WestGen officially opened its new headquarters in Abbotsford on Tuesday.
The co
mpany has relocated after being based in Langley Township for 67 years.
An event at its Angus Campbell Road facility had many dignitaries in attendance, including B.C.’s Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, MLA Norm Letnick, Langley Township Mayor Jack Froese, Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun and WestGen CEO Chris Parry and president Tony DeGroot. Hundreds of farm families took part as well on this perfect summer day to pay witness to the ribbon cutting and tour the majestic new facility. There was food and fun and a number of educational exhibits including a contingent of local 4-H calves on display.
“Our former office now over 60 years old was built at a time when Langley was primarily a farming community. As the city grew around us, farmers moved eastward into the valley and so it was time for WestGen to reinvest in its future and move with them.
Abbotsford is the new heart of the BC dairy industry and is an ideal location from which to serve our customers in Western Canada. This building was designed not only as a more efficient office, but also as a meeting space for our members and owners to use for generations to come. WestGen is a farmer-owned organization, and this is their building,” said WestGen CEO, Chris Parry.
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The company, which specializes in artificial insemination of cattle, has completed construction of its new $6 million head office, where roughly 20 of its employees will work. It is also building new barns on the same Abbotsford site, which are expected to be completed within the next year.
“Moving to Abbotsford was not an easy decision,” said CEO Chris Parry, in statement released when the company first announced its move. “We thought long and hard about whether we move WestGen at all but we realize as a company we need to be connected to our agriculture industry and the heart of the dairy industry. That’s why we came to Abbotsford.”
With Phase One of WestGen’s move complete, the company is eagerly planning for Phase Two, which will feature the building of the new barns and laboratory.
