Every project begins with a purpose, and for over a century, Nicholson Cates has supported that purpose with dependable supply and trusted service. As one of Canada’s most established names in lumber and building materials, we’ve built our reputation on craftsmanship, consistency, and care that keep industries moving forward.
Nicholson Cates is more than a manufacturer and distributor, we’re a partner in performance. Our lumber and building materials are known for their precision, reliability, and long-term value across demanding applications. We’re proud to represent some of the industry’s most recognized brands, including TREX®, James Hardie, ReadyPine, and Cape Cod, products that reflect the same quality and dependability our customers have trusted for generations. Nicholson Cates is a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of lumber and building materials, headquartered in Burlington, Ontario. We operate lumber mills in Ohsweken, Ontario and Peel, New Brunswick, a distribution centre in Caledonia, Ontario, and our own truck fleet.
From industrial panels to premium siding, Nicholson Cates delivers lumber and building materials engineered for strength, precision, and reliability. Every product reflects our commitment to quality you can depend on and service you can feel from order to delivery.
For generations, Nicholson Cates has been the quiet force behind Canada’s most ambitious projects. Not only do we deliver quality in lumber and building materials, but we’re number one in the service that goes into every shipment. What sets us apart? Our long-standing reputation for consistency, reliability, and responsiveness that keeps supply chains moving and customers supported.
Nicholson Cates remains proudly independent and Canadian, trusted for our reliability and care in every truckload.
Our in-house milling and expansive distribution network gives us control from raw lumber to finished delivery; fewer handoffs, greater certainty.
Decades in lumber and building materials have taught us that reliability isn’t claimed, it’s proven with every order fulfilled, every schedule kept.
What sets us apart isn’t just what we deliver, it’s how we deliver it. Our team is responsive, reliable, and invested in your success at every step.
Our Ohsweken Lumber Mill and Caledonia Distribution Centre use advanced automation to maintain consistency, quality, and speed across every product line.
Owning our own trucks means your materials get to their destination without delay, ensuring confidence from the yard to the job site.
Whether our customers are moving materials, manufacturing finished goods, or managing large-scale infrastructure projects, Nicholson Cates is the partner they rely on for certainty. We keep supply chains steady, operations efficient, and teams confident.
Strong, compliant panels and lumber engineered to handle the pressure of industrial packaging and transport.
Premium, consistent building materials for wood craftsmanship that demands perfection in every detail.
Consistent supply, responsive service, and reliable delivery schedules that protect your brand’s reputation.
Certified materials and industrial-scale logistics that keep essential projects on track across Canada.
We are ISPM-15-certified and ready for global distribution for Canadian quality that travels anywhere it's needed.
High-precision lumber and panels that integrate seamlessly into modular and prefab builds, so production lines run reliably.
From mill to delivery, Nicholson Cates owns and controls every step of the process. You don’t have to worry about who does the milling and manufacturing, whose truck fleet is doing the driving, or when your order will arrive.
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Precision milling and finishing ensure consistent quality, exact dimensions, and dependable performance in every order.
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An integrated transportation network that moves materials efficiently and reliably to every corner of North America.
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Our private fleet and scheduling discipline keep deliveries predictable, so projects stay on schedule and on budget.
Our customers are our strongest advocates. Here’s what they say about working with Nicholson Cates.
Laura Stypa
Customers