As this is Wesgar’s tagline, it’s a question we get asked many times per year and one we love explaining:
At Wesgar, we are more than just a “Sheet Metal Job Shop,” and this may be the reason we are the largest Custom Sheet Metal Fabricator in Western Canada and one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest region too.
So, “What does this mean?” We’re glad you asked! 😊 Let’s start with a little history of Wesgar.
Wesgar began operations nearly 60 years ago, initially manufacturing industrial pressure washers. One of these early products is still proudly displayed in our main office. As time passed and customer inquiries grew, Wesgar’s mindset and eagerness to adapt grew too.
Coupled with a passion for problem-solving and a genuine desire to help our customers, we evolved into the Wesgar you see today. Over the years, we’ve worked on projects ranging from simple, one- or two-bend thin-gauge sheet metal panels and brackets to highly complex, thicker-gauge welded structures requiring detailed problem-solving and engineering expertise.
We love all our customers, but we particularly thrive on projects involving a close consultative relationship. Collaborating with our clients’ engineers allows us to offer Design for Manufacturability (DFM) input, which can enhance products, reduce costs, and improve quality.
This approach sets Wesgar apart from many other sheet metal fabricators and explains why we’ve developed long-term relationships with many clients. Once a client starts working with us, they typically stay, trusting us to deliver on or ahead of schedule, with fewer headaches and happier end-users thanks to exceptional quality and on-time delivery (OTD).
The Wesgar Difference
Another key differentiator is our dedication to accessibility and customer support. Despite our size, we’ve chosen to forgo automated phone systems and online-only customer service. Instead, we prioritize direct human interaction.
When you call Wesgar, your inquiry is promptly handled by someone who is deeply familiar with your project. We don’t make excuses or pass the buck. Our customers have direct access to our entire team—from engineering and sales to production, customer service, and even our CEO. This commitment to “real relationships” often leads to long-standing friendships. (P.S. We love cookies when you drop by!)
How Wesgar Supports Your Success
- Experience and Expertise: Our technical support team boasts over 250 years of combined Wesgar experience. We thrive on solving challenges, so if other fabricators have struggled with your project, send it to us. We’ll brainstorm with your team to find solutions that improve quality, incorporate DFM principles, and often reduce costs.
- Space for Growth: Alongside our primary 4-acre campus, we’ve recently opened a nearby 20,000-square-foot manufacturing facility. This expansion provides flexibility for stocking programs and blanket POs, allowing us to hold orders and release them as needed—whether it’s two units this week or seventy-three next week.
- Capacity: Wesgar’s resources far exceed those of our competitors. Our capacity, machinery, and skilled team mean we can take on projects that others cannot. Running at ~70% capacity utilization ensures we’re ready to accommodate large, time-sensitive opportunities.
- Scalability: Over decades, Wesgar has scaled alongside our customers, supporting their growth with increased capacity and capabilities. Our new facility enhances this scalability, allowing us to maintain our capacity cushion while accommodating complex projects, such as large, welded structures in the 4–6 mm gauge range and units over 20 feet in length.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Wesgar is on an aggressive growth trajectory, aiming to become the largest sheet metal fabricator in the Cascadia region. Supporting this growth are significant capital investments, new manufacturing capabilities, and long-term contracts for major projects.
Our recent expansion allows us to handle more complex, large-scale welded structures, a new vertical for Wesgar. With the addition of a 5-ton crane, we’re equipped to fabricate thicker-gauge materials and larger units, opening opportunities in industries requiring these specialized capabilities.
High-Mix, Variable-Volume (HMVV) Expertise
Wesgar is renowned for high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) production, an area where we excel due to our adaptable processes. This will remain a cornerstone of our operations, supporting customers with ever-changing demand landscapes.
However, we’ve also expanded into medium- to high-volume production runs, particularly for customers in industries like automotive and electronics. These projects require rigorous quality control and low defect rates, which we achieve through dedicated production lines and fine-tuned processes.
As we grow, we’re dedicating more capacity to this work while maintaining our legacy focus on HMLV production.
A Partnership Built on Flexibility
Whether your project is routine, complex, specialized, or unconventional, Wesgar is here to collaborate with you. We value strong relationships and creating joint solutions that meet your needs.
Feel free to contact us or subscribe to our updates—we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership!
