Industries form a crucial part of any city’s infrastructure, writes vancouver-name. They provide employment, boost productivity, and contribute significantly to local budgets.
In this article, referencing alliedship, we delve into Vancouver’s oldest ship repair enterprise.
The Oldest Enterprise
Allied Shipbuilders is a privately-owned shipbuilding and ship repair company established in 1948 by Arthur McLaren.
As the oldest continuously operating commercial shipyard on the Pacific Coast, Allied Shipbuilders is located on the Seymour River in North Vancouver.
The enterprise specializes in shipbuilding, ship repair, and engineering services, producing ferries, fishing vessels, tugboats, and barges—all used along the Pacific Coast.
A Family Business
From 1948 to 2012, the shipyard remained under the ownership of the McLaren family.
On February 1, 2012, a controlling stake was sold to Chuck Ko, who had previously served as the company’s vice president.
Utilization of Assets
Allied Shipbuilders’ facilities are also used by other organizations.
For instance:
- The Western Machine Works factory provides tugboats with hydraulic winches.
- A shore-based engineering company manufactures and services propeller shafts and rudders.
Founding the Shipyard
The history of Allied Shipbuilders traces back to an earlier facility — West Coast Shipbuilders.
During World War II, the growing demand for cargo warships prompted Vancouver businessmen to consider opening a shipyard.
Arthur McLaren Sr. became the general manager, and his son, Arthur, joined the team.
West Coast Shipbuilders was founded in 1941, and its first ship was launched in 1942. By the end of the war, the shipyard had built 55 vessels.
In the post-war period, the plant focused on constructing barges for companies like Northern Transportation and a ferry that operated on Kootenay Lake. Arthur McLaren held the position of yard manager at the time.
A New Name
In November 1948, Arthur McLaren established a small shipbuilding company called Allied Builders, situated on the grounds of the former West Coast shipyard. Initially, the plant built small steel tugboats, primarily made of wood.
In 1961, the company changed its name to Allied Shipbuilders and expanded its operations to include ship repair services. This transformation followed Allied’s acquisition of the Burrard Shipyard, which owned a repair facility in Coal Harbour.
Expansion and Consolidation
In 1967, Allied Shipbuilders opened a large shipyard in the eastern section of the Second Narrows Memorial Bridge.
However, the Coal Harbour yard was closed in 1979 to make way for waterfront high-rise towers. The facility was subsequently consolidated into Allied Shipbuilders.
Over time, Allied became a repair yard, constructing hundreds of fishing vessels, tugboats, barges, ferries, offshore supply vessels, icebreakers, port patrol boats, and more. Additionally, the company operates floating dry docks, also designed and built at the shipyard.
By 2012, Allied Shipbuilders had grown into Vancouver’s second-largest private commercial enterprise in its sector, employing 120 people.
A Milestone Event
On February 1, 2012, a major milestone occurred. Jim and Malcolm McLaren, who served as the company’s directors and president, decided to sell a controlling stake. The new owner was Chuck Ko.
The agreement was finalized after a thorough preparation of all necessary documentation.
Each McLaren brother had his reasons for stepping down. Jim wished to retire, while Malcolm’s health issues prevented him from continuing.
However, their brother Douglas remained at Allied Shipbuilders, continuing his role as co-owner and head of the electrical division.
Allied Shipbuilders stands as a testament to Vancouver’s industrial heritage, maintaining its legacy as a leader in shipbuilding and repair for over seven decades.