For over 100 years, Ideal Gear & Machine Works has been delivering high-quality gear and machining solutions to critical industries. Built on a legacy of craftsmanship and innovation, we combine advanced technology with deep technical expertise to manufacture reliable components that keep industries moving forward.
Ideal Gear & Machine Works was established by Herb Elfstrom Sr. and Francis Smith, former machinists for the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway, providing machining services to fishing vessels, steam tugboats, and grain elevators.
In the 1940s, the company manufactured valves for Liberty Ships in Vancouver shipyards, demonstrating early capability in high volume, precision manufacturing.
William Raymond Ahnert joined the company, bringing a passion for machining and gear cutting. His vision helped expand the company into specialized gear manufacturing.
The company rapidly grew, becoming a trusted supplier of gearing solutions across multiple industries.
Ownership transitioned to Wendy Elfstrom and William Ahnert, continuing the company’s legacy and growth.
In 2003, Ideal Gear & Machine Works moved into a 25,000 sq. ft. facility in Delta, BC, strengthening its capabilities in gearbox repair, testing, and inspection.
The company became part of Boundary Mining Group, strengthening its capabilities while maintaining its family-driven values.
With over a century of experience and five generations of involvement, Ideal Gear continues to innovate and serve industries worldwide.
Ideal Gear operates a modern, fully equipped facility with over 25 CNC and specialized machines.
Our work spans gear manufacturing, CNC machining, and gear design and optimization, supporting projects from concept through to completion.
We work across industries including marine, mining, oil and gas, cement, and power generation, delivering components built for demanding applications.
Gear Manufacturing: From spur and helical gears to spiral bevel, racks, and sprockets, we manufacture precision components up to 3 meters in diameter, built for durability and performance.
CNC Machining: Our advanced CNC capabilities include multi-axis milling, turning, grinding, and mill-turn operations—delivering high-precision components for complex applications.
Gear Design & Optimization: We design and optimize gears using advanced engineering tools, simulation, and testing to ensure maximum efficiency, reliability, and performance.
Good work starts with good people.
Our team brings decades of experience and a multi generational legacy across technical, engineering, machining, and leadership.
We believe in ownership, learning, and doing the job right. That is what drives us forward.
Quality is not a statement. It shows up in the work.
Every component is built to spec and checked to perform in real conditions.
We invest in advanced inspection equipment, including CMM systems and temperature-controlled inspection environments, to ensure accuracy where it matters.
Our processes are backed by ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 29001:2020 certifications.
Jim Mantei is the Director, Manufacturing Services for the Boundary Mining Group. Jim closely collaborates with ownership to steer our gearing companies toward the successful execution of Group strategy. In his role as the President at Ideal Gear & Machine Works, Jim has played a crucial role in guiding the Company’s overall direction, successfully implementing lean manufacturing concepts and driving long-term organizational planning. Starting as a Machinist Apprentice in 1985, he earned his certifications as an Inter-Provincial Journeyman Machinist and Journeyman Millwright. Beyond his professional achievements, Jim actively engages with the community, contributing to program advisory committees at local technical institutions for the Machinist and Millwright programs. Married for 35 years with 2 children, Jim balances his professional excellence with a commitment to a fulfilling personal life. In his spare time, he enjoys camping, running, and cherishing quality moments with his family.
With a century of expertise behind us, we continue to invest in technology, people, and processes to expand our capabilities and better serve our customers. We are committed to driving innovation and delivering reliable solutions for the industries that power the world.
To be the most trusted partner for critical industries, delivering reliable parts and components that push progress through practical innovation and trust.
To deliver reliable, innovative solutions that add value to the critical industries we serve.