Vernon, BC based Poulin Timber Works Ltd. was incorporated in 2003. The owner, Joe Poulin, having operated a home based business creating wood carvings and manufacturing custom furniture, realized that there was a better market in the construction industry. He attended the Timber Framing Program at the College of The Rockies, with the intention of setting up his own business. After gaining two years of experience working for other log and timber framing companies, PTW went into production and hired its first (external) employee in 2005.

"Initially, 90% of our business was building timber frame accent pieces and small structures," Poulin said. "In 2006, we landed contracts for three resorts in Vernon; building log Hashi Post decks at The Outback; trellises and pergolas at The Strand Lakeside Resort; and all of the timber frame entries and accents at The Rise. We went from a company of 2 employees, to a company of 8 highly skilled craftsmen. That was as big as we wanted to get! Keeping a low overhead was paramount in the company's business plan...it helps to keep us competitive."

After a few years of going 'flat-out', the economy changed, and PTW had to either change its strategy, or go down like other log and timber frame companies. Diversification was key and they gained a valuable working relationship with Structurlam Products Ltd. based in Penticton. The BC Government started implementing 'Infrastructure Projects' to help bolster the economy, and as heavy timber specialists, PTW fit right into the 'structural glulam installation' scope of work.

"Even when glulams were not shipped pre-cut by CNC machines, we had the tools and expertise to cut precise joinery and knew the techniques to raise and fit them. There was certainly a learning curve, especially dealing with steel connectors, rather than traditional wood-to-wood mortise and tenons, secured with oak pegs. We have perfected the process, and are proud to be amongst only a few companies in BC who can legitimately claim it! We have served as consultants throughout BC, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, and as far away as South Korea."

PTW is a strong community supporter as Gold Sponsors of the 2005 Sovereign Lake FIS World Cup, the 2008 Ford World Women's Curling Championship and currently the NONA Child Development Centre in Vernon. Our most fulfilling charitable contribution was to rebuild the roof of a community hospital in Peru after an earthquake destroyed it in 2009 (above picture).

What makes them unique in their industry is that they have managed to recognize, and diversify with the changes in their economy. "My grandfather taught me that if you're proud of your work, then put your name on it! That's why my name is my company and I'm prepared to back it with quality work, performance and recommendations from our clients."

Current projects include: Prince George new Kin Arena; Northern Lights College Training Tower; Maple Ridge Pump House; NONA playground shelter; Grizzly Den log stairs & railings.

For more information on Poulin Timber Works, please visit: http://www.poulintimberworks.com/  

I am pleased to advise that BC Wood's list of tradeshow events has been approved for the coming fiscal year, April 1st, 2013 to March 31st, 2014. This schedule of tradeshow activities was developed with a great deal of consultation with Industry including your feedback to BC Wood reps on previous activities; the priorities that were set by the different sector advisory committees in November of last year; and input coming from BC Wood's Board of Directors. Your very positive comments about the prospects for the coming year have set the stage in the development of this ambitious schedule of market development activities.

We are currently finalizing some of the last details regarding the funding for these programs and will continue to provide members updates in this regard. For more information regarding the schedule of BC Wood's market development activities for the coming year, see "Trade Events" under the "Programs and Services" icon on BC Wood's website at www.bcwood.com, or contact me directly at bhawrysh@bcwood.com.

BC Wood members displaying at the show this year included: Artisan Log & Timber Homes, BC Timberframe Co., Big Foot Log Homes, Canadian Timber Frame, Daizen, Hamill Creek Timber Homes, Kettle River Timberworks, Okanagan Timber Frame, Pacific Homes, Sitka Log Homes, and Trout Creek Log Homes.

The LHTF sector stood out among the displays as fully and partially erected log homes towered over the trade event attendees, attracting large crowds and marketing the latest and greatest in timber home joinery, product, and design.  

Reports after the 2012 Denver Log Home Show suggested a growing sense that the worst of the 2008 ripple-effects were over and that a general feeling of profitable times were approaching. Fast forward 5 months later to Abbotsford, and it appears as though these sentiments were rightly directed as scores of serious buyers-and less "tire kickers"-lined the event hall to inquire into companies and determine the right builder for them.

A strong attendance, serious buyers, and quality product added legitimacy to reports of a resilient BC housing sector and a rise in demand from the U.S. This upward trend is a welcomed one.

After speaking with a number of BC Wood Members who participated in the event days after it had finalized, there were reports of sales made, meetings scheduled to go over projects, and a general air of optimism for things to come. It was good to hear of a much busier show than last year, and the word that continues to be passed around is that we are trending towards more black and less red.  

For more information, do not hesitate to contact me at sbuchholz@bcwood.com  

Once again BC Wood organized the Canadian Pavilion at the Nikkei Newspaper's construction industry trade show. This year, seven BC Wood members took part covering a variety of products including log & timberframe homes, kitchen cabinets, WRC, mouldings and flooring, as well as engineered wood. Our Canada Wood partner, Canada Tsuga, took space with us as usual. We also included a special display on the Canada-Tohoku Reconstruction Project so that show visitors could see the efforts being made by Canada in helping to rebuild after the March 11th, 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

Having Japan's most influential newspaper behind the show means that it will always be a well-attended event. The show is only open to industry people and yet attracted 242,353 visitors over four days. This represents a 2.6% increase in attendance over 2012. In total, there were 1,279 exhibitors (for a total of 3,640 booths) representing 13 countries. The show organizers are looking to further build this event by clearly branding it as a "Nikkei Show". Therefore, from this year, they started using "Nikkei Messe" as the overriding name connecting the various sections such as "Architectural and Construction Materials 2013," "Japan Shop 2013," "Lighting Fair 2013," etc.

Aside from the strong numbers, you could also sense the bullish housing sector in talking with the visitors. While there is a concern of what might happen after next year's consumption tax increase, many people that I spoke with are now feeling optimistic that the economic recovery will keep housing starts strong past the tax hike. More importantly, participating members reported a good number of business leads and strong sales figures by the end of the show.

During the week, BC Wood also worked with COFI to put on a seminar for the Japanese committee members working on the new CLT JAS code. This is a crucial time in these deliberations as the first draft is expected to be tabled by this spring and the final draft brought into effect by next spring. Therefore, we seized the opportunity to have Colin Chornohus speak to the committee as Structurlam was participating in the Nikkei Show. Colin was able to address their questions about using mixed species such as SPF as well as the types of glue used in Canada and Europe.

All in all, it was a very busy and successful week!