Summary

• Ron Anderson & Sons Ltd. has broken ground on an expanded facility in Chemainus, supported by as much as $2 million from the Government of B.C.
• Expansion is creating 35 new jobs and strengthening B.C.’s construction and housing sectors
• Supports B.C.’s Look West strategy by strengthening local supply chains and creating economic opportunities on Vancouver Island and throughout the province

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A Vancouver Island wood-product manufacturer will soon be able to produce and sell more of its products and hire more people, with ground now broken on an expansion supported by the Government of B.C.

“With the U.S. administration targeting our manufacturing industries, businesses and jobs, it has never been more important to help local businesses like Ron Anderson & Sons sell more of what they make here at home,” said Adrian Dix, acting Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “We’re investing $153 million in more than 150 projects just like this one to help grow and protect thousands of manufacturing jobs for British Columbians, create more opportunities for businesses to expand and increase resiliency in B.C.’s key sectors.”

Through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, the Government of B.C. has committed as much as $2 million to support Chemainus’ Ron Anderson & Sons’ facility expansion and equipment upgrades. This is helping the company increase production of prefabricated wood-building components, diversify its products, increase output and create 35 new jobs. The company has reached a milestone by breaking ground on the expansion of its Chemainus manufacturing facility.

Investments made to date in advanced manufacturing equipment have led to the hiring of 20 new employees, demonstrating the project’s early economic impacts. With construction underway on the final phase, Ron Anderson & Sons is positioned for further growth as the expansion progresses.

“The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is helping Ron Anderson & Sons accelerate our growth in Chemainus by expanding our manufacturing capacity, investing in advanced automation, and creating new skilled jobs on Vancouver Island,” said Jack Downing, president and CEO, Ron Anderson & Sons. “This funding supports our vision of delivering high-quality prefabricated construction solutions more efficiently, while strengthening the local economy and helping address British Columbia's housing needs.”  

The project will enable Ron Anderson & Sons to diversify its product line to include prefabricated floors, roof panels and stairs, building on its existing prefabricated wall systems. By increasing manufacturing capacity and advancing off-site wood-frame construction, the project will improve efficiency, enhance product quality and reduce on-site construction time. The expansion will help the company increase sales, strengthen B.C.’s value-added wood manufacturing sector and support faster construction of homes and buildings throughout the province.

“Amidst economic attacks from the United States, it’s as important as ever to build more in B.C. With this announcement, we’re unlocking the full value from our B.C. wood, putting it front and centre in local housing construction,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We’re bringing support to B.C. companies like Ron Anderson & Sons, so that they can continue to innovate and bring good-paying jobs to their community. This is how we rally behind our local businesses, stand up to the United States and defend forestry jobs.”

The expanded facility is expected to be complete in February 2027.

Manufacturing jobs fund driving growth throughout B.C.

The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund supports high-value industrial projects throughout British Columbia, helping companies modernize, expand and create stable, family-supporting jobs.

As much as $1.2 billion is being invested in more than 150 capital projects supported through the fund, with as much as $153 million in provincial funding committed. These projects are helping create more than 2,100 jobs and protect more than 2,700 jobs throughout the province.

“Forestry has always been the foundation of Chemainus since its founding, and it is exciting to see Ron Anderson & Sons build on that history with new innovation that translates to more local jobs and a stronger manufacturing sector in our region,” said Debra Toporowski (Qwulti’stunaat), MLA for Cowichan Valley. “Investments like this help ensure Vancouver Island remains a place where businesses can thrive and people can build their futures.”

During the construction phase of these projects and in their first few years of expanded operations, committed funds are estimated to:

• generate $17 billion in new economic activity
• add nearly $7 billion to B.C.’s gross domestic product
• contribute $714 million in provincial revenue

In addition, announced as part of Budget 2026, B.C.'s new refundable manufacturing and processing investment tax credit will provide an estimated $55 million in annual tax savings for companies investing in new equipment, helping them expand production and create more good-paying jobs throughout the province.

This work is part of the Province’s Look West strategy for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s vision to deliver jobs and opportunities for people by strengthening the workforce to develop a more independent and resilient economy.

The Look West strategy includes delivering major projects quicker, diversifying markets and growing targeted sectors, such as technology, aerospace, marine, AI and quantum, life sciences, agriculture and construction innovation.

Learn More:

To learn about the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund, including a list of recipients, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/ManufacturingJobsFund

To learn about Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for BC and Canada: https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest