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BC Wood Members:
By now, most of you would have received a survey request from the Canadian Forest Service (CFS). I wanted to take a moment and add my support to the request that you complete this survey and return it to CFS. This is the fourth survey in twenty years that CFS has conducted on the state and economic impact of BC's value-added wood products sector. This survey will provide valuable insight into the changes that have occurred within the value-added sector over the last few years. BC Wood will use the results of this survey to develop better strategies that will contribute to the growth and success of the sector.
The CFS is part of Natural Resources Canada, a federal government department. The CFS is the national and international voice for the Canadian forest sector. The organization provides science and policy expertise and advice on national forest sector issues, working in close collaboration with the provinces and territories.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Brian Hawrysh at bhawrysh@bcwood.com.
If you have not been featured in our Spotlight section and would like to be, please email me at rmann@bcwood.com or call 604-882-7100. You do not have to be a member of BC Wood, or any other association to participate and it is free of charge.
If you are using Microsoft Outlook to view this email, you may not be able to see all of the images, or the formatting might be a bit off. In this case you can view the webpage version of this email by clicking on the link at the top of this email "Having trouble viewing this email? Click here" or visit our Wood Connections archives and click on 'Wood Connections - October 11, 2013' Read below for highlights from the past two weeks. Also, feel free to send me news stories that you think our readers would be interested in. You can email them to me at rmann@bcwood.comHave a great Thanksgiving long weekend!
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Industry News - FPInnovations Update
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Early Bird Registration Deadline has been extended for Lean Mission. You now have until October 15 to save $250 on the Registration Fee
Lean Mfg myth busting: It works in companies large and small. And it's inexpensive!
If you're like most people in the wood products business, you've heard a lot about Lean Manufacturing, and how it could cut your costs and increase your profits, but you're not sure if the program would work for you - or whether or not your company is ready. During this month's Lean Manufacturing Mission to Toronto and Winnipeg, you will have an opportunity to ask all your questions - and get real answers, from people who have already put the program to work.
You will tour plants, and participate in question and answer panel sessions designed to help clear any confusion you may have, and show you step by step how LM could be applied in your operation, large or small. Your takeaway will be a clear understanding of how the 5 Key Principles of LM could apply specifically to you:
- Identify value. Understand exactly what creates customer value in each of your product lines.
- Map the value stream. Identify each step that adds value in production, and identify and eliminate every step that doesn't add value (eliminating massive waste in the process).
- Create flow. Make the value creating steps occur in tight sequence, increasing productivity and further reducing waste.
- Produce only what the customer wants, only when they want it. Eliminate waste in terms of finished goods inventories, product line obsolescence and "left overs."
- Sustain the search for perfection. Continuously improve quality, and continuously eliminate waste.
You will discover that LM does not rely on buying the latest piece of equipment or having state of the art facilities; instead it's about introducing a different mind set to the way work is planned and executed. That means that LM is inexpensive to introduce - and is suitable for businesses of every size.
For the names of the companies to be visited and answers to any other questions about this year's mission, contact Brian Ehrecke at (250) 462-4000 .
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Industry News - CAWP Update
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Online Certificate in Industrial Wood Finishing
Once a year from January to April, CAWP offers a part-time Online Certificate in Industrial Wood Finishing. The program consists of 100 hours of online learning from January to March followed by a 6-day practical session in Vancouver in early April. It is one of the most comprehensive courses on wood finishing currently available, and covers wood properties, sanding, coating types and application methods, guns and compressor systems, automated finishing, environmental compliance, safety, and quality testing. Participants come from across Canada, the United States, and overseas, and have included spray finishers, line supervisors, production managers, owners of small shops, coatings lab technicians, equipment sales reps, and manufacturing engineers. Don't miss out! Course has filled up over the past few years! Online Management Skills Training Courses We are also offering two management skills training courses from October 28th - December 23rd , 2013 - Production Planning
- Green Marketing & Business Practices
For more information please visit CAWP Finishing Certificate or Management Skill Training or call Jason Chiu for more information at 604-822-0082 |
Industry News
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10-Square Meters Smart Student Unit Is A Smart, Green, and Affordable House for Student
Tuvie - September 2013
This Smart Student Unit was built on only 10-square meters space by Tengbom Architects in order to offer a student with an affordable, eco-friendly, and smart house. The project is the result of collaboration between wood manufacturer Martinson and real estate company AF Bost�der. The main goal is clearly stated here, it is to design a habitat that meets student's needs in smart, sustainable, and affordable, you can find one of these units being displayed in Virserum Art Museum. It is said that 22 units will be built and ready for students to move into in 2014. 10-square meters living space sounds really small, doesn't it? But this compact living flat still offers comfortable sleeping loft, kitchen, bathroom, and even a small garden with a patio. Smart layout and the use of cross laminated wood reduces the rent by 50%, while any carbon footprints and ecological impact are also drastically reduced. 
