At its start, AMBICO was a distributor and installer of overhead doors that grew its product line to include ancillary products such as pressed steel door frames and then later, steel doors. By 1961 the company turned to manufacturing its own products, starting with door frames and then growing the line, as a way of providing more timely and reliable service to its clients.

In the 1980s the next generation came to the company and by 1988 had taken over operational control. By now the company had begun to manufacture specialized product such as acoustic door and frame assemblies, blast resistant doors and frames as well as stainless steel doors and frames to meet unique performance criteria, in order to meet the demands of its clientele.

In the early 90s the door and hardware industry was hit by both a consolidation of distribution companies and the external pressure of a deep recession. The company took this as an opportunity to strategize about the future of the company, its commitment to both local sales and internationally certified manufacturing, and in the end, to make the decision to develop a two-pronged business model that included a local sales, service and installation division, as well as specialized product manufacturing.

While the company continues to evolve its global presence and expertise in this specialized niche, focused on its Ottawa-based sales and service model and in particular to the customers and to the customers it began serving years ago. AMBICO maintains a full local distribution system, including a hardware counter ready to serve the local building trades. In addition, AMBICO’s qualified team, trained and insured, installs and services new or existing products on job sites throughout the region. The company’s work is warrantied and AMBICO provides preventive maintenance and service contracts on demand.

While AMBICO has grown dramatically in the past number of years, changing its strategic direction as markets demand and as the opportunity for specific products grow, it remains focused on its superior role etc in the local marketplace, to the vision of its founders, and to its commitment to the community of the Ottawa region.