Spotlight: Kinsol Timber

Kinsol Timber Systems specializes in working collaboratively with architects, engineers and general contractors to deliver carefully detailed, constructible, and ambitious structures. They have been a Living Wage Employer since 2018. 

They are based on Vancouver Island, with access to Canada’s best timber. Their shop and site crews are broadly experienced in planning, fabricating, and erecting timber structures in some of the most challenging conditions. The team has a breadth of experience spanning all aspects of timber work from mass timber structures, architectural beam work and traditional joinery, to commercial and institutional projects across multiple sectors, including natural playgrounds through their KinsolPlay division.

Currently, Kinsol employs just under 40 people, working on multiple projects including the Malahat Skywalk, the new RCMP detachment in Fort St. John, BC, and a large natural playground installation in the beautiful Royal Bay community in Colwood, BC.
Being a part of the Living Wage movement was a natural step for Kinsol to take, as it falls in line with their core values - Integrity, Community and Performance.

We strongly believe that the quality of life and overall morale and happiness of our crew translates into success for the company as a whole, with a positive ripple effect out into the greater community - not just by their positive attitude, but also by allowing them to support other local business because their wage affords them to. Mike Marshall, Kinsol Timber Systems.

Kinsol has found that certification has opened up new work opportunities to find contracts for new projects, especially in those contracts that require a Living Wage certification. So, their employees not only benefit from being assured a living wage, but it means there is plenty of steady and consistent work to offer them.

Our certification serves as an outward sign of the integrity we strive to uphold as a company and gives us a distinct advantage over other companies when we are looking to add (and retain) quality craftsmen to our team. We feel a sense of duty to pay rent in the communities where we work and live, and being a Living Wage employer really allows us to put our best foot forward and lead by example so that other companies may be encouraged to do the same if it is within their reach to do so. We see it as a positive way to invest in our crew and our company as a whole so that we can continue to do what we are passionate about for many years to come. Mike Marshall, Kinsol Timber Systems.