About ATCO Wood Products
ATCO Wood Products, a third-generation, family-owned business based in the West Kootenays of British Columbia, has grown from humble beginnings into a respected leader in the wood products industry. Founded by Atle Nelson Sr., a Swedish immigrant who settled in Fruitvale in the early 1900s, the company’s roots trace back to a small sawmill he helped build with his brother-in-law. After WWII, growing demand led to the creation of Nelson Lumber Co. Ltd., and later, ATCO Lumber, formed by Atle and his sons.
The early years of ATCO were marked by sacrifice, long hours, and deep commitment, as Atle and his sons often went without wages to ensure their workers were paid. Over time, the company expanded by acquiring timberlands and mills, including the original Beaver Creek mill site and other operations throughout the region. ATCO evolved with the times —building a veneer plant, installing a dedicated rail spur, and shifting production as needed to meet changing demands. Even after the Fruitvale Division sawmill was lost to a devastating fire and never rebuilt, the company continued to adapt and grow, shifting focus to other facilities.
Today, under the leadership of Rebecca Weatherford, Atle’s granddaughter and the company’s president, ATCO Wood Products specializes in producing high-quality softwood veneer used in a wide range of plywood and engineered wood products. The company’s extensive quality control program ensures a smooth, consistent finish across its product line, which includes Douglas-fir, larch, spruce, grand fir, and hemlock veneers, peeled in thicknesses from 1/10″ to 1/6″.
ATCO remains deeply committed to sustainable forest management, actively caring for the same forests where its employees and their families live, work, and play. With a reputation for product excellence and environmental stewardship, ATCO celebrated 50 years in business and was named the 2018 Canadian Family Enterprise of the Year—a testament to its enduring values and multigenerational leadership.
Location
Address: 2073 Hepburn Street, Fruitvale, British Columbia V0G 1L0
Douglas-fir
Engelmann spruce
Western hemlock
Western larch
White spruce
SFI Forest Management: Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®)
Cert. #: PRI-SFI-FM-018, Expiry Date: 2027/06/20