What's
In a Name?
Bill Downing, CEO
BC
Wood
It’s
a great name, one that has become synonymous with quality
wood products from British Columbia. In Japan especially,
the BC Wood logo is very well known. Why then, after 17 years,
would we want to change it? It is because BC Wood will soon
be accepting members from other provinces.
BC
Wood is in the midst of a very important year in our history.
Two major initiatives are now underway that will further increase
the value to our members, and ensure our long-term sustainability.
The first initiative is a restructuring of the organization
into products or sectors. The second initative is a shift
from a BC association to a Western Canadian association, with
members from across Western Canada.
Under
the new sector-based model, member dues will be pooled by
sector (e.g., reman, millwork etc.). About one third of the
dues will be applied to operational costs while two thirds
will be earmarked for marketing programs. The program funds
will be leveraged several times through government funding
to create a significant marketing fund for each sector. The
participating members, with help from BC Wood staff, will
then prioritize the marketing activities. BC Wood staff will
then implement the program.
For
the members of BC Wood, there are two major benefits of this
approach: you will see your marketing budget leveraged, and
you will determine how and where the funds are spent. BC Wood
has already begun the shift internally with the hiring of
a director for the remanufactured and engineered wood product
sectors (see article on page 3). The new structure will be
officially adopted at our Annual General Meeting in September,
with the new fee structure to be implemented starting April
1st, 2006.
The
transformation to a western-based wood products marketing
association is also very exciting. Both the provincial and
federal governments are supportive of this initiative - the
BC Ministry of Forests (through Forest Innovation Investment)
and Western Economic Diversification are contributing significant
funding to assist BC Wood in making this transition over the
next two years. You will see the first evidence of this change
at the Global Buyers Mission in September where wood product
manufacturers from Alberta will be exhibiting. The official
launch of the new association takes place on April 1st, 2006.
Which
brings us back to the question of the name for the new association.
Originally, we were considering Western Wood Specialties Group,
but that would have limited value in export markets. We are
now leaning toward Canadian Wood Specialties Group. This name
has two advantages; firstly, the use of “Canada”
in the name will improve recognition overseas and, secondly,
it opens the opportunity to include members from Ontario.
We will make a final decision at the AGM.
If
you have any thoughts or comments, please give me a call at
604-882-7100 or
email me at bdowning@bcwood.com
BC
Wood Staff Changes
Brian
Hawrysh
Director, Remanufactured and Engineered Wood Products
As
of June 20, 2005, we are pleased to welcome back Brian Hawrysh,
as our new Director of Remanufactured and Engineered Wood
Products.
Many of you will remember Brian as Manager of Market &
Product Development for BC Wood during our early days, from
1992 to 1997. Since that time, Brian has worked in the industry
with a number of our member companies, in sales, marketing
and management positions.
Brian will take on the challenging role of developing a new
sector-based program for our member remanufacturers and engineered
wood products companies in BC and Alberta, while overseeing
delivery of the Asia Market programs for the balance of this
year.
Rick
Buchols
Controller
As
of May 31, 2005, Rick Buchols has joined BC Wood as its controller.
Rick has a diversified background that includes both industry
and not for profit associations such as Forest Industrial
Relations. Most recently he was working in Public Practice
primarily involved in small client audit and financial accounting.
Experience has included the golf industry and many years as
Director of Finance for North Shore Minor Hockey. He has also
served in North Vancouver District as Councillor and as a
School Board Trustee.
Rick has a B.A. in Economics and Commerce from Simon Fraser
University and is a Certified General Accountant (CGA). He
is married to Barb and has two university-aged sons, Chad
and Scott.
Farewell
to Blair Goold
Blair
Goold, our talented and dedicated Controller, is leaving BC
Wood after nine years. Blair has been offered the Controller
position at Custom Air (air conditioning and dry kiln installation
and maintenance) in Port Coquitlam. Everyone at BC Wood will
miss Blair’s positive attitude, strong work ethic and
helpful demeanour. On behalf of the Board, the staff and membership,
we wish Blair much success in this new opportunity!
WSN
(WWIS) Update
Randi Walker, Manager, Member Services
BC
Wood is pleased to report that the new promotional campaign
to encourage more use of the on-line inquiry system was launched
at the PCBC show in San Francisco last month. The Worldwide
Inquiry System (WWIS) has been changed to Wood Supply Network
(WSN) with all new materials – including the website
log-on for inquiries, has been changed.
 We
are still making changes to the internal system, so you will
see the old WWIS logo for a little while longer. To aid in
the promotion of the WSN, we have produced postcards (see
image), and a one-page brochure with hard copy inquiry form
in English, Chinese and French.
