What if the future of your business wasn’t just about profits, but about people? Across Canada, a quiet revolution is shaping the way businesses operate, and the way communities thrive. It’s more than a financial model, it’s a mindset. It’s employee ownership. And when you own where you work, you care where you live.
At the heart of this movement is a story rooted in Altona, Manitoba, where Friesens Corporation began not just as a business, but as a community builder. From its earliest days, Friesens was more than a printing company, it was a family endeavor with a vision that extended beyond the bottom line.
David Friesen, former President and grandson of founder D.W. Friesen, recalls the origins of the company:
“Way back in the day, and I don’t know how far back… the words that I heard was that… they were trying to build a business for the family because it was DW and three sons in the business, and so they were really wanting to build a business that could support those four families. From that it grew into wanting to support the wider community…”
That shift…from family to community…was deeply influenced by DK Friesen, David’s father, who was not only a business leader but a passionate advocate for cooperative values. His involvement with the Altona Co-op, where he served as President of the Board of Directors, marked the beginning of a broader commitment to community-led ventures. His leadership during the Depression era, particularly in cooperative boards, laid the groundwork for Friesens eventual transition to employee ownership.
DK’s philosophy was simple yet profound:
“We are in this for each other,” he often said. “We need to be committed mutually to each other’s welfare and what it takes to achieve this.”
This mindset became a cornerstone of Friesens identity. As the company grew, so did its commitment to Altona and its people. Employee ownership wasn’t just a business strategy, it was a reflection of shared values, mutual respect, and a desire to build something lasting together.
When employees become owners, they don’t just gain a stake in the company, they gain a stake in the community. Jobs stay local. Decisions reflect shared values. And the ripple effect touches everything, from the pride people feel in their work to the strength of the local economy.
Employee ownership fosters innovation, accountability, and long-term stability. But it also builds stronger relationships, deeper roots, and a sense of purpose that extends far beyond the workplace.
Organizations like Tallgrass help facilitate this transition, guiding business owners toward employee ownership and ensuring that the legacy of their work…and their community…endures. By empowering employees to become stewards of the business, Tallgrass helps preserve not only the company’s future but the fabric of the community it serves.
Friesens journey is a testament to what’s possible when business and community grow together. It’s a legacy built on cooperation, shared ownership, and a deep belief in the power of people.