Designer : Tengbom Architects
Photographer: Bertil Hertzberg Click here to read the entire article
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Industry News
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Building Relationships with International Buyers of Canadian Wood Products
Natural Resources Canada - Canada Forest Service Spotlight, Oct 2013
Canadian manufacturers of wood products looking to grow their sales in export markets recently participated in an international trade show that helped them build business relationaships with foreign buyers of their products.
Influential Conference
The 10th annual trade show, known as the Global Buyers Mission (GBM) and Wood First Conference, was held in Whistler, BC in September 2013. It was organized by BC Wood, a not-for-profit industry association that represents British Columbia's value-added wood products industry. The Honourable Ed Fast, Canada's International Trade Minister, attended the conference and delivered one of its keynote addresses on behlaf of the Government of Canada.
The GBM brings together Canadian manufacturers and suppliers of wood products (including those used for construction, for remanufacturing, or a finishing materials), with buyers from 22 different countries of such products. This event also provides architects, engineers, and designers with opportunities to learn about how best to use wood in their projects and to hear from wood specialists.
Click here to read the entire article
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| Industry News | Meet Brent Comber: the 'wood whisperer'
Globe and Mail - October 9, 2013
Brent Comber is piling on accolades. Last month, Western Living magazine named him furniture designer of the year. The dining tables he unveiled at the Interior Design Show West (also in September) prompted Azure magazine to dub him "the wood whisperer." And this summer, the city of North Vancouver presented him with a public art award of excellence. These are just the most recent honours in a career that has spanned more than two decades during which Comber has earned an international reputation as a renowned wood artist. His pieces have shown at prestigious art fairs such as Art Basel in Miami and, whether sculpture or furniture, are sought after by architects, interior designers and corporate clients around the world. In 2011, his sculpture Serene was purchased by the Tokyo Design Association and presented to the Prime Minister of Japan. Click here to read the entire article |
| Industry News | |
What you're NOT doing (and should be doing) to take advantage of the world's largest Rolodex-LinkedIn
SPEAKER | Jonathan Christian, We Make Stuff Happen, @jdgem
DATE | SPECIAL DATE Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 4-5pm
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Jonathan Christian is the creator of We Make Stuff Happen, a unique BC-based Consulting Consortium, helping businesses and non-profits internationally tell their story online and on land. Over the years, Jonathan has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs helping them learn and leverage their story.
Jonathan lives and breathes Social Media due in part to a car accident three years ago. While on strict bed rest, he spent his time learning everything about social networking on the web. Since creating We Make Stuff Happen, Jonathan's helped over 150 local businesses, entrepreneurs and non-profits enter the Social space.
Seats are limited so reserve your free spot today. http://www.studiothink.com/events/
Chandra Blouin
Idea Specialist/Marketing Director
chandra@studiothink.com / (604) 514-1345 |
| Tradeshow Tips/Advice | Using LinkedIn To Connect With B2B Buyers At Trade Shows
Skyline Tradeshow Tips - October 1, 2013
 LinkedIn, especially when combined with Twitter and Google+, offers show presenters and attendees a way to connect with others before, during and after trade shows.
