History – Carlson

Carlson’s History

founded in 1971

Carlson Construction Group has been constantly adapting, evolving, and growing to meet the changing needs of the marketplace since 1971.

Gord Carlson founded Carlson in 1971; he grew up in the logging town of Lake Cowichan on Vancouver Island and experienced construction first-hand by working in the field as an ironworker. Carlson grew through the acquisition of its specialty contracting entities including Brymark Installation Group (1983), Vancouver Pile Driving (1996), Corwest Fabrications (2016), and Aligned Industrial Services (2022). Gord is still an active and passionate enterprenuer who works along side his four (4) adult children, who are all active in the business both as employees and shareholders. Carlson’s vision is To Build a Legacy for a Sustainable3 Canada. Being actively involved and long-term focused, the Carlson Family understands that success must flow through its people. Ingrained within each and every employee, its foundational culture and values is Carlson’s PRIDE: Passion, Respect, Integrity, Determination, Endurance.

Timeline

Future

Looking back at 50 years of extraordinary history, the Carlson Group now focuses on the future by developing its new set of Company Values – the Carlson PRIDE – which will guide the company in the next 50 years (and beyond) of success and achievements!

1970’s

On September 28, 1971, the Carlson Construction Group, then G.W. Carlson Construction, was founded in Nanaimo, BC. The company, initially focused on pulp and paper maintenance, later branched into bridges and buildings.

In 1974, Harbour Pile Driving was acquired and first introduced Marine Construction to the Carlson Group.

1980’s

The 1980’s were marked by the first big milestone of the company: the construction of the Dry Gulch Bridge in 1985, which at the time was the longest-span bridge on the new Coquihalla Highway.

The 1980’s also saw the company first expand into Industrial Construction through the acquisition of Brymark Installations.

1990’s

In the 1990’s, the success and growth of the Carlson’s industrial business saw Brymark Installations relocate to Port Coquitlam, BC, into an expanded facility to increase warehouse and piping fabrication.

In 1996, Vancouver Pile Driving was acquired from Delta Catalytic, adding 80+ years of experience in major marine construction through predecessor companies like the once dominant Dillingham Construction. The newly added marine construction company delivered the No. 2 Road Bridge in Richmond, BC, with an award-winning value engineering solution.

2000’s

The 2000’s saw solid growth for all companies of the Carlson Group, following the award of major contracts. In 2005, the Carlson Group was awarded its first P3 project in the form of the famous William R Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, BC. Not long after, the company was awarded the Deltaport Berth 3 Expansion Project – the first $200M+ project in the company’s history.

2010’s

The Carlson Group continued its path of expansion through the 2010’s, solidifying its position of an industry leader.

In 2011, the Carlson Group was awarded its first international project, constructing a major marine terminal in Santa Rosalia, Mexico. Additionally, the company continued to expand its footprint in the province by acquiring the Vito Shipyard facility in Delta, and the West Coast Marine Terminals in Gold River.

Corwest Fabrications joined the Carlson Group in 2017.

2020’s

The most recent decade started with the award of historical projects to the company – the Neptune Allison Project represents Carlson’s first $70M+ industrial project, while the LNG Canada Berth 2 in Kitimat, BC, is the company’s first LNG project.