2018 Top 50 Kootenay Companies
These days in the Kootenays, it seems like there is a craft brewery on every corner. So it’s not surprising that breweries in Fernie, Nelson and Revelstoke are new additions to the 2018 list of Top 50 Kootenay companies by revenue.
The Fernie Brewing Co. was a dream of the Pask family, long-time Fernie residents who started the company in 2003—setting up in the family barn!—and relocated to current premises just off Highway 3 in 2007.
The Nelson Brewing Company dates to 1991 and in 2006 was granted Certified Organic status—these Nelson brews are free of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and genetic engineering say owners Kate and Matt Walker.
Revelstoke’s Mt. Begbie Brewing Co. was founded by Bart and Tracey Larson in 1996. Bart has a PhD in nuclear physics but, as noted on his website, he prefers making beer, not war.
We salute all three breweries, as well as everyone else on this year’s list.
For more business news, visit www.kootenaybiz.com and follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kootbusiness. If you think your company qualifies for inclusion on the 2019 list, email [email protected].
1. Teck Coal Ltd.
Product or service: Mining of Steel-making Coal
Chief Executive: Donald R. Lindsay
Employees: 4,000
Established: 1969
2018 Sales: $6,152,000,000
2017 Sales: $4,144,000,000
% change: 48.5%
2. Teck - Trail
Product or service: Mining/Smelting
Chief Executive: Donald R. Lindsay
Employees: 1,424
Established: 1906
2018 Sales: $2,266,000,000
2017 Sales: $2,049,000,000
% change: 10.6%
3. Canfor
Product or service: Lumber
Chief Executive: Don Kayne
Employees: 971
Established: 1938
2018 Sales: est. $691,000,000
2017 Sales: $626,000,000
% change: 10.4%
4. Zelstoff Celgar Limited Partnership
Product or service: Pulp
Chief Executive: David M. Gandossi
Employees: 413
Established: 1961
2018 Sales: est. $562,200,000
2017 Sales: $381,000,000
% change: 47.4%
5. Skookumchuck Pulp Inc., A Paper Excellence Company
Product or service: Pulp and Power Generation
Chief Executive: Brian Baarda
Employees: 300
Established: 1968
2018 Sales: $412,000,000
2017 Sales: $350,800,000
% change: 17.4%
6. FortisBC
Product or service: Utility
Chief Executive: Roger Dall’Antonia
Employees: 2,200
Established: 1897
2018 Sales: $381,000,000
2017 Sales: $360,000,000
% change: 5.8%
7. Columbia Brewery (Labatt)
Product or service: Brewing
Chief Executive: Marcelo Abud
Employees: 143
Established: 1847
2018 Sales: est. $259,500,000
2017 Sales: $247,800,000
% change: 4.7%
8. Interfor Corporation
Product or service: Lumber
Chief Executive: Duncan K. Davies
Employees: 309
Established: 2008
2018 Sales: est. $213,800,000
2017 Sales: $183,500,000
% change: 16.5%
9. Pacific Insight Electronics Corp.
Product or service: Manufacturing
Chief Executive: Stuart Ross
Employees: 250
Established: 1987
2018 Sales: est. $126,200,000
2017 Sales: $127,200,000
% change: -0.8%
10. Louisiana-Pacific Canada Ltd.
Product or service: Forestry
Chief Executive: Brad Southern
Employees: 370
Established: 1956
2018 Sales: $116,800,000
2017 Sales: $96,500,000
% change: 21.0%
11. Columbia Basin Trust
Product or service: Community Development
Chief Executive: Johnny Strilaeff
Employees: 58
Established: 1995
2018 Sales: $101,000,000
2017 Sales: $97,000,000
% change: 4.1%
12. Canadian Mountain Holidays LP
Product or service: Hospitality/Tourism
Chief Executive: Jeremy Levitt
Employees: 500
Established: 1963
2018 Sales: est. $77,000,000 to $80,000,000
2017 Sales: $75,000,000
% change: 6.7%
Canadian Mountain Holidays (CMH) began in 1959 when the company’s founder, Hans Gmoser, incorporated the business and went in search of the most scenic and blissful skiing experiences he could find. He wanted to share his love of skiing and the beauty of the Canadian mountains with as many people as possible. Gmoser led his first heli-skiing tour in 1965.
The company operates in 11 distinct areas and over three million acres (1.2 million hectares) of snow paradise, filled with deep powder and previously un-skied areas. CMH supplies their guests with skis, poles and snowboards at no extra cost in addition to giving their patrons a supportive and fun guided experience. Their 100-plus-member team has over 1,400 years of guiding experience combined!
Today, the company has that same love of natural beauty and desire to share euphoric skiing experiences with others from all over the world. CMH put safety above all, and promises a heli-skiing experience like no other.
The company’s main office is located in Banff, Alberta.
