Rooted In Canada: The Journey Of The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co.
The Story of The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co.
Tim Foley, CEO & Founder
The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. (COEC) had its genesis on a backcountry canoe trip. The poorly made hatchet brought along left a LOT to be desired. Not only did it make processing wood an arduous task, but also dangerous due to its terrible design and the frequent dulling of its edge. Thus began a mission that continues to this day: sourcing better made, better quality gear. Granted, superior gear may cost a little more up front, but it saves money over the course of its lifespan as it doesn't need to be replaced frequently. Better materials and craftsmanship mean products that last longer - which is good for both you and the environment (less waste). With axes, specifically, better craftsmanship means improved balance, precision, efficiency, and ease of use.
For myself, that particular canoe trip was informed by many, many childhood summers and trips spent near Kenora, Ontario, in the northwestern part of the province. There, at "the camp" - a handmade cabin built by my maternal great-grandparents - swimming, paddling, picking berries, hiking, chopping firewood, and keeping an eye out for bears were all part of the mix. Spending so much time there helped me to form a deep connection with the land, the flora and fauna, and the power of the boreal forest.
Hides in Hand: Made in Canada
Fast forward to 2008, when The Canadian Outdoor Equipment Co. was born. Initially, our store carried four product lines: three Swedish-made and one Canadian-made: Hides in Hand deer and moose leather mitts. We’re still proud to carry Hides in Hand products to this day. Back then, as now, we were eager to support a local company (their production facility is just 60 km from our shop) that used locally sourced materials - hides collected from local hunters and tanned locally - and employed people from the immediate area. Not only was it fantastic to offer customers a high-quality, well-made product, but the fact that everything from materials to production took place within Ontario meant that Canadian labour and environmental standards were fully upheld in the creation of these products - something COEC was and is proud to support.
Not all the products COEC carries are or can be Canadian-made, and offering quality goods from around the globe has always been part of our mission as well. We choose products from countries with similarly high environmental and labour standards, and when working with international brands, look for companies that maintain ISO certifications specifically in these areas.
As part of COEC’s commitment to these values, we also donate a portion of our proceeds to the Nature Conservancy of Canada, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving wild spaces across Canada. Supporting the Canadian environment and ensuring that unspoiled places stay that way is part of who we are as a company.
What It Means to Be a Canadian Company
Being a "Canadian company" can mean a lot of different things. It might simply mean having a computer in Canada and importing products to sell here. Or it could mean keeping a head office in Canada, while the bulk of the operations, staff, and funds are based outside the country. We’ve all seen the "Designed in Canada" label, where design and planning happen here, but actual manufacturing takes place offshore.
At COEC, we are proudly Canadian-owned and operated, based in Mississauga, Ontario. We are dedicated to supporting local manufacturing and companies that produce goods here in Canada. We are thrilled to work with brands like Esker, Agawa Canyon, Fox 40, Knife & Axe, Portage Creative, and others. This is not an easy row to hoe—offshoring in the '80s and '90s meant that the actual means of production: the machines, presses, lathes, and other industrial assets needed for manufacturing are no longer present in the same numbers they once were. As a result, producing goods here is harder than it used to be.
By supporting companies that employ Canadians and keep manufacturing alive, we, along with our customers, help preserve local jobs and support Canadian-made outdoor gear.
Supporting Local Manufacturing, Supporting Canada
Esker Bucksaw Production
COEC’s commitment to buying Canadian isn’t just about local pride, it’s about keeping manufacturing alive and thriving in Canada. Supporting local manufacturers helps build stronger communities and ensures that our products are held to high environmental and labour standards. It’s a simple but powerful way to make a positive impact on the country we all love.
Who We Are Today
Offering quality products along with quality service to customers in Canada and abroad is still at the core of our mission. Making sure that we offer a good selection of locally sourced and manufactured goods is a key part of the equation, and one that we are happy to support and make available to our customers in Canada, North America, and across the globe.
