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Allmar was founded in 1957 in Winnipeg by Henry William
Redekopp. Henry had emigrated to Canada from Russia in 1927 at the age of 11. In
1937 he purchased a small feed and grocery store called the Roadside Store.
During the rapid growth years of the 50's, Henry realized the
important role of wholesale distributors and the need for certain products that
were often not available. Thus he founded Allmar Distributors Ltd. in 1957. His
two oldest children, Albert and Margaret supplied the name - "Al" &
"Mar".
This venture grew over the next 43 years to become a large hardware
and building materials store with 150 employees and annual sales of 18 million dollars.
Today, Allmar International exists in 15 Canadian cities with an overseas
branch in Preston, England. Allmar employs over 350 people with annual sales of $92
million (2007). Our product/market focus is architectural hardware, doors, and
miscellaneous specialties for the commercial, industrial, residential and
institutional markets in Canada and around the world.
In 1997 Allmar made a vertical integration by purchasing a
hollow metal door and frame manufacturer in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada called GREENSTEEL
INDUSTRIES LTD. This plant has manufactured doors and frames for over 30 years
and occupies a 127,000 square foot facility.
Allmar believes in employing highly trained and experienced
personnel. As well as training young people, our branches have available
Architectural Hardware Consultants (AHC's) who are trained and certified to
write specifications to meet fire, building and life/safety codes. Allmar has
belonged to the Door and Hardware Institute (D.H.I.) since 1961 and were awarded
the Haswell Award in 1980 as "Outstanding Distributor of the Year." Mr. Redekopp
was also given a special Award of Merit for his longstanding support of the
Institute.
Henry W. Redekopp passed away in 1988 and the company is now
managed by sons Edwin and Arthur and a group of professional managers.
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