Who we are

Who We Are

West Fraser began almost 70 years ago in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada. Three brothers—Sam, Bill and Pete Ketcham—pooled their resources to buy a small planing mill with 12 employees.
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Today, we are one of the world’s largest producers of softwood lumber and engineered wood solutions with facilities in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe.

The Ketchem brothers’ hardwork and dedication, along with an ever growing group of enterprising employees, have laid the foundation for a prosperous international company producing sustainable wood products for generations to come.

A Growing Legacy

"More than anything, I want to give all sorts of opportunities to the next generation. I want them to be proud of the success we’ve had."
_{- Hank Ketcham, Chair of the Board, West Fraser}

Our People

Values-Driven Teamwork

Our edge over competitors lies in our people’s commitment, skill, and performance. From the sawmill to the boardroom, we draw on the strengths of our talented West Fraser team. Over nearly seven decades, the company has grown to employ 11,000 people, each contributing to our success.
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At West Fraser, we’re committed to cultivating a culture of belonging and a commitment to sustainability. Our diverse, inclusive workforce makes us a stronger, more competitive company. Forty-five percent of our board of directors are women and we are the first Canadian forestry company to join the United Nations Global Compact.

Along with our skilled workforce, West Fraser’s seasoned leadership team knows what it takes to stay globally competitive in the dynamic forest products sector. Their expertise keeps us resilient, with a proven track record navigating complex commodity market cycles.

Meet the Leadership Team

Our Operations

Over 60 Facilities Worldwide

West Fraser is one of the world's largest producers of wood products with more than 60 worldwide operations. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada with additional corporate offices in Eastern Canada, the Southern United States and the United Kingdom the company is strategically positioned to service a wide variety of domestic and overseas markets.

Customers around the world depend on our wood products for much-needed affordable homes and commercial construction, modular and RV manufacturing, furniture fabrication and production, along with other vital industrial applications. Operating internationally, across five countries, we are making a positive impact on the growing demand for sustainable alternatives to carbon intensive materials.

Explore Our Locations

Our Heritage

A Proud Past & Bright Future

Founded in 1955, West Fraser's heritage is a story about people who came together to build so much more than its initial founders imagined was possible. The company’s consistent and reliable business model is rooted in efficiency and an unwavering attention to growing sustained value.

Throughout our history, we have reinvested in our operations to ensure our committed staff have the right resources to compete and win in a dynamic and challenging industry. From an early commitment to sustainability to a dedication to employee development, we remain anchored by our early core beliefs that stand the test of time.

Explore our History