We
have also developed small “pull-up” displays in
English, French, Chinese and Japanese for in-market use at
a variety of venues and events throughout the year.
A
number of changes have also been made to the system itself,
which makes it easier and faster for inquirers to enter their
information and requests – and also for BC Wood to manage
the inquiries.
Our
intention is that you receive only the most appropriate inquiries,
with as much information as possible to allow you to make
the decision as to whether or not you will follow-up on that
lead.
THE
MOST IMPORTANT THING, however, is that your company information
is up-to-date in the website database. As you renew your membership
this year, Kathy is requesting that you complete an updated
Company Profile, choosing the most appropriate sectors and
categories that describe your product(s). You can also go
into the system at any time and change this, and contact information
yourself. If you do so, please let us know so we can update
our main database and Membership Directory, as well.
We
welcome any feedback – particularly success stories!
Email me at rwalker@bcwood.com
or call our office at 604-882-7100. I’m extension 245.
International
Contemporary Furniture Fair
David
Pao, Project Coordinator
The
17th annual International Contemporary Furniture Fair from
May 14 –17, 2005 was New York’s key trade event
to showcase design products and contemporary furnishing. BC
Wood members that participated included Straight Line Designs,
Brent Comber Originals, Bojomo, and Berman Falk. Together,
BC Wood and members were able to prominently exhibit to over
17,000 attendees from 22 countries. Held at the Jacob K. Javits
Convention Center, ICFF 2005 continues to be the premiere
event for contemporary design, bringing together a highly
diverse group of international design professionals.
 The
four-day event occupied 14,500 square metres and gave the
exhibiting BC Wood members an excellent venue to make contacts
and develop good leads with interior designers, architects,
retailers, builders, and other high level professionals involved
in the industry.
Products
showcased at the show included contemporary furniture, seating,
outdoors furniture, and flooring.
Here
is some of the feedback from BC Wood members:
“The
show was really successful. Attendance was up from last year
and people we talked to were looking for products for particular
projects. Attendees were more focused and more eager. BC Wood’s
presence was very successful with a good mix of companies.
I was really impressed with the quality of work brought by
BC Wood members. We received some excellent feedback from
other countries, trade groups, and press. Shows like ICFF
are invaluable and BC Wood members participating can learn
so much by going.” – Brent Comber, Brent Comber
Originals
“I’ve
been attending shows for years and you always learn something
new. It’s really important to take advantage of shows
like ICFF and continue to get noticed by participating again
and again. Success came from doing my homework before the
show, attending the show, and wasting no time to follow up
on leads. You meet so many people at these shows and it really
creates many opportunities to work on a wide variety of unique
and highly interesting jobs. This year I got some excellent
international press coverage including a chance to be on Good
Morning America.” –Judson Beaumont, Straight Line
Designs
For
more information on ICFF, please contact Dave Farley at dfarley@bcwood.com
or call 604-882-7100
2005
Scottish Home Builder and Renovation Show
Daryl
Holmes, Program Manager
The
2005 Scotland Home Builder and Renovation Show was held on
May 21st & 22nd in Glasgow, Scotland. Based on favourable
market intelligence recently acquired by BC Wood, we hosted
a pavilion at the show featuring products from Custom Log
Homes, Pioneer Log Homes, Linwood Homes, and Okanagan Timber
Frame Homes. The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
was the ideal place to gain exposure to Scotland’s building
experts and consumers, as the event is considered the top
show to source all the products, services and advice you need
to build your dream home.
Members
were able to meet many qualified contacts in the building
industry and sales opportunities were evident within the Scottish
marketplace. The show and 2 day mission led to the generation
of new business opportunities and provided members with the
chance to showcase products to architects, developers, and
other key influencers who are focused on building with wood.
This show further confirms the recent market study findings
suggesting that opportunities exist for Canadian products
within Scotland and the United Kingdom. Although Scotland
would be considered a small niche export market, it certainly
warrants further consideration from BC Wood members who are
keen to establish distribution channels in offshore markets.
 Based
on the success of the show, and the connections made while
in Scotland, BC Wood will be inviting key industry contacts
and buyers to the upcoming Global Buyers Mission to be held
in September in Whistler. These buyers are keen to connect
with our membership and to investigate partnership and sales
opportunities.
If
you have yet to sign up for the Buyers Mission please contact
Randi Walker at rwalker@bcwood.com
or at
604-882-7100.
Market
Studies
Korea
Opportunity Assessment and Strategy for
Value-added Wood Products, Building Materials, and Prefabricated
Housing in South Korea
– Veraxis Research and Communications
This
soon to be released study suggests that South Korea is a market
of potential growth for BC and Canadian wood products companies.
