Wesfarmers

Company Overview

Wesfarmers – a diversified corporate 

From its origins in 1914 as a Western Australian farmers’ cooperative, Wesfarmers has grown into one of Australia’s largest listed companies. Headquartered in Western Australia, it’s diverse business operations cover: home improvement, outdoor living products and supply of building materials; general merchandise and apparel; office and technology products; health, beauty and wellbeing products and services; management of a retail subscription program and shared data asset; wholesale distribution of pharmaceutical goods; manufacturing and distribution of chemicals and fertilisers; development of an integrated lithium project, including mine, concentrator and refinery; industrial and safety product distribution; gas processing and distribution; and management of the Group’s investments. Wesfarmers is one of Australia’s largest employers and has a shareholder base of more than 510,000.

The primary objective of Wesfarmers is to provide a satisfactory return to its shareholders.

The company aims to achieve this by:

• anticipating the needs of our customers and delivering competitive goods and services
• looking after our team members and providing a safe, fulfilling work environment
• engaging fairly with our suppliers, and sourcing ethically and sustainably
• supporting the communities in which we operate
• taking care of the environment
• acting with integrity and honesty in all of our dealings

Our values 

We believe the only true sustainable advantage is the quality and performance of our people. Each Wesfarmers division operates as a separate business and therefore has a distinct culture. However, there are four core values that drive all of our businesses and shape our culture as a whole:

Integrity

• Acting honestly and ethically in all dealings
• Reinforcing a culture of doing what is right

Openness

• Openness and honesty in reporting, feedback and ideas
• Accepting that people make mistakes and seeking to learn from them

Accountability

• Decision-making to divisions
• Accountability for performance
• Protecting and enhancing our reputation

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• Adopt an owner mindset 
• Encourage our teams to identify opportunities and apply commercial and financial acumen to support calculated risk-taking
• Encourage our teams to take the initiative and pursue new and innovative ways of delivering value 

Our culture 

We’re results focused, but we’re a business that cares. Here we are less about titles and more about everyone playing a valuable role. We provide autonomy and space with freedom to operate, quickly learning from mistakes because we know they are part of the way forward. We’re curious, open minded, and collaborative. And although we’re thought leaders, we’re humble, and willing to share knowledge and learn from one another. 

Our leadership model

Wesfarmers recognises the identification and development of talent as an investment with expected returns not only for the business, but also for our people. Our leadership model describes the capabilities we believe are most important for our success, today and tomorrow: 

Being commercial

•  Delivering financial returns today and into the future 

Delivering results

• Making it happen in the right way

Engaging people

• Bringing the best out of self and others 

For more information, visit our website at https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/