“Ongoing success through vision and pioneering spirit”

Since incorporation in 1966, Ardew has been a pioneer in the wood industry.  Founders Leif and Eleanor Norgaard were the driving force behind the world’s first finger joint pre-heat glue curing system which operated during the 1970’s.  They were also among the first to establish trade in Japan for specialty wood products from the interior of British Columbia, Canada.

During the 1980’s Leif recognized that the forests surrounding Merritt produced some of North America’s best stands of slow grown lodgepole pine.  Averaging over 80 years old, these small diameter trees provide bright softwood that is fine grained with small diameter inter-grown knots; characteristics that are necessary for products requiring superior appearance with optimum strength and machinability.

Ardew began a quest to develop an economic and innovative strategy for processing this valuable resource.  The company faced some real challenges.  Not only would it have to develop the technology to process small wood, but within the industry these trees were perceived as worthless. By 1988 Ardew was awarded a small-wood forest licence and had a small-wood sawmill line in operation. 

1966   Ardew Wood Products Ltd. was incorporated.

1975   A finger joint line was installed and operational.

1975   Single line sawmill was constructed.

1982   Ministry of Forests awarded Ardew its first Forest Licence.

1984   Ardew started onsite loading of ocean going containers to provide better quality and control for their customers.

1986   Ardew is successful in obtaining a Small-Wood Licence from the Ministry of Forests.

1988   The company built a small log line and constructed dry kilns.

1990   New chip and sawdust bins were installed.

1996   Nicola-Pacific Forest Products Ltd. was formed with the Upper Nicola Band.

The cooperative venture manages a 15 year small log licence – one of the most successful Forest Licence ventures in the Merritt TSA and in BC.  In January 2009, Nicola Pacific was awarded BC Aboriginal Joint Venture Business of the Year Award.

1996  Pine Ideas Ltd. located in Merritt, BC was formed and is jointly owned with Curtis Sloan, President and Operations Manager.  Pine Ideas is a wood products manufacturing facility that produces packaged products such as shelving, wine racks and additional storage solutions.  Pine Ideas also produces wood components for other manufacturers.

1997    Ardew transferred 1000m3 of their Forest Licence to Stuwix Resources, a local First Nations Venture, to enable them to obtain their own Licence.

1999  A warehouse for dry lumber was constructed, offering customers the option of eliminating paper wrap.

2000   Ardew successfully completed a substantial Sawmill improvement project.

2000   Ardew offers the service of, and is successful at managing Forest Licences for other companies.

2002   International Organization for Standardization ( ISO) 14001 Certification is obtained by Ardew Woodlands Division.

2006  Ardew Wood Products celebrates 40 years in business! 

2006  Ardew successfully completes a Planer improvement project.

2007  Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Certification status obtained by Ardew Woodlands Division.

This pioneering spirit continues over 4 decades later, as a new generation of Norgaards own and operate Ardew as an innovative and progressive company.  Since 1987 Erik Norgaard has served as President and Manager, and Karen Norgaard –Wilson as Director.