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Our History
Decades of experience building solid-wood doors with four generations of Family Ownership since 1934.
Founded in 1934, at the height of the Great Depression, The British Columbia Door Company was born from a bold vision. Les Palmer set out to build a company rooted in integrity, uncompromising quality, and forward-thinking innovation. On September 1st of that year, that vision became reality.
A Rich Heritage
From the beginning, B.C. Door distinguished itself as a manufacturer of fine doors and windows, while its sub-banner, the “B.C. Sash & Door Company,” was established to serve builders with a complete range of construction essentials. Together, the two operations offered everything from windows and doors to siding, roofing, paneling, insulation, and tools, making them a trusted one-stop resource for the building community.
Operating in tandem for many years, B.C. Door manufactured windows and doors at its Vancouver facility - 1206 West 75th Avenue - while B.C. Sash & Door served customers from its 2315 Cambie Street location. Strategically positioned alongside a railway line, B.C. Door shipped boxcars full of doors across the city and beyond, extending its reputation well outside Vancouver.
The company’s early decades were marked by resilience. A devastating fire in 1947 destroyed the manufacturing plant, requiring a complete rebuild. Less than a decade later in 1955, another catastrophic fire struck the B.C. Sash & Door retail location. Economic recession in the early 1960s further tested the business, putting its future into question.
City of Richmond Archives, Photograph #1999 4 3 1998
A turning point came in the mid-1960s when Les’s son, Gordon Palmer, took the helm. With decisive leadership, Gordon refocused the company exclusively on manufacturing doors and windows, stepping away from general building supplies. He also recognized an emerging opportunity in custom craftsmanship, investing in a carving machine that was remarkably advanced for its time. Operating with ropes and pulleys, it functioned as an early form of CNC technology and unlocked virtually limitless design possibilities.
That commitment to customization became a cornerstone of B.C. Door’s success, setting the company apart then, as it does today.
In the 1970s, Gordon’s sons, Peter and Shayne, formally joined the company after years of growing up in the shop. With Gordon’s vision, Peter took charge of Production, while Shayne led Sales and Marketing. The complementary strengths of father and sons proved powerful, fueling decades of growth and stability.
When Gordon retired, Shayne was entrusted with the legacy of B.C. Door now, into its third generation of leadership. Under his guidance, B.C. Door successfully navigated evolving markets, increased regulations, global competition, supply-chain disruptions, and volatile financial markets, all while continuing to grow and innovate.
After all these challenges - and looking to the future - Shayne returned to the proven formula that had shaped the company’s success: Father and Son's - each with their own specialty.
With that formula in mind, Shayne welcomed the fourth generation, his sons Jeffrey and Steven, into leadership roles. Today, Jeffrey is a significant leader in Production, while Steven leads Sales and Marketing, continuing the family tradition of specialized expertise and shared vision.
More than nine decades after its founding, The British Columbia Door Company stands as one of Western Canada’s largest solid-wood door manufacturers. Despite fires, recessions, and countless challenges, the company has remained steadfast in its values, its craftsmanship, and its commitment to the community, proudly operating from the same address at 1206 West 75th Avenue since the very beginning.