WHAT SETS US APART

Established in 1989, WS Steel is a highly automated Tier 1 OEM fabricator with the ability to manufacture high volume and large scale products across a wide range of industries.

At WS Steel, we take pride in our manufacturing plants and equipment and look forward to showcasing our capabilities and experience. Our mission is to deliver the best quality steel products on the market: on time, using modern technology, cutting edge ideas and with a strong commitment to service.

We have developed a reputation for delivering the best quality steel products in the market, from high volume parts manufacturing to customized products.

Our advantage comes from being a value added partner, acting as a natural extension of your organization. We design, manufacture, finish, assemble and deliver finished products / assemblies to our customers.

The WS Family of companies consists of WS Steel, WS Ironworks – a structural steel operation, and Urban Park – an outdoor, site furnishings provider.

We are rapidly growing and strive to provide meaningful work and career opportunities to over 150 employees. We constantly invest in the latest technology and work hard to be known as an employer of choice, offering competitive wages, and a healthy work environment.

OUR VALUES

Quality
Service
Expediency
Safety
Communication

OUR CULTURE

Heritage of faith
Family first
People are key
Continuous improvement

OUR PEOPLE

Our people are an essential ingredient to our success. We strive to be an employer of choice, and invest in unique in-house training modules to offer efficient processes and quality product to our customers.
WS Steel celebrates it’s staff through a number of programs including seasonal staff and family picnics.

WE EMPLOY OVER 250 PEOPLE INCLUDING:

Designers
Red Seal Machinists
Installers/Erectors
Professional Painters
Professional Engineers
100+ Certified Welders
Professional Draftspeople

CAREER
OPPORTUNITIES

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

The leadership team at WS Steel has many years of experience and education. Our management team is well diversified and innovative. Many of the team have been involved in WS Steel since its inception. They pride themselves in being visionaries and broad thinkers. Our team works hard at setting an intentional corporate culture that fosters mutual respect derived from experience, teamwork and professional knowledge.
Below is a list of our leadership team with their key experience:

JOE WALDNERPresident

• Transitioned WS multiple times over 25 years from role as a shop supervisor to president and from six-person shop to over 200 person operation.
• A leader who understands the important details while encompassing a big picture vision to bring these ideas to fruition
• Joe has a history of finding opportunities and bringing those opportunities to mutual success

LE'RAINE DUNN, C.M.A.Chief Financial Officer

• Earned her professional designation as a CMA in the 1990’s
• 15 years’ experience as Controller of a manufacturing facility with 750 employees.
• Experience includes Controller of Canadian operations for a multinational corporation and Canadian Director of Finance for Fortune 500 Company.

TODD DESJARDINSDirector of Operations

• Over 9 years of WS experience and over 17 years of experience in manufacturing field.
• Has extensive management training including lean manufacturing processes.

JOSH WALDNER JRDirector, Sales

• Over 28 years of experience in manufacturing.
• Over 15 years at WS from supervisor to head of sales and customer service.
• Excellent sales ability, estimating knowledge and a proven track record of ensuring customer satisfaction.

JENNIFER WALDNERManaging Director

• Achieved her Business Administration Diploma from Red River Community College in 1996, and her CGA Designation in 2006.
• Jennifer is a strong force in the development of process at WS.
• Her character and abilities are enhanced by her involvement with her local church charity that works in Uganda, Africa.

OUR HISTORY

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1989-1994: FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

1989

Josh Sr. and his son Joe renovated a 960 square foot shed and WS Welding (a father and son team) began offering small machine repair services in their spare time. The primary operations conducted in the first 5 years were repair and maintenance for the industrial/agricultural base within the 50 mile radius area.

1991

Josh Sr. and Joe both start working full time in the business and by 1993 they had added two additional full time employees to the operation and undertaken their first expansion project increasing their shop to 4800 square feet.

1994

On December 15, 1994 they incorporated as W.S. Machining and Welding Inc.

1995-1999: BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION

1995

Added two full time employees bringing the total size to 6 employees.

Began buying equipment for a fabricating environment including their first brake & shear.

1996

Undertake second expansion project adding 10,000 square feet.

1999

As Josh Sr. withdrew from the daily operation, the business shifted towards fabrication and manufacturing and the company was renamed WS Machining and Fabrication.

