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Our History

From our earliest days to today’s state-of-the-art operations, Canoe Forest Products has been built on a foundation of craftsmanship, innovation, and deep respect for the forests and communities we serve.

Our Roots in
Canoe, BC.

Canoe Forest Products’ story is deeply tied to the region around Shuswap Lake and the forest resources of the Okanagan and Columbia interior. The original sawmill and plant were built in 1925 on the shores of the lake and soon became a hub in the forestry economy of the region, given its access to timber and proximity to rail lines and roads.
View Our Timeline
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1925 - First Shuswap Sawmill
In 1965, Federated Cooperatives Ltd, who had purchased the plant 20 years earlier, added the plywood facility and the company began to distinguish itself by focusing on manufacturing structural softwood sheathing, plywood panels, and veneer products.
Original Lumber Office
The original lumber office featured a wood burning stove and a crank telephone. By 1965 when Federated Co-operatives Ltd. added the plywood facility to the operation, the lumber mill had been destroyed by fire and rebuilt twice.
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Initial Test Runs
Plywood stack of initial test runs in 1965
Old Lathe
Old lathe with basic pendulum to bring log in and spindle to hold and spin the log while peeling. Processes 400 blocks per shift.
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Screenshot 2025-10-15 at 10.14.35 AM
The Gorman Group of Companies
A major turning point in Canoe’s history came in 2012, when Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) sold its forest products assets to Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. Under Gorman’s stewardship, more than CAD $50 million has been invested in modernizing the mill and upgrading equipment, boosting capacity, automation, and product quality.
Canoe Forest Products Today
Canoe Forest Products is recognized as a leading producer of specialty plywood products under the CANOE brand. Operating with modern equipment and processes, Canoe contributes significantly to the Gorman Group’s overall production, sharing log pooling, energy systems, residual use, and innovation.
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Investing in
Canoe's Future.

As part of its commitment to the future, Canoe remains focused on:

  • Investing in continuous improvement and automation
  • Upholding high standards of forest stewardship, certification, and environmental performance
  • Ensuring safety, employee development, and community relations
    •Delivering consistent, high-quality plywood products to customers both domestically and globally

With more than 50 years of brand heritage, and decades of embedded history in British Columbia’s forest industry, Canoe Forest Products carries forward a legacy of quality while adapting to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Careers
at Canoe.

We don’t just offer you a job at Canoe; we give you a career. A career that starts with comprehensive training, professional development and advancement opportunities. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and pension plans, and the opportunity to work in an exciting, productive and technologically led environment where safety, inclusion and respect are key. If you see yourself thriving in a career like this, we want to hear from you.

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