Millar Western marks its 100th anniversary with an employee appreciation day to remember
On August 27, over 1,000 employees and their families convened at Graham Acres in Whitecourt to celebrate Millar Western’s 100th anniversary of incorporation. Guests participated in a range of family-friendly activities, from mini-golf and bubble balls, to climbing walls and obstacle courses. Food trucks and a barbecue supper provided fuel for all the fun.
Activities were paused briefly for an official ceremony, which was MC’d by Craig Armstrong, President and CEO of Millar Western Forest Products Ltd.. On hand to deliver greetings were the Mayors of Whitecourt and Woodlands County, the Member of Parliament for Peace River-Westlock, and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry for the Province of Alberta. In his remarks, Mac Millar, Chairman and CEO of Millar Western Industries Ltd., reflected on how much the community of Whitecourt has changed since 1919 and how proud company founder J. W. Millar, his grandfather, would be to see Millar Western still thriving a century later. On behalf of all employees, Anita Stark, Everett Wolf Tail, and Craig Jeanveau presented Mac with a piece of forest-themed artwork, to thank the Millar family for their generous support of employees and communities throughout the years.
MLAs for West Yellowhead and Central Peace-Notley, together with the Presidents and CEOs of the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA), joined dignitaries, Mac and Craig for a ceremonial tree planting of a white spruce. The tree will be relocated next to Millar Western’s heritage buildings, across from the pulp mill, and serve as a lasting reminder of this milestone in the company’s history. To further commemorate the event, employees raised $3,045 through a company sponsored raffle, with all proceeds donated to the Whitecourt and Fox Creek hospital auxiliary societies.
An event of this scale couldn’t have happened without the contributions of many people. A big thank you to the organizing committee and the army of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make our 2019 family appreciation day a huge success. Here’s to the next 100 years!
