In March of 2017, Adrian W. Van de Mosselaer purchased the assets of Luxor Corp’s Western Interlock Systems (WIS) and incorporated as kenkéknem Manufacturing Inc., a 100% First Nations owned company. Prior to the purchase, WIS had a 20-year history of profitable business in the access matting market, serving oil & gas, mining, forestry, and municipal/governmental projects.
kenkéknem is now Canada’s largest access and crane mat manufacturer and has the capacity to provide industrial projects with over 4,000 mats per month, as well as producing specialty mats like the ones being used in Toronto’s new LRT line. In addition to matting production, they are the home of IBS2000®, an interlocking bridge flooring system which maximizes the use of wood resources, while saving builders money and providing a more solid floor. The company also produces specialty architectural wood products, such as corbels, rafter tails and knee braces, and is now developing a “FastFrame” and “Cabin” (small home) line.
kenkéknem Manufacturing Inc.’s mission is to help build independence through employment, by increasing the value of their wood resource and ensuring sustainable economic growth. Employing 60 people, kenkéknem manufactures a wide-range of value-added wood products in their approximately 200,000 sq. ft. manufacturing and storage facility located in Abbotsford BC. They employ over 30% First Nations people, and support the community through 4 education bursaries offered to the Whispering Pines Clinton Indian Band and members of the local Sto:lo Nation.
The name “kenkéknem” means “black bear” in Adrian’s native Secwépemc language.
To contact kenkéknem, email Adrian at [email protected]. For more information on the company, you can visit their websites at www.kenkeknem.com or www.ibs2000.com and view their YouTube channel for more information on the products. Keep up-to-date with kenkéknem by liking them on Facebook and following them on Twitter.