of capital needed to enter your industry? Yes There is a lot of technological capital needed.
6. Does the newcomer have any problems in obtaining the necessary skilled people, materials, or suppliers? Yes Maybe for the nitrogen containing fertilizers and all the advanced technology.
7. Are there any licenses, insurance, or qualifications which are difficult to obtain? No 8. Can the newcomer expect strong retaliation for entering the market? No Criteria – Bargaining Power of Buyers Yes (+) No (-) Comment
1. Is there a large number of buyers relative to the number of firms in the industry? No Because the products are only used on fertilized land for agriculture purposes
2. Do you have a large number of customers each with relatively small purchases? Yes As they are retailers too, they sell a lot to small farmers.
3. Does the customer face any significant costs in switching suppliers? No 4. Is there anything which prevents your customer from taking things in-house? Yes Chemicals are not safe to keep in