About AWMAC

The Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (“AWMAC”) is the National voice of Canada’s architectural woodwork industry. For over 50 years, AWMAC has promoted long-term growth and financial stability for our country’s diverse woodwork manufacturing sector.

AWMAC’s membership consists of more than 400 companies and industry professionals in eight regional chapters across Canada, including architectural woodwork manufacturers, installers, material and service suppliers, design professionals, educational institutions, and other industry affiliates.

Together with our regional chapters, AWMAC shares the mission to:

• develop and promote AWMAC’s Standards* for the manufacturing and installation of architectural woodwork;
• to promote assurance of adherence to AWMAC’s Standards; and
• to promote sustainable practices in the woodwork industry.

*North American Architectural Woodwork Standards (NAAWS), which AWMAC and the Woodwork Institute jointly develop and maintain.

AWMAC’S Commitment

• Partnering with other associations to define and improve architectural woodwork standards;
• collaborating with educational institutions to enhance their apprentice and technical programs to ensure a quality human resource for the architectural woodwork industry; and,
• communicating traditional, new and innovative architectural woodwork assembly methods and materials to governments, industry, design professionals and their associations.

Vision and Mission

Vision

To be the architectural woodwork industry authority in Canada.

Mission

To develop and promote the use of AWMAC’s STANDARDS for the manufacturing and installation of architectural woodwork and promote assurance of adherence to those quality standards and sustainable practices in the woodwork industry.

Values

Quality
Standardized Quality and Assurance

Education
Promotion and Educational Development

Sustainability
Stewardship of Human Resources and Financial Resources

Collaboration
Communication and Partnering with Stakeholders and Industry

History

AWMAC’s roots go back to the 1920s. Millwork operators around Vancouver, British Columbia came together to improve conditions in the industry. Years later, their continued success resulted in the founding of the Mainland Millwork Association in 1948.

In the late 1960s, Gary Nikolai traveled from Vancouver across Canada, working tirelessly to promote a new national woodworkers association: the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada. In short, AWMAC.

AWMAC held its first official meeting in Vancouver on September 25, 1970, with representation from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, and Nova Scotia.

AWMAC’s eight Chapters now include:

• Atlantic
• Quebec
• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Southern Alberta
• Northern Alberta (serving the Northwest Territories)
• British Columbia