Klassen Business Group
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Our Story

Family Business Since 1963

Established in 1963, the Klassen Business Group has been active for 60 years. A third-generation family enterprise, the company is now run by the grandchildren of founders Neil & Rita Klassen.

Grandpa Neil began the company when he purchased our first truck in 1963 to haul firewood and sawdust. As time went on, three of his sons, Mervin, Dennis, and Reg, and his one daughter, Genny, each came to work in and expand the business. These four siblings all remain integral to the business to this day. Now a flourishing family enterprise backed by three generations of Klassens, it all started with Neil and Rita Klassen way back in 1963 on the values of faith, family, and hard work.

There are currently twenty members of the Klassen family involved in day-to-day operations. The third-generation (G3) family members each started from the ground floor or, more literally, “pushing a broom” across the pavement in our retail landscape yard and transitioned into ownership in 2019.

The Klassen Business Group now employs over 130 people, operating from primary bases of operations in Abbotsford, Merritt, and Kelowna. With members of the 4th generation beginning to enter the business, the Klassen story continues as the family intends to continue to grow and evolve in business together for generations to come.

Our History

1963
The Klassen Business Group began with Grandpa Neil and an old Chevy truck hauling sawdust and firewood.
1980-1990
Through the 1980’s and 1990’s, the four siblings supported their father and eventually led the company, growing it to a fleet of twelve trucks and approximately thirty employees.
2000
In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the third generation became involved in day-to-day operations, supporting the business and initiating a vision for growth and change.
2015

In 2015, members of the third generation joined the board of directors and assumed operational leadership, naming Travis and Ben Klassen, brothers, to the executive team.

In addition, Klassen Wood Company was formed in partnership with John-Mark Ferguson, a new, “married-in” member of the family.

2016
To clarify the mission of the diversifying operating company, the Valley Pulp & Sawdust Carriers name was retired. The trucking company was then renamed Valley Carriers and the retail landscape supply division became known as Klassen Landscape Supply.
2017
Valley Carriers purchased Friesen Bros. Fuels in Burnaby, another multigenerational family business, expanding our fleet.
2018
Valley Carriers was listed as one of the fastest growing companies in British Columbia and in Canada in both 2017 and 2018. At the end of 2018, Just Mulch was launched, delivering 1 yard bags of mulch and soil to customers when and where they need it!
2019
Six cousins from the third generation (Erin Parkes, Russell Klassen, Travis Klassen, Stuart Klassen, Ben Klassen & Greg Klassen) became the sole owners of the Klassen Business Group.
2020
In 2020, the Klassen Business Group purchased Five Maples Nursery, expanding Klassen Landscape Supply into the nursery business and is now a full service garden centre.
2021
In the fall of 2021, the wholesale soil & mulch division was spun out from Valley Carriers and introduced as VitaTerra. VitaTerra offers wholesale mulch and soil products for professional growers, wineries, nurseries and landscape centres.
2022
In 2022, the Klassen Business Group purchased Superior Peat in Penticton, BC to offer even more high quality products to our customers.