CELEBRATING 40 YEARS

The 40-Year Journey of Allison’s Manufacturing Limited

Celebrating Growth, Innovation, and Community Since 1985

Allison’s Manufacturing Limited was founded in April 1985 by Weldon Allison, who was transitioning from a 25-year career at Heath Steele Mines as the mine began winding down operations. Looking for a new venture and working in collaboration with ACOA, Weldon launched a company focused on manufacturing custom wood garage doors.

The Early Years (1985–1990)

The company began in Weldon and his wife Phyllis’s home in Trout Brook, New Brunswick. Manufacturing operations were set up in their converted two-car garage. With three part-time employees to start—Weldon himself, his sister Betty Anne Forsythe(who served as bookkeeper), and her husband, Delbert Connors—the foundation was laid for a business rooted in family and craftsmanship.

In spring 1986, Weldon’s son Clayton joined the company after returning from the military and a layoff in construction. Later that fall, Scott Allison left his job in the construction industry to join as well.

In 1990, an extension was added to the original garage to house a vacuum wood kiln, improving quality control for their wood products.

Expansion & Partnerships (1991–1997)

In 1991, a new 1,500 sq. ft. building was constructed nearby to accommodate equipment, door storage, a showroom, and office space. Around this time, Scott and Clayton became equal partners with Weldon in the business.

In 1994, Allison’s opened a downtown Newcastle retail outlet featuring archery supplies, picture framing, and crafts—alongside garage doors and wood products—to reach a broader market.

By 1997, Weldon began retiring from day-to-day operations, and Scott and Clayton took on more leadership responsibility. That same year, the Trout Brook showroom was renovated to include a gas bar and convenience store, and the Newcastle retail outlet was sold.

At this point, Allison’s was employing 10 people.

Resilience & Recovery (2002–2009)

A major setback occurred in 2002 when a fire destroyed the original manufacturing building and wood kiln. Later that year, Allison’s rebuilt, expanding the 1991 structure by 2,700 sq. ft. for a total of 4,200 sq. ft., purpose-built for manufacturing wooden overhead doors and storing related materials.

As demand for wood garage doors declined in the late 2000s, the company pivoted. In 2009, the decision was made to enter the kitchen cabinet manufacturing industry, creating new growth opportunities in residential and commercial markets.

New Ownership and Investment (2010–2018)

In 2010, Scott and Clayton officially purchased the business from Weldon and became sole owners. Over the following years, substantial investments were made in automation, advanced tooling, and mobile service equipment to enhance product quality and customer service.

In 2016–2017, a significant plant reconfiguration created a streamlined assembly-line process for cabinetry. Garage door inventory and equipment were relocated to a separate storage facility, allowing further expansion of cabinet manufacturing operations.

A New Era: Modern Facilities & Division (2019–2023)

In June 2019, Allison’s acquired a 3,500 sq. ft. building at 314 Dalton Avenue to house its sales office, showroom, and all overhead door operations. This move provided easier customer access and a better work environment for staff. The vacated space in Trout Brook was then reallocated to the growing cabinetry manufacturing division.

By this time, Allison’s Manufacturing employed 16 staff members and was operating as three interconnected divisions:

1. Allison’s Door – Sales, installation, and service of all types of residential, commercial, and industrial doors and windows, including roll-up doors, hangar doors, fire doors, entry systems, and electronic controls.
2. Allison’s Manufacturing – Custom cabinetry, counters, displays, and millwork for homes and businesses, all built in-house at Trout Brook.
3. Allison’s Gas & Convenience – One of the last full-service gas and diesel stations in Miramichi, offering convenience items and fuel service.

The facility featured two dedicated showrooms: one for garage doors and accessories, and another for kitchen cabinets, hardware, islands, and countertops in laminate, Corian, quartz, and granite.

In December 2020, the gas bar and convenience store were closed to meet growing manufacturing demands. Consultants were brought in to help streamline production and maximize output through lean manufacturing methods.

A Strategic Shift: AML Signature Cabinets (2024–2025)