With the GBM over, BC Wood’s Japan office is now working on bringing members into the market through two major fall shows. One of course is the famed Japan Home Show (Nov 14^th – 16^th) that has been welcoming overseas suppliers for more than three decades. The other, the Osaka Living and Design Show (Oct 24^th -26^th), is a new show for us and is a part of our continuing efforts to brand Canadian wood products in the high-end, Japanese commercial construction and interior design market. This is the last chance for members looking to take advantage of these exciting programs. Only a few spaces remain so please act fast if you are interested.

Osaka Living and Design Show

After a long absence from taking members to trade shows in Osaka, BC Wood will be organizing a Canadian pavilion at the new but highly regarded Living and Design Show. Over the past few years we have participated in Tokyo Designers Week, but decided to change to L&D as it is more focused on B to B for interior design and also gives us a chance to target the lucrative but underserved Kansai region in Japan (all foreign competitors go to Tokyo). This area that includes Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe has a larger economy than all of Canada and is also experiencing a flourishing commercial construction sector. Another benefit of this show for members is that it better covers building products such as flooring and millwork.

Japan Home and Building Show

BC Wood will once again be organizing the Canadian wood products pavilion at the annual Japan Home Show. This year the show will return to its traditional November schedule and run from the 14^th through the 16^th at Tokyo Big Sight.

The JHS typically attracts about 90,000 industry people ranging from importers and distributors to builders and architects and has long been the highest profile building products show in the country, particularly for imported products. This year the organizers have decided to strategically partner with JAPANTEX which is one of Japan’s largest interior trend shows for professionals. With the JHS and JAPANTEX collocated together in Big Sight’s East Hall, it is expected that JHS exhibitors will see a dramatic increase in designers working on non-residential projects.

Also, we expect positive synergies from the HOSPEX show, catering to the owners/operators of medical and elderly care facilities, which will be run concurrently by the same organizers in an adjacent hall. Elderly care facility operators have been adopting 2×4 buildings more and more in recent years because of the perceived therapeutic benefits of wood framed buildings. COFI’s Japan Office has been very active in targeting this market on the structural side and we are endeavouring to find more opportunities for value-added products on such projects.

BC Wood will also be working with the Canadian Embassy on a program timed around the show to target the reconstruction efforts in the Tohoku region. As a result, members attending the JHS will also be able to take part in some match-making activities targeting local companies working on both non-residential and residential projects in the tsunami devastated communities.

This show offers a great opportunity for companies looking to enter the Japanese market and take advantage of the many positive trends we are seeing.  Products sectors covered: cabinetry, engineered wood, millwork, log and timberframe, packaged homes, as well as reman and specialty lumber including WRC.

For more information about either of these shows please contact Jim Ivanoff at ivanoff@canadawood.jp.

All of the companies who just exhibited at the 2011 Global Buyers Mission were able to experience the level of enthusiasm Chinese buyers have for Canadian wood products. BC Wood is now organizing another opportunity for members to target the Chinese market through the China International Exhibition on the Housing Industry (CIEHI).

Last September, BC Wood participated for the first time in the CIEHI. The show was very well attended and the participating companies reported some very good leads from Chinese builders, developers, and architects. A main theme of the show was green and energy efficient building with wood construction and building products featuring prominently throughout the show. A number of foreign log-home and panelized house manufacturers were promoting their products, in particular a large number of Russian log home builders. To maximize profile and traffic, BC Wood located its’ display area within the Canada Wood booth partnering with the Coast Forest Products Association and Council of Forest Industries.

BC Wood will be returning to the CIEHI show in Beijing this coming November 21st – 23rd. From our previous experience at this show, we expect that the best opportunities for new contacts and increased exposure in the marketplace will be achieved by manufacturers of prefabricated homes, log and timber frame structures, engineered wood products, WRC lumber decking and siding, and construction lumber.

For more information or to register, please contact Jim Ivanoff at ivanoff@canadawood.jp.

Click here for more information on the show

Another year has passed and another great GBM is upon us. I am happy to report that we have an excellent 24 member delegation coming from Japan, many of whom are first time participants. The Japanese buyers are looking for everything from flooring and millwork to WRC products, engineered wood products, packaged homes, and lumber. Some of the companies are new to Canadian wood products while others are looking to expand on items they are already importing from BC. We also have a reporter from Nikkan Mokuzai which is the largest wood products industry newspaper. Make sure to find him if you have some new and innovative products that you would like promoted in Japan.

We are also honoured to have the construction company that has been selected to build one of the Canada-Tohoku Reconstruction Projects. This project consists of the reconstruction of the largest and most famous public market in northern Japan. This market project has received extensive media coverage as it will lead the economic rebirth of this area and the return of communities destroyed in the tsunami. The builder selected for this very important assignment is the largest Canadian imported house builder in Japan and is coming to look at products for both the market project as well as their main home building business. Please feel free to ask me if you would like set a meeting with this company or any of the other eager buyers in our delegation.

