PotashCorp – Celebrating 30 Years
For decades, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, and its successor Nutrien, has been a global leader in agricultural nutrients. Founded in 1975 as a Crown corporation and later privatized, it grew to become the world’s largest producer of potash and the third-largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate—the essential building blocks of fertilizer. In a world where only a handful of regions can produce potash, PotashCorp played a central role in food security for billions.
StrategyCorp’s work with PotashCorp began in 2010, when the company faced a hostile takeover attempt by BHP Billiton. We helped secure a decisive win, keeping the company Canadian. From there, we became a trusted advisor, supporting complex public affairs, M&A transactions, communications, and management consulting needs for nearly a decade.
The work spanned continents. We provided issue management in challenging jurisdictions such as Jordan, Israel, and North Africa—balancing local sensitivities with global regulatory expectations. In Canada, we navigated community concerns near mining operations, labour relations, and the intricate interplay between business strategy and government policy. Every move was high stakes, with implications for international markets and political relationships.
Our most recent chapter came with PotashCorp’s merger with Agrium to form Nutrien, now the world’s largest crop nutrient company. The transaction required regulatory approval in Canada, the United States, China, Brazil, and India. Working alongside the company’s executive team, bankers, lawyers, and Agrium’s advisors, we adapted the merger narrative for each public affairs environment, ensuring regulators, stakeholders, and the public understood its benefits.
From developing the core messaging to executing the public announcement—complete with CEO statements and media-ready content—we ensured the story was compelling, credible, and globally consistent. The merger created a stronger, more resilient company positioned to lead in global agriculture, while keeping head-office decision-making anchored in Canada.
Today, Nutrien continues to drive innovation and sustainability in food production, with a footprint that touches every corner of the globe. For StrategyCorp, helping guide PotashCorp through a decade of challenges, opportunities, and ultimately a transformative merger stands as a prime example of our ability to navigate complexity on the world stage.