One of the leading manufacturers of residential, commercial, and architectural doors in the western U.S. and Canada is continuing with its eastern expansion.
In 2022, Lynden Door Products of Lynden, Washington, opened an Alliance Door Products distribution branch on Dennis Road in St. Thomas.
And, in response to growing customer demand, Lynden Door is investing in a new residential door manufacturing plant in Aylmer, explained Alliance Door Products Canada president John Ridder.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday on 20 acres within Aylmer’s AIM Industrial Park.
Ridder talked about the firm’s humble beginnings.
He continued, “While our business has grown and changed, the principles behind it remained remarkably consistent: integrity, service and stewardship. We remain a family-owned and operated business, rooted in deep faith and in a belief that business can be conducted with honesty, kindness, humility, and respect for others. Those values have guided us for more than 70 years, and they continue to guide us today.
“We have continued to grow across Canada. Today, our distribution footprint includes Abbotsford, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and nearby St. Thomas.”
“And that’s what brings us here,” added Ridder.
It’s a long-term investment, he stressed.
“It represents our commitment to serving Canadian customers with dependable quality, responsive service, and reliable product availability. Our goal is to have this new facility operational in the fall of 2027, manufacturing residential door products for customers throughout Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. It will complement our existing manufacturing and distribution operations throughout Western Canada and the Prairies.”
Ridder continued, “I think the most important thing that I can say today is: this investment is about more than manufacturing. It is about people. We are not simply building a facility in Aylmer. We want to become part of Aylmer.
We look forward to creating meaningful employment opportunities here and welcoming new employees into our family of companies.
“And just as importantly, we look forward to supporting the people, families and organizations that make this community such a special place to belong. That matters to us. When we enter a community, we want to contribute to it.”
Elgin County Warden Dominique Giguere reiterated those comments.
“That it’s not about numbers. It is about people.”
Aylmer Mayor Jack Couckuyt highlighted the relationship Lynden Door has built with Aylmer’s high school.
“One of the things that people forget about Aylmer is that one of our jewels is East Elgin Secondary School, mainly because it’s a huge composite school that offers a huge technical program and also offers just about every program you can think of. So thank you for reaching out to the school, and certainly this is a great partnership for Aylmer. We look forward to watching this facility take shape, welcoming your employees and having Lynden Door become part of the community for many years to come.”
Ridder concluded, “But in many ways, what we’re doing here in Aylmer is very much connected to how we started. We are still investing in Canada. We are still building for the future. And we are relying on talented people to make it possible. Our goals remain straightforward: to provide customers from coast to coast with high-quality door and millwork solutions manufactured and assembled in Canada by Canadians for Canadians.”
Written by Ian McCallum
Photo courtesy Town of Aylmer
