This week in Korea, BC Wood’s in-market representative, Mr. JC Lee, has been very active in wrapping up participation and exhibition at the 28th MBC Construction Expo at SETEC in Seoul. One of Korea’s premier building and construction conferences, the MBC show had over 350 exhibitors and approximately 150,000 attendees.

BC Wood worked closely with Canada Wood partners, Council of Forest Industries (COFI) and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), in displaying a unified booth representing Canadian wood product manufacturers. Five companies participated in the event in a joint effort to market Canadian products to the attendees of the event including Korean builders, architects, home-owners, distributors, and material importers. Exhibitors in the booth displayed products ranging from construction lumber to engineered wood timber products. For some companies, participating with BC Wood in the Canadian pavilion marked a first step into the highly competitive Korean market.

In addition to the highly visible space at the show, BC Wood and CMHC coordinated a wood products seminar for members of Korea’s building and construction industry. Member companies had the opportunity to present information about Canadian wood products and company capabilities to nearly 200 attendees at this event.

South Korea’s interest in wood products and construction reflects a strong wood history and affinity for the material. Korean consumers are growing more sophisticated and are looking into higher quality imported products that are environmentally compliant. With growing affluence and ongoing improvements in living standards, Korea is rapidly developing into a market with high potential for both wood frame construction and value-added wood products in the foreseeable future.

For more information about events in the Korean market, please contact David Pao at dpao@bcwood.com

A few comments, suggestions, and ideas that may be of interest to Industry…

I have always believed that there is a strong and growing market for unique and innovative wood products. The kind of stuff that makes use of end cuts or takes wood of little value and creates a higher value product. Some of the work that Judson Beaumont of Straightline Designs has done with beetle- kill wood making high value wall panels is a prime example of what I’m talking about (picture to the right). It’s unique, innovative, and most importantly in demand by the architectural and interior design sector who are always looking for new and interesting products.

Keeping this thought in mind, I attended the Surfaces 2012 trade event and conference in Las Vegas this past week. What I saw was inspiring as companies from across North and South America, and Asia Pacific showcased innovative products for the residential and commercial construction sectors. Innovative flooring and wall covering were on display throughout the convention center; this year there seemed to be a strong focus on wood products. What caught my eye was the vast array of wall paneling that was available. In discussions with manufacturers, these products are used primarily in the hospitality sector specifically for restaurants, hotel lobbies, and other commercial environments where design is a priority.

An example of this is the Colorado manufacturer, Everitt and Schilling, www.eandstile.com, who were showing a new line of reclaimed wall tile they call “trail mix”. They are taking end cuts and scraps of reclaimed lumber, laying them on a substrate in a variety of patterns with the end result being a 2×3 panel. Their product has been specified in a number of high-end commercial environments throughout North America, including the recent renovation of Gilleys Bar and Grill on the Las Vegas strip.

Offering a similar but more contemporary product line was Canadian manufacturer, Finium Co of Frampton Quebec, www.finium.ca. This firm is producing a wall tile they are calling “Friendly Wall” which utilizes end cuts of high-grade clear black walnut and maple from their flooring and molding operations. These prefinished end-cuts are placed on a lightweight backer strip and can easily be installed on any wall surface. Friendly Wall sells at approximately $12 – $15 a square foot and according to the manufacturer, they are having considerable success with this product in the US market.

Surfaces also provides a great venue to see new and innovative products from wood flooring manufacturers. I wasn’t expecting much “new” since I assumed that I had seen it all with engineered, hand scraped, reclaimed, and prefinished flooring which is readily available by manufacturers worldwide. For the most part that is what I saw, except for one company that in my opinion was the hit of the show. The company, Bole Floor Manufacturers, is a very cool wide-plank flooring company that has a factory in Amsterdam, Netherlands. What separates their product from the myriad of wide-plank solid and engineered product available is that their boards aren’t straight. According to the manufacturer, they are the first company in the world to produce hardwood flooring with naturally curved lengths that follow the trees natural growth. They use a priority optimization technology that scans each board and then individually numbers each piece. Like a puzzle, their technology allows the computer to fit the pieces together providing an individual and truly unique floor. It is a bit difficult to explain, so have a look at their work on their website: www.bolefloor.com

We here in BC are blessed with an abundance of world class fibre which for the most part is readily available. We have exceptionally talented manufacturers, combined with access to high quality fibre, which means we possess a competitive advantage that manufacturers from other parts of the world envy. Making the most of what we have through the design and manufacture of unique and innovative products will certainly help the value-added sector continue to grow and develop market share in the US.

For more information on this show or on the manufacturers reviewed please feel free to contact me at dfarley@bcwood.com

BC’s first eco-industrial park aims to be a centre of excellence for wood products manufacturers 

The future of industrial development in BC has arrived. Shawnigan Eco-Industrial Park, a fifteen-acre development nestled on the southern slope of the Malahat Highway, just 20 minutes north of Victoria, has received final zoning and subdivision approval, and is now going public.

