With more than 8,000 local jobs and over $1 billion in sales, local manufacturing is an enormous – but sometimes underappreciated – driver of the Abbotsford economy.
It's in that spirit of recognition that the inaugural Manufacturing Industry Tour was created.
Held in conjunction with National Manufacturing Day on Friday (Oct. 4), the first-ever MIT highlighted four homegrown successes and leading manufacturers in Abbotsford: BARR Plastics, StructureCraft, RAD Torque Systems and Reimer Hardwoods.
The event was held in October to also feature Small Business Month in October. The MIT featured the site visits, as well as speakers from the manufacturing sector, a group lunch, and the opportunity to learn about the diverse range of manufacturing operations taking place in the community.
Presented by the City of Abbotsford and the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the format was similar to the chamber's successful Agriculture Bus Tour, which has run for several years. Groups met at Abbotsford's Sevenoaks Shopping Centre and packed two buses to begin the day.
BARR Plastics, located at 31192 South Fraser Way, was a morning stop for both groups. The family business first opened in 1968 and specialize in creating solutions for rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, wastewater treatment, potable water storage and certified safe food, beverage and chemical handling.
Company president Dean Barrett stated that he employs 34 people. The tour ventured through BARR's work yard, warehouses and sales area.
Presentation by @barrplastics inside one of their warehouses #abbotsford pic.twitter.com/bpRSIdwU0S
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 4, 2024
StructureCraft, found at 1929 Foy St., moved to Abbotsford from Delta in 2017 and has continued to grow. The multi-time award winning company is a major timber manufacturer and has worked on several notable builds in North America, Europe and Asia.
They employ a group of structural consulting engineers, computational and 3D designers, detailers, preconstruction engineers, project managers, supervisors, and carpenters. More than 100 people work in their 50,000-square-foot facility.
Some of their local projects include: the Richmond Olympic Oval roof, the McLeod Stadium grandstand roof in Langley, the VanDusen Gardens footbridge in Vancouver, the Aldergrove Recreation Centre canopies, North Vancouver city hall, several roofs at Surrey Central City and the North Surrey Sport and Ice Complex.
Significant projects outside of the Lower Mainland include: Banff’s Nancy Pauw Bridge, Kelowna’s KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence, the Idaho Central Credit Union Arena (University of Idaho), the DC Southwest Library, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts and Austin, Tex.’s Hotel Magdalena.
They were also involved in the creation of the new Seventh Day Adventist office found on the corner of McCallum and King Road in Abbotsford. The tour travelled through the company's massive facility, observed the technical machinery and witnessed a presentation in the boardroom.
Stop number two is @StructureCraft pic.twitter.com/hR6Ck1l7Nc
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 4, 2024
RAD Torque Systems, located 30722 Marshall Rd., is recognized as the leading Canadian manufacturer of pneumatic, battery-powered, electronic pistol-grip torque wrenches, which are shipped and sold globally.
Products from RAD Torque Systems are used in many industries, including aerospace, defence, mining, wind power, railways and manufacturing. The company employs approximately 180 people in Abbotsford. They stated that they also believe in spending locally, with tens of thousands of dollars being kept in Abbotsford every year through corporate meals, employee functions and hotel accommodations.
Company representatives stated that the only problem they face now is the continuing and rapid growth. They have already basically outgrown the Marshall Road facility and also run a facility on Progressive Way in Abbotsford. They have spent more than $5.5 million over the past two years in building improvements and maintenance amongst the two facilities.
The tour walked attendees through the large warehouse and manufacturing portions, the shipping and stock areas and the interior offices and boardrooms.
More inside @RADTorque #abbotsford pic.twitter.com/sAS2FuLnb6
— Ben Lypka (@BenLypka) October 4, 2024
Reimer Hardwoods, found at 31135 Peardonville Rd., has been recognized as one of the top suppliers of hardwood lumber and interior finishing products in Canada. The company was established in 1977 and arrived in Abbotsford in 1986. Two years later the facility was expanded to 24,500 square-feet and today it is a 70,000-square-foot warehouse and office complex.
Owners Colin and Sharon Reimer officially took over from Colin's parents back in 2004.
The company services lumber projects of all sizes, works with contractors and builders, does large commercial millwork and also retail lumber sales. They also work with many of the top suppliers in the lumber industry.
The MIT also featured a lunch hosted at Chinook Helicopters. Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens, David Munro from EMC and Chinook Helicopters CEO Cathy Press all spoke during lunch.
Alex Mitchell, the CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber, stated that it was a successful debut event and she said it's likely to be an annual event.
“The inaugural manufacturing tour of industry was an incredible opportunity to showcase some of the incredible businesses operating globally from right here in Abbotsford," she said. "Our private sector companies are driving local innovation, employment and economic activity and the Chamber is proud to spotlight them and the impact they have."
She added that the Chamber received feedback from the companies and industry stakeholders on how they were amazed to realize the scale and scope of these companies.
For more on the Chamber, visit abbotsfordchamber.com.
