held a meeting to discuss its intention to demerge Coles, The demerger was effective from 21 November 2018 with Wesfarmers retaining a 15% shareholding. During 2020 Wesfarmers reduced its equity in Coles to 4.9%. Wesfarmers Resources Wesfarmers Resources owned and operated open-cut coal producing resources in Australia including the Curragh in Queensland. Wesfarmers divested its coal business, completing the process with the sale of its 40 per cent interest in the Bengalla Joint Venture to New Hope Corporation for $860 million on 3 December 2018. Wesfarmers Transport In 1950 Wesfarmers purchased the Gascoyne Trading Company (GTC), growing it to become the largest transport operator in Western Australia. Until 1971 it held the sole rights for direct road transport between Carnarvon and Perth. In 1973 a joint venture was formed with Downard to enter the interstate freight forwarding market between Western Australia and Victoria. In 1985, GTC purchased a 50% shareholding in Total West from Mayne Nickless. In 1996, after taking full ownership of Total West, Wesfarmers merged it with GTC to form Wesfarmers Transport. In 2001 the business was sold to Toll Holdings. Company executives Chairmen 1914–1916: Deane Hammond 1916–1921: Matthew Padbury 1921–1953: Walter Harper 1953–1965: Ernest Thorley Loton 1965–1975: Walter Crosse 1975–1982: Maurice Clayton 1983–1986: Marcus Beeck 1986–2002: Harry Perkins 2002–2008: Trevor Eastwood 2008–2015: Bob Every 2015–present: Michael Chaney Chief executives / general managers / managing directors 1917–1925: Basil Murray 1925–1957: John Thomson 1958–1973: Keith Edwards 1974–1984: John Bennison 1984–1992: Trevor Eastwood 1992–2005: Michael Chaney 2005–2017: Richard Goyder 2017–present: Rob Scott References Further reading Smith, Kevin P.(1984) A bunch of pirates: the story of a farmer co-operative: Wesfarmers Perth, W.A : Westralian Farmers Co-operative. (2003) 50 years of powering Western Australia : from Western Colleries to Wesfarmers Coal. Collie, W.A.: Wesfarmers Premier Coal. Thompson, Peter (2014) Wesfarmers 100: The People's Story 1914-2014 Perth, W.A. External links Wesfarmers Limited Conglomerate companies of Australia Companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange Australian brands Companies based in Perth, Western Australia Australian stock and station agencies Retail companies established in 1914 Conglomerate companies established in 1914 History of Western Australia Agriculture companies established in 1914 Australian companies established in 1914