[citation needed] In 1949, Pioneer Readymix was founded in St Peters, Sydney.

In 1965, it formed a joint venture with Shell Australia to enter the asphalt manufacture and supply industry.

In 1967, Pioneer acquired FW Williams Holdings that had plastic manufacturing operations and tea and coffee plantations in Papua New Guinea.

[2] In 1975, Pioneer diversified to invest heavily in resources in a joint project with Pennzoil.

[2] In 1983, Pioneer purchased British building materials producer Mixconcrete followed in 1985 by Lone Star Industries' sand, gravel, and quarrying operations in the United States.

In 1986 Pioneer was the subject of a hostile but ultimately unsuccessful takeover bid from FAI Insurance.

[2][5] In 1995, Ampol merged with Caltex Australia to form Australian Petroleum, with Pioneer holding a 50% shareholding.