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| October 10, 2003 | Volume 2, Edition 17 |
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Introducing John Moss and Associates LLC - BC Wood’s New US In-Market Representatives
Who are John Moss and Associates LLC? John Moss and Associates LLC are BC Wood’s new US In-Market Representatives.
John Moss and his colleague David Whitlock, travel extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest visiting architects, builders, wholesale distributors, and building products retailers in order to promote the building and finished products sectors. Through their experience, John Moss and David Whitlock have developed a unique and innovative approach to marketing building materials. What Can John Moss & Associates Do For You? As US In-Market Representatives for BC Wood, John Moss and David Whitlock can help you take your products to the Pacific Northwest and identify the best ways of doing so. Specifically, they cover the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. They will help you get in touch with wholesale distributors in the US and provide you with their contact information. In addition, John and David can provide you with market intelligence on the US market, including pricing, packaging and product information. In order to meet the requirements and specifications of the US, manufacturers must be aware of code requirements if they plan to sell their product to this market. John and David can inform you of such requirements so that you and your products are ready for the market. As they visit with architects, builders, wholesale distributors, and building products retailers in the Pacific Northwest, John and David will also look for opportunities where BC Wood member products are a match. They will work at creating product awareness and demand for BC products. John and David can also showcase your products to architects and builders, as they have a travelling road show that consists of two trailers filled with their clients’ products. Current Opportunities in the Pacific Northwest According to John Moss, he believes that there are many opportunities for BC wood manufacturers of building products in the United States. He states that this is a very strong market with its close proximity to BC, the current exchange rate, and the fact that BC has a strong value-added sector. The current opportunities that John sees in this market are in the hospitality and resort sectors, as well as products utilizing hemlock and lodgepole pine. When Can I Meet John Moss? John Moss and his colleagues will be making visits to British Columbia to meet BC Wood members on a regular basis. If you would like him to visit you, please be sure to let him know. This is a great opportunity to educate John on your company and products and the competitive advantage you can offer to US clients. How Can I Contact John Moss & Associates?
BC Wood 
Japan: Rising Again? Jim Ivanoff, Japan Program Manager While many in the west had given up on the Japanese market long ago, the surprisingly strong economic indicators that have been coming out recently are causing even Japan-bashers to take another look at what is happening in the world’s second largest economy. On September 20th, the New York Times ran an article about "Japan’s turnaround." While even the Japanese government’s projection of a 0.9% rise in GDP at the beginning of the year was called optimistic at the time, the recently released data for the second quarter showed a robust growth of 3.9%. Now even the cautious Japanese government is looking to revise its forecast for the year to 2.1%. Add to this the stunning 44.5% rise of the Nikkei 225 over the past five months, and it is easy to understand why the Bank of Japan (BOJ) is having such a hard time holding its peg to the US dollar in its preferred range of \117-120. While the jump in the exchange rate to around \111 to the US dollar has reduced the gains in the market recently, exporters are still in good shape as many of their production facilities are designed to be profitable even at the \100 mark. What does all of this mean for BC Wood members? It is still too early to tell whether this latest "rebound" is the real thing or just another false start. However, it may be enough to finally pry open the wallets of Japanese consumers. In all of the Japan bashing that went on over the past few years, one very important point was overlooked. Far from becoming impoverished, the Japanese people are wealthier now than they have ever been. By holding off on major purchases during the doom and gloom years, the Japanese simply held on to more and more of their earnings. This stands in stark contrast to the debt-ridden American consumer. Over the years many Japanese economists insisted that the cure to the country’s economic ails was to get the consumers to spend again. Unfortunately the Japanese were set on saving as their bonuses dwindled. On top of that, there were not any "must have" big-ticket items to help pull them out of their shell. On this front too, things seem to be changing. The latest models of IH cooking ranges (induction heating), that heat-up as fast as gas ranges, are causing a minor revolution in Japanese kitchens. This will be shortly followed by the about to be released digital terrestrial broadcast TV sets. These two product categories, in conjunction with the "reform" boom, are leading many Japanese to take a second look at upgrading their living space. Most importantly for BC Wood members though is the great debate surrounding the "sick-house" issue. The concerns surrounding "sick-houses" are driving both buyers and builders to use more natural wood products in their homes while also reinforcing that "you get what you pay for." At a seminar on "sick-houses" that I recently attended in Nagoya, the moderator spoke at length about how this was a great business opportunity for those builders and manufacturers that were serious about reassuring home buyers that their homes and products were "healthy." All of these seemingly unrelated factors may be coming together now to create a golden opportunity for BC Wood members. Just as Japanese consumers begin taking a serious look at using better, more natural building products, the market forces seem to be sending them signals to part with some of their precious savings. If we all work hard to make sure that our products are ready for Japan and are marketed accordingly, we have the opportunity to expand our market even more.