When you plan to attend or exhibit at a trade show, one of the first things you can do is determine whether there is a Twitter hashtag (denoted by a one-word keyword + the pound or # sign prior to the word) for the event. Hopefully event organizers have had the foresight to designate a short and unique hashtag. As an example, one of the largest trades shows every year is the Consumer Electronics Show or CES. The hashtag for recurring annual events is usually some abbreviated version of the event name, plus the year, like this one: #CES2014. Sometimes there will be multiple hashtags circulating around a single event. You can use Twitter Search to find these hashtags. Hashtags have now gone beyond just Twitter. People are using hashtags to label posts in Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Google+. When you discover the hashtag for a trade show, you can start monitoring tweets and other social media mentions which include the tag. Then you can also start engaging with people who are using the hashtag. It's often surprising how many companies are engaged in social media but do not bother to reciprocate interest by following an individual who is following the brand's Twitter stream. There are several free Twitter tools that will allow you to set up your Twitter account to auto-follow people who follow your Twitter account.
Click here to read the entire article
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Specifiers Program Update
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Roy Manion
Having just returned from a 2 week vacation, this report will be somewhat brief, but I did want to bring readers up to date on what is happening within the Specifiers Program. First of all, I can honestly state that this is one of the busiest Octobers ever for the program. We have the following already scheduled:
- 4 Lunch & Learn sessions scheduled
- A day-long event in Duncan with Live Edge Design
- 3 day AIBC/AIA combined conference - the first ever joint conferences with the two architect associations
- Wood Solutions Fair
As it is still relatively early in the month; I am sure we will be squeezing one or two more events for October.
This will then be followed up in early November with Buildex Calgary, where BC Wood will be joined by several member companies displaying their products to Calgary based architects, designers, contractors, and builders.
We are now in full throttle planning sessions for architects in Alberta, which will be a follow up to Buildex Calgary. As well, similar plans are in the works for architect sessions in Seattle, Portland, and perhaps San Francisco.
The session that will most likely take precedence is Seattle. The reason is, as we learned from a recent AIA workshop we attended in Seattle, Washington State architects' year end for obtaining learning credits is November 30th. This means that November is a great month for companies to offer seminars that qualify for AIA credits to Washington State architects. As BC Wood is a registered provider with AIA, we are planning on making our initial foray into the Washington State architectural community before the November 30th deadline. We are planning on having 4 or 5 companies join us. We have already had several companies express an interest and will be following up them shortly. Should your company be interested in reaching out to the Washington State architects and designers, please let me know.
As mentioned in previous Wood Connection newsletters, as the American and Alberta Specifiers Program is outside our BC Specifiers Program, there will be a cost but it will be significantly less than going at it alone. Please note that BC Wood will be making all of the arrangements. We will have final costing details by next week.
As always, should you want more information on any aspects of the Specifiers Program including the associations we are now registered with, and participation in the US and Alberta events for their respective architects, please let me know by contacting me at rmanion@bcwood.com.
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Spotlight: Live Edge Design
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John Lore - Owner of Live Edge Design
Ever since I was a little boy, I've LOVED the fall! This year is no different. We've seen the summer's hot days soften to a gentler warmth. Night falls a littler bit earlier each day. The streets are quieter -- and the schools are not. In the warm Cowichan Valley much will remain green all winter, but those lovely maple leaves are just beginning to float to the ground. The cycle of nature continues, and we with it.
I want to invite you to learn more about what we do by watching our new Shop Symphony video (the soundtrack is music to my ears). I also want to introduce you to a couple of members of our team: Sharlene Gammie, my right-hand woman, here since our roots, and Amber Marsh, the newest seedling on the Live Edge tree.
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| BC Wood's Fall trade show program gets busy! | |
Brian Hawrysh
With the GBM behind us, you might have assumed that BC Wood's staff has had a little time to relax. You would be wrong..... the fall is always BC Wood's busiest time for trade shows and this year is no different. We finished September with the Interior Design Show (IDSwest) in Vancouver and we have no less than eight more trade show events on tap over the next eight weeks. The October and November schedule includes the following events:
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NAWLA - Traders Mart
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Las Vegas, Nevada
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October 23-25, 2013
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Japan Home Show
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Tokyo, Japan
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October 23-25, 2013
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China International Exhibition on Housing Industry
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Beijing, China
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October 23-25, 2013
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Wood Solutions Fair
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Vancouver, BC
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October 29th, 2013
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Beautiful House Expo
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Moscow, Russia
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November 1st - 3rd, 2013
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Buildex - Calgary
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Calgary, Alberta
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November 5-6th, 2013
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Osaka Living and Design Fair
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Osaka, Japan
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November 8th-10th, 2013
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Japan Home Show
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Tokyo, Japan
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November 27-29th, 2013
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These trade shows are an opportunity for BC companies to get their products and services out in front of potential customers from Canada, the United States, Asia, and Europe. Cost saving and just as importantly in-market support are available to BC Wood members attending these events. For more information regarding these trade shows and those schedule for January through March, 2014 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.
