Who We Are

Our History

The primary business of Oval International is to design, manufacture, and market packaging systems and processing equipment to pulp mills that prepare pulp bales for storage and/or shipment.  Oval International in Canada has enjoyed a longstanding reputation worldwide.

  • 1934 - Gerrard Company Limited is incorporated in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to supply steel wire strapping and equipment by its founder Alec Gerrard. The company began supplying steel wire strapping and equipment to the pulp and paper industry.
  • 1950 - Ovalstrapping Limited incorporated in Canada.
  • 1952 - Ovalstrapping Incorporated established in the United States, operating as a division of Enterprises International Incorporated (EII) located in Hoquiam, Washington.  
  • 1972 - Gerrard-Ovalstrapping is formed when Gerrard Company Limited and Ovalstrapping Limited amalgamate. The company diversifies its packaging product line by acquiring industrial products and plastic strapping companies.
  • 2007 - Oval International is formed when the companies unify as one widely recognized name. It retains the values, determination, and innovation of the past.

Our Mission Statement

We serve the maintenance outsourcing needs of the pulp paper industry. We are committed to improving the reliability and efficiency of our customers' processes and the cost-effectiveness of their operations.

We specialize in pulp industry processes, machinery, equipment, and aftermarket services. The company's offering extends over the entire life cycle of the process, covering new lines, rebuilds, and various services.

Our Quality Policy

Our objective is to consistently meet or exceed our customer’s expectations. We expect to do this with every customer order we process. Oval and its employees are committed to continuous improvement.

Our Values

We honour, celebrate, and protect our integrity with customers, employees, vendors, and the community.

Our Achievements

  • Created first fully automated pulp bale wire tying system
  • Invention and design of unitizing methods using round wire and accepted as the standard for handling of market pulp throughout the world
  • Developed and patented “Ovalized” wire for superior wire management and joint values
  • Equipment installed and supported in all regions of the world where there is production of market pulp
  • North American locations in Hoquiam WA, Fredericton NB, Burlington ON, Surrey BC and Fort Payne AL
  • Truly integrated international company with facilities in Europe, Africa, Australia, NZ, South America and Asia
  • Paper strap machine

Our heritage ties us to various names in the past including Gerrard Company Ltd., Ovalstrapping, and Gerrard-Ovalstrapping. We are now unified under one widely recognized name, Oval International but retain all of the values and determination of the past

Oval International operates primarily from locations across North America and provides sales and service anywhere in the world. We are truly integrated international company with facilities in Europe, Africa, Australia, NZ, South America, and Asia.

Locations Primary Operations
Burlington, Ontario Administration, Accounting, Sales, Service, Purchasing, Warehouse/Inventory
Fredericton, New Brunswick Service, Machine Assembly, Electrical Engineering, Warehouse/Inventory
Montreal, Quebec Sales, Wire storage
Surrey, B.C. Sales, Service, Warehouse/Inventory
Fort Payne, Alabama Sales, Service, Warehouse/Inventory
Hoquiam, Washington Administration, Accounting, Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Machine Assembly, Warehouse/Inventory