Member Spotlight: Pacific Rim Cabinets Ltd. Mary Quinn, Member Services Marketing Coordinator
BC Wood member, Pacific Rim Cabinets Ltd., announced this August that
following an extensive R&D program, their products have been tested in
Japan and proven to meet the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure
and Transport (MLIT) Formaldehyde Emission regulations of F**** (F0.3).
Jim Anholt, Executive Vice President at Pacific Rim, said that the
certification process took over eight months to achieve, but was well
worth it. "We are very excited about achieving the certification. We
consider Japan our main market as we do almost 70% of our business there.
The MLIT announced the enforcement of the new Building Standard Law beginning July 1, 2003. The law was amended last year to require that technical standards be developed to regulate air quality in "habitable rooms" (defined as rooms in residences, commercial office space, restaurants, hotels, etc. where people are normally present) by restricting building materials that contain VOCs and by requiring ventilation systems in all buildings. For more information on the Japan Building Standard Law, you can visit the Members Only section of the BC Wood website, and follow the links to Japan. According to Bill Dewinetz, President of Pacific Rim Cabinets, "Our formaldehyde emission ratings are now 95% less than the strictest rating of F**** (F0.3) called for in the new Japanese Building Standard Law (BSL) Enforcement order Article 25 Section 4 governing the use of cabinetry in Japanese housing. Developing new component suppliers and re-engineering product has required a large effort by our company, but is in-keeping with our core philosophy of providing quality, value, and manufacturing flexibility to our valuable clients in Japan."
Bill Dewinetz has been in the cabinetry business for over 35 years and
started Pacific Rim Cabinets Ltd. in 1997. His goal was to solve the
problems that Japanese builders were having with cabinets built in North
America. The cabinets that Pacific Rim builds now feel and look like
North American cabinets, but when you open them, they feel and look like
Japanese cabinets. This strategy has proven very successful for Pacific
Rim Cabinets as they are the only kitchen and cabinet When asked what they are planning for the future, Jim adds, "We want to be the number one exporter of cabinetry to Japan in North America. Our biggest challenge is explaining to customers what we do that makes us so unique. Once they try one project with Pacific Rim Cabinets, we almost always develop a long term business relationship."
BC Wood and Forintek Canada Corp. would like to thank all of our sponsors and contributors at this year’s conference:
Canada Wood We would also like to congratulate our Saturday Golf Tournament prize winners: MJ Cousins from Venture Kamloops won the KP prize of a $300 travel voucher donated by B.E. Best Service (Canada) Ltd. Brad Kernan won the longest drive prize of a $100 Bay Gift Certificate, donated by Panalpina Inc., and a windbreaker jacket donated by Fisker Cargo Inc.
The winning golf foursome, each winning a golf bag donated by Artel Insurance Services, included: A special thank you to Merv Evdokimenko from Artel Insurance Services for doing a great job organizing the golf tournament. The sale of Mulligan’s also raised over $200 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
First Canadian SIP Manufacturer to Receive US Approval VANCOUVER, September 18, 2003 - EnerGreen Building Systems Ltd. (EnerGreen), the largest manufacture of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) in Canada, has recently become Canada’s only wood-based SIP manufacturer to be listed by a US Evaluation Report for its panels. Evaluation Report ICC /NER-467, as published by ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES), the United States’ leading evaluation service and source of technical information on building codes, products and building technology, certifies that EnerGreen’s SIP panels and building system will meet most US building code requirements, including those previously regulated by ICBO. "Obtaining this ICC Evaluation means that we are now fully qualified to supply the US construction market including all western states with our SIP products," explains EnerGreen President, Scott Folk. "This provides our customers with the knowledge that our SIP products will meet or exceed most regional, state and federal building code requirements as they relate to load bearing wall and roof applications." "Builders can now be confident that EnerGreen’s panels and manufacturing processes are technically sound in addition to being independently certified by a third party," says Folk, who reports that EnerGreen is also in the process of designing a proprietary SIP shear wall that will meet the stringent California earthquake requirements. EnerGreen’s "one-stop" approach simplifies the process of building walls and roofs by consolidating many of the steps involved – framing, insulating and sheathing – into one high quality prefabricated building component, that is stronger, significantly better insulated and can be installed in a fraction of the time it takes to stick frame. Builders and homeowners alike prefer EnerGreen SIPs because of the energy efficiency they provide in combination with reduced labour costs, fast installation and simplicity. Over the years, EnerGreen has provided SIP wall and roof systems for hundreds of residential and light commercial projects throughout the US, Canada and Japan. The company’s customer base includes timberframe and log home manufacturers, custom homebuilders and conventional developers. Information on EnerGreen’ SIPs can be found at www.energreenbsl.com
Associate Member Spotlight: The Portables
Which of your products/services would be best suited for BC Wood Members? Portables products and services are best suited to members who use trade shows, fairs, expositions, conferences, and consumer shows to exhibit and promote their wares. We manufacture a complete line of portable exhibits that range from simple banner stands to standard-size displays, to lavish large-size custom exhibits. All of our large-format photographic printing and finishing is completed in-house. We also offer extensive services to support a member’s exhibit marketing program including creative and marketing, training and education, and installation and logistics. At Portables, we pride ourselves in providing clients with a true “one-stop” experience. What is your competitive advantage in the industry? Our competitive advantage is our people. We have accumulated the most talented group of individuals in the industry to ensure we can help our clients be successful at their next show. We are the only exhibit marketing company in Canada to have a Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME) on staff, as well as several CME-designates. CME is the only sponsored certification program that recognizes professionalism in exhibit management and marketing. Who should members contact if they are interested in your service?