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| Indiawood Trade Fair and Mission - February 19-26th, 2014 | |
Brian Hawrysh
 Over the past year or so, much has been made of the emerging opportunities for BC's forest products in India. In collaboration with Forestry Innovation and Investment's office in Mumbai and the Canadian High Commission office in Delhi, BC Wood will coordinate a mission in February 2014 for Industry members to investigate opportunities for sales of forest products in the India marketplace. Industry members will be invited to participate in the INDIAWOOD trade fair in Bangalore and a 3-4 day mission in Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi to meet with timber importers and tour the manufacturing facilities of end-users.
The INDIAWOOD trade fair is one of Asia's biggest sourcing platforms for the manufacturers of furniture, building materials, and giftware, as well as architects and interior designers from the region. This event is expected to attract around 600 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and approximately 40,000 visitors from all over the world. Every two years, INDIAWOOD brings together market leaders from the woodworking sector to participate in a unique international display of products & services. For more information on INDIAWOOD and the proposed mission, contact Brian Hawrysh at 604-882-7100 or by email at bhawrysh@bcwood.com. |
| BC Log Home, Timber Frame, & Country Living Show rebranding as the West Coast Living Expo |
Brian Hawrysh  While the BC Log Home, Timber Frame, & Country Living Show is not until March 2014, the effort to coordinate BC Wood's members participation in this event has begun. This year, the BC Log Home, Timber Frame, & Country Living Show will be re-branded as a featured section within the new West Coast Living Expo. The Log Home and Timber Frame Show has been held at the Tradex facility in Abbotsford for the past number of years and traditionally draws over 12,000 attendees, primarlily members of the general public who have an interest in log and timber frame homes. The Abbotsford show has been the best attended trade event for BC Wood's log home and timber frame sector, with 12 to 14 members particitpating in the event over the past few years. The larger West Coast Living Expo will feature the best of the west coast experience; tourism, cuisine, retail, and outdoor living. This new event is expected to draw a larger audience than the old BC Log Home and Timber Frame show. BC Wood's participation in the 2013 show was marked by a general improvement in the public's confidence and attitude toward building. All exhibitors reported positively on the improved attitude of the attendees and the quality and quantity of the sales leads they generated from the show. While most of the exhibitors at this show are manufacturers of log and timber frame structures, there is an opportunity for manufacturers to promote other building and finishing materials including flooring, roofing, kitchens, doors, windows, and exterior finishing materials. The audience is drawn to the show to see a complete range of products; from log and timber frame shells to the materials that are need to finish them. Space is available for BC Wood members wanting to participate in the new BC Log Home, Timber Frame and Country Living section of the West Coast Living Expo. 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. |
| IDSWest 2013 Show Report | Randi Walker
The 9th Annual IDSWest show was held in the Vancouver Convention Centre West, September 19th to 22nd, 2013. The Interior Design Show West (IDSwest) is Western Canada's annual premiere residential design show featuring over 300 exhibitors showcasing quality cutting edge and original design products and services to an audience of industry professionals, architects, designers, consumers, and media. The numbers were up across the board: Total Attendance: 35,234 (11.5% increase) The Party, on Opening Night (Trade + Consumer): 4,959 (23% increase) Trade Attendance: 5,792 (13.3% increase) Consumer Attendance: 24,483 (6.9% increase) An amazing array of both internationally renowned and local designers spoke throughout the course of the event, drawing standing room only crowds over the weekend. We had good representation of BC Wood members participating in our joint booth this year, including: Brisco Manufacturing Coulson Manufacturing AWMAC Merit Kitchens Wide Plank Hardwood Ltd.  The overall displays were great, offering the 35,000+ audience lots of ideas and opportunities to see what exceptional talent we have here in BC. Results received from members to date make it one of the most successful Canadian activities that BC Wood participates in. Congratulations to all our members for their hard work and ingenuity. A special display featured our Structure participants throughout the showroom, displaying the amazing new design concepts using LVL as the base raw material for their ingenious new products. 
