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ABOUT WMCO
Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario is a not-for-profit wood manufacturing cluster serving Southwestern Ontario, that facilitates the interests and needs of our members.
GET TO KNOW
OUR MEMBERS
For ten years we have helped increase our members’ competitiveness by improving their know-how, raising their powers of innovation and increasing internationalization
BENEFITS OF
MEMBERSHIP
If you are a wood products manufacturer or supplier, you can benefit from membership in Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario.
STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
If you are a wood products manufacturer or supplier, you can benefit from membership in Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario.
HEAR FROM THE WMCO COMMUNITY
We help increase our members’ competitiveness by improving their know-how, raising their powers of innovation, and increasing internationalization.
Hear more about the Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario and what our members have to say here.
“Woodlore joined WMCO one year ago with the goal of connecting with other manufacturers and gaining practical insight into the challenges and opportunities facing our industry. We were looking for a community that offered more than networking—one that encouraged open dialogue, shared learning, and real collaboration.
In a short period of time, WMCO has delivered meaningful value. One of the most impactful benefits has been support and guidance around government grants and funding programs, helping us better understand what opportunities exist and how to approach them. Just as valuable has been the ability to tour other facilities and host WMCO members at our own operation, creating opportunities for open discussion and shared learning.
Like many manufacturers, Woodlore continues to balance growth with operational efficiency. Through WMCO, we’ve been able to learn from the experience of others while also sharing our own expertise. These conversations have influenced how we think about process improvement, investment, and long-term planning—and those insights have extended beyond leadership to impact our operations and production teams positively.
WMCO has proven to be a strong return on investment in just one year. The relationships, shared knowledge, and access to a trusted manufacturing network have been invaluable. For companies considering membership, WMCO offers practical support, real-world insight, and a collaborative environment that helps manufacturers move forward with confidence.”
“At Chervin Inc., we know how valuable it is to connect with other manufacturers who face the same challenges and opportunities we do. Joining WMCO gave us a space where ideas are shared openly, solutions are explored together, and practical insights can be applied directly to our operations.
One of the things we’ve found most valuable is touring other member facilities. Seeing how peers run their operations, solve problems, and share knowledge has sparked new ideas for our own team and helped us keep improving every day.
WMCO has also been an asset with government funding. Programs like the Advanced Wood Manufacturing Digital Integration Transformation Project and the IFIT collaborative initiative make it easier for members to adopt new technologies and modernize operations, and WMCO’s guidance makes the process practical and straightforward.
The connections, shared experiences, and collaborative problem-solving through WMCO have strengthened our operations and inspired new ways of thinking. For manufacturers who want to grow, innovate, and tackle challenges together, WMCO is a community that delivers real results.”
“Joining the Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario (WMCO) has been a valuable experience for Mobel Cabinetry. WMCO provides a strong platform for collaboration, industry insight, and advocacy, helping manufacturers stay connected, informed, and future ready. As a manufacturer, it is rare to find a platform that brings together industry with a genuine commitment to strengthening the sector—and WMCO does exactly that.
I would highly recommend WMCO to any company that wants to contribute to and benefit from a stronger, more resilient wood manufacturing sector in Ontario.”
“WMCO has played a key role in helping our company modernize and grow. Through WMCO’s guidance and support, we were able to secure grants that helped move us out of a “Stone Age” production process. These funds allowed us to implement an ERP system within our shop production, resulting in improved automation, efficiency, and visibility across our operations.
Beyond funding support, WMCO has provided valuable networking opportunities. We’ve been able to connect with other manufacturing companies as well as professionals across different trades, learning from shared experiences and best practices. These connections have helped us think more strategically and stay competitive in a changing industry.
WMCO also introduced us to WSIB’s Health and Safety Excellence Program. This has been extremely beneficial in helping us implement and maintain strong safety protocols while also being rewarded with rebates. The program has strengthened our safety culture and reinforced accountability across our team.
What sets WMCO apart is its hands-on approach and genuine commitment to member success. WMCO doesn’t just provide information—it actively connects members with the right resources, people, and programs at the right time. As a result, our operations have become more efficient, our team more aligned, and our business overall more successful and productive. The combination of funding support, industry collaboration, and operational guidance has delivered measurable and lasting value to our company.
We would highly recommend WMCO to other companies looking to modernize their operations, strengthen safety practices, and be part of a collaborative manufacturing community.”