If you follow the Japanese construction industry, you already know that the housing market is very strong right now with both pent up demand as well as the reconstruction efforts in Tohoku. Labour shortages in various construction trades have been reported across the country which is pushing up wages. Some market analysts are even predicting that starts will top 900,000 for 2012 which would be the first time in 2008. Despite these significant time and work pressures our Japanese delegates are still making the long trip over to BC showing how much they value the opportunity given to them by the GBM. I look forward to seeing you all in Whistler!

Concepcion R.P. SSM 200 shingle squaring machine (shingle R&Rmachine).  It is in like new condition, original price $160,000, asking $75,000. For more information, click here. If you are intersted, please contact Jim Sward at (604) 826-7185.

A few quick thoughts on two markets that are providing members with opportunities but truly are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

As most members know, BC Wood has been active in the Hawaiian Islands for the last decade. Hawaii has proven to be a solid market for companies that manufacture high quality products for the resort, light commercial, and high-end residential construction sectors. In particular, companies in the timber frame, millwork, and Western Red Cedar sectors have all developed sales and market share in Hawaii.

Since all construction materials need to be shipped into Hawaii, BC manufacturers are on an equal playing field with both domestic suppliers and manufacturers from the continental US. For BC companies wanting to develop a market in Hawaii, you can sell contractor direct or to established building product distributors.

One such company who has had considerable success supplying high quality building products to contractors throughout the islands is Seattle based Pacific Source www.pacsource.com

Pacific Source has a six acre yard and distribution facility in Snohomish, Washington and has smaller yards and showrooms on a number of the islands including Kauai, Maui, and Kailulu Kona.

If you’re looking to develop a foothold in the Hawaiian market, it may be worth your while to contact Pacific Source. The key is having a product that is both well suited to the Hawaiian market and is priced well enough that all parties can make a margin. Mark Mason, one of the original partners of the company is expected to be at the GBM next month in Whistler.

Now for the other opportunity, which by all accounts is a far cry from the exotic local of the Hawaiian Islands, is North Dakota. A while back I wrote about the building boom that is currently underway in the northwest corner of the State. Towns such as Williston, Minot, and Watford city are all experiencing extreme housing shortages as thousands of new oil field workers are flocking to the state to work in the booming oil and gas industry.

Today, North Dakota is the US’s number 2 oil producing state, having leapfrogged over Alaska and California. The discovery of vast reserves of natural gas and oil in the northern part of the state have led to a huge influx of oil industry workers moving to the region who require housing. Oil companies have tried to address the shortfall of housing by building temporary housing units known as man camps (picture below), but there remains a serious need for quality residential homes for this well paid workforce.

I will be travelling to the region over the next week to meet with builders, developers, and distributors to gauge the market opportunity for BC suppliers of prebuilt and panelized housing and related products. I will report my findings in an upcoming Wood Connections Newsletter.

For more information on either of these markets, please contact me at  dfarley@bcwood.com or on my cell at 604-728-8786.

Last November, BC Wood, with a small group of member companies, completed a very successful trade mission to Moscow to explore opportunities for value-added wood products in the Russian market, and to participate in the Fall Holzhaus trade show.

BC Woods’ members showcased log home and timber frame structures, factory built homes, high quality millwork, and specialty Western Red Cedar building materials. Members were able to engage with industry professionals from all over Russia and surrounding countries. Developers, architects, builders, distributors, importers, and designers were all in attendance at the show, many of whom came specifically to the show to speak to the Canadian manufacturers.

Based on the success of last year’s program, BC Wood is planning to return to Moscow and the Holzhaus show this coming fall, November 1st- 4th. Space will be available for BC Wood members wanting to participate in the Holzhaus trade shows and 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.

A reminder of BC Wood’s presence at this year’s Interior Design Show West (IDS West) – September 27-30th. Over the past couple of years, the IDS West has become the venue to see the best of international and local designs. BC Wood will bring together local companies that produce a full range of design-oriented products; everything from custom furnishings and architectural millwork, to cabinets, doors, mouldings, and flooring.

The objective will be to feature the individual companies by drawing more traffic to a centrally located “Design BC” pavilion. The pavilion will be an 1800 square foot of exhibition space, with BC Wood covering a good portion of the hard costs for this sector wide display.

If you plan to participate in the IDS West show this year, please contact me to see how we can save you money and ensure you higher visibility through the “Design BC” pavilion. Call 604-882-7100 or email me at  bhawrysh@bcwood.com.

