Our Story
The story of Sinclar starts simply: with two men who wanted to plant roots in a community and help build it. Sinclar’s founders, Ivan Andersen and Bob Stewart, started a legacy that continues to this day. The two started Sinclar as a lumber wholesaler in 1962, navigating market fluctuations and shifting environments, turning change and adaptability into the company’s strength.
The model was clearly successful. When Ivan and Bob first started operating under the Sinclar name, they were one of 20 lumber wholesalers in the Prince George region. Within a few years, they were the only one. Through strong leadership, constant innovation, and always putting community partnerships at the heart of the business, the Andersen and Stewart families have grown Sinclar into a thriving group of companies rooted in British Columbia’s Central Interior, producing a variety of forest products and sustainable energy.
Bob Stewart
Ivan Andersen
In May 2025, Bob Stewart and Ivan Andersen will be inducted into the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame.
The Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame (BLBC) was created by JABC in 2005 to honour the lifetime achievements of outstanding B.C. business leaders whose efforts have shaped our province and country. Nominations are open to the public to ensure B.C.’s diverse business community is represented and the broadest group of nominees is put forward. Laureates have demonstrated vision, leadership, integrity and legacy throughout their lifetime, and the Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the positive legacy they leave behind for future generations of business leaders. Learn more at businesslaureatesbc.jabc.ca
Ivan Andersen and Bob Stewart start Sinclar Enterprises in Prince George, BC as lumber wholesalers.
They decided to name their new enterprise after the town in which they met, Sinclair Mills, BC.
Andersen, Stewart, and Dean Shaw buy into Apollo Forest Products in Fort St. James, BC with Buster Irving
Andersen and Stewart buy into Nechako Lumber Co. planer mill in Vanderhoof, BC with co-owners Lloyd Larsen, Mike Manojlovic,
Larsen, Manojlovic, Gene Scott, Andersen, and Stewart open L&M Lumber sawmill in Vanderhoof, BC
Andersen, Stewart, and George Killy acquire Lakeland Mills in Prince George, BC
Andersen, Stewart, and Killy acquire The Pas Lumber Company
Tl'oh Forest Products opens in Fort St. James, BC in partnership with Nak'azdli First Nation
The Pas Lumber Company acquires Spruce Capital Homes
Sinclar expands into the wood pellets industry with the addition of Premium Pellet Ltd. in Vanderhoof, BC
The Pas Lumber Company name is changed to Winton Global Lumber
Spruce Capital Homes begins doing business as Winton Global Homes Division
Sinclar Enterprises is renamed to Sinclar Group Forest Products to reflect their group of companies and the wide variety of forest products they produce and sell.
Lakeland begins agreement with UNBC to supply mill residuals for the university's bioenergy plant
Lakeland Mills enters agreement with the City of Prince George to provide heat for the Downtown Renewable Energy System
Winton Global Homes Division's name is changed to Winton Homes Ltd.
Nechako Green Energy opens as the first Organic Rankine Cycle energy system used in wood processing in North America
Nechako Lumber and Apollo Forest Products celebrate 50 years of operation
Sinclar Group Forest Products celebrates 60 years of operation
Winton Homes leaves the Sinclar Group to embark on a new era as an independent entity, wholly owned by the Stewart family
