McKenzie Seeds
Dr. Albert Edward McKenzie planted the seeds of success and prosperity in what has become Brandon Manitoba’s very fertile economic soil over 100 years ago. Established in 1896, his seed company, aptly titled McKenzie Seeds, has enjoyed a colourful history — all the while staying true to the guiding principles established by McKenzie himself; unsurpassed quality and a deep commitment to the customer.
The founder of the firm impressed upon his employees his belief that nothing was more constant than change, and this was especially so in the seed industry. He wanted at all times to know about new varieties, about germination tests on existing ones, and about the trends which would influence the entries in his catalogues in coming years. A.E. McKenzie’s desire to provide the highest quality products, the best service and great value to customers is still our guiding principle today.
In 1945, Dr. McKenzie gave 90 per cent of the company shares to the Manitoba Government to benefit Brandon College, currently Brandon University. In 1975, the remaining 10 per cent of the shares were also handed over to the government. The Manitoba Government ran the company as a crown corporation until selling it in 1994 to Regal Greetings and Gifts, Canada’s largest non-retail mail-order catalogue company, owned by MDC Corporation of Toronto. In July of 2002, McKenzie Seeds’ management finalized a deal to purchase the company from MDC Corporation. In 2006 McKenzie Seeds was acquired by International Horticulture Company, Jiffy International AS. Headquartered in Norway, Jiffy has added its horticultural experience and expertise to the McKenzie group of products.
McKenzie’s past achievements, and its potential for future growth, are built on the innovation and loyalty of its employees. Through their excellence and ability to anticipate change, McKenzie Seeds has built an enviable corporate culture that prizes perpetual improvement.
Today McKenzie Seeds is Canada’s leading supplier of packaged seeds and related gardening products. The Company has two divisions: Retail Consumer Products and Direct Mail. The consumer products division features many well known seed brands including McKenzie, Pike, Thompson & Morgan (from England) and Gusto Italia, as well as a complete range of lawn seeds, perishables, accessories, and gift products. The famous McKenzie seed racks are shipped to 5,600 retailers across Canada every spring. The direct mail division features the McFayden catalogue, which has continued to grow in popularity and now reaches over 500,000 Canadian households annually.
McKenzie’s products are available across Canada at all major chains and garden centres where quality garden products are sold.