Jemico Enterprises Ltd., based on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, is a family-owned sawmill and lumber remanufacturing company that specializes in producing high-quality hardwood lumber, particularly from alder and maple. Founded in 1985, Jemico has grown into one of the largest producers of hardwood lumber in British Columbia, with a focus on sustainable practices and efficient processing.
Their alder lumber is a key product, sourced from certified logging companies to ensure responsible woodland management. Alder wood from Jemico is valued for its versatility and quality, making it a preferred raw material for furniture manufacturing, millwork, and other applications. The wood is known for its straight grain, uniform texture, and a reddish-brown hue that finishes well, offering a balanced aesthetic that’s neither too light nor too dark. Jemico processes alder into various grades—ranging from four-face clear and superior to shop and frame grades—catering to diverse customer needs.
The sawmill can produce approximately 35,000 board feet per shift, handling logs up to 16 feet in length, available in both standard and metric sizes. They also offer custom cutting for timbers up to 12×12 inches and can tailor dimensions to specific requirements. All lumber, including alder, is kiln-dried in their four biomass dry kilns, ensuring superior quality and stability. With an annual production capacity of around 7.8 million board feet, Jemico combines high-speed, large-volume production with meticulous attention to detail.
Beyond lumber, Jemico maximizes resource use by processing 100% of the forest products that enter their mill. By-products like alder chips, sawdust, shavings, and bark mulch are repurposed for landscaping, gardening, and animal bedding, reflecting their commitment to zero waste. Their alder lumber and related products are distributed globally, serving industries like furniture and flooring, with a reputation for reliability and customization.
Jemico’s Alder Lumber compared to others
Comparing Jemico Enterprises Ltd.’s alder lumber to competitors involves looking at quality, production processes, sustainability, and market positioning, based on available industry insights. Jemico, a major hardwood lumber producer on Vancouver Island, specializes in alder and maple, positioning itself as a high-quality supplier for furniture, millwork, and other applications. Here’s how it stacks up:
Quality and Characteristics: Jemico’s alder lumber is kiln-dried in their four biomass dry kilns, ensuring dimensional stability and a consistent finish—key for premium applications. Alder is a softer hardwood (Janka hardness around 590), with a straight grain and uniform texture, ranging from light tan to reddish-brown. This aligns with industry standards, where alder is prized for its workability and ability to mimic more expensive woods like cherry when stained. Competitors like NWH (Northwest Hardwoods), a pioneer in commercial alder use, also emphasize these traits, offering proprietary grades like Superiors and Cabinet, tailored to specific needs. Jemico’s grading—from four-face clear to frame grades—mirrors this customization, suggesting comparable quality control.
Production Capacity and Efficiency: Jemico’s sawmill produces about 35,000 board feet per shift, with an annual capacity of 7.8 million board feet, handling logs up to 14 feet (sometimes 16 feet). This is significant for a regional player. Jemico’s high-speed, large-volume production, combined with custom cutting (up to 12×12 timbers), offers flexibility that rivals bigger firms. Their 100% resource utilization—turning by-products into chips, sawdust, and mulch—adds efficiency, a practice less emphasized by some competitors focused solely on lumber output.
Sustainability: Jemico sources alder from certified logging companies, prioritizing sustainable woodland management. This aligns with broader industry trends, as seen with NWH’s sustainably managed North American alder supply. Alder’s fast growth and nitrogen-fixing properties make it inherently eco-friendly, a trait all producers benefit from. However, Jemico’s zero-waste approach gives it a practical sustainability edge over competitors who may not fully process by-products.
Market Positioning and Pricing: Jemico serves a global market, competing with firms like NWH, which supplies OEMs and cabinetmakers worldwide. Alder’s price stability—less volatile than poplar or rubberwood—benefits all producers, but Jemico’s smaller, family-owned operation might offer more personalized service or competitive pricing for custom orders. Without specific pricing data (which varies by region and demand), Jemico’s focus on quality and customization positions it well against larger, more standardized producers.
Competitive Edge: Compared to alternatives like poplar (Janka 540, cheaper but less consistent in color) or rubberwood (Janka 890, prone to warping), Jemico’s alder offers a balance of workability, aesthetic appeal, and stability. Against NWH, Jemico’s output is smaller but potentially more agile, while its Vancouver Island location might reduce shipping costs for Pacific Rim markets versus U.S.-based rivals.
In summary, Jemico’s alder lumber holds its own against competitors through quality kiln-dried products, efficient production, and sustainability. Its niche strength lies in customization and resource use, making it a strong contender for buyers prioritizing flexibility and eco-conscious sourcing.
For more specifics, such as pricing or availability as of today, March 24, 2025, you’d need to contact Jemico directly at their Chemainus Industrial Park location (3353 Smiley Road, Chemainus, BC) or via their office line: (250) 246-4831.