Heritage
Nordic’s heritage can be traced back to 1961, when Lucien Filion and five part-time employees began sawing timbers for the local mining industry, creating Chantiers Chibougamau Ltd (CCL). From the outset, a focus on providing quality wood products for the ever-changing market meant staying at the forefront of innovation and customer service.
During the 1970’s and 1980’s, Chantiers Chibougamau underwent a number of evolutionary changes that saw production shift from mining timbers to random length dimension lumber. Expanding sales into the US, CCL invested in dry kilns and began optimizing production with finger-joint (SPS-3) technology in 1994.
CCL continues to invest in emerging technology, adding hewsaw technology in 1998. This expanded production capacity helped optimize fiber production by utilizing small cross-sections of wood that would be otherwise unusable. The addition of a flange production line and tension-testing in the late 1990’s heralded the advent of joist production and the creation of Nordic Engineered Wood, a wholly owned subsidiary of CCL.
CCL’s forestry division ensures that environmental impact is minimized by utilizing the most up to date equipment and felling techniques. Adherence to ISO 14001 forestry management practices ensures the availability of our precious resources for future generations. Additionally, Nordic’s R&D have led to the inception of ENVIRO≡LAM, a process that makes use of previously underutilized wood and maximizes fiber yield.
Innovation and new products result from a constant flow of feedback from architects, designers, specifiers and OEMs that share Nordic’s passion for excellence. The development of Nordic Tall Wall studs is the latest chapter in Nordic’s ongoing dialogue with the building community.
Nordic has established itself as the premiere solid-sawn I-joist in the market, with proprietary small-block technology, consistent in-line tension testing, and the emergence of the first laminated solid-sawn flange joist, the NI-90x I-joist series. Nordic’s exclusive ENVIRO≡LAM process highlights the full line of Nordic Lam Beams, Columns and Tall Wall Studs. Nordic’s family of Engineered Wood products allows discriminating specifiers to fully utilize the most substantial collection of sustainable wood solutions available from a single manufacturing source.
Nordic’s technical services boast some of the finest talent in the industry. Nordic I-PLAN Software is revolutionizing product specification and application, and Nordic Inventory Management software facilitates cutting, inventory management and purchasing. Training, specifier seminars, and continuing education are integral to Nordic’s vision of providing market solutions.
Demand for more refined architectural solutions has led to the creation of Nordic Wood Structures, which offers a whole new complement of straight and curved beams, arches and decking for use in non-residential projects. Already featured in timber structures, industrial buildings, sports facilities and office complexes, Nordic's in-house architectural and engineering services redefine the potential for engineered wood construction.
Nordic Engineered Wood has been marketing Nordic Joist and Nordic Lam products since its inception in 2000. Attention to product development, quality, and exceptional service have allowed Nordic to grow into a supplier of international scope. Nordic’s expanding markets include sales offices supporting distribution partners in markets from Western Canada to the South eastern U.S., as well as international markets in Europe and Asia.
Devoted to its clients, Nordic has established a permanent reload with full product mix capability for fast shipment on mixed truckloads, to complement its direct railcar capabilities. From its humble beginnings responding to local needs, Chantiers Chibougamau Ltd and Nordic Engineered Wood have grown to a major market contributor, employing over 700 people, dedicated to providing the best sustainable wood solutions to the building industry.
