Willkinson Steel & Metals was recently bestowed the honour of Supplier of The Year by Automated Tank Manufacturing for 2011. The award was presented to Gary Rudyck and Mike Dobbs of Wilkinson Steel by Automated Tankʼs President &CEO, Joe Bowser at Wilkinson Steelʼs head office in Vancouver, BC.

Automated Tank is one of Canadaʼs leading water, light and heavy crude oil storage tank manufacturers. With 65 current staff, Automated pioneered cutting edge, patent pending, technologies enabling faster production of 750, 1,000 and 2,000 barrel storage tanks. Founded in 2008, Automated started semi-automated fabrication just 20 months ago, producing 6 tanks that month. Today, Automated is well on their way of building 6 tanks a day. Working with clients drilling programs, well in advance, Automated is able to increase their production to match their customersʼ needs by having Wilkinson Steel meet their demanding material requirements through the supply of materials, value added services and an innovative supply chain management programs which include Wilkinsonʼs proprietary Supply Chain Manager™ web-based software tool.

A firm believer in JIT (Just In Time) inventory management, Joe and his team work closely with Gary, Key Account Manager at Wilkinson Steel, to ensure timely delivery of materials to match Automatedʼs production requirements. With the stringent demands in the oil industry combined with a growth curve like Automatedʼs, having timely availability of materials is critical. Gary and the Wilkinson team are in constant contact, utilizing forecasts and meetings on a regular basis ensuring Automated Tankʼs production velocity is maintained, even as it is speeding up. A consistent and constant supply of materials that are produced to exacting standards is part of why Wilkinson received this award over dozens of other Automated suppliers. Wilkinson cuts, trims and squares materials to Automatedʼs robotic specifications, meeting tight tolerances on large carbon steel plates.

Joe Bowser has big plans for Automated Tank Manufacturing and their groundbreaking technologies. Along with continued expansion, Automated is also in talks to license their patent pending technologies to a variety of industries around the world.

For over 100 years, Wilkinson Steel and Metals has been a trusted steel supplier servicing customers in Western Canada with the full range of steel products you would expect from a full line service center. Having started as a steel and metals product supplier we have evolved into being a provider of Value Added Processing Services and Supply Chain Solutions with 10 locations in Western Canada.

For over 100 years, Wilkinson Steel and Metals has been a trusted steel suppler servicing customers in Western Canada with the full range of steel products you would expect from a full line service center. Having started as a steel and metals product supplier we have evolved to being a provider of Value Added Processing Services and Supply Chain Solutions with 10 locations in Western Canada.

A Solid Foundation

• Our company has prospered for more than a century in part due to the values instilled by the Wilkinson family—trust, reliability and lasting customer relationships.
• Wilkinson is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nova Argent Canada, Inc.

Did You Know…

We were the first full line service centre in Western Canada to:

• Provide laser processing
• Attain ISO certification
• Offer 24/7 inventory management with our proprietary web-based software

Today, as a strategic partner with customers and suppliers across Western Canada, our reputation is built upon our quality products, precision processing and inventory solutions.

1910

As the sole distributor for U.S. Steel in British Columbia, Frank Wilkinson established Wilkinson Steel Ltd. in Vancouver in 1910. Products included coils and sheets. When the First World War began in 1914, Wilkinson supplied steel for Canada’s war efforts. Some of the company’s first clients were BC Ceiling and Roofing Company, Wood Valances, and Vancouver Engineering Works.

1920

In 1927, Wilkinson moved its office and warehouse from its original Vancouver location on Beach Avenue to the False Creek industrial area. Despite the tough economic times, the company continued providing steel products to clients and projects in B.C.

1930

Frank’s son, Joseph, became president of Wilkinson Steel. As the primary steel supplier in Western Canada, the company provided steel for Canada’s efforts in the Second World War.

1940

Founder Frank Wilkinson died in 1949.

1950

Wilkinson expanded its operations by opening an office in Edmonton, Alberta, and building its first plant there. Construction on Vancouver’s Ironworkers Memorial Bridge began in 1957. Wilkinson Steel was a key supplier for the project. In 1958, Wilkinson’s head office moved to its current location on SW Marine Drive. Wilkinson supplied steel for the construction of the George Massey Tunnel, a highway traffic tunnel linking Vancouver to communities south of the Fraser River.

