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Government of Canada News Release - April 15, 2014

On Tuesday, April 15th at Mitsui Homes in Langley, BC, the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification (WD), announced over $1 million in funding to support a project by the BC Wood Specialties Group Association that will promote market development in the Americas.

The goal of the project is to identify opportunities in the western U.S., Mexico, Central and South American markets for value-added wood products, and prepare companies to participate in trade missions and tradeshows in these markets.

Establishing a trade presence in markets across the Americas, would enhance the sales of value-added wood products, thereby increasing exports, boosting foreign investment in western Canada, and creating jobs.

"The wood products sector is one of the cornerstones of our economy and providing jobs and opportunities for economic growth. By promoting the quality of locally manufactured wood products in new markets, this project will further enhance the sector's value to our economy."

"This announcement is good news for Langley, the Lower Mainland, and British Columbia. This investment in value-added wood products and manufacturing demonstrates our Government's commitment to promoting jobs, businesses, and economic growth through trade and development."

- Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley

"The value-added wood products manufacturers in B.C. are very pleased with today's announcement and our partnership with the Federal Government through WD. The collaborative effort by Industry and Government to grow these rapidly expanding regional markets for B.C. value-added wood products will result in increased sales, the expansion of B.C.'s secondary manufacturing capability and the creation of new jobs."

- John Gillis, Chairman, BC Wood and General Manager, Taiga Building Products

"New regional markets in the Western United States, Mexico and Latin America will be the first step towards increased sales and market diversification for many small and medium sized manufacturers of finished wood products in B.C. The next three years will be a time of rapid economic growth in these regions. With this new program and funding provided by WD, BC Wood and B.C.'s value-added wood products manufacturers will be well positioned to take advantage of that growth."

- Grant McKinnon, Past Chairman, BC Wood and Partner, Pacific Homes

Click here to read the news release 

Click here to read an article from BC Local News 

The Centre for Advanced Wood Processing invites you to two days of workshops focused on advanced computer-controlled fabrication of timber building components and structures. The event will discuss current and emerging technologies used to fabricate wood elements such as posts, beams, floor and wall panels, and other building components. Specialists from Canada, the US, and Germany with expert technical knowledge will present in an informal environment that will encourage two-way Q&A and knowledge sharing throughout each day. BC innovators, Daizen Joinery, Fraserwood Industries, and others will share their significant experience using the technology.

Who Should Attend?

• Existing users of CNC-controlled timber processing equipment and those considering investing in such technology
• Architects, designers and engineers wishing to better understand how digital design and manufacturing tools are impacting the design-fabrication-construction continuum

We invite participants to sign up for one or other of the two workshop days - or both - depending on their specific interests

DAY 1 Theme: Digital Fabrication and Its Impacts on Design and Construction (10am to 4pm)

DAY 2 Theme: The Hundegger ROBOT Drive Machine and the Future for CNC for Timber Construction 

For more information and a full agenda call 1-866-822-2297 or visit the CAWP website: http://cawp.ubc.ca/digital-design-construction-of-timber-structures-workshop-2014/

Click here to read the entire article 

1. Know why you exhibit before you do anything else

Just as intent is an important factor in the law, it's essential in exhibiting. Too often exhibitors reserve a booth at a show without knowing why they are going in the first place. Without the guiding light of an overriding goal, they can't shape their exhibit to match their needs, train their staff to aim at a common goal, or even know if they succeeded.

2. Exhibiting well requires both logistics AND marketing

You may say, "I object, your honor. I only have time to manage the logistics for our trade show." That's not going to get you off the hook. To succeed, you must also perform well the marketing tasks that too often get pushed aside in favor of details like shipping, ordering show services, and travel arrangements.

A few comments, suggestions, and ideas that may of interest...

PCBC is the builders show that we attend on an annual basis in San Francisco. This year, we will be participating once again with a group of members that target the residential and light commercial construction sector across the West Coast of the United States. The show draws builders, architects, and distributors primarily from the Northern California market and with the significant improvement in the construction sector in this region, it is expected that PCBC will be a very good show. The show is currently sold out but we have managed to secure some additional space, so if you're interested, you better jump on it fast.

A hearty congratulations goes out to our former colleague and now CEO of Viceroy Homes, Doug Auer. It turns out that Doug now rubs shoulders with the political and business heavy weights of Canada. Doug recently returned from a trade mission to Korea that was lead by Prime Minister Stephan Harper (see image above). Not only was Doug invited on the mission, he had the honour of flying over to Seoul on the "Canada One" Jet with the Prime Minister and other invited dignitaries. I'm sure that all the high flying will lead to solid business for Viceroy in Korea.

Finally, a couple of new high-end residential and resort developments have been announced in the State of Hawaii. Both projects are a mix of single family residential homes anchored by stunning designed golf club, beach houses, and restaurants. The best news is that both projects feature an extensive use of west coast species including Western Red Cedar and Douglas Fir. We are currently working with both the developer and builder on these projects which will lead to good opportunities for our members to bid on the supply of finished products and materials.

As always, for more information on the US market please feel free to contact me at dfarley@bcwood.com

BC Wood's last trade event in Asia for fiscal 2013/14 was the Interzum Show in Guangzhou, China held from March 28th to April 1st. This is said to be the largest wood working show in Asia and I do not think this is any exaggeration. The exhibition facility itself is a massive multi-floored complex and the show takes up all of the floor space. There are sections devoted to finished office and hospitality furniture, interior finishings, wood working machines, and of course materials such as wood, needed to make both millwork and furniture.

The wood materials area included large pavilions from the US, Sweden, Germany, Italy, as well as our Canadian display. BC Wood took 4 member companies (Taan, Taiga, Tolko, and WFP) while QWEB took space for Quebec companies. The Americans had over 20 companies in their pavilion and hosted a well-attended reception celebrating the strong business ties between Chinese manufacturers and American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) members. On the softwood side, the Swedes put on a full-day seminar teaching Chinese buyers how to use environmentally friendly Swedish softwoods in furniture and millwork manufacturing. The program attracted a large audience and was also followed by a reception.

The make-up of the visitors was even more international with many buyers from South East Asia, the Middle East, as well as Europe coming by our booth. As with Chinese manufacturers, these companies came looking for new wood working equipment as well as furniture and millwork stock. Additionally, most of the top buyers of construction lumber came by and met with our members. As this is such a large show, even these buyers were drawn to visiting Interzum to learn about new suppliers.