Onward Manufacturing Company was established in 1906 by our grandfather, Theodore Adam Witzel. Our father, Theodore Andrew Witzel was instrumental in growing the business after the war and continued his involvement until his death in 1995. Our family business has operated in Canada, manufacturing and distributing several well-known household brands throughout those years.
In 1985, under the leadership of third generation family members, Onward Manufacturing Company has been focused on the design and manufacture of Broil King gas barbecues and accessories in Kitchener and Waterloo ON Canada. In 2009, under free trade, our company expanded its manufacturing operations to Indiana and Tennessee to meet growing demand in US, Canada and Europe.
We are one of the few manufacturers of gas barbecues to focus production activities in Canada and the US rather than moving operations to China and South East Asia like so many of our competitors. Broil King barbecues made in our Canadian and US factories are now enjoyed in over 50 countries around the world.
People choose Broil King grills for their exceptional power and performance. People also choose Broil King products for where they are made. Broil King gas grills are designed, manufactured, and assembled with the majority of our raw materials such as steel, aluminum, resins, and corrugated sourced domestically in Canada and the US. Other components are globally sourced, often because they are simply not available domestically.
Our company supports free and fair trade. Tariffs imposed by the first Trump administration were detrimental to many US and Canadian companies and industries, including ours. US Tariffs on steel and other components have challenged domestic manufacturer's ability to compete with products produced in Southeast Asia that circumvent these tariffs.
Our industry has seen most of its manufacturing move to offshore countries such as China and southeast Asia, however the decision to remain a Canadian and US based manufacturer aligns with our Canadian heritage and values.
The recent threat of further US tariffs on steel and aluminum and tariffs on Canada and Mexico will needlessly challenge not only our industries but the livelihoods of hardworking Canadians across the country.
We are proud to reaffirm our commitment to our skilled Canadian workforce and local Canadian suppliers for raw materials, components, machinery, packaging, printing supplies, and service providers in the trucking and logistics industry.
We are equally proud to be backed by a national network of leading Canadian retail partners, who are not only passionate grilling enthusiasts and experts... but passionate Canadians investing in our country.
From our Canadian family to yours, we thank you for supporting Buy Canadian.
Sincerely, The Witzel and Broil King Family