Brian Keobke, CME (Specialist, Exhibit Marketing) or
Forest Education Conference Announcement ForestED West - the 2004 Western Canada Forest Education Conference and Educator Institute. A Conference for Forest Education Practitioners in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Yukon and NWT. January 15-18, 2004 - The Banff Centre - Banff, AB
What We're Doing Building on a series of discussions and sharing presentations, the ultimate aim of the conference is a call to action - a call to revitalize and grow forest education programming and services.
Who should attend? Representatives from companies, including but, not necessarily limited to, forest resource development companies in Western Canada. Government, NGO and academic representatives who are stakeholders in the development issues, or who have a strong interest in education about the forest in formal education and into post-secondary education. Classroom teachers from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, the Territories. Forest educators from outside western Canada are more than welcome to join us also - the conference will have a decidedly western Canada flavour and bias, of course.
Visit Us on the Web! If you have problems accessing the online registration page at the Banff Centre through our website, you can access the page directly here: www.banffcentre.ca/forestED_west2004.asp.
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BC Wood/Forintek International Marketing Conference and AGM
Outstanding speakers from Europe, the US, China, India and Canada came together to deliver presentations and offer insights into: what the forest industry will face in the future in light of globalization; why it is important to develop relationships with the entire chain – from fibre, to finished, to delivered; how to find and develop new international market opportunities; and much more. Although there were a few snags with weather and electricity, the participating members from industry, government and media alike were treated to an excellent program of events. Once again, members felt that one of the greatest benefits of our annual conference was the opportunity to network with their peers and associates. The Survey results are being tabulated now, but your vote counts! If you have not already completed the Conference Survey, please follow this link, download a copy and fax your response to 604-556-3385 ASAP. Your comments and suggestions will help us decide on venues and topics for future conferences and events. Many speakers have agreed to let us post copies of their presentations on-line. You can find copies by clicking here. We will have full survey results and a follow-up report in our November edition of News On-line. *Note: Next year’s Conference & AGM will be held in Penticton, September 16 – 18, 2004. Mark your calendars!
BC Wood 2002/2003 Annual Review The 2002/2003 BC Wood Annual Review is now available for BC Wood members to download. Just login to the Members Only section of the BC Wood website and you will find the report in the top left corner. The report includes a summary of each market's activity over the past year.
We are pleased to welcome the following new BC Wood Members who have joined us since September 1, 2003: Canadian Sourcing Services Inc., Surrey - Factory Build & Pre-fabricated Housing Ainsworth Lumber Co. Ltd., Vancouver - Remanufactured Products (semi-finished) Schols Cedar Products (1998) Ltd., Abbotsford - Furniture & Fixtures Pine Profiles Inc., Creston - Remanufactured Products (semi-finished) Dakota Hardwood Inc., Sechelt - Remanufactured Products (semi-finished)
Introducing Noriko Ban - BC Wood Japan Program Assistant Michael Jahraus, Managing Director, Asia Pacific BC Wood is pleased to announce the recent (September 1) appointment of Noriko Ban, as BC Wood Japan Program Assistant. Noriko resides in Tokyo and joins Jim Ivanoff in the new Canada Wood office. Noriko Ban grew up in the Kobe area of Japan where she graduated from Shukugawa Gakuin Junior College in 1995. As she majored in English, she was able to spend a year studying English at Pitzer College in Claremont, California. With this education in hand, Noriko started working for Tozai Construction, a BC company building 2x4 houses around Kobe. For five years she helped with everything from sales, customs clearance, purchasing, project management, handling accounts, arranging for staff visas, and job-site translating. In fact, she was also kept busy being a "mom" to the many Canadians working there so far from home. Noriko then moved on to Tokyo and joined the Evergreen Building Products Association, where she spent two years promoting American building products in the Japanese market. Her work there included organizing trade missions, exhibitions, and media promotions. BC Wood has been fortunate in luring Noriko back to promoting Canadian companies. Her past experience in and passion for the forest products industry will provide the BC Wood Japan office with a great advantage, as it starts-up operations in the new Tokyo office. Noriko looks forward to helping build new opportunities for BC Wood members in the Japanese market.
