About GANAAN
GANAAN Highland Manufacturing Ltd was established in February 2017 by Garth Newlands and his son, Austin. Located in Surrey, British Columbia, just 25 km from Vancouver, GANAAN specializes in researching, designing, and manufacturing innovative products for bagpipes and drums.
At GANAAN, we don’t just innovate; we also draw inspiration from tradition. Our design team revisits classic products, enhancing them with modern materials to create a distinctive, forward-thinking approach.
Our engineering department utilizes cutting-edge technology, including Solidworks 2023 design and analysis software, to perfect every aspect of our high-quality products. We continuously update our software and expand our manufacturing equipment to stay ahead of design trends.
The latest addition to our manufacturing capabilities is the xTool F1 Ultra 20W Fiber and Diode laser machine. This advanced tool allows us to incorporate custom designs into our products, offering an innovative way to add style that reflects our customers’ individual needs. It also enables us to brand our products with serial numbers, ensuring they are easily identifiable by both GANAAN and our loyal customers.
Garth comes from a family deeply rooted in the bagpipe tradition—his grandfather served as a Pipe Major with the 48th Highlanders of Canada during the First World War. With over 120 years of piping experience in the family, dating back to the late 1800s, the passion for piping runs deep. Garth’s brother, Colin, began playing the bagpipes in the 1980s and continued until his passing in 1996, when he had just started playing with the Simon Fraser University Grade 2 Pipe Band (now RMM Grade 2). Following his brother’s legacy, Garth took up the bagpipes in 1997 and continues to play today. Austin, continuing the family tradition, began playing the bagpipes in 2012 with the RMM Pipe Band and remains an active player.
In addition to his piping heritage, Garth also spent six years as a snare drummer in his youth, giving him a unique understanding of drummers’ needs.
As a Mechanical Engineering Technologist with diplomas in Design and Manufacturing, Garth leads our design and manufacturing division. He brings a wealth of expertise in developing new products and reimagining classic designs.
With over 27 years of experience in the local piping and drumming community, our engineering team listens to players and consistently introduces new products, focusing on enhancing comfort and using the finest materials to ensure top-tier quality.
In 2024, we expanded our product line with the introduction of several new items, including the Humidapod Mini, Reed Protector Cap, Fusion F3 Pipe Chanter, and Microfiber Towels. Additionally, we now offer services such as medal and trophy engraving, along with custom engraved products like keychains, patches, and hip flasks.
Our mission remains to design and manufacture exceptional products for both bagpipes and drums while providing opportunities to purchase unique custom engraved products.
If you feel you have something to offer the GANAAN team, let us know how you could fit in with us.