Member Profile

Situated in the heart of Merritt, Aspen Planers’ headquarters is among neat stacks of logs, busy trucks, and an orderly, uncomplicated atmosphere that reflects the values behind the company’s history of success. Operating since 1959, Aspen Planers developed from the vision and hard work of its founder, Tara Singh Ghog, and his family. With an eye for opportunity, Tara, a self-made man, grew to be at the forefront of his industry by strategically growing his operations with integrity, hard work, thrift and fair dealings. Embracing innovation, safety, and sustainability, the company’s success stems from developing new processing techniques, smartly using emerging technology, and investing in their communities. The houses that line the streets around the lumber yard have grown along with the business, which is now run by his sons, and have been home to several generations of people choosing lumber industry careers.

The fully integrated operations of Aspen include a lumber mill, lumber finishing yard, and their round wood products facility, Coldwater Post and Round that can make products from small logs, all the way down to a 2” top. Other operations in the AP family include Lillooet Veneer Plant and Savona Specialty Plywood. Savona is one of the largest suppliers of of specialty overlaid plywood panels in North America, and they’re world-renowned for their Pourform® line of medium- and high-density overlaid panels. The mill also produces industrial products such as slipguard panels, transport trailer decking, paint-grade sign panels, along with structural sheathing products for both the Canadian and USA markets. Down the road at the Lillooet plant, 100% of the veneer peeled there is used in the Savona operation.

Their two woodlands division offices are located in Merritt and Lillooet and serve their operations in the Merritt, Lillooet, Kamloops, Okanagan, and Fraser Timber Supply Areas. Aspen Planers’ harvesting operations are contained within all types of tenure including Private Forest Land, Woodlots, Community Forest Agreements, Non-Replaceable Timber Sales, and Replaceable Forest Licences. They work cooperatively with many First Nation Bands in the management and harvesting of their forest tenures with Cooperative Forest Management Agreements. As a member of the Nicola Similkameen Innovative Forestry Society, they encourage cooperative First Nations management in the forest industry. 

Aspen Planers’ rigorous commitment to sustainable forest management is demonstrated by empowering employees and contractors with the resources they need to ensure a thriving industry for generations to come. Their environmentally responsible practices and a commitment to excellence is expressed throughout the business, and has evolved from more than 25 years of community consultations in creating responsible forest management and stewardship plans.

Aspen Planers is actively involved in supporting community well-being and is committed to building long-term success, for their business and the people whose lives they touch.