FIRST PRAIRIE GRAIN ELEVATOR
How the West was won
Reading a book about western expansion awakened a dream in James Richardson & Sons, Limited's second President, George Algernon Richardson, in turn leading to his own story of how the West was Won. The Founder's eldest son, George (1852-1906) was inquisitive, energetic and outgoing. His interest in western Canada was largely inspired by Ocean to Ocean, an account of Sir Sandford Fleming's 1872 expedition to find a Canadian route for a transcontinental railway to the Pacific.
George was the first member of his family to envision, and later see the West's potential with his own eyes. On his advice, the company built its first prairie elevator in Neepawa, Manitoba in 1890, ahead of the wheat boom prompted by rapid immigration, grain prices and the railway.
When George succeeded his father as president following James Richardson's death in 1892, he had already introduced a strategy to expand the grain merchandising and exporting business, and was eager to develop operations west of Ontario. Under his administration, JRSL solidified its western presence, opening an office on the second floor of the Winnipeg Grain Exchange - across the street from where the corporation's global headquarters remain today.
George Richardson accomplished much before he died at 53. Like his father before, he was a pioneering spirit with the ability to recognize opportunity in unexpected places. George's vision for expansion set in motion an unprecedented period of prosperity for the company, and would propel the family business into the future for generations to come.
Source: James Richardson & Sons, Limited
Established in 1857, James Richardson & Sons, Limited is a private, family-owned and operated corporation. JRSL is actively involved in the global agriculture and food processing business, as well as energy exploration, transportation and marketing, financial services, insurance and real estate investments. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, JRSL has assets and operations strategically located across Canada, the United States and in the United Kingdom.
