Western Archrib Background & overview

Western Archrib is part of the Alberta based and family-owned Northland Group of Companies.  

Founded in 1951 by Cecil Fargey, Western Archrib evolved from predominantly catering to farm buildings, hockey rinks, and storage facilities to a wide array of construction projects across North America.  

As Western Archrib continued its evolution, it rapidly gained recognition for its instrumental role in establishing a national manufacturing standard for Glulam. Today, Western Archrib continues to maintain its role as an innovator and industry pioneer. As such, Western Archrib is not only celebrated for its expert craftsmanship but also its seasoned technical staff, many with 30 to 40 years of service, who contribute an immense foundation of industry knowledge, experience, and unwavering commitment to quality.

In June 2021, Western Archrib joined the Northland Group, marking a new era of growth and expansion. Since joining the Northland Group, Western Archrib has grown from 125 employees to 197 employees across 2 locations with construction of a third location currently underway.  

The company's bold vision of being synonymous with premium mass timber products across North America has propelled a strategic investment of $82 million in Sturgeon County to construct a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This facility will triple Western Archrib’s glulam manufacturing capacity, create 100 jobs, and further solidify Western Archrib's market significance.

Central to the Northland Group’s philosophy is a comprehensive seedling-to-structure approach. This is embodied in the Northland Group's Vision: Stewarding Sustainable Forests and Crafting Nature's Strength into Marvels.  

Western Archrib provides a significant contribution to this holistic vision. As its sister company, Northland Forest Products, contributes to stewarding Alberta’s forests, while Western Archrib contributes significantly to carbon sequestration and environmental stewardship within the communities they serve. Proud holders of FSC® certification, the companies remain committed to biodiversity, forest longevity, and sustainable practices that ensure the resilience and enjoyment of Alberta's forests for future generations.

The strategic collaboration between Western Archrib and Northland Forest Products, as part of the Northland Group, signifies a synergistic blend of craftsmanship, industry leadership, sustainability, and vision. The group's growth is not limited to Canada, with a successful marketing strategy paving the way for expansion in the US market. As a seedling-to-structure business, Western Archrib, with the Northland Group, is poised to transform forests into wonders, embodying a commitment to sustainability and quality in every structure they craft.

Northland Forest Products (www.northlandforestproducts.com) operates a sawmill in Fort McMurray, with a history dating back to the 1950s. Having undergone numerous upgrades since 2016, the sawmill can produce 450,000fbm per shift. The company employs 60 full-time employees and up to 225 seasonal contractors, depending on the season. In addition to dimensional lumber, the sawmill's output includes hog fuel, woodchips, shavings, sawdust, and trim blocks, ensuring that every part of the logs is utilized and turned into productive materials.