New BC Wood Associate Members We are pleased to welcome the following Associate Members who have joined us since the last issue of BC Wood News On-line. If you are interested in learning about the benefits of becoming a BC Wood Associate Member, please contact Randi Walker at 604-556-3373 or toll-free at 1-877-422-9663.
 Serving the forest products industry of British Columbia since 1980, IDI has built a loyal customer following because of its unparalleled customer service. When it comes to transportation, distribution and logistics services in North America, nobody takes better care of you and your freight than IDI.
Greg Gilbert
 Custom House Global Foreign Exchange is the largest non-bank foreign-exchange company in North America and offers customers better-than-bank exchange rates. It handles more than $10 billion annually in wire transfers, currency exchanges, forward contracts, bank drafts and cheques, in several dozen currencies for over 45,000 businesses around the world.
Ed Sylvan
 The Log Building Industry Association of British Columbia was created to improve the recognition and credibility of the log and timber frame building industry in BC. Our Apprenticeship Program is the first in North America. We offer marketing services to members through our website, online forum, newsletter and AGM.
Colin Williams
BC Wood has a few books still available for sale at the price at $60 CAD. Please contact Randi Walker at 604.556.3373 if you are interested in purchasing one.
National Sash and Door Jobbers Annual Convention
Log Home & Timber Frame Expo
Shanghai Trade Mission & China Wood Export & Import Conference
Batimat
Western Building Materials Association
International Pool and Spa Expo
Plan Expo For more information on these tradeshows, visit the BC Wood website.
Consultants & Marketing Services
If you have any questions, comments, or would like to contribute to BC Wood News On-line, please contact BC Wood |
John Moss, President of John Moss and Associates LLC, grew up in the wood
and building products industry as his father was a builder and owned a
millwork and cabinet shop. John spent most of his adolescent years helping
his father and then worked as a general contractor for four years. He
started his own business a few years later and worked as a sales
representative for wholesale distributors. For the last six years, John
has worked as an independent manufacturers representative for various
building material companies throughout the Pacific Northwest.
If we want to continue to export to Japan and compete in the market, this
process was necessary," comments Jim. He also adds that customers are now
requiring the certification and want zero formaldehyde amounts in their
building products. "We see a great market opportunity as the only
certified supplier of F**** cabinets to Japan," adds Jim.
manufacturer in
North America to produce cabinets to exact Japanese specifications.
"Our cabinets offer better quality material, workmanship, and value
than Japanese cabinets. The overall value to the customer is much
higher than compared to Japanese cabinets," comments Bill.
For over 20 years, Portables has been the largest provider of exhibits,
banners and large-format graphics to businesses across Canada. Our goal is
to help your company 'stand out in a crowd' using stunning, dramatic
exhibit solutions that attract attention in trade shows, conferences,
fairs and other face-to-face settings. Our clients range from small
start-up companies to public institutions, to large-size multinational
organizations. We offer extensive in-house resources, state-of-the-art
printing technology, creative and marketing support, and exhibiting
expertise through 12 locations nationwide. We also offer the absolute
finest results at the most affordable prices available anywhere.
Guaranteed.
Exploring New Paths: Connecting for Profit was the theme for the first
industry cooperative conference delivered by BC Wood and Forintek Canada
Corp.
Renowned by woodcraft admirers for his reverence of historical forms
and traditions, attention to elegant proportions, and devotion to exquisite
detail, Thomas Moser has achieved the highest quality in the creation of
fine furniture. In his own words, he recounts the history of his workshop,
Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, and provides insight into philosophy, materials,
and process that are the foundation of his style. Lavishly illustrated with
over 300 color and black white photographs and shop drawings.
| Octber 10, 2003 | Volume 2, Edition 17 |
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| Copyright 2003. BC Wood, All Rights Reserved. | |
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