ABOUT US
CELEBRATING 140 YEARS
While much has changed in 140 years, our basic formula has not; a great team working together to find a better way, every day. It’s a tradition we’ve carried on for generations.
Today, our employees continue to build JDI into a diverse group of performance driven enterprises. Our dedicated team uses the best practices to make the best products, enabling us to better serve our customers.
We’re proud to be Atlantic Canada’s home team.
An outstanding team dedicated to providing the best in products and service
Founded in 1882, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States. We are a team of over 19,000 (FTE) with business units in:
• Agriculture
• Construction & Equipment
• Consumer Products
• Hydro Energy
• Food
• Forestry & Forestry Products
• Retail & Distribution
• Shipbuilding & Industrial Fabrication
• Transportation & Logistics
Our growth is driven by a set of consistent fundamental values through the years:
• Uncompromising quality in making our products and committed service to our valued customers
• An unwavering focus on continuous improvement and innovation in our diverse businesses
• And a responsibility to make a positive difference in our communities, where we are proud to live and work, as well as to the health of the land, air and water that sustains our world.
Service, quality, and innovation since 1882
The seeds of our entrepreneurial diversity were first sown by company founder James Dergavel Irving (J.D. Irving) - the grandson of enterprising immigrants from Dumfries, Scotland.
The original company holdings included: a sawmill, gristmill, carding mill, a general store, lumber business, and a farm. J.D. was an innovator and a dedicated investor in new methods, equipment to improve productivity and service - a tradition that we carry on today.
Kenneth Colin (K.C.) Irving, born in 1899, inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and keen interest in business. K.C. was a driven and dynamic builder of enterprises who “liked to see the wheels turn”. Under his leadership, the business realized significant growth and diversification in the transportation, shipbuilding, construction, and retail sectors.
1 Billion trees - national record in Canada
In 1957, James K. (J.K.) Irving (K.C.’s eldest son) pioneered the company’s reforestation and tree improvement programs and expanded our forest products’ business. Since then, the company has planted over 1 billion trees – a national record in Canada. Trees, being nature’s air filters, absorb carbon dioxide to combat global warming. Today, continual reforestation is sustaining jobs and a diverse value chain of forest products that J.K. and his sons have grown over the years.
Like the generations before them, J.K. and his sons, Robert, and Jim, are builders. They believe that good products, superior service, continuous improvement, and the front-line efforts of skilled employees are the most important ingredients to success.
J.D. Irving, Limited today
With the help of an innovative team, the diverse companies of J.D. Irving, Limited continue to grow and evolve, providing quality products and services that span industries and customers worldwide.
While much has changed over the past 140 years, our company’s basic formula has not. We believe in investing and building our business with the skills of great employees, producing excellent products, giving superior service to valued customers - and then reinvesting again.
In the communities where we live and work, the people of J.D. Irving, Limited are internationally recognized for environmental performance, innovation in technology, education, and community service.
An outstanding team dedicated to providing the best in products and service.
How we do business with our suppliers.