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.”
“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!”
“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.”
“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.“
“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.”
“We cut our sanding labour in half from knowledge we learned on Plant Tour Focus Groups with the BWA (now WMCO).”
“Through the BWA (now WMCO) I have met and continue to meet like-minded wood industry people. It is a great network of people willing to help each other learn and improve our processes and shops.”
“I’ve been fortunate to have participated in BWA events. It is always a great opportunity to meet with other individuals in SW Ontario associated with advanced wood manufacturing. Specifically, WMCO provides a strong network of individuals willing to share their ideas and experiences in support of wood-related manufacturing, sales, and distribution within Canada and beyond its borders….”
“Thanks to WMCO, we have been exposed to Training opportunities we would never have come across on our own. It has completely transformed how we operate our business. Join WMCO take Lean Training and grow your business.”
“Great cluster of people /companies, insightful topics, and great chances to observe and learn. To become a better business owner makes it possible /easier by being surrounded by all this talent.”
“WMCO has been great to have a variety of programs that enhance our knowledge base. We as business owners, never have time to attend any business club. WMCO is not a club but truly a collaborative effort to add value to all members relating to wood manufacturing. Even then, I don’t attend meetings that don’t have subjects that interest me, but over the years I have never seen a better organization as a resource for information, and it has allowed me to collaborate with fellow woodworkers in a safe environment. We have gained great friendships with others in the industry that have become business relationships in working together on projects.”
“The Wood Manufacturing Cluster of Ontario is a somewhat hidden treasure of information. As we get busy at work, we don’t always have the time to research new products and services, updated regulations or laws or network with our peers and suppliers. WMCO meetings help take care of that. Speakers with information pertinent and targeted to the woodworking industry present at the meetings and the plant tours give insight into other company’s challenges or successes. There is time during and after the meeting to network and touch base with other members and get a feel of how the industry is doing overall in our respective areas. WMCO is relevant and welcome in these somewhat unsettled times.”
“We value our membership in the WMCO. We opened our new mass timber and glulam manufacturing facility during the pandemic which meant live tours of the factory were not an option. WMCO stepped up and coordinated a video tour of the factory for the WMCO members which was broadcast in conjunction with a ‘live’ virtual roundtable so that we could still benefit from the input of the collective. The video produced has been a valuable tool for us and we appreciate both the support of WMCO staff as well as the new connections we’ve made with other members.”
“WMCO helps connect woodworking industry businesses to learn and grow from one another. We have gained valuable information and insight not only from the training sessions and plant tours but also from the new connections we’ve made. We highly recommend connecting to this community of humble and supportive people whose mission is to help grow the industry as a whole.”
“I recently attended a WMCO round table discussion which was very enlightening. WMCO consistently provides support for us SME’s in the wood sector in Ontario.”