This market exhibits a number of attributes that suggest opportunity
for BC Wood members, particularly those in the dimension lumber
sector, as well as those in high-value, high quality segments
like prefabricated and log homes, high end millwork, and cedar
products for exterior garden applications.
There
has already been substantial growth for Canadian primary products
in Korea. The Canadian dimension lumber sector is indeed the
most important player in the small but growing wood housing
business.
At
a macro economic and cultural level, Korea has a number of
elements that suggest it to be a strong market for wood products,
both value-added as well as structural. These are:
· A wood-building culture, owing to a history of building
with wood as well as in part to the American presence in Korea
over the past several decades
· A sense of individualism, and a willingness to express
that individualism through the material goods they possess
· A level of wealth that allows a significant number
of Koreans to purchase imported, value-added products
· A growing level of wealth among those at the high
end of the income scale, people who aspire to having high
end products and beautiful homes.
The
full market report will be available upon request. Contact
Brian Hawrysh at 604-882-7100 or bhawrysh@bcwood.com
Hawaii
Hawaii
Market Overview for Wood Products in Residential and Light
Commercial Projects
This
recently completed market study provides an overview of the
potential opportunities for BC wood products in the island
state of Hawaii.
Although
Hawaii’s reputation as the ultimate vacation spot is
deserved, it is also one of the most overlooked housing markets
in the building industry. High end residential construction
is dominant including single family homes, town homes, and
condominiums. Very little is actually produced on Hawaii and
the majority of the building products supplying the housing
boom is coming from the Pacific Northwest out of the Port
of Seattle. This gives Canadian manufacturers a strong position
to compete in the Hawaiian market for high end building products.
Canadian companies have an excellent reputation for unique,
quality designed and produced wood products, an ideal location
in the Pacific Northwest, and have access to an unparalleled
fibre supply.
The
full market study will soon be available in the US Reports
section on the members-only site.
New
BC Wood Members
BC
Wood would like to welcome the following new members:
Cascadia
Forest Products Ltd.
Cascadia Forest Products was launched following the closure
of Brascan's acquisition of Weyerhaeuser's BC Coastal timberland
assets. A
newly created company focused on the production of high value,
high quality wood products harvested from sustainably managed
forests in Coastal British Columbia, Cascadia's operations
include a woodlands business with annual harvest rights of
3.6 million m3, five coastal sawmills, two independent remanufacturing
facilities, a large custom cutting business and a strong lumber
marketing organization with a worldwide customer base.
Phone:
604-648-4546
Fu
So Enterprises Ltd.
Fu So owns a specialty sawmill that produces vertical grain
boards in various custom sizes. Those vertical grain boards
are well suited for windows and door stock, Japanese shoji
screens, and music instrument stock. The main species include
Douglas Fir, Spruce, Cypress, and HemFir.
Phone: 604-599-6237
Fax: 604-599-6238
Snowcap
Lumber
Specialty plywood and veneer mill focusing on West Coast wood
species. Lay up on all cores and substrates. Known for the
best alder and the WestCoast.
Phone: 604-852-9646
Fax: 604-852-3382
www.snowcaplumber.com
Western
Forest Products Inc.
Western Forest Products is an integrated Canadian forest products
company and the second largest coastal woodland operator in
the province of British Columbia. Principal activities include
timber harvesting, reforestation, sawmilling logs into lumber
and wood chips, value-added remanufacturing and NBSK pulp.
Phone: 250-748-3711
Fax: 250-748-6042
www.westernforest.com
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Exhibit
Space Already Half Sold!
Randi Walker, Manager, Member Services
This
years Global Buyers Mission is shaping up to be the most important
event of the year for BC Wood members. Significant interest
from all our target markets will deliver what could be 120+
qualified buyers of wood and wood products from China, Europe,
Japan, Korea and the US.
We have targeted wholesalers & distributors, builders
& developers, major retailers and buyers to meet with
our Canadian wood products manufacturers. Although more than
half the exhibit space is already sold, there are both 10X10
and 8X8 spaces still available.
For
more information on the incoming buyers and to register, contact
Randi Walker in our office at 604-882-7100, or toll free outside
the lower mainland at 1-877-422-9663.
You
can also check the GBM site on our home page at www.bcwood.com
for information and details on the event.
Don’t delay! You seriously don’t want to miss the
best business-building event of the year!
Important
AGM Announcements
Randi Walker, Manager, Member Services
BC
Wood’s 2005 Annual general Meeting will be held September
14th at the Delta Whistler Village Suites, 4308 Main Street,
Whistler BC. Learn first-hand about the exciting changes at
BC Wood including our move to Sector-based programs and the
expansion of membership into other western provinces. This
is an opportunity for you to get involved and be an active
part of your Association!
