Tracing the history of this association takes us back to the 1920s when millwork operators in the Vancouver area were trying to create a better climate for the industry. From these efforts the Mainland Millwork Association was created and incorporated in 1948. The Mainland Millwork Association became The Architectural Woodwork Association in the 1950’s. The Architectural Woodwork Association, the defacto Canadian chapter of the AWI, sent representatives to AWI National Conventions. During the early 1960s this group, in turn, was succeeded by the Millwork Manufacturers Association, and operated within the province of British Columbia, Canada.

In the late 1960's, Gary Nikolai of Vancouver, British Columbia, traveled across Canada promoting a national woodworkers association called the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada, in short, AWMAC.

The first meeting of this new association was called to order at 2:15 PM on September 25, 1970 at the Bayshore Inn in Vancouver, BC. In attendance were: Gary Nikolai (BC), Sim Antuma (Alberta), Gus Frenzel (Saskatchewan), Bob Newmann (Manitoba), Doug Wignal (Ontario), Ben Farquhar (Nova Scotia). During this meeting Gary Nikolai was elected as President, and W.C. (Bill) Ellison was appointed as Secretary/Treasurer.

The AWMAC Constitution and By-Laws were sealed and recorded by the office of the Minister of Industry Science and Technology on January 28, 1994. The AWMAC membership is comprised of local chapter contractors, associate and life members plus honorary national members. The local chapter elects one representative to be an AWMAC director. The directors in turn elect the AWMAC officers.

The Millwork Contractors Association of BC Manual was revised and adopted as the AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork Manual. The first Manuals were distributed in the spring of 1972. The AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork has become the authoritative guide used as the national standards for designing, detailing and specifying architectural woodwork across Canada. Revised editions were published in 1978, 1984, 1991 and 1998.

The AWMAC Guarantee and Inspection Service (GIS) Program was initiated by AWMA-BC in 1990. After four years of promotion and fine-tuning, the GIS Program was adopted as a national program during the 1994 General Meeting in Calgary. The GIS Program is a tool designed to monitor projects specifying the AWMAC Standards.  The program assures that the architectural woodwork is supplied and/or installed in accordance with the AWMAC Quality Standards for Architectural Woodwork.

The main thrust of the association has always been to promote and improve quality standards while keeping pace with new products and technology in the Architectural Woodwork Industry.

• To promote the interests of persons, firms and corporations engaged in the business of manufacturing, supplying and/or installing Architectural Wood Products in Canada.
• To endeavor to achieve closer relationship and a better understanding among the various chapters of the industry and to improve and standardize as close as possible the methods of submitting and accepting tenders as between Architect and/or Engineer, General Contractor, Trade Contractor and Owner.
• To gather statistics and other matters calculated to be of use and assistance to the members of the association.
• To assist in all ways in the improvements of public relations.
• To promote close liaison between members and their suppliers.
• To secure uniformity in usage, custom and trade conditions of those engaged in the Architectural Woodworking Industry.
• To formulate and encourage an educational program for the training of Millwork Employees to the end that the industry may benefit from improved methods and increased skills.
• To provide such further services as shall from time to time be deemed expedient for the protection or promotion of the best interest of the membership.
• To represent the members of the Association in any matters pertaining to the Architectural Woodworking Industry.
• To promote legislation affecting the industry in all its branches and to oppose or support, as the case may be, any contemplated legislation by Federal, Provincial, Municipal or other authorities in so far as the same may affect the Architectural Woodworking Industry.

AWMAC continues to expand its membership both locally and nationally.

The regional chapters include:

• Atlantic Chapter
• Ontario Chapter
• Manitoba Chapter
• Saskatchewan Chapter
• Southern Alberta Chapter
• Northern Alberta Chapter
• Britsh Columbia Chapter

Outstanding Service Plaques were awarded to:

1985 – Harry Hummelshoj
1985 – Bob Newman
1985 – Gerry Schmidtke
1988 – Al Fox
1989 – Syd Thomson
1991 – Jack Russell
2006 – Gary Nikolai
2007 – Jim Taylor

1970 – Gary Nikolai
1971 – Gary Nikolai
1972 – Gary Nikolai
1973 – Edward Fielder*
1974 – Walter Konopaki*
1975 – Robert Newman
1976 – Bruce McVean
1977 – Alan Fox
1978 – Thomas Johnston
1979 – Gerry Schmidtke*
1980 – Gerry Schmidtke*
1981 – Joachim Loh
1982 – Joachim Loh
1983 – Donald Hipperson
1984 – Alan Kapusta
1985 – Jack Russell
1986 – Syd Thomson
1987 – Jack Russell
1988 – Dick Hiebert
1989 – Len Welk
1990 – Werner O. Schmidt
1991 – Werner O. Schmidt
1992 – Gary Nikolai
1993 – Casey Beyersbergen
1994 – Casey Beyersbergen
1995 – Harm Hazeu
1996 – Harm Hazeu
1997 – Parnell Kowalski
1998 – Eric Wolf
1999 – Eric Wolf
2000 – Don Afanasiff
2001 – Don Afanasiff
2002 – Jim Taylor
2003 – Jim Taylor
2004 – Ernst Salzgeber
2005 – Ernst Salzgeber
2006 – Vince Parolin
2007 – Vince Parolin

* Deceased