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  • (604) 437-3377
  • info@columbiaskylights.com

    • About us

    Company Info

    In 1955 we set out to become Canada’s best manufacturer of skylights and solarium systems, not the largest. Today we are both, due to our tradition of smart engineering, product innovation, quality craftsmanship, and prompt, courteous service. Columbia has emerged as one of North America’s leading producers of commercial and residential skylight systems. Our portfolio of products include a comprehensive line of residential and commercial skylights utilized in the construction of shopping centres, airports, convention centres, hospitals, hotels, custom swimming pool enclosures, custom luxury residential homes and much more. Our commercial unit skylights have been included on Costco, Home Depot, and Rona stores. They have been used by leading general contractors in Canada and the United States on industrial manufacturing and distribution buildings.

    Modular home and recreational vehicle manufacturers have successfully incorporated Columbia’s skylights into their design. Finally, hundreds of thousands of North American home builders have included Columbia’s residential skylights in their homes since 1963. We have proudly distributed our skylight and solarium systems to four continents. Your choice of a Columbia skylight or glazing system will add value and prestige to your project. Columbia Manufacturing owns and operates two facilities located in Burnaby, British Columbia as well as a distribution centre and sales office in Mississauga, Ontario.

    History

    1950 - 1979

    1950
    Len Corcoran realized his dream and started North Western Supply Company which would later be known as Norwesco. It evolved into one of the largest contract glazing and aluminum window manufacturing companies in Western Canada
    1955
    Columbia Manufacturing Co. Ltd. was incorporated.
    1961
    Expanded into the manufacturing and distribution of many products including residential windows, sun shading systems, anodizing, and residential and commercial skylights.
    1978
    Len Corcoran, the company’s founder, passed away and the company reins were inherited by his only son Ken. One of Ken’s first decisions was to rationalize the business and product lines and focus on the product that, in his opinion, had the greatest future… skylights. All other manufactured and distributed products were discontinued at that time.

    1980 - 1991

    1984
    Michael Williams joined the company in 1984 and became an equal partner in 1986
    1990
    The company experienced tremendous growth in both its commercial and residential divisions and grew in size by over five times over the next ten years. Its’ product lines were expanded as well as geographic trading areas. By 1990, Columbia had become Canada’s largest skylight manufacturing company with product distributed in all provinces and territories as well as the United States.
    1991
    The company acquired the Cameo skylight division from Glassaire Industries, Langley British Columbia.

    1992 - 1998

    1992
    Purchased Princess Skylights in Toronto, Ontario. The Princess acquisition reinforced Columbia’s position as the leading national manufacturer of residential and commercial skylights. Columbia opened its Eastern distribution centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
    1995
    The architectural division of Columbia was incorporated as a separate company in 1995 and was known as Columbia Skylights Co. Ltd.
    1998
    In January, Columbia Manufacturing built a state-of-the-art 75,000 square foot waterfront manufacturing facility in South Burnaby. This milestone would not have occurred without the outstanding loyalty, dedication, and hard work of Columbia’s staff, and trust that customers placed in the company’s product lines.

    1999 - 2005

    1999
    In January, our architectural products division, Columbia Skylights Inc, moved into a new 25,000 square foot home in South Burnaby within 500 meters of the company’s head office. By 2010, this facility will have grown to 50,000 square feet
    2004
    Its name was later changed to Columbia Glazing Systems Incorporated to better reflect the diversity of glazing products offered.
    2005
    Columbia celebrated its 50th anniversary, and is extremely proud of its industry leading position achieved through quality construction, product innovation, and energy efficient product lines. Columbia products have been sold throughout North America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. They have been subjected to one of the world’s most severe climates, and have endured the test of time.

    2006 - Present

    2006
    The Columbia companies have been designing and manufacturing Canada’s widest selection of skylights, solariums, curtainwall, structural silicone, and panelized systems. No company has a more complete line of products. Columbia is the industry leader in devising solutions to natural lighting challenges.Columbia purchased a 35,000 square foot building in Mississauga, Ontario where it is initially used to distribute skylights in Eastern Canada and United States, which may be converted into a full eastern manufacturing operation.

    Columbia SKYLIGHTS
    COMPANY HISTORY

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    Our People

    Columbia Manufacturing’s fifty plus years of success are a result of the hard work, loyalty, and dedication of its employees. We strive to provide a safe and rewarding environment and are very proud of our culturally diverse workforce. Our expanding organization has provided opportunity for employee challenge and advancement.

    Our industry leading compensation and benefit plans include:

    • Provincial Health Care
    • Dental
    • Long Term Disability Pension
    • RRSP
    • Safety Footwear Subsidy
    • Safety Eyewear and Ear Protection
    • Life Insurance
    • Extended Health Care
    • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

    Columbia endeavors to provide its workforce with developmental opportunities while encouraging personal and professional growth. We have annual awards and recognition programs, host regular company events such as monthly barbeques, dinners, gifts for employees’ newborns, and year end parties with employees’ families. We are working hard to meet our goal of being a company that people are proud to work for.

    Columbia has an educational assistance program to help all employees acquire new skills for their personal progress. We also support internal movement and transfers.

    We encourage you to connect with our high performing company and refer to the careers section for current employment opportunities.

    Mission Statement

    Columbia Is Dedicated To Making A Premium Quality Skylight, With The Industry’s Most Complete Product Line, At The Most Competitive Price, While Offering A Superior Level Of Service To Our Valued Customers.

    Our Core Philosophy:

    • Use the finest quality raw materials and partner with the top suppliers in the industry to ensure that each skylight we produce meets the highest standards.
    • Stay on the forefront of technical innovations and improvements in the design and production of all of our product lines.
    • Provide a challenging, safe, and rewarding environment to engage our employees and encourage their personal and professional development.
    • Support sustainability by reducing the company’s environmental footprint through the recycling of raw materials, eliminating over-packaging, lean manufacturing techniques, and by producing energy efficient products that meet ENERGY STAR requirements.