Shawnigan Eco-Industrial Park principal, Pat Lintaman, said plans call for making the park a “center of excellence and efficiency” for companies in the value-added wood products industry. Lintaman envisions a collection of wood products companies locating at the park. Borrowing the idea of the “100-mile diet” he sees woodworking artisans (kitchens, flooring, mouldings, doors and windows, log & timber frame and factory-built homes, truss, glulam and remanufacturing plants, kiln drying, heat treating, and other associated services) – locating here and drawing on local wood supplies.

The park features LEED standard plans for energy efficiency, water conservation, environmental protection, and waste reduction; Lintaman envisions tremendous synergy between businesses (i.e. one company’s waste can be another company’s fuel – or a part of its finished product – and companies can share resources and take advantage of huge savings in energy costs). “Our goal from the outset,” he added, “is to create a model of a local sustainable industry without sacrificing profits.”

A former log and timber home designer/builder, Lintaman said wood is the ultimate renewable resource, hence wood products businesses naturally lend themselves to eco-sensitive development and “chain of custody” models. He noted that companies locating at SEIP will also be able to take advantage of huge savings in the cost of purchasing or leasing – compared to sky rocketing costs in nearby Victoria, where industrial land is shrinking and becoming extremely expensive.

While heavier plants would be located toward the rear of the park, Lintaman envisions a public area at the park entry – featuring custom furniture designers, flooring, cabinet makers, and wood door and window companies, for example – with workshops at rear, and retail showrooms in front.

“We can envision a kind of “Wood Workers Row – or Artisan’s Walk,” Lintaman said, “that could become an attraction in itself.” He said the park could become a community centre as well as a magnet for both area residents and tourists, “where they could purchase wood products that have been created on site – all the way from innovative design, through finished product – and all processing wood from local, sustainably managed forests, using sustainable operating practices, in LEED standard buildings.”

“Perhaps a “one stop” home design/contractor/coordination centre could be located here, with shops and offices for designers, trades people and construction suppliers and their showrooms,” Lintaman added. “The park would be a perfect location for a woodcraft education or interpretive centre. Perhaps a skills training centre for youth and/or First Nations could be built here. The possibilities are endless.”

Shawnigan Eco-Industrial Park is the first industrial park in BC to be awarded I-5 (Eco Industrial) zoning, and the development has won the approval of Shawnigan Watershed Watch, a group committed to protecting the watershed and Shawnigan Lake.

Lintaman invites inquiries from companies of any size that are considering a move in the next five years, as well as companies interested in investing, building or joint venturing with the park.

Please contact:

Pat Lintaman, Shawnigan Eco-Industrial Park
250.478.0795
Email:  pat@topnotchlog.com
Website:  www.shawniganecoindustrialpark.com

By Roy Manion

While we continued our ongoing efforts to work with architects, designers, and now contractors, yours truly also travelled to Saskatoon the week of Jan 16th to participate in the Prairie Showcase, an annual event that has been held in Saskatoon in mid-January for the past 11 years. The reason given for the timing is that the weather is so cold (it was -35C with the wind chill factor bring it down to -48C) that there isn’t much going on, allowing companies to send key personnel to the show.

The Prairie Showcase is for members only; companies must belong to the WRLA to participate either as an exhibitor or as a buyer, and is designed primarily as a buying show.  Exhibitors are encouraged to have credible “show specials”. This has been a very successful format which has resulted in the show growing over the years to become one the largest of its kind in Canada. This was BC Wood’s first year of attending with the purpose of creating an awareness of BC’s value-added wood industry and products to the attendees. In this regard, we did have a number of retailers stop at our booth to inquire about specific products and where they might be sourced.

This can be an excellent show for BC Wood and some of its members (who are able to sell to major retailers) and we have added it again to our line-up of activities for next year – so keep it in mind.

Over and above the Prairie Showcase, BC Wood continues to call on architects and major contractors which included meetings with Bird Construction and EllisDon. We also attended a millwork seminar for the technical committee of the Greater Vancouver House Builders Association.

The last couple of weeks also included our working with a timber frame company on Vancouver Island to finalize and send out invitations for a tour and seminar event. Early response from the architect community for the event has been excellent.

For further information on anything in this article or if you wish to participate in the Architect Program, please contact me at  rmanion@bcwood.com or you can reach me at the BC Wood office

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Set aside the morning of February 1st and plan to be at the University of British Columbia Forest Sciences Centre. The Wood Manufacturing Council will use the morning session of the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing’s open house to present the industry-acclaimed Going Global workshop on International Trade Research and Marketing (free registration includes light breakfast and lunch).

Designed for wood professionals

Built by Canada’s Forum for International Trade Training and customized with stats, case studies and discussions for the wood manufacturing industry, this half-day workshop will equip you with the information and tools you need to uncover promising export markets and position your products so they seize the attention and money of local customers.