The shift from repair welding to machining and fabrication resulted in major growth and the employee base grew to 28.

Obtained Canadian Welders Board certification in October of 1999.

2000-2004: RAPID GROWTH

2000

Continue to grow employee base to 32 and completed third expansion project of an additional 4000 square feet.

Continue to shift away from repair and maintenance work, and increased site furnishings and equipment manufacturing.

WS started a number of R & D Projects including:
- Storage Carts
- Lifts
- Automated Machines
- Conveyors

2002

Josh Sr. semi-retired and sold his share of the business. Three new family members were added to the ownership structure continuing the family owned and operated business.

2003

By the end of 2003 WS had 48 full time employees.

2004

WS discontinued manufacturing site furniture for our US based marketers. This was the first year of losses in WS history, setting in motion a four year recovery period.

2004: NEW HEAD OFFICE LOCATION

In 2004 WS undertook it’s forth expansion project – a major transition as they expanded and added a second location. Due to continued growth they moved their offices and most of the manufacturing operation to the Steinbach Industrial Park. With the addition of the second location the total manufacturing square footage expanded to 44,000 square feet and office space totaled 7,000 square feet.

2005-2009: MODERNIZATION

2005

WS split the operation into two parts – manufacturing and structural. Manufacturing continued under the W.S. Machining and Fabrication name while the structural division now operated under the name W.S. IRON WORKS.

Improvements were made to electronic processing and data collection systems, boosting efficiencies and providing access to real time data analysis.

Primary work during these years included: industrial manufacturing, steel fabrication processing and structural steel fabrication.

2006

A modernization project added a formalized marketing department, as well as a number of new high tech equipment including: 3D design and engineering software, lights out CNC equipment, fully automated press brakes, CNC machining/turning centers, and shot blast equipment.

WS began increasing their production work, purchasing their semi truck and becoming increasingly known as a Tier 1 Manufacturer.

2008

WS had grown to 139 Employees and sold their original location in Blumenort, moving all the manufacturing to Steinbach.

2010-2014: VERTICAL INTEGRATION

2010

In 2010 WS became vertically integrated with their finishing capabilities by adding an Autophoretic coatings operation.

2010 marked the 5th plant expansion, adding a 15,000 square feet to process oversized products up to 60,000 lbs.

2011

The company rebranded it’s name to “WS Steel” which more accurately encapsulates the business operation.

An increased focus on fostering a healthy corporate culture resulted in shared goals, and a better understanding of the overall company direction. New safety programs and employment standards were introduced further establishing WS as an employer of choice.

2012

In 2012 WS became ISO Certified and developed a Welder Training program. A 6th plant expansion increased the Finishing Plant facility by 20,000 square feet.

Major project accomplishments included: shipping product to Japan in the wake of the large earthquake and power plant meltdown, and providing steel for the Winnipeg Rapid Transit system.

2013

By 2013 WS had over 238 Employees and undertook their 7^th expansion project, adding 19,000 square feet and bringing their total size to over 150,000 square feet.

A highlight in 2013 was receiving a major contract for the manufacture of the Recycle Everywhere recycling bins.

2014 and beyond

2014 Marked the 25^th year anniversary of WS Steel.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

WS Steel is guided by our Christian faith and as a result we are committed to improving the local and global community. We support a variety of organizations that give help to the needy and show compassion towards others.

We have a heart for the local community, and are involved in supporting many sports teams and other initiatives.

We have been deeply involved in mission projects in Uganda, Africa and many of our staff – from logistics and container loading specialists, to project managers and manufacturing experts – have been called on to help ship goods to Africa. We have trained local Ugandans about manufacturing and welding so they are able to maintain and fabricate parts themselves – truly a sustainable solution, rather than remaining reliant on western support.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

At WS Steel, our employees are our strength. As a result, employee safety and health remains at the forefront. We are constantly investing the latest technology and install equipment that will improve air quality such as air scrubbers that use filters to clean and re-circulate the air. We also utilize downdraft tables that capture gasses and dust at the source.

Environmental sustainability is important to us. Rather than dumping the waste air outside, we clean all the air first and then recapture the heat to save energy.