The Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest private companies, has nurtured close ties with its Asian partners over the years, but still identifies more opportunities to expand its business in across the Pacific.
Chairman & CEO Jim Pattison said: “You’re going to see a lot of our agriculture business continue to grow into Asia. We’re seeing more and more visitors from Asian businesses. We’re looking at growing our business and focusing on the region.”
The conglomerate, which started in 1961 with the purchase of a General Motors dealership, subsequently acquired more than 200 businesses in a range of sectors that include media, entertainment, automotive, packaging, agriculture, food, sales and real estate.
Operating in 545 locations in North America (including the United States and Mexico), Asia, Europe and Australia, it employs around 36,000 people and generates about $6.6 billion in revenue.
The Jim Pattison Auto Group represents some of the world’s largest automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Hyundai, Audi, Volkswagen, Subaru, and Chrysler.
In the field of natural resources, the group owns a significant stake in Canfor, one of the world’s leading producers of sustainable lumber, and in Canterra Minerals, a diamond exploration firm.
President Glen Clark pointed out: “If you look at some of the biggest opportunities for our company now, it’s probably exporting to Asia with our lumber company (Canfor).”
Over the last few years, the group’s most recent acquisitions include five John Deere dealerships in Saskatchewan, as well as Amc Billboard Co. and Ocean Brands.
