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Gillfor acquires building products distributor AFA Forest Products

Gillfor Distribution Inc., parent company to OWL Distribution, McIlveen Lumber Industries, Brunswick Valley Distribution and Brown & Rutherford Co., is excited to announce the purchase of AFA Forest Products Inc.

​AFA is a leading and long-standing distributor for building products in Canada and is headquartered in Bolton, Ont. AFA owns and operates 13 distribution facilities that service the entire Canadian retail, wholesale and industrial landscape for both commodity lumber and specialty products.

​Gillfor and AFA will continue to operate in parallel until a full operational assessment is completed and a seamless integration can be executed. A detailed plan and contact list will be shared with all stakeholders for the pending integration in due course.

​“The Gill brothers had a vision to establish a national distribution channel for the family’s Cedar production in British Columbia, the realization of that Canadian dream started in 2012 with the entry into the distribution industry. The AFA acquisition will elevate Gillfor to be amongst the largest Canadian distributors for building products, and allow us to truly provide local partnerships from coast to coast,” said Gary Gill, chairman, Gillfor Distribution and Fraserview Group of Companies.

​“This acquisition provides Gillfor a strategic and entrenched distribution partner that will supply Vendors and Customers with a comprehensive, uniform go-to-market strategy for its products and programs,” said Bob Dosanjh, CEO, Gillfor Distribution.

​“We are very excited over this great opportunity for all of our partner customers, suppliers and staff. The acquisition and consolidation will bring tremendous growth opportunities for all and is a highly complimentary transaction. The client and supplier experience is paramount to AFA’s success and this will continue in a new and dynamic direction,” said Grant Yegavian, CEO, and Murray Finkbiner, president, AFA Forest Products.

Gillfor is an independent wholesale distributor of building materials, including lumber and specialty products, owning and operating six distribution centers. Gillfor is aligned with market-leading vendors and lumber mills to ensure its customers receive quality products in a timely manner.

AFA was founded by four colleagues and friends in 1974. Starting with only one branch in Bolton, specializing in the distribution of construction plywood and lumber to the Ontario commodity market, today’s AFA is truly coast-to-coast and has maintained its position as one of the leaders in the distribution industry for a wide range of building products, providing value with honesty and integrity.