who were the founders?
John Gregory, Alexander Mackenzie, and Roderick Mackenzie
Official founding
In 1787 the North West Company merged with a rival organization, Gregory, McLeod and Co., which brought several more able partners in, including John Gregory, Alexander Mackenzie, and his cousin Roderick Mackenzie. 
where is the headwaters of the willamette river Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest region of North America who were the first people to inhabit the area along the above-mentioned river? Native American community what was the major trade done on this river? Fur trade who traded this, to whom? French-Canadians working for the Hudson's Bay Company who owns this company? American business man, Jerry Zucker are there any modern stores associated with this company? Yes, department stores any stores in particular? UNANSWERABLE did they merger with any other major company? Yes, with North West Company where is this company located? Montreal
Benjamin Frobisher, Isaac Todd and Alexander Henry. Gregory, McLeod and Co., which brought several more able partners in, including John Gregory, Alexander Mackenzie, and his cousin Roderick Mackenzie UNANSWERABLE
North West Company North West Company
Beginnings Official founding
There are historical references to a North West Company as early as 1770, including the Montreal-based traders Benjamin Frobisher, Isaac Todd, Alexander Henry the elder and others, but the standard histories trace the Company to a 16-share organization formed in 1779, which included Todd, Simon McTavish and James McGill.  In 1787 the North West Company merged with a rival organization, Gregory, McLeod and Co., which brought several more able partners in, including John Gregory, Alexander Mackenzie, and his cousin Roderick Mackenzie
wiki:19499697
North West Company [SEP] Official founding
In 1787 the North West Company merged with a rival organization, Gregory, McLeod and Co., which brought several more able partners in, including John Gregory, Alexander Mackenzie, and his cousin Roderick Mackenzie. The 1787 company consisted of 20 shares, some held by the agents at Montreal (see below), and others by wintering partners, who spent the trading season in the fur country and oversaw the trade with the aboriginal peoples there. The wintering partners and the Montreal agents met each July at the company's depot at Grand Portage on Lake Superior, later moved to Fort William. Also under the auspices of the company, Alexander Mackenzie conducted two important expeditions of exploration.