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Our History

Our History

PIC's roots begin with Prairie Industrial Chemicals in 1976 and evolve through a multi-decade operating and governance journey.

Prairie Industrial Chemicals-branded vats at an early facilities site
Then: Prairie Industrial Chemicals logos on production vats during the early growth years.
PIC logo inside the current office
Now: the PIC Group identity reflected in today's office environment.

Origins

From Prairie Industrial Chemicals to PIC Group

In 1976 Prairie Industrial Chemicals Ltd. opened its doors. It was a start-up chemical distribution company with one supplier and four available products. The founders grew the business by being open for business twenty-four hours per day and seven days per week all year round. They understood their customers' needs, often before the customer identified the need on their own. Just four years later, the company had annual sales in excess of $5 million and established branch offices and warehouses across the prairie provinces.

By its fifteenth year, combined sales surpassed $26 million dollars annually and the company had diversified into chemical packaging, chemical manufacturing, transportation, import/export and property management. With a view to future growth through delegation and acquisition, it underwent a major reorganisation. Separate companies were formed, each with its own core business. Ownership remained with Prairie Industrial Chemicals, but the name changed to more accurately reflect a broader corporate mandate.

Today, PIC Group is a family office that supports management of operating companies in order to grow. Through a set of investments including joint ventures, wholly-owned and partially-owned operating companies, loans, bridge financing, and a portfolio of investment companies, we provide service and support to all of the companies we invest in. We look for every opportunity to find synergy, facilitate acquisitions and finance internal growth within existing companies. Analysis of new opportunities compares the return on investment against our best alternative for creating lift during the period of time we hold the investment. We seek to maximize lift by predicting our partners' needs and help keep their business safe from the unexpected.

Looking for the full history book?

If you would like a copy of PIC's history book, contact reception and we can route your request.

Timeline

Key moments in PIC's evolution

  1. 1976

    Origin

    Prairie Industrial Chemicals opens as a startup chemical distribution business in Saskatchewan.

  2. 1991

    Reorganization

    As the business diversified, operating divisions were reorganized into separate companies with clearer mandates and governance structures.

  3. ~2006

    Portfolio Evolution

    PIC continued expanding board-governed operating businesses while building a selective portfolio of investment companies.

  4. Today

    Current Model

    PIC operates as a family office focused on governance, operator support, and long-term partnership outcomes.

Jim Yuel and Rick Sauter at the 1983 Canadian Pool and Spa Show at BC Place
Jim Yuel and Rick Sauter at the 1983 Canadian Pool and Spa Show, the first trade show hosted in newly built BC Place.
Jim Yuel in 1986 and Greg Yuel at the 40th anniversary in matching desk poses
Jim Yuel after year 10 of business in 1986, and Greg Yuel at the 40th anniversary, photographed in the same desk pose.