Doing Business in Kelowna
Manufacturing

The diversity of the Central Okanagan economy is reflected in the wide range of manufacturing that takes place here. From cottage industry food producers making preserves and condiments from local fruit and vegetables, to value-added wood producers, steel fabricators, and a growing cluster of aviation firms, manufacturing provides employment for the third largest number of people in the region. Long-term, well-paying jobs are generally associated with this sector.

Traditional manufacturing such as forestry and agriculture continue to play a major role in the Central Okanagan economy. Lumber companies Tolko Industries and Gorman Bros. and fruit juice producer Sun-Rype Products are among the area’s major employers. The sector is also well represented by producers of wine, boats, communications equipment and modular homes. Secondary manufacturers include value-added wood processing, window and door manufacturers, kitchen cabinet and furniture manufacturing, prefabricated homes, fiberglass products and many others.

Kelowna Flightcraft, with 575 employees at its Kelowna facility, is a one-stop shop servicing the aviation industry world-wide. A number of smaller firms such as SkyTrac Systems, Alpine Aerotech and Northern Air Support add to the growing hub of companies in this emerging sector.

For a more complete picture of the manufacturing industry in our region please download the Manufacturing section of our Economic Profile. You may also search for a manufacturer from the Made In BC website.

Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing Industries by Regional District, Principal Statistics, 2002

  Total Activity
Total Employees Total Activity
Central Okanagan Establish-ment Count Number Salaries & Wages ($000s) Total Materials ($000s) Total Shipments ($000s) Total Value Added ($000s)

321 Wood Product Mfg.

29

1,205

53,056

143,208

246,026

95,370

3211 Sawmills & Wood Preservation

8

514

25,898

76,105

127,034

45,486

336 Transportation Equipment Mfg.

13

698

22,858

50,295

96,494

44,545

332 Fabricated Metal Product Mfg.

34

525

18,924

29,523

63,593

33,586

334 Computer & Electronic Product Mfg.

10

254

11,567

12,348

38,532

26,930

327 Non-Metallic Mineral Product Mfg.

14

201

8,281

18,701

39,647

19,984

32199 All Other Wood Product Mfg.

7

326

9,540

18,699

36,758

17,765

3323 Architectural & Structural Metals

13

227

8,000

16,545

31,852

15,340

32732 Ready-Mix Concrete Mfg.

6

107

4,667

12,837

24,368

10,663

33231 Plate Work/Fabrication Structural Products

7

135

5,225

9,113

19,124

9,965

326 Plastics & Rubber Products Mfg.

9

86

3,324

5,767

12,311

6,545

3372 Office Furniture (incl. Fixtures)

5

116

4,024

5,848

12,473

6,539

3344 Semiconductor/Electronic Component

4

62

2,753

2,562

8,242

5,649

33232 Ornamental/Architectural Metal Prod

6

92

2,775

7,432

12,728

5,375

323 Printing/Related Support Activities

15

100

3,308

3,509

8,804

5,198

3327 Machine Shops/Turned Prod./Related

11

89

3,343

3,223

8,255

4,927

32619 Other Plastic Product Mfg.

6

52

2,107

3,200

8,077

4,680

3328 Coating/Engrav/Heat Treating Activ.

4

73

2,659

2,308

6,832

4,296

323119 Other Printing

9

67

2,278

2,407

6,233

3,767

3118 Bakeries & Tortilla Mfg.

8

54

1,223

1,876

4,218

2,237

321911 Wood Window & Door Mfg.

4

22

664

5,234

6,995

1,774

31212 Breweries

3

14

410

413

1,444

983

335 Electric Equip./Appliance/Component

4

12

508

802

1,382

555

Source: BC STATS, Manufacturing Principal Statistics. Statistics Canada, Survey of Manufactures, October 2004. Based on the 1997 North American Industry Classification System (NAICS).
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Invest Kelowna represents the Economic Development Commission in the Okanagan. Business opportunities are available in Kelowna BC, Vernon BC, Westbank, Kamloops, Penticton, Osoyoos, to Peachland, Lake Country and Western Canada. We are located in the city of Kelowna. Working to enhance the economy of the Central Okanagan by enhancing and assisting existing businesses and meeting the needs of potential investors.

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