If you have not yet considered participation in the 2012 Global Buyers Mission in Whistler, think of this: What other opportunity would put you face-to-face with 200+ wood products buyers from currently registered markets like Australia, Belgium, Eastern Canada, China, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Taiwan, United States, and Vietnam?

This is the only event of its kind, specifically developed to help Canadian wood products manufacturers connect with pre-qualified international buyers. It is also one of the most significant events for introducing specifiers like architects, designers, engineers, contractors and developers to our important wood products suppliers, through educational programs and exhibits.

There is still some space available and thanks to our partners and sponsors, at a surprisingly affordable rate, for those looking to expand their book of business into lucrative new markets. You don’t even have to sell abroad to build new business. There are plenty of US buyers and even those from eastern Canada looking for new suppliers.

However, we will be closing our space bookings by August 22nd, so you must call us by then to ensure your participation at what is certain to be your best business building event of the year!

For more information, please email me at rwalker@bcwood.com  or call me at 604-882-7100.

By Roy Manion

This is a short, midsummer report and it is all about the GBM.

The Specifier Program at the GBM is coming along nicely. All the speakers and seminars for Thursday’s Wood First Forum are in place as is Saturday’s lunch & learn session which features Neil Godin. The entire program provides architects with 9 learning units, half of what is required for the entire year; a great incentive for the architects, so we are expecting a good turnout.

This year, we have developed a brochure for the Specifiers Program at the GBM / Wood First Forum. To access the agenda brochure, click here   

Now we are focusing on finalizing the exhibitors who will be participating in the mini-seminar series on Friday afternoon. Everyone involved in the Mini-Seminar session will meet for lunch at Kypriaki Norte Restaurant near the Conference Centre then back to the Centre for the sessions.

This is a great opportunity for exhibitors to reach out to the Specifiers (Architects, Designers, and Contractors) who will come to exhibitor’s booths to receive an education on the nature of the exhibitors’ products. Invitations to the exhibitors to participate will be going out the next couple of days. Some exhibitors are not waiting for an invitation and have already signed up for the program.

Principles, John Lore and Evan Sadler, created Live Edge Design in 2006 through a shared vision and out of recognition for the complimentary nature of each other’s styles.

John Lore started with Pickle Ridge Rustic Carpentry which specialized in twig and log furniture (now celebrated in his Forest Lodge Collection). Evan Sadler was known for his fine reproduction styles under the guise of his original company Sadler Fine Furniture. Both discovered their passion for working with local woods, but each was working at the opposite end of the spectrum: John was creating furniture from willow twigs, alder branches and driftwood; Evan, highly polished furniture using solid wood and traditional joinery techniques. Recognizing the many ways their work complemented each other, they decided to form a new company to create the best of an emerging, unique West Coast style. Now sole owner, John Lore continues to stay on the Edge of Design while maintaining the ethical standards in which Live Edge is rooted.

Live Edge uses wood from trees that have been brought down by storms and salvages what is left behind by companies looking for dimensional lumber. Their products are primarily made from local Bigleaf Western Maple, sought after by wood turners and musical instrument makers for its extraordinary figure and beauty. They also work with other woods like Arbutus, Elm, Cottonwood, and Walnut.

Everything from the cutting, milling, drying, design and product creation is done in their workshop and studio on Vancouver Island, Canada. The entire ‘Tree to Table’ process can take close to a year. Since it’s hard to wait that long for a beautiful piece, Live Edge will match their library of wood to fit your unique project, bringing it to your home or business in less than 2 months.

Award winning Live Edge Design caters to a strong regional and North American market, as well as working with international clients. Among their many clients, they have created unique pieces for Starbucks, Joey’s, and the Hilton Hotel. One of their unique projects was the floating ceiling for the 2010 Olympics. Communities from across BC sent Live Edge Design samples of wood that were representative of their area. Live Edge then incorporated it into creating the Spirit of BC ceiling which still graces the internal skies of the 2010 Commerce Centre on Robson Street in Vancouver.

Live Edge will be featured on CTV and Shaw. Stay tuned to their facebook page for updates: www.facebook.com/liveedgedesign.

For more information on the company, visit liveedgedesign.ca

The market for outdoor living products is growing and Canadian manufacturers are well situated to take advantage of this opportunity.

Canada is endowed with several well-known naturally durable wood species and the outdoors are already deeply embedded in and associated with Canadian culture. On the manufacturing side, smaller companies can compete since landscape products typically do not require a high level of sophistication in manufacturing.

This report begins by giving a brief overview of the market for landscape products in North America. It also identifies current global trends related to the market for landscaping products which includes societal trends toward shopping online, as well as trends toward the use of ultra-durable materials in landscape products.

Click here to read this report.

