Manufacturing
Onward Manufacturing Company, maker of Broil King,
is a Proud Canadian Company since 1906
Founded by our grandfather, Theodore Adam Witzel, in Berlin, Ontario (later renamed Kitchener during World War I), our company has remained a family-business for over a century. Our father, Theodore Andrew Witzel, joined the company in 1936, playing a pivotal role in steering the business through World War II and the post-war era introducing several well-known consumer brands to the Canadian market. He remained actively involved until his passing in 1995. His sons—Ted Jr., Tim, and Terry—entered the business in the late 1970s and continue to lead it today.
Broil King Barbecues Made in Waterloo, ON, Canada
In 1985, our focus shifted to the design, manufacture, and distribution of Broil King barbecues and accessories. In 1997 we expanded our manufacturing to a larger facility in Waterloo, and shortly thereafter added a larger distribution center in Kitchener. By 2008, growing demand across North America and Europe, prompted us to consider further expansion. While many companies were moving manufacturing to China due to lower labor and material costs, instead, we recognized an opportunity to expand Broil King’s presence in the U.S. by manufacturing there.
Under the promise of free trade, we expanded into Indiana in 2009 and further extended our operations to Tennessee in 2012. By keeping production in Canada and the U.S., we maintain careful control of our processes and quality programs.
Built for Performance. Built for Flavour.
Today, our factories in Ontario, Indiana, and Tennessee work in synergy, each specializing in manufacturing certain models and specific components.
All of our factories:
- Source and fabricate galvanized and stainless steel utilizing a variety of metal fabricating equipment including CNC turret presses, brake presses and heavy tonnage stamping presses.
- Utilize state of the art finishing lines to apply durable powder coat paint to galvanized steel and cast aluminum components.
- Operate dedicated assembly lines to assemble and pack specific models.
In addition, each factory specializes in producing specific parts for all the other factories:
- Our Ontario facility produces injection-molded parts for Ontario, Indiana and Tennessee factories.
- Our Indiana facility produces high-temperature porcelain enameled components for Ontario, Indiana and Tennessee factories.
- Our Tennessee facility operates a die cast foundry that produces cast aluminum parts for Ontario, Indiana and Tennessee factories.
Together, these facilities in Ontario, Indiana and Tennessee form the most vertically integrated barbecue manufacturing operation in the world.
Certain components are sourced from China and Southeast Asia when not available or not feasible to produce locally. We remain the only global barbecue manufacturer committed to producing our products primarily in Canada and the U.S.
Broil King barbecues, proudly made in North America, are now enjoyed in over 50 countries worldwide. Customers choose Broil King not only for its power and performance but also for our commitment to responsible manufacturing. And now people are more than ever recognizing the innovation of our iQue products that monitor and control every cook with a touch of a button or remotely through your smart phone.
Committed to our Canadian and North America Workforce and Supplier Partnerships
As the barbecue industry has shifted its manufacturing to China and Southeast Asia, we remain dedicated to our North American workforce. However, challenges such as U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum threaten industries and hardworking Canadians and Americans alike.
The Promise of the Broil King Brand is “Great Barbecues Every Time”
Our skilled Canadian and U.S. workforce, our valued local and global suppliers and our incredible international network of passionate retail and distribution partners are integral to the core of the Broil King brand. We are grateful to all of those we work with whose investment and enthusiasm drive our mutual success.
We encourage all Canadians to support local businesses—not just in response to trade uncertainties, but to sustain Canadian jobs and strengthen our economy.