Page 12 - GormanBros_70th Newsletter_Final_Web

12 GORMAN GROUP EDGE / ISSUE #1

In 1990, the Ross Gorman family purchased a majority stake of
Downie Timber in Revelstoke, BC, which was known for providing
quality Western Red Cedar, Fir, and Hemlock. Downie Timber
was established on the site it is currently on in 1944, and Selkirk
Specialty Wood was built in 1996; situated next to Downie Timber.
Jack Heavenor, who had retained fifteen percent ownership of the
company in the 1990 Gorman purchase, sold his remaining shares
to the Gorman family in 2012. Despite a history that faced many
challenges, Downie Timber is resilient and has run continuously in
the 30 years since it was purchased by the Gorman family. Trisha Best, Finishing-End Superintendent, says,
“I have never worked in an organization that has so many diverse products and processes; something new is
offered all the time.”

In 2008, after more than 57 years in partnership, the John Gorman family decided it was time to leave
the lumber industry and the John Gorman shares were purchased by the Ross Gorman family. Gorman
Bros. Lumber, Oroville Reman and Reload, Lumby Pole Division, Selkirk Cedar and Downie Timber were
amalgamated into the Gorman Group of Companies in 2008.

Gary Sulz, Mayor - City of Revelstoke

Downie Timber has been a consistent employer and good corporate citizen to the City of
Revelstoke for many decades. We appreciate their continued presence in the community and
are grateful for their support of Downie Timber employees and the contributions made to the
community as a whole. Congratulations on 70 great years to the Gorman Group.

The following year, after nearly 60 years of steady employment in the West Kelowna community, it almost came
to an end when a forest fire came close to destroying the Gorman Bros. Lumber mill. The mill was saved thanks
to the dedicated employees who worked through the night battling the flames. Kuljit Pabla, now a Heavy-Duty
Mechanic at Gorman Bros., but then a summer student working on weekend clean up, reflects on the fire:
“Gorman’s has played an integral part in my family’s success. I am the second generation from my family who
worked with Gorman Bros. When the 2009 fire ripped through Glenrosa, fighting the fires was a no-brainer
for me. I knew I had to do everything in my power to make sure Gorman Bros. didn’t burn to the ground.”
The bravery shown by these employees made international news and emphasized the fact that, although the
company was now a large operation, there was still a sense of family amongst the employees. When wildfires
threatened the mill again in the summer of 2021, the lessons learned were imperative to avert risk of the mill
burning down, again thanks to the efforts of the employees working at the plant and external firefighting crews.