The price of Natural Gas, combined with the recent power failures caused by severe west coast winter storms, has re-kindled interest in wood-burning stoves. That's good news for Northwest Stoves Inc., which has been distributing wood stoves to the fireplace industry since 1977.

"At the recent Home & Garden Show at BC Place Stadium, we had a many more inquiries regarding wood burning appliances than we would normally get," says Todd Ayley, Northwest's Sales Co-ordinator. "At prices of $150 or more per cord, wood is still the cheapest method of heating your home, particularly with the energy-efficient technology incorporated in today's stoves. People tend to feel a sense of nostalgia when burning wood, and with the problems many encountered during the storms, they often feel more secure as well."

Of course gas is still considered to be a safe and effective way to burn an appliance, which is why Northwest Stoves sells gas-burning stoves and fireplaces as well.

The company has two primary sales areas. First, it's a leading distributor of fireplaces, stoves, heaters and grills to authorized, independent Specialty Hearth Retailers who have exclusive territories across BC, Alberta and the Yukon Territory. Second, it distributes to BC and Alberta hardware and building supply dealers a wide range of vital accessory products, insulated chimney, paints and hearth products.

Northwest Stoves has been owned since its inception by Wayne Rourke, who became fascinated with the woodstove industry while he was doing accounting work with a Fisher Stove dealer in Powell River, BC. Eventually, he purchased the company and ran it from the basement of the city's old post office. Soon, he moved the operation to North Vancouver, where it remained for several years. In 1994, Northwest Stoves moved to its current, more spacious home in Langley when the North Vancouver location could no longer handle the growth the company was experiencing. He and Vice-President David Rosvold, are assisted by eleven employees, more than half of which have been with Northwest for more than ten years.

Northwest Stoves is now the exclusive distributor in BC, Alberta and the Yukon for six different fireplace and stove manufacturers, three of which make both wood and gas units.

Pacific Energy has been making wood stoves in Duncan for as long as Northwest Stoves has been in business. HearthStone designs beautiful cast iron stoves that contain soapstone, which hold and distribute the heat longer than traditional stoves. Jøtul is a Norwegian manufacturer that has been making European style cast iron stoves for more than 150 years. Jøtul also recently purchased Scan, a Danish manufacturer of contemporary styled wood stoves. RSF Energy makes wood-burning zero-clearance fireplaces, which became popular in Quebec during the ice storms several years ago. Kingsman is the newest member of Northwest Stoves' family. They have several different gas fireplaces and stoves to choose from, including the new Marquis Collection.

Northwest Stoves supports its dealers with extensive technical support, especially in gas technology, co-op advertising and marketing support. We also ensure quick turnaround from the time an order is place to the time it physically leaves the building. This is made that much easier given the company's handy location next to Highway #1.

"Of course we have our seasonal patterns," says Rosvold. We're extremely busy from the end of August right through December and naturally slow down in the spring and summer months – although that has changed somewhat with all of the construction and renovations throughout BC in recent years." Industry shows and training sessions occupy the slower periods.

Northwest Stoves continues to be an active member in all the major hearth trade associations.

We are an active member of the HPBAC
(Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association of Canada)