After nearly 50 years in the canoe-making business and over 30 years under the direction of Tim Miller, Nova Craft Canoe hands the paddle to a new owner. The new owner and president of Nova Craft Canoe, Chris Rath, purchased the company effective January 31st, 2019.
ith the solid foundation built by Tim and the team, I look forward to taking Nova Craft Canoe to its next level of growth and service to our customers,” said Mr. Rath. “My primary goal is for Nova Craft to continue to provide outstanding products and customer service in tandem with providing a great working environment for our employees. I am confident that Nova Craft will continue to deliver the outstanding service that has become a hallmark of our company culture over the last 49 years.”
Nova Craft began in 1970 in Glanworth, Ontario in the garage of Ken Fisher. He ran the small-scale operation out of his back yard near London, Ontario producing a limited selection of fibreglass canoes. Over the years, the reputation for Fisher’s quality designs and workmanship spread, and when Tim Miller and Pat Malloy took over the business in the late 1980s, new materials and models were added and the customer base grew.
Some thirty years later, with a comprehensive catalogue and an ever-increasing brand awareness, demand for our canoes has spread over a wide geographic area. We have an expanding dealer network throughout Canada, the United States and Europe. Under Tim Miller’s leadership, Nova Craft Canoe has become an internationally respected brand and an industry leader in adopting advanced composite materials and technology.
While some things have changed over the last 49 years, our core focus remains simple: build quality canoes that give paddlers special experiences in the great outdoors. It’s all about making a connection to nature and wild places, be it solo or with friends and family. We look forward to continuing to honour this commitment with Chris at the helm.
“After working with Chris for the last three to four months, I am confident that we are handing Nova Craft over to a very competent and experienced manager who will continue to build the Nova Craft brand well into the future,” said Mr. Miller. “I look forward to working with Chris to ensure a smooth and seamless transition. Also, I would like to thank all our customers and suppliers who have given us amazing support over the last 32 years as well as our dedicated employees who put their hearts and souls into building the best Canadian canoes for the world.”
See you on the water!