Proposed
Program Schedule
4:30 PM Official AGM activities:
• To receive the annual report of the Society;
• To receive and consider the audited financial statements
of the Society for the year ended March 31, 2005, together
with the auditors’ report thereon;
• To elect directors for the ensuing year;
• To appoint auditors for the ensuing year;
• To transact such other business as may properly come
before the meeting.
As
an extra incentive, we will have Don Thompson, motivator and
sales professional – and author of a new book, “Keeping
the Funnel Full” deliver a special presentation for BC
Wood members on tips and techniques to help you grow your
business. Entertaining & educational!
Following
Don’s presentation, we will be having a Members-Only
Reception - this is an excellent opportunity to catch-up with
friends and network with peers in the industry.
Log
and Timber Frame Mission China
The
objective of this mission is to increase the opportunities
for Canadian manufacturers of log and timber frame homes in
China. This mission will support the previous market research
work of Phase I and II Entry for Canadian Style Log and Timber
Frame Structures into China. Seminars will be delivered and
interested Chinese builders and developers will be visited
during this mission.
Manufacturers will not only be able to learn of the new, growing
opportunities for their products, but also make key industry
contacts for developing their Chinese business.
BC Wood will collaborate with the British Columbia Log and
Timber Frame Industry Association in the promotion and development
of this initiative.
If
you are interested in more information on this event, please
contact Brian Hawrysh at bhawrysh@bcwood.com
or
call 604-882-7100.
Japan
Market Update
Jim Ivanoff, Program Manager - Japan
Japan’s
housing market continues to strengthen. After seeing the first
increase in housing starts in many years during 2003, 2004
produced even better results. Starts totalled 1,189,049, meaning
an improvement of 2.5% over 2003. Of these starts, 2x4 numbers
leaped from 81,502 to 90,706.
This
helped wood framed housing to increase to a market share of
45.5%. The market share of 2x4 housing alone jumped to 7.5%.
The continued high cost of steel and the new building regulations
allowing for large scale buildings in fire zones to be built
with 2x4 construction, should help to ensure that wood framed
starts continue to rise.
BC Wood members should not only benefit from increased housing
starts, but from also greater emphasis on quality housing.
The
Ministry of Land and Infrastructure has announced that it
will begin focusing on improving the quality of existing structures.
Areas that will be addressed include better earthquake resistance,
energy conservation, security, remodeling, and barrier-free
residences. Along these lines, the ministry is also considering
10-year goals to make 90% of the overall housing stock quake-resistant;
turn 75% of elderly residences into barrier-free units; and
boost housing volume in the resale market to 300,000 units
per year. All of this should increase demand for “reform”
work, especially if “used” houses are made attractive
to young buyers.
Japan
Program Guide
BC
Wood’s Japan Program consists of four packages (Bronze,
Silver, Gold, and Platinum) and individual package options.
The deadline for program registration is June 30th, 2005.
Below
is a summary of the program details:
• BC Product Showcase Tradeshow Benefits (Silver, Gold,
Platinum)
• Sample & Brochure Distribution (Bronze, Silver,
Gold, Platinum)
• Exclusive Access to Leads & Inquiries from All
Trade Shows (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
• One Direct Mail/Fax Promotion to BC Wood Japan Contacts
(Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
• Japan e-Newsletter (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum)
• Profile on BC Wood’s Japanese Web Page (Bronze,
Silver, Gold, Platinum)
• Priority Access to Market Research in Japan (Bronze,
Silver, Gold, Platinum)
National
Shows
Japan
Home Show
Tokyo, Japan
November 8-11, 2005
Nikkei
Architecture and Construction Materials Show
Tokyo, Japan
March 7-10, 2006
Regional/Specialties
Show
Nagoya
Rental Housing Fair
Nagoya, Japan
June 16-17, 2005
Japan
DIY Homecenter Show
Tokyo, Japan
August 25-27, 2005
Osaka
Home Builders
Osaka, Japan
November 17-19, 2005
Western
Japan Total Living Show
Kita-Kyushu, Japan
March 17-20, 2006
For
a copy of the complete 2005 JAPAN PROGRAM GUIDE click here
Contact
Jim Ivanoff at Ivanoff@canadawood.jp
for more information.
2005
Pacific Coast Builders Show (PCBC)
Daryl
Holmes, Program Manager
The
2005 PCBC Show was held from June 1st to June 3rd in San Francisco.
PCBC connects all the heavyweights from homebuilding, land
development, architecture, and home products at one supercharged
event.
