Over a century of quality, service & innovation:

For more than a century, the name Ironside has been synonymous with metal working in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Ironside started as a community blacksmith shop in 1902 before George Ironside took over the company in 1914. Over 100 years later, Ironside has transformed from a local Blacksmith to a complete one stop fabrication/machining facility that supplies equipment all over the world.

Ironside is a fully equipped fabrication, design and industrial supplies shop with the resources to undertake a range of projects, from small one-of-a-kind to mass production of units. Ironside manufactures everything from cooling headers for industrial natural gas compressors to customized shipping containers to complex road paving equipment and mobile corrugated pipe mills.

With our CWB Certified Personnel and our Quality Management System being ISO 9001 Certified, Ironside is committed to being your one-stop shop for all of your building, designing and industrial supply needs.

One of the first corrugated steel pipe mills in operation.

The Team

Meet the members of the team.

FAQs

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1902
1902
1910-1913
1910-1913
1926
1926
1930s
1930s
1941
1941
1950-1958
1950-1958
1964
1964
1969
1969
1976
1976
1980
1980
1990
1990
1998
1998
2000
2000
2004
2004
2008
2008
2010
2010
2017
2017

1902

At the start of the 20th Century, a small and simple blacksmith shop was opened by one of Chilliwack's first settlers, the Chadsey Family. This shop grew in popularity, prosperity, and potential and, over a century later, Ironside Design Manufacturing emerged from these humble roots as an internationally known roll form equipment supplier.
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1910-1913

Born and raised in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, George Ironside grew up watching his father, John Wilson Ironside, who was also a blacksmith. Throughout the early 1900s George Ironside and his wife lived in South Africa where they gave birth to their two children. Chilliwack was growing at a steady pace and many buildings and organizations were also being established in this time period such as: Chilliwack General Hospital (1911), City Hall...
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1926

By 1926, William (Bill) Ironside, George's son, had begun working with his father in the shop, learning the skills of the trade.
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1930s

Finding a solid location within Chilliwack Ironsides Ltd. was able to continue to expand, grow and develop, as more modern farm machinery found its way into the Fraser Valley. Even though Bill did not stay working with his father for this whole period George Ironside remained steadily serving his community.
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1941

In the 1940's phone numbers were a lot different than they are now. Ironside's phone number in 1941 was 2431. Although, most customers just came directly down to the building.
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1950-1958

The 1950s were a transitioning period for George and Bill Ironside as the company was passed from father to son to carry on a company that by this point was a stable business in the Fraser Valley community. Bill Ironside found help and assistance from Cliff Swanson after his father retired; the company's name changed to Swanson's Blacksmith & Welding Shop from 1951 - 1958; and the name changed again...
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1964

By 1964, Ironside's Machine & Welding Ltd. was fully established and maintained its status for the quality work and service in Chilliwack. While the company grew at a steady pace, Bill Ironside, unfortunately, found his health deteriorating and was looking towards retirement.
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1969

1969 Jim Nyssen becomes full owner. The first helical lock-seam pipe machine invented and produced. And the Mechanical Raspberry Harvester unveiled.
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1976

In 1976, upon receiving large contracts from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Russia, Jim Nyssen was looking to further expand the manufacturing sector of his company but unfortunately had no room to do so. With restrictions and issues surrounding the land, Nyssen has hoped to purchase the company was forced to consider moving a portion of its manufacturing facilities to the United States. In the end, a resolution was found and...
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1980

The 1980s saw some great things for Ironside as the company unveiled the BC Rangeland Maching, they designed and showcased their first generation portable mill, they began producing high holding power anchors, and they saw their first steps into the CNG industry.
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1990

In the early 1990's, within I.M.W.'s culvert Rollform Equipment Division they saw that they had the capabilities and potential to help disaster-stricken and third world countries. And culvert houses could be created simply by using the roll forming equipment they manufactured to produce pipe diameters wide enough to be used for a single family home.
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1998

In January of 1998. I.M.W. took the step to expand its local division when it expanded to their retail parts and repair division to encompass more areas for assisting customers.
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2000

Over just a few short years the Ironside saw three large events take place: the debut of the Mini Prowler, receiving the Exporter of the Year Award, and the separation of its two product lines into two separate companies.
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2004

Ironside received the Exporter of the Year Award
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2008

Received the Chilliwack Champer of Commerce Business Excellence Award in Manufacturing and the Mini Prowler unveiled. The company name changed to Ironside Design Manufacturing Inc.
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2010

In the most recent years, Ironside has continued to expand beyond its core product line of Rollform Equipment to assist in the manufacture of numerous different pieces of equipment. In 2011, Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce awarded Ironside the Business Excellence Award in the Manufacturing division.
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2017

Today, Ironside manufactures quality rollform equipment specializing in corrugated still pipe. Our products are designed to stand up to the toughest job, and are backed by our commitment to customer satisfaction. Ironside supplies high-quality equipment to customers around the world, including North America, South America, Europe, China, and Australia. We are a proud world-leading supplier in the CSP industry, and we strive to maintain that reputation.
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Mission Statement:

By providing innovative and quality products, we strive to maintain our reputation as a world leading supplier, with unsurpassed customer loyalty. Maintaining a high level of success allows us to give back to charitable organizations both locally and internationally, while at the same time providing our employees with meaningful and stable careers.

Quality Statement:

As industry leaders with over 100 years of experience, the Ironside team is committed to exceeding customer expectations. We achieve this commitment through product innovation, dedication and the continual improvement of our ISO 9001 Quality Management System.