Step inside our Chemainus facility and you will find modern equipment working alongside skilled craftspeople who treat every piece of wood with respect. But our story did not start in a large shop. It began in 1982, in a 700-square-foot workshop on Salt Spring Island, built on a simple belief: do the work right, with care and precision, no matter the scale.
Today, Canadian Bavarian is a small-town company with a global footprint. Our made-to-order wood products appear in projects across North America and beyond. Yet our values are still rooted right here at home.
A Legacy of Bavarian Craft
The name “Bavarian” carries more than heritage. In southern Germany, woodworking was never casual. Timber frames were joined without nails, cut and fitted by hand, built to last for centuries. That tradition — skill passed down through generations, with craft made to endure — shaped Canadian Bavarian from day one.
We carry that mindset forward by blending traditional craftsmanship with Canadian values of community, sustainability, and service.
The Journey From 1982 to Today
- 1982: Georg Wörnle and his family arrive from Germany and open a 700-square-foot woodshop on Salt Spring Island.
- 1983: A new facility is built in Duncan with the distinctive Bavarian-style facade that inspired our name.
- 2004: Expansion to Chemainus, moving to a five-acre property with space to grow, invest in new tools, and scale our operations.
- Today: A 30,000 square foot facility with more than 30 craftspeople, producing architectural millwork and custom wood products for projects of every size.
Through every stage of growth, one thing has not changed: our commitment to craftsmanship, integrity, and consistency.
Why Values Still Matter in Modern Manufacturing
In an industry where speed and cost often dominate, Canadian Bavarian has chosen a different path. Our values are not just words — they guide our operations every day.
- Craftsmanship: Every profile and finish is made-to-order, held to internal standards that reject shortcuts or “good enough”.
- Integrity: We say what we mean, follow through, and stand behind everything we deliver.
- Value: We focus on reducing rework and installation pain by asking the right questions upfront and doing the job right the first time.
- Sustainability: We use every part of the tree, power our facility with biomass energy recovery, and offset grid use with Vancouver Island’s largest solar array.
- Community: We are rooted in Chemainus, creating steady work, supporting local projects, and building long-term relationships.
How Craftsmanship Travels Globally
Canadian Bavarian’s reputation is not built on scale alone. It is built on consistency. Whether a project is local or international, clients trust that what we ship will match their expectations.
That is possible because:
- Every stage of production happens in-house, from kiln drying to final finish.
- Our vertically integrated process ensures control over quality and timelines.
- Every order is prepared with documentation and photo records, giving clients confidence in what they will receive.
A Global Reputation, Built Locally
Architects, builders, and designers trust Canadian Bavarian because of this balance: small-town roots with global reach. We are large enough to deliver complex, custom orders, but personal enough to answer the phone when you call.
For more than 40 years, we have shown that craftsmanship never goes out of style. From Chemainus to global builds, Canadian Bavarian proves that small-town values can create world-class results.
Looking for a partner who delivers both tradition and trust? Explore our services and see what we can build together.
