Friday, January 9, 2026
One of the most well-known brands in millwork and interior building materials in North America, Metrie is commemorating its 100th anniversary. This milestone highlights not just longevity but also a century of values-driven leadership in a market for building products and construction that is changing quickly. Founded in 1926 and continuously owned by the Sauder family, Metrie’s centennial is a reflection of the people, partnerships, and long-term vision that have shaped the company across four generations.
Unlike many companies that measure success primarily by physical assets or market scale, Metrie attributes its endurance to human capital. Employees, supplier partners, and customers have played a central role in helping the company grow from a small, family-operated millwork business in Vancouver, British Columbia, into a leading supplier serving residential construction, renovation, and design markets across the United States and Canada.
For the Sauder family, the 100-year milestone is deeply personal. Leigh Sauder, a third-generation family member, board director, and shareholder, describes the company’s journey as inseparable from her family’s own story. Built on principles of integrity, hard work, and long-term relationships, Metrie has remained private and family-owned—a structure that has allowed it to prioritize stewardship and sustainable growth over short-term gains.
This approach has proven especially significant in the building materials industry, where shifting housing cycles, supply chain pressures, and evolving design preferences demand resilience and adaptability. Over the decades, Metrie has navigated these changes by staying grounded in its core purpose: helping people transform houses into homes through high-quality interior millwork solutions.
That sense of purpose continues to guide leadership today. Kent Bowie, Chief Executive Officer of Metrie, emphasizes that family ownership brings clarity and consistency to decision-making. Rather than reacting to quarterly pressures, the company focuses on long-term investments in people, manufacturing capabilities, customer experience, and partnerships throughout the construction and remodeling ecosystem.
According to Bowie, the centennial is not only a moment to honor the past, but also an opportunity to set the direction for the next 100 years. Continued investment in employees, close collaboration with customers, and thoughtful adoption of new technologies are central to Metrie’s strategy as the building materials sector embraces digitalization, automation, and data-driven insights.
A notable highlight of the centennial year is the increased involvement of the fourth generation of the Sauder family at the board level. This transition signals both continuity and renewal, reinforcing the family’s long-term commitment to governance, accountability, and responsible growth. Will Wright, a fourth-generation family member and board director, notes that innovation and tradition are not mutually exclusive at Metrie. While the company is embracing new tools and insights, it does so deliberately—ensuring that advancements align with its culture and deliver enduring value to partners across the supply chain.
From a manufacturing standpoint, Metrie has significantly expanded its footprint since its early days. Today, the company operates seven millwork manufacturing facilities and 26 distribution centers throughout North America. Its production capabilities span solid wood and MDF moldings, complemented by advanced door and moulding pre-finishing services. This vertically integrated model allows Metrie to support builders, dealers, and contractors with consistent quality, reliable supply, and design-forward solutions.
In an industry where differentiation increasingly depends on service and reliability as much as product, Metrie has built its reputation as a trusted supplier by focusing on the customer experience. Long-standing relationships with builders, retailers, and distributors reflect a collaborative approach that prioritizes mutual growth—a philosophy rooted in the company’s family-owned heritage.
As the building materials industry continues to evolve alongside changing housing demand, sustainability expectations, and workforce dynamics, Metrie’s centennial serves as a reminder of the value of long-term thinking. The company’s leaders consistently point back to the same foundation: people. Past and present employees, suppliers, and customers remain at the heart of its success.
Looking ahead, Metrie enters its second century with the same spirit that defined its first—family, partnership, and purpose. The company’s message is one of gratitude and optimism: appreciation for those who have contributed to its journey, and confidence in a future shaped by the same values that have sustained it for 100 years.
Founded in 1926 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Metrie is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer and distributor of interior millwork products. Serving residential construction and renovation markets across Canada and the United States, Metrie operates seven manufacturing facilities and 26 distribution centers. With expertise in solid wood and MDF moldings, as well as door and molding pre-finishing, the company is recognized as a leading supplier in the North American building materials industry.
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