Presented by a trade pro

The presenter is Doug Taylor, a seasoned and engaging trade expert who knows from experience exactly what wood executives, entrepreneurs and managers need to know to build their businesses abroad.

Register now

Spaces are limited. Sign-up now. Email the project manager stephen@wmc-cfb.ca to reserve your seat, ask questions or receive additional information. Do not miss this event! Go to http://www.cawp.ubc.ca/NewsEvents/CAWP2012OpenHouse.aspx to learn more about the open house.

Date: February 1, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Location: University of British Columbia, Forest Sciences Centre

2424 Main Mall (at Agronomy), Vancouver
Parking is available for $6

Registration fee: None

By Brian Hawrysh

Later this year, BC Wood is planning to return to Moscow, Russia with a group of members to participate in the Holzhaus tradeshow, April 9-13th, 2012. These plans still must be approved by BC Wood’s government funders. However, given the early start to the new fiscal year, BC Wood must start now on the initial planning needed to make this event successful.
In November of 2011, BC Wood led a small, very successful trade delegation to Moscow to explore opportunities for value-added wood products in the Russian market and to participate in the Fall Holzhaus trade show.

Over the four days, approximately 11,000 attendees visited this Wooden House exhibition. BC Wood members were able to engage with industry professionals from all over Russia and surrounding countries. Developers, architects, builders, distributors, importers, and designers were all in attendance at the show, many of whom came specifically to the show to speak to the Canadian manufacturers.

BC Wood’s members showcased log home and timber frame structures, factory built homes, high quality millwork, and specialty Western Red Cedar building materials. Wood is an available and accepted building and finishing material in Russia and for BC manufacturers, the opportunity lies with specialty products. After only a short visit to this market, it also became very obvious that the concept of local partnerships was very important as there are many barriers to overcome in order to conduct business with confidence in this country.

Based on approved funding, space will be available for BC Wood members wanting to participate in the Holzhaus trade show. I would encourage any companies interested in more information to contact me at bhawrysh@bcwood.com or in BC Wood’s offices at 604-882-7100 as soon as possible.

Naturally Wood presents structural design and transportation featuring the Brentwood Town Centre Station, Lansdowne Station and the Kingsway Pedestrian Bridge. Perkins+Will (architects) and Fast & Epp (engineers) take us through their journey of concept and design for these public spaces, to final construction.

The use of wood in public spaces is a growing trend in British Columbia and across Canada.

Visit www.naturallywood.com for more info.

Wood in Transportation – Sky Train Stations and a Bridge

If you can see the above video link, please follow this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWtxWS47s8g&context=C30e401bADOEgsToPDskINBPQWud2aIXQ3VcxT_5Zk

Wood is a part of our history and culture. With growing pressure to reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment, building designers are increasingly being called upon to balance functionality and cost objectives with reduced environmental impact.

Tell us why wood is your material of choice and how it impacts the projects you create. You could win an iPad 2!

For contest details, visit: http://www.rethinkwood.com/words-on-wood-contest

Enter before the contest closes on February 29, 2012.

Sanding Principles and Finishing Advances Seminar: Practical tips to help your business! – Surrey BC, February 1, 2012

Over the last few years, wood finishing and sanding technologies and practices have evolved considerably. Customers are demanding newer and higher quality finishes, and manufacturers need to find better ways to respond to these changes.

Join us in Surrey on Wednesday, February 1st for this information filled half-day workshop. Participants in this event will learn practical ways to improve their productivity, increase quality, reduce rework and ultimately lower their finishing and sanding costs.

The workshop is hosted by Norman Smith and Brian Ehrecke from FPInnovations. Both individuals have many years of hands-on experience in the industry and are happy to have the opportunity to share their knowledge with others.

As an added feature of this event, both Norman and Brian will be available after the workshop to talk to you about your specific finishing and sanding challenges. Use this opportunity to bring samples of your product and your questions.

For more information, click here

Register for the event by clicking here.

If you are new to the trade show scene you may be experiencing some sticker shock, but the good news is that you don’t really need to break the bank in order to grow your business through successful trade show presentations. Here are seven tips to help you get the most from a limited marketing budget.

1. Why buy when you can rent? For many companies, and for many different reasons, exhibit rental is an attractive choice. Click here to learn more about the benefits of trade show exhibi rental.

2. Use Light Weight Exhibit Materials. Freight & drayage charge by the pound and you can save a significant percentage in shipping if your booth setup is made from light weight materials.

3. Free Gifts? These items can be a budget buster. Does every attendee really need to receive something? (Think adult ‘trick-or-treaters’) Whatever it is, make certain the gift relates to your business in some way so the customers will think of your business whenever they use the item. Better yet, create an ‘exchange’ where attendees provide information by answering qualifying questions in order to receive the handout. Or, offer this item as a follow-up, sent by FedEx to only the most qualified attendees.

Click here to read the entire article