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WGI Westman Group: About Us
One Of Canada’s Largest Manufacturers Of Steel Products
Our Story
Welcome to the Westman Group of Companies
Starting in 1976, with a single mill and a persistence of vision focused on customer service and employee well-being, Russ Edwards built WGI Westman Group Inc., (WGI) into one of Canada’s largest manufacturers of steel products. Today with 2,000 talented and trusted employees, in 79 locations across Canada and the United States, we continue to grow organically and through acquisition, allowing employees to realize their full potential as we steer WGI to new heights.
Forty Plus Years of Vision, Persistence, and Growth
1970’s – Russ Edwards forms Westman Culvert & Metals Co Ltd (now Armtec Inc.) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and begins with riveted culvert construction. Roll forming of corrugated steel roofing and siding follows shortly thereafter under the Westman Steel name.
1980’s – Behlen Industries, the largest engineered steel building manufacturer in Canada is acquired to further compliment WGI’s steel product offering.
1990’s – Westman Steel Industries relocates Manitoba roll forming operations from Winnipeg to Brandon and expands operations to Calgary, AB and Langley, BC. SPIR-L-OK (now Armtec Inc.) is acquired adding culvert production facilities in Langley, BC; Dawson Creek, BC; Genelle, BC; and Saskatoon, SK.
2000’s – Meridian Industries, Wheatland Bins, and Friesen USA, are acquired adding smooth walled steel hopper bin production facilities in Winkler, MB; Lethbridge, AB; Camrose, AB; and a bulk seed tender plant in Storm Lake, Iowa. Sakundiak Equipment and Hawes Agro were subsequently acquired adding a high-quality auger and flat bottom corrugated bin to the newly formed Meridian Manufacturing Inc. product line-up.
Culvert production facilities are added in Regina, SK; Prince George, BC; Grand Prairie, AB; Ponoka, AB and Orangeville, ON with the acquisitions of Steelcor, FSI Culverts and Canada Culvert.
2010’s – In addition to launching an Engineered Structural Steel Pipe robotic line to produce multi-plated culverts for bridges and underpasses., WGI acquires the steel and plastic drainage divisions of Armtec. This adds sales and production facilities in Prince George, BC; Nanaimo, BC; Calgary, AB; Red Water, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Guelph, ON; Peterborough, ON; Thunder Bay, ON; Sudbury, ON; Woodstock, ON; Orangeville, ON; Walkerton, ON; St. Clet, PQ; St. Augustine-de-Desmaures, PQ; Bishop’s Falls, NFLD and St. John’s, NFLD.
Westman Steel continues to expand with the acquisition of TS Metals in Swift Current, AB and with a new production facility in Cambridge, ON.
Meridian acquires Convey-All Industries, Norstar Manufacturing, Elias Reliabelt and Harvest International expanding Bins, Conveyor and Tender product offerings for Meridian and integrating production with locations in Morden, Morris, and Winkler, MB.
WGI acquires EMSIPS Ltd (now Artspan) a Winkler, MB manufacturer of Structural Steel Insulated Panels for modular easy to assemble housing, and tele-shops.
2020’s – Westman Steel acquires Scotia Metal Products Inc. to expand into Atlantic Canada with a manufacturing facility in Halifax, NS.
In reviewing our organization's impact over the past several years, we would like to highlight our financial contributions and support initiatives that have made a significant difference in the community.
These figures reflect our ongoing commitment to fostering education and opportunity through generous donations and scholarships.