13. Kalesnikoff Lumber Co. Ltd./Kootenay Innovative Wood Ltd.
Product or service: Forestry
Chief Executive: Ken Kalesnikoff
Employees: 150
Established: 1938
2018 Sales: $64,000,000
2017 Sales: $61,000,000
% change: 4.9%
14. Western Financial Group
Product or service: Insurance and Financial Services
Chief Executive: Kenny Nicholls
Employees: 100
Established: 1897
2018 Sales: $60,000,000
2017 Sales: $60,000,000
% change: 0.0%
15. CanWel Building Materials Group Ltd. (formerly Jemi-Fibre)
Product or service: Forestry
Chief Executive: Amar Doman
Employees: 300
Established: 1989
2018 Sales: $56,500,000
2017 Sales: $46,000,000
% change: 22.8%
16. Tamarack Centre
Product or service: Retail/Services
Chief Executive: N/A
Employees: 300 to 350
Established: 1977
2018 Sales: $50,000,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
17. Selkirk College
Product or service: Post-Secondary and Community Education
Chief Executive: Angus Graeme
Employees: 450
Established: 1966
2018 Sales: $48,900,000
2017 Sales: $46,000,000
% change: 6.3%
18. City of Cranbrook
Product or service: Municipal Government
Chief Executive: N/A
Employees: 180
Established: 1898
2018 Sales: $48,100,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
19. Columbia Power
Product or service: Power Generation
Chief Executive: Johnny Strilaeff
Employees: 42
Established: 1995
2018 Sales: $42,200,000
2017 Sales: $66,200,000
% change: -36.3%
20. Denham Ford (BC) Ltd.
Product or service: Ford Dealership/Automotive
Chief Executive: Brent Denham
Employees: 33
Established: 2008
2018 Sales: $42,200,000
2017 Sales: $33,400,000
% change: 26.3%
21. Porcupine Wood Products Ltd.
Product or service: Forestry/Lumber Manufacturing
Chief Executive: Jim Weed
Employees: 115
Established: 1993
2018 Sales: $37,000,000
2017 Sales: $43,000,000
% change: -14.0%
22. Kootenay Savings Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: Brent Tremblay
Employees: 208
Established: 1969
2018 Sales: $35,900,000
2017 Sales: $35,900,000
% change: 0.0%
23. Sutco Contracting Ltd.
Product or service: Transportation (Regional/Long Haul), Waste Wood/Logs/Fuel
Chief Executive: Chris Sutherland
Employees: 160
Established: 1994
2018 Sales: $32,900,000
2017 Sales: $31,200,000
% change: 5.4%
24. A.M. Ford (Sales) Ltd.
Product or service: Ford Dealership/Automotive
Chief Executive: Dan Ashman
Employees: 38
Established: 1982
2018 Sales: $30,700,000
2017 Sales: $30,200,000
% change: 1.7%
25. Maglio Building Centre/Maglio Building Centre (Trail) Ltd.
Product or service: Retail/Lumber
Chief Executive: Tony Maglio
Employees: 75
Established: 1976
2018 Sales: $27,000,000
2017 Sales: $24,000,000
% change: 12.5%
26. Selkirk Paving
Product or service: Paving/Ready Mix/Gravel/Crushing
Chief Executive: Tony Maida
Employees: 90
Established: 1990
2018 Sales: $25,000,000
2017 Sales: $29,000,000
% change: -13.8%
27. Galena Contractors
Product or service: Road Construction/Drilling/Blasting/Logging/Bridge Construction
Chief Executive: Ray Hascarl
Employees: 79
Established: 1969
2018 Sales: $19,100,000
2017 Sales: $16,600,000
% change: 15.1%
Incorporated in 1970, Galena Contractors Ltd. (GCL) is an established and trusted provider of resources. Their services are many, but they focus primarily on all phases of road construction, logging, drilling and blasting, earth works, bridge installation and general construction. They specialize in working with and around steep terrain, while also being environmentally conscious.
Each of GCL’s projects is overseen by a certified foreman, and supervised for safety and quality by owner/president Ray Hascarl, who has 40,000 hours of machine time experience.
Every project that GCL takes on is completed with the most efficient and modern equipment, ensuring that the job is done right (and safely) the first time. They have completed projects for a wide range of clients from small businesses to large corporations and government agencies.
GCL’s main operations centre is located in Nakusp, B.C. Their office hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all week days (excluding holidays).
28. Kootenay Country Store Co-op
Product or service: Retail
Chief Executive: N/A (owner and operated by the co-op’s board)
Employees: 162
Established: 1975
2018 Sales: $16,800,000
2017 Sales: $16,800,000
% change: 0.0%
29. Box Lake Lumber Products Ltd.
Product or service: Forestry
Chief Executive: Dan Wiebe
Employees: 45
Established: 1988
2018 Sales: $16,500,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
30. J.H. Huscroft Ltd.
Product or service: Forestry
Chief Executive: Justin Storm
Employees: 85
Established: 1927
2018 Sales: $16,500,000
2017 Sales: $14,900,000
% change: 10.7%
31. Acklands-Grainger Inc.
Product or service: Industrial Supplies
Chief Executive: Jim Ryan
Employees: 20
Established: 1889 (Acklands) 1996 (Grainger)
2018 Sales: $15,000,000
2017 Sales: $15,000,000
% change: 0.0%
32. Wood Canada Limited
Product or service: Engineering/Consulting
Chief Executive: Robin Watson
Employees: 78
Established: 1965
2018 Sales: $13,700,000
2017 Sales: $9,600,000
% change: 42.7%
A merger of the Wood Group and Amec Foster Wheeler has resulted in Wood Canada Limited, also known simply as Wood. Wood provides consultation, project management and on-the-ground workers for businesses in the energy industry in over 60 countries. The company currently employs around 60,000 people, and has revenues of over $10 billion.