1960

In 1961, Wilkinson built a plant in Calgary, expanding its operations once again. Cam Wilkinson became company chair in 1964 after his father, Joseph, passed away. Cam appointed long-time friend and associate Archie St. Louis as president. The two men lead the company for decades. In 1962, Wilkinson expanded its reach into Western Canada by opening a sales office and plant facilities in Saskatoon.

1970

In 1973, Wilkinson acquired Calgary’s Exchanger Sales and Services, a steel manufacturer. Business throughout Western Canada boomed.

1980

Amalgamated Metal Corporation (AMC) purchased Wilkinson Steel and Exchanger in 1989. Cam Wilkinson and Archie St. Louis resigned as chair and president.

1990

Wilkinson Steel acquired Samuel, Dutch, and Kodiak’s steel operations throughout Western Canada, allowing Wilkinson to fortify its presence as a distributor of steel and metal products.

2000

The company expands its processing capabilities with state of the art equipment including a bandsaw, leveler, slitter, and plasma.

2010

Wilkinson Steel and Metal Products celebrated its centennial anniversary.

2011

Wilkinson is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nova Argent Canada, Inc.

Wilkinson Steel and Metals forged a relationship with B.C.’s shipbuilding industry almost as soon as Frank Wilkinson opened his doors for business in 1910. To aid the First World War effort, about 30 cargo ships were built in B.C. for the Canadian and British governments and Wilkinson Steel was on hand to provide steel and metal. When the Second World War broke out in 1939, B.C.’s shipyards were thrust into a flurry of activity and, again, Wilkinson Steel supplied steel and metal products to local shipbuilders. Between 1939 and 1945, about 250 cargo ships and 50 naval escort vessels were built in B.C. and delivered for service in the war.  

Since then, Wilkinson Steel has continued to be a key player in the supply chain, providing steel and metal products to a variety of B.C. shipyards that have built vessels such as ferries, barges and tugboats.

Today, with the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy’s selection of Vancouver Shipyards for the non-combat package of work, Wilkinson Steel’s commitment to the shipbuilding and ship repair industry remains as strong as the steel it supplies.   

“Shipbuilding and ship repair is an intrinsic part of Canada’s West Coast,” says Mark Thubron, Wilkinson Steel and Metal. “We have a very strong relationship with B.C. shipyards and we look forward to the opportunity to provide Vancouver Shipyards with quality steel products and outstanding service.”  

Founded in 1910 in Vancouver, Wilkinson Steel and Metals Ltd. is a full line service centre that offers a diverse range of steel and metal products and processing services.

Some customers have been purchasing Wilkinson’s steel and metal products since Frank Wilkinson opened for business in 1910. Wilkinson’s original ledger book shows transactions between Wilkinson Steel and Vancouver Engineering, the predecessor to what is now the City of Vancouver. For decades, the City of Vancouver’s engineering department has had a standing purchase order for Wilkinson products.

The City of Vancouver has been a valued customer since 1910. Chip McDonnell, a sales representative at Wilkinson’s head office in Vancouver says “The City of Vancouver usually buys steel bars and plates. We have also provided them with aluminum, which was used for city signage during the 2010 Winter Olympics.”

As a full line service centre that offers a diverse range of steel and metal products and processing services, Wilkinson’s list of customers is just as diverse. From the agricultural industry in Saskatchewan to the oil sands deposits in Northern Alberta, from B.C.’s shipyards and lumber mills to skyscrapers and bridges across Western Canada, Wilkinson supplies steel and metal products to numerous industries.

Other long-time customers include firms such as Alliance Engineering Works in Saanichton, B.C., and United Engineering Ltd. in Victoria. Vancouver Shipyards, Allied Shipyards and Victoria Shipyards have been long-standing Wilkinson customers.  Wilkinson has also been involved in the oil sands industry near Fort McMurray, Alta., since Suncor Energy and Syncrude Canada began production more than 40 years ago.

Letters of Congratulations

• Premier of Alberta
• Premier of BC
• Edmonton City Council
• Mayor of Vancouver
• Lieutenant of British Columbia