Akhurst Live Demonstration Event on June 12 & 13, 2015

We invite you to join us at our Live Demonstration Event on June 12 & 13, 2015

 

Come view the latest in Woodworking Equipment and Technology,
and enjoy machine demonstrations, food, and refreshments at our Delta warehouse. 

DATE: Friday, June 12 & Saturday, June 13, 2015

TIME: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM (feel free to drop by anytime)

Akhurst Delta Warehouse 

1669 Foster's Way 

Delta, BC V3M 6S7

Click here to RSVP and for more information 

A comprehensive, hands-on introduction to drying technology taught from a practical, real-life perspective and backed with solid explanations into the scientific background of drying. 

This highly-regarded workshop discusses the key processes and concepts involved in drying wood. Beginning with wood properties and moisture movement, students become familiar with kiln design considerations, drying schedules and kiln loading considerations. Other topics include drying with air, drying degrade, lumber storage and handling, control systems and power plants.

Date: June 8th - 12th, 2015

Location: Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, Vancouver, BC

For more information and to register, click here or contact Jason at  Jason.chiu@ubc.ca 

Hosted by UNBC, Master of Engineering in Integrated Wood Design  

The forum Wood: Construction | North America will be held in Prince George, B.C. Canada on June 12th 2015. The inaugural event for the North American Edition of the very successful conference series in Europe with events like IHF Garmisch and similar events in Italy, France and others.

This year's conference in Prince George, home of the Wood Innovation Design Center (WIDC), will focus on prefabrication, multi material construction, modern connections and more presented by international experts. The presentations will cover the natural flow from vision, design & RFP, engineering, prefabrication and on-site installation. The conference will end with a networking reception hosted in the Wood Innovation Design Center including a tour of the building.

Attendees will cover the entire spectrum of the construction industry, from stake holders and policy makers, architects and engineers to construction companies.

 Please click here to register for the event 

What do you do when you arrive at your booth space but some or all of your freight has not?

The worst nightmare of any trade show manager or coordinator is having a trade show booth at a show with no exhibit in it when the show starts! If that scenario has happened to you, it is not only embarrassing, but very costly. So, what do you do if you show up at your booth space on the first day of install and your exhibit freight is not there? First off, don't panic... yet.

There are several important things that you need to always do or make sure your exhibit vendor does every time your exhibit is getting ready to go to a show. If you do these things, you will be that much closer to averting disaster.

1. Select a freight company that specializes in trade show shipping. Trade show shipping is very different than standard shipping with many special rules.
2. Make sure that you have an accurate bill of lading that properly reflects the sizes and weights of all pieces that are shipping.
3. Take a photograph of all pieces that are shipping just prior to loading.
4. If there are multiple crates, cases, or pallets that are being shipped, make sure that all of your pieces are labeled as 1 of the total. For example, if you are shipping 4 pieces, each one should be labeled as 1 or 4, 2 of 4 and so on.

This was both a challenge and a hoot for us. We'd never considered offering an on-site learning opportunity until Roy approached us. He nurtured us; coddled us; encouraged us. And it was a success, as born witness by this excerpt from the Vancouver Island Chapter of Architects' Newsletter...

CHITCHAT:
Last week's BC Wood - West Wind Hardwood Inc., sponsored Lunch was very well presented and very well attended. West Wind treated the Group to in depth information regarding species of hardwood, the history, where they are found, and their uses, cutting and finishing techniques and on and on. Thank you to BC Wood and West Wind Hardwood. A display of 12 species of hardwood formed part of an exciting competition. First three to name the most species each won a bottle of wine. Only one of the 35 attendees (Lawrie Keogh ID) got all 12 correct, second and third places were also won by ID's (Architects "Where Art Thou")

The Assembly of First Nation's (AFN) Circle of Trade Show will take place July 7-9, 2015 in Montreal. The Circle of Trade has become a signature event for the AFN and is an excellent opportunity for BC Wood's manufacturers to introduce their products to a growing market within the First Nations communities.

The need for housing and infrastructure is considered an urgent and growing concern by First Nations communities. Due to the remote locations of some of these communities, short building season, and the desire to improve the quality of the housing stock in First Nations communities, the prefabricated, log and timber frame homes, and finished building materials supplied by BC Wood's members are particularly well suited to meet these needs.

The AFN expects over 100 tradeshow exhibitors and more than 4,000 delegates to their conference and tradeshow. Space is available for BC Wood members wanting to participate in the AFN Circle of Trade, but, time is running out to register. 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.

BC Wood will coordinate the exhibition of member companies at the EXPO CIHAC MEXICO CITY 2015, together with a trade mission component to meet Mexican wood importers, distributors, manufacturers, and visit construction sites. Member companies that participate in this event will have an opportunity to gain first-hand market intelligence, further develop their Mexico market network, and meet prospective importers and buyers.

This 27th anniversary of EXPO CIHAC is the best exposure for the Building Construction Industry in Latin America. Over 53,000 construction industry professionals participate in 150 conferences, 115 workshops, and see 500 exhibitors showcasing their products in building materials, machinery, equipment, tools, building systems, prefabricated technologies, and industry trends.

BC Wood will have a 21 sqm booth where member participants will have kiosk displays to show their products and services, meet attending delegates, and have the support of bilingual staff. Member participants will also have the opportunity to join the five day trade mission component, running simultaneous with the show days, to meet with qualified importers, distributors, manufacturers, industry associations, and see construction sites.

Contact Ken Hori at khori@bcwood.com for more information and to arrange your participation.

BC Wood and members participated in the HD Expo in Las Vegas, May 13th to 15th. Four member companies attended including Barker Manufacturing from Victoria, Brent Comber Originals from North Vancouver, Stick & Stones Furniture from Squamish and new this year, Nico Spacecraft from Roberts Creek on the Sunshine Coast.

This is a very important show for our furniture and design sector as over 900 exhibitors from around the world present their products to interior design companies, architecture firms, resort developers, specifiers, and purchasers that are looking for the latest, most innovative and creative products for their renovations and new builds. Some of our exhibitors sold product directly off the floor!

We turned our 600 square feet into a cohesive, attractive display of our member's products and received many accolades from visitors on the overall presentation.

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

A few weeks back, BC Wood, along with five member companies, participated in the Native American Indian Housing Conference (NAIHC) and Trade Show in Phoenix, Arizona. This annual event attracts community leaders and influencers from the major Native American and Indigenous communities across the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. The attendees participate in a number of conferences and seminars relating to the growing need for quality single and multi-family housing. In fact, research released at the conference suggested that there is a current need of upwards of 90,000 single family homes to supply those living on reservations across the United States. In total, the event had an estimated 900 attendees participate in the 3 day conference.

The initial feedback from the event indicated that while there is strong need for housing for tribal communities across the continent, much of the demand is for low cost housing. Cost per square foot was discussed and averaged around $70 to $80USD for a turnkey home. That is a completely finished product ready to live in. This price was driven by the ability to access Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding.

As such, BC's industry, due to the relatively high cost of manufacturing and shipping, had limited interest in supplying product in the low end of the market. Where opportunity was found was with the Native communities that have access to gaming rights and therefore have greater determination on the size, style, and quality of housing that is built on their lands. Having a Casino creates significant revenue and allows for greater prosperity for native communities. One needs to look no further than across the border in Washington State. The Tukwila band just north of Seattle is a good example of the value gaming rights bring to the prosperity of the community with their award winning casino, community center, shopping, and other amenities.

Please click here to read the entire article