Wood is a leader in the delivery of project, engineering and technical services to industrial markets. It works in upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas, chemicals, environment and infrastructure, power and process, clean energy, mining, nuclear and general industrial sectors.
The company is focused on being the best technical services company to work with, work for and invest in. Wood prides itself on its endless curiosity and hunger for new ideas that help its customers solve their business challenges. They deliver each of their services cost-effectively and safely, to help their customers reach their business and project goals.
The company has offices in both Nelson and Trail, B.C., but it’s main corporate office is in Aberdeen, Scotland.
33. East Kootenay Community Credit Union
Product or service: Full-service Financial Institution
Chief Executive: Jody Burk
Employees: 60
Established: 1951
2018 Sales: $13,300,000
2017 Sales: $13,700,000
% change: -2.9%
34. Heritage Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: Anita Rauch
Employees: 45
Established: 1948
2018 Sales: $12,400,000
2017 Sales: $19,200,000
% change: -35.4%
35. St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino
Product or service: Hospitality/Tourism
Chief Executive: Barry Zwueste
Employees: 260
Established: 2000
2018 Sales: $12,300,000
2017 Sales: $11,900,000
% change: 3.4%
36. Boundary Electric (1985) Ltd.
Product or service: Electrical Manufacturing & Installation
Chief Executive: David Evdokimoff
Employees: 50 to 55
Established: 1947
2018 Sales: $12,000,000
2017 Sales: $10,000,000
% change: 20.0%
37. Selkirk Signs
Product or service: Manufacturing
Chief Executive: Hans Mehrle
Employees: 75
Established: 1984
2018 Sales: $12,000,000
2017 Sales: $7,200,000
% change: 66.7%
38. True Key Hotels & Resorts Ltd.
Product or service: Hotel & Resort Management Company
Chief Executive: Michael Anderson
Employees: 220
Established: 2010
2018 Sales: $12,000,000
2017 Sales: $7,000,000
% change: 71.4%
39. Canadian Timberframes Ltd.
Product or service: Design/Manufacturing of Commercial and Residential Timber Frame and Premanufactured Building Composites
Chief Executive: Jeff Bowes
Employees: 35
Established: 1999
2018 Sales: $11,700,000
2017 Sales: $7,200,000
% change: 62.5%
40. Marbor Holdings (Hume Hotel & Spa and Best Western Plus Baker Street Inn)
Product or service: Hotels & Spa
Chief Executive: N/A
Employees: 213
Established: 1979
2018 Sales: $10,000,000
2017 Sales: $10,000,000
% change: 0.0%
41. Grand Forks Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services, Wealth Management
Chief Executive: Catherine G. Manson
Employees: 50
Established:1951
2018 Sales: $8,200,000
2017 Sales: $7,000,000
% change: 17.1%
42. Revelstoke Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: Roberta Bobicki
Employees: 50
Established: 1953
2018 Sales: $8,000,000
2017 Sales: $7,700,000
% change: 3.9%
43. Nelson & District Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: Tom Murray
Employees: 47
Established: 1950
2018 Sales: $6,900,000
2017 Sales: $5,900,000
% change: 16.9%
44. Kemlee Equipment Ltd.
Product or service: Retail
Chief Executive: Darrell Kemle
Employees: 10
Established: 1980
2018 Sales: $5,800,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
45. Columbia Valley Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: N/A
Employees: 21
Established: 1957
2018 Sales: $5,300,000
2017 Sales: $5,100,000
% change: 3.9%
46. BDO Canada LLP
Product or service: Financial Accounting
Chief Executive: Pat Kramer
Employees: 32 to 35
Established: 1958
2018 Sales: $4,300,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
47. Creston & District Credit Union
Product or service: Financial Services
Chief Executive: Jim Miller
Employees: 22
Established: 1951
2018 Sales: $3,500,000
2017 Sales: $6,600,000
% change: -47.0%
48. Fernie Brewing Co.
Product or service: Brewing
Chief Executive: Murray Pask
Employees: est. 25
Established: 2003
2018 Sales: $2,900,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
49. Nelson Brewing Company
Product or service: Brewing
Chief Executive: Matt Walker
Employees: est. 10
Established: 1991
2018 Sales: $2,800,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
50. Mt. Begbie Brewing Co.
Product or service: Brewing
Chief Executive: Bart and Tracey Larson
Employees: 10
Established: 1996
2018 Sales: $2,400,000
2017 Sales: N/A
% change: N/A
