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CANADIAN INDUSTRY ONLINE - MAY 2013
Founded in 1962 by long-time friends Bob Stewart and Ivan Andersen, Sinclar Enterprises began as a lumber whole-
saler for local mills in Prince George, in B.C.’s Central Interior. At that time there were nearly 20 wholesale companies
in the region and one-on-one relationships were vital to commercial success.
It was through these personal relationships that Bob and Ivan became aware of opportunities to acquire lumber
mills, the first of which was Apollo Forest Products in Fort St. James. Apollo would later enter a joint venture with the
Nak’azdli First Nation to open Tl’oh Forest Products (1995), now an industry leader in finger-joint stud lumber, and
one of the largest employers of local First Nations.
After decades of steady growth in a volatile industry, Sinclar Group Forest Products is now comprised of five primary
mills (sawmills and planer mills) and three secondary mills (value-added mills) located in Prince George, Vanderhoof
and Fort St. James.
As a vertically integrated, privately owned and operated group of companies, Sinclar Group takes pride in its ability to
nurture a culture of stability, mutual prosperity, and sustainable growth.
“
We have the ability to encourage leadership and innovation in our workforce, from the field to the shop floor, while
upholding the family values that framed our beginnings,” says Sinclar President Greg Stewart, the third generation of
the Stewart family to work for the company. “We also put a high premium on the needs of the communities in which
we all live and work.”
This dedication to partnerships in their communities and to the environment has taken shape in two recent projects. In
2011
Sinclar Group entered into an agreement with the City of Prince George to supply biomass for a district energy
system that will heat the water the City uses in its civic buildings. The company is also working with the University of
Northern BC to convert biomass to heat on the university campus, offsetting the need for natural gas.
Active members of the Northern Bioenergy Partnership, and twice recognized as a BC Hydro Power Smart Leader, Sin-
clar balances business imperatives with social needs.
“
As industry leaders we know that our customers rely on the consistency of our premium lumber products,” says Stew-
art. “As local owners we live and work in our communities, and understand that strong, healthy communities build
strong business.”
ABOUT SINCLAR GROUP