  To see the program and speaker highlights, as well as listings of all the exhibitors, visit their website at www.idswest.com. |
| US Market Update |
Dave Farley A few comments, suggestions, and ideas that may of interest to the industry... 
I'm always interested in new markets, regions, and segments for BC manufacturers to sell into the US. Two market segments that we have recently been exploring are the oil and gas sector and the Native American housing and gaming sector. Upon review, both of these market segments provide good opportunity for the Industry. This past month, I have been meeting with key players in the design, supply, and building of residential and commercial buildings for Native American communities across the western United States. According to the US HUD report, the market for this sector is estimated at $ 6.2 billion per year. The market is driven in large part by wealthier tribes that secured gaming rights and have either built or are in the process of building Casinos, hotels, and related properties. This is readily apparent as you drive south into Washington States where the Tulalip and the Mulkishoot bands have built high-end gaming casinos and resort hotels. The profits from these ventures are put back into the community by investing in residential housing, community, and recreational centers for their people. 
Last week, I met with an architectural firm Dyron Murphy, www.dyronmurphy.com, who specializes in the design and general contracting of buildings for this sector. In discussions with the principle architect, they are extremely busy with projects for Native American communities in Alaska, North Dakota, Arizona, New Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest. They have recently expanded and are in the process of opening an office in the greater Seattle market. Another Seattle based firm, DLR Group, www.dlrgroup.com, also devotes part of their practice to servicing this sector and successfully designed projects across the Western United States. The potential for BC Wood members lies in the supply of high quality prebuilt and panelized housing, and high-end interior finished products for their gaming centers and recreational developments. I will be working with these and other firms over the next few months to promote the BC industry and connect our members in supplying upcoming projects in this growing segment of the market. For more information on this sector, please feel free to contact me at dfarley@bcwood.com |
| Korea Market Update | Kyung Hyang Housing Fair 2014
Jim Ivanoff
 BC Wood will be organizing a booth for members at the next Kyung Hyang Housing Fair to be held from February 19th to 23rd at Kintex near Seoul. Kyung Hyang is the largest international building products show held in South Korea. Exhibitors come from other parts of Asia as well as Europe and North America. A wide range of products are covered at the show including lumber, millwork, kitchen, furniture, and house packages. Therefore, this show is ideal for a large cross-section of BC Wood members interested in targeting professionals in the Korean construction industry. The Korean Wood Builders Council also exhibits ensuring that the Korean wood housing industry focuses on this show.
While a little far from central Seoul, Kintex is a large, world class facility that is home to most of Korea's major trade shows. Recently, many new facilities have been built around Intex including western style hotels that give exhibitors the option to stay nearby. Kintex is also close to Incheon International Airport thus offering easy access for members coming from Canada. On behalf of BC Wood members interested in attending the show, BC Wood's Korean Representative JC Lee has been negotiating with the Kyung Hyang Housing Fair organizers. One proposal that has been tabled is an offer to cover some of our members' travel costs for the show. For more information on this and the show, please contact Jim Ivanoff at ivanoff@canadawood.jp 
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Marketplace
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In this section, you can post anything from a job postings (for employees looking for a job and employers), to machinery for sale/wanted, to a request for a particular type of wood or service.
If you would like to include a posting in our Marketplace section, please email me at rmann@bcwood.com or call 604-882-7100 and ask for Rumin.
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| Upcoming Events | |
Oct 23-25, 2013: NAWLA Traders Mart, Las Vegas, USA
Oct 23-25, 2013: Japan Home & Building Show, Tokyo, Japan
Oct 23-25, 2013: China Exhibition on Housing Industry, Beijing, China
Oct 29, 2013: Wood Solutions Fair, Vancouver, Canada
Oct 31-Nov 3, 2013: Beautiful House Exhibition, Moscow, Russia
Nov 5-6, 2013: Buildex, Calgary, AB
Nov 27-29, 2013: Osaka Living & Design Fair, Osaka, Japan
For a list of all trade and industry events, please visit our |
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Sincerely,
Rumin Mann
BC Wood |
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