For 120 years, Norwood Foundry has been the heartbeat of Nisku, Alberta, crafting metal castings that quietly hold our communities together—think manhole covers, tree grates and valve boxes. As it marks this milestone, Norwood stands as a rare survivor in an industry under siege. Foundries across Canada are closing, drowned out by cheap imports from China and India. Without urgent support from local businesses and municipalities, Norwood’s next century is at risk.
From its 40,000 square foot facility, Norwood pours everything from one-pound parts to 7,000-pound giants, churning out up to 8,000 tonnes of iron a year. With no-bake sand molding, EPS mold casting and modern induction furnaces, it’s a hub of precision, backed by engineers and rigorous testing like 3D scanning.
“We’re not just making stuff,” says Brant Dornan, operations manager. “We’re keeping cities running—water flowing, streets safe.”
Norwood’s story is Canada’s story. Born casting farm equipment, it grew with the nation, forging stove parts, furnace components and now municipal staples. It scooped up local foundries like Garvie Bolton and Edmonton Foundry, saving jobs and know-how.
“We’re 100 per cent Canadian,” Dornan says proudly. “Our work fuels Alberta and beyond.”
However, the ground is shifting. Foundries are vanishing across Canada—industry reports estimate dozens have closed since 2000, with Ontario’s foundry heartland hit hardest. The Canadian Foundry Association warns that global competition and rising costs are gutting the sector. Since the early 2000s, Canada has lost over 400,000 manufacturing jobs, many tied to foundries and related trades. Norwood feels the heat.
“We’re fighting to stay open,” Dornan says. “Every closure chips away at our industrial roots.”
Imports are a big part of the problem. In 2023, Canada imported $5.6 billion in ferrous metals and aluminum from China alone, nearly 70 per cent more than the 2010-2020 average. India’s share is growing too, with both countries flooding markets with low-cost castings. Meanwhile, Canada’s foundries, including Norwood, produced just a fraction of that—about 1.5 million tonnes of steel and iron castings domestically in 2024, compared to over 7 million tonnes of steel imports.
“It’s tough to compete when companies chase cheap over quality,” Dornan sighs, “but those imports don’t create jobs here or keep our towns strong.”
Norwood’s impact goes beyond metal. It’s employed thousands of Albertans, training engineers through NAIT and the University of Alberta. It leads in sustainability, recycling scrap and cutting energy use, earning ISO 9001:2015 certification.
“Our team knows every casting matters,” Dornan says. “You step on a manhole cover? That’s us, connecting you to the community we’ve built.”
Without change, Norwood could join the graveyard of closed foundries.
“If businesses and cities don’t buy local, we’re done,” Dornan warns. “Imports from China and India are overwhelming us—it’s not just about price, it’s about losing what makes Canada work.”
Local support means jobs, stronger supply chains and a future for places like Nisku.
As Norwood celebrates 120 years, it’s pushing forward—upgrading tech, eyeing new markets and doubling down on quality. However, Dornan’s plea is clear, “Choose Canadian. It’s not just business—it’s building our country, piece by piece.”
Will we answer the call to support local manufacturers like Norwood before it’s too late?
605 – 18 Avenue, Nisku, AB
1-800-232-7205