“We all get to hear from each other’s experience, what works for them. We all have similar issues in our workplaces whether it’s recruiting employees or buying equipment & software – it’s a great way to network.”
“They have advocated for our sector, through numerous initiatives to help our company and help its employees. They have provided training sector related programs and events for my staff. Since joining the group, we have doubled our work force, increased our sales, and are constantly learning a new way to manufacture high end products right here in Southern Ontario.
The events they put on have helped our company learn more about topics like Lean manufacturing, Sales training, Social media advertising, health and safety, exporting, and more.
The Bluewater Wood Alliance (now WMCO) is tied too many levels of our industry such as training institutions like Conestoga College, Humber College, Georgian College.
We enjoy being a part of this cluster organization because it is helpful for the growth of our company. We Are Happy.”
“Joining 4 years ago has had a big and positive impact on my business. Through sponsored programs, we have received grants to help us develop our new website, and grow our online sales. Also, our staff have participated in several workshops, trainings and plant tours which have provided valuable insight to help us grow our business. Personally, the connections I have made networking with other members has been invaluable in achieving my business goals. It is a very well run organization and I have no hesitation in saying that any woodworking manufacturer would greatly benefit from joining.”
“In the short time we have been a member, it has been a great resource for our company. The seminars about lean manufacturing are invaluable and have really caused me to reevaluate all our manufacturing processes. The network meetings offer insight, information and networking opportunities that are incredibly focused and relevant. And my favourite part is the plant tours – they are fantastic!”
“We’ve learned things that we likely wouldn’t have picked up anywhere else, and the networking has been invaluable. They have created a sense of “community” among Ontario woodworkers, and that’s a good thing for all of us.”
EXPLORE THE WMCO COMMUNITY
See where our members are across Ontario, and use the member directory to get in touch! Connect, collaborate, and grow within a thriving network of wood manufacturers driving innovation and industry success.
View the map & start connecting!
Latest News
Your source for the latest news and updates
from the Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario.
Browse our archive of news & past events.
WMCO Plant Tour at Tayco Draws Strong Industry Engagement
WMCO was pleased to host nearly 60 members and industry partners for an exclusive behind-the-scenes plant tour at Tayco, a... read more →
February 14, 2026
Season’s Greetings from WMCO 2025!
On behalf of the WMCO staff and its Board of Directors, we wish you and your... read more →
December 18, 2025
Webinar Recap: Exploring Alternative Export Markets for Canadian Wood Products
On December 10, WMCO hosted a timely and well-attended webinar, “Alternative Export Markets + Funding Programs for Canadian Wood Products,” bringing together... read more →
December 15, 2025
Woodlore International Plant Tour Highlights – October 29, 2025
Woodlore International Plant Tour | October 29, 2025Brampton, ON On October 29, 2025, WMCO members gathered at Woodlore International in... read more →
November 3, 2025
WMCO Quarterly Networking Event at Biesse Brings Industry Together on Cybersecurity, AI, and Funding Opportunities
On October 1st, WMCO members, technology partners, and government representatives gathered at Biesse for a Quarterly Networking Event focused on some of the... read more →
October 10, 2025
WMCO CEO to Discuss U.S. Tariffs on CBC Ontario Morning
WMCO CEO Mike Baker appeared on CBC's Ontario Morning to speak about the recently announced U.S. Section 232 tariffs on... read more →
October 7, 2025
WMCO Press Release (October 2, 2025)
The advanced wood manufacturing sector in Ontario and across Canada condemns the latest United States administration’s decision to impose unjustified... read more →
October 2, 2025
WMCO Bulletin: Responding to the U.S. Tariff Crisis
The Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario (WMCO) is actively responding to the current trade crisis emerging in the United States... read more →
October 2, 2025
Mass Timber Innovation in Action – August Plant Tour Highlights
Timmerman Timberworks Plant Tour | August 28, 2025 New Lowell, ON WMCO’s June Quarterly Networking Event brought members together at Conestoga... read more →
September 5, 2025
Training & Programs
Training Events run through the year and our events are open to non-members.
More intensive in-house training courses are available for all training themes.
PARTNERS
Our partners are the organizations who have had an impact on our ability to organize, provide services and make a difference to the wood products manufacturers in Southwestern Ontario. Learn more.
