ABOUT US
The History of Igloo Building Supplies Group Ltd.
Any Order, Anywhere, On Time.
In the 1950s, Don Stewart was in the right place at the right time – Hay River, a small Northern town on the shores of Canada’s Great Slave Lake. In Hay River, the Mackenzie Highway and the Canadian National Railroad end. Barges, boats, planes and snowmobiles carry supplies from the town to remote Northern communities, all the way to Tuktoyaktuk. Known as the "Hub of the North", Hay River was the right place for a hardware store. It didn't take long for Don Stewart's company - Igloo Building Supplies - to become the one company you could trust to deliver any order, anywhere, on time.
Expanding South.
In 1984, Don’s son Barry, took a six-week trip to Edmonton, Alberta to investigate the possibility of opening a southern location. Six weeks turned into six months and in the end, Barry never returned home to Hay River. Instead, he established an Edmonton operation. Today, Igloo Building Supplies Group Ltd. is Edmonton’s largest supplier of building materials. Although the climate in Edmonton wasn’t as harsh and unforgiving as Canada’s North, Igloo quickly discovered the demand for a company to deliver quality, anywhere, on time.
Continued Expansion.
In 1994, Igloo purchased the building supply company, Northern Eauclaire. One year later, Igloo opened a truss-making plant in Edmonton. Today, Igloo has operations in Yellowknife, Cornwall, and Edmonton.
Dedication to Quality.
Barry Stewart’s dedication to quality hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2004, Barry found himself the recipient of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes business leaders that demonstrate excellence and extraordinary success through innovation, financial performance, and personal commitment.
From its tiny roots in Canada’s North to its present-day status as a major supplier of building materials worldwide, Igloo has developed a philosophy and management style that thrives on challenge and growth. Our customers benefit daily from the evolution of our business.
The Start
Igloo Building Supplies opens it's doors to the public.
Igloo opens a Yellowknife retail store.
Yellowknife Expansion
1984
Igloo Builds Trusses
Igloo diversifies; truss manufacturing becomes a part of our core.
1994
2001
Igloo opens a drywall distribution channel.
Igloo Drywall Distribution
Cabo Expansion
Igloo opens a 'customer service' hub in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
2004
2018
Design Studio
Igloo opens its first design outlet.
Igloo's newest product line offers a wide variety of lighting selections.
Lighting
Culiacan Expansion
1957
1992
Igloo Building Supplies opens it's doors to the public.
Edmonton Expansion
Igloo grows its divisions by introducing electrical , siding, and flooring.
1995
2003
2017
Igloo Building Supplies opens it's doors to the public.
Heading East
Igloo introduces a drywall application division through the purchase of Performance Drywall.
Drywall
Our Valleyfield, Quebec branch closes it's doors and relocates to the area of Cornwall, Ontario.
Re-location
Igloo's Performance Drywall and DCL Drywall amalgamate
Igloo expands it's services by adding electrical, flooring and siding.
Supply & Install Growth
Drywall Growth
2019
We Strive For Excellence
MEMBER IN GOOD STANDING
Igloo is a long-standing member of the Independent Lumber Dealers Co-operative – a leading buying group, comprised of 21 of Canada's largest independent home improvement organizations. We are also a proud member of the Western Retail Lumber Association, an interest group dedicated to maintaining best practices within its membership. We strive for quality, which is why we became an active member of the Western Wood Truss Association of Alberta. Together, with other members, we set standards of excellence through the development of quality control programs and procedures in both, design and manufacturing.
WE MAKE IT SIMPLE
We're one supplier for multiple building streams. We'll package, crate, and ship your materials over highways, ice roads, and barges. We can manage the logistics and provide technical advice along the way. Our planning, attention to detail, and experience make your job simple.
LEAN MANAGEMENT
Igloo incorporates continuous improvement to effectively and efficiently serve our customers better. We are continually evolving, educating ourselves both internally and externally to grow as a leader in the industry.
60
Years
Established
11
Building Supply
Streams
6
Locations
“Igloo will continue to add to our range of products and services to the customers. But our vision is to go well beyond just providing products and services. We want to be the partner of choice to the home builder in delivering value, efficiency and excellence to the homeowner.”
BARRY STEWART – PRESIDENT OF IGLOO