Building
on the success of the International Builder’s Show held
in Orlando earlier in the year, BC Wood once again participated
in the British Columbia Wood Product Showcase which features
product from many BC Wood members. The exposure of this showcase
and the attendance of member companies created a significant
buzz around the BC pavilion and once again, members were able
to engage show attendees and prospective business contacts.
The
home building boom in the western US continues to grow, which
bodes well for our members focusing on this regional market.
Niche opportunities have been identified and exist in many
local resort areas spanning from coastal San Francisco northbound
and into Nevada. The PCBC show provided members with numerous
opportunities to meet developers and architects currently
working on a number of large new residential community projects.
Participating companies included: Viceroy Homes, Stilewood
International, B.W. Creative, Stor-X, Woodtone Industries,
Pentco, Pac Rim Cabinets, and Antique Impressions. These members
were able to meet many qualified contacts and the 3-day show
provided a steady and continual flow of traffic throughout
the showcase pavilion.
John
Matak, of Stilewood International commented, “We found
the show to be the busiest yet as far as the collection of
qualified leads was concerned and based upon these leads and
other contacts, we are confident that sales will be realised
in the immediate future.”
BC
Wood was able to make connections with some key developers
and builders at this show and has invited a number of these
decision makers to the Global Buyers Mission being held in
Whistler in September.
If
you have yet to sign up for the Buyers Mission or would like
more information on the event, please contact Randi Walker
at rwalker@bcwood.com
or call 604-882-7100.
Canada
Wood Phyto Sanitary Specialist Appointment
On
June 3rd, 2005, Paul Newman from COFI/Canada Wood announced
the appointment of Brian Zak of All Forest Solutions as the
new Phyto-Sanitary Specialist to work within the Canada Wood
network for Fiscal 2005-2006. Brian will be working with the
Associations and their members to ensure that plant health
requirements are dealt with expeditiously. As well, he will
be working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
to improve communications and consultation with industry.
To
be added to the email 'info-alert' list or for more information
on phyto-sanitary issues, contact:
Brian
Zak
604-536-3902
allforestsolutionsinc@telus.net
Upcoming
Trade Shows and Events
Global
Buyers Mission
Whistler, BC
September 15-17, 2005
The
2005 Global Buyers Mission is scheduled for Whistler, September
15 to 17, 2005. Based on the incredible success of last years
program, we are targeting 100 buyers of wood products from
all over the US, Europe, China, Japan and Korea, to meet with
85 manufacturers from Canada, who can supply a broad range
of products including finishing materials, building supplies,
and remanufacturing products.
Salon
Maison Bois
Angers, France
September 30 - October 3, 2005
Salon
Maison Bois is the largest event solely dedicated to wood-frame
housing construction in Southern Europe. Over 40,000 attendees
from all over Europe came to the show last year to see the
latest developments in wood design and building. Attendees
include architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, and
interior designers.
International
Wood Building Forum 2005
Vancouver, BC
September 14-15, 2005
The
University of British Columbia’s Timber Building Technology
Group and a consortium of international partners will be holding
a major conference on the latest technical and market developments
in wood construction. The conference is based upon the highly
successful Holzbau Forum wood building event that takes place
annually in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and attracts audiences
in excess of 1200 people from around Europe and the world.
The
Vancouver event will examine changing technologies and increasing
automation in the building industry. It will also highlight
emerging opportunities for Canadian companies due to the rising
interest in sustainability, green buildings, and the Vancouver-Whistler
2010 Olympics. Linking with the Holzbau Forum conference series,
the Vancouver Forum also features several prominent industrialists
from Europe.
For
more information, visit:
http://www.iwbfvancouver.com
Plan
Expo and Housing Mission
Ireland
October 1-5, 2005
Plan
Expo is ireland’s showcase for the building and construction
industry. Plan Expo is fully endorsed and supported by the
Construction Industry Federation and by the Royal Institute
of Architects in Ireland, a testiment to the seriousness with
which the industry views the event. Attendees include architects,
specifiers, builders, developers, interior designers, and
remodelers.
Other
Related News
Job
Posting
Wanted
experienced planerman. Must be able to do set ups and grind
knives. Be a team player. Would be part time leading to full
time
employment. Would consider a semi retired person also.
Contact:
Doug Rouck
drouck@rouckbros.com
Got
Something to Say?
If
you have any questions, comments, or would like to contribute
to BC Wood News On-line, please contact David
Pao at:
BC
Wood
#200 - 9292, 200th Street
Langley, BC
Phone: (604) 882-7100
Fax: (604) 882-7300
Toll Free: 1-877-422-9663
or email dpao@bcwood.com
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