Check out other relevant reports in the Market Intelligence Report section of the Solutions for Wood website: http://www.solutionsforwood.com/industry_info/reports.html

When designing a custom trade show display, it can be easy to get caught up in the details of fonts, graphics, portable displays versus banners and how much information you do or don’t want to focus on. But, there are also space and dimension considerations that are just as important.  Keep in mind that you will have only a limited amount of space to work in when you set up a display for a trade show.  In smaller spaces, you may have to limit yourself to portable displays, but you can still maximize your square footage’s impact by focusing on every dimension of your space and using it creatively.

Width Is The Opening Act

Most people focus first on how wide their booth space will be.  They create trade show booths that take advantage of every inch of the length of the area to promote their product or service, making sure that the information visitors need is right up front.  While this is a good way to entice people, it is a mistake to put all of your information out there. You don’t want convention attendees to snag copies of your brochure and your giveaway gift without having to leave the flow of traffic.  You don’t want them to move on without even slowing down.  A teaser headline on a banner stand or a bold graphic arching over their heads will encourage visitors to step inside your booth to learn more.

Click here read the entire article

Wood Works! BC will be holding the Summer Wood Cluster Seminars  in the Kootenays in August.

Plywood 101 – Paul Jaehrlich P.Eng. from CertiWood will provide a comprehensive overview of the Canadian plywood industry. Learn how to specify the right panel grades and wood species for the job including best practices for painting in exterior applications. He will also discuss the plywood manufacturing process and it’s quality control with an in-depth look at plywood’s engineering properties.

Wood First & The Demonstration Projects – Werner Hofstätter, Wood First Advisor from Wood WORKS! BC will provide an overview of where we are at since the introduction of the Wood First Act in B.C. including what its impact has been on the design community. Learn about innovative building systems by examining recently completed demonstration projects across B.C. with a discussion on what’s next for wood construction in B.C. and Canada

This free, two-part luncheon seminar will be held in four locations across the Okanagan region:

August 27: Revelstoke – Hillcrest Hotel, Mt. Revelstoke Room
August 28: Golden – Prestige Inn, Purcell Room
August 29: Cranbrook-Prestige Rocky Mountain Hotel, Fernie Salon
August 30: Nelson – Prestige Lakeside Resort, Monashee Salon

The luncheon seminars are free of charge and run from 10:30am – 1:30 pm – 2 Core LUs

Click here for more information 

January – April 2013

Note: Register early, last year’s session filled up!

This Certificate Program is designed to provide participants with a broad understanding of the field of wood finishing. The program involves a comprehensive review of the various dimensions of wood finishing, including wood properties, colour theory, the physical and chemical processes associated with the applications of stains and coatings, application methods; pre-treatments; coatings; application and curing equipment and automation; safety; environmental considerations; quality control and testing methods; and costs/economics. Throughout the course, workplace examples and case studies are referenced as much as possible, to provide real-world context to the discussions.

For more information, click here

August 20th  - October 1st, 2012

CAWP offers a Management Skills Training Program as a set of 8 short, affordable training courses for wood products manufacturers. Each module is taken online with email and phone support from a tutor, and costs $395. The program was funded by the Wood Manufacturing Council and is open to all. Focuses will be on:

• Production Planning
• Safety & Human Resources Management

For more information, click here

MARKETING ASSESSMENT  
Through the Wood First program, BC Wood is providing Marketing Assessment services to value added companies in British Columbia.  The Marketing Assessment will review current marketing efforts and identify any gaps or opportunities available to the company.  This service is significantly cost shared by the Wood First program and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START or WHAT YOU NEED?

Call BC Wood and a staff member will be pleased to visit your plant and conduct a review of the fundamental aspects of your business. We will provide you with a sense of services and programs offered and recommendations. Call BC Wood now for a free assessment of your business.

NEED SALES?

Have you considered a customized sales training program for your company?  BC Wood works with 2 expert trainers in sales training and past success has been extraordinary. The Wood First initiative provides this sales training on a cost shared basis. Call BC Wood to discuss your unique needs.

E-Commerce/Social Media Workshops – TO GENERATE SALES!

NEED HELP UNDERSTANDING E-Commerce / Social Media and why it’s important to your business? (AND what you can/should do about it?)

This hands-on workshop will walk you through the steps you need to take — and the things you need to know — to make your website do what it’s supposed to do — produce sales!  Come with your laptop and leave with a detailed plan that you will have already started to implement during the workshop!

The truth about social media and online marketing

No matter what the nay sayers say, the truth is that social media and online marketing produce sales. Want to take the mystery out of social media? You will learn why and how to use SM “strictly for business” — and how you can conduct a solid social media program in less than ten minutes a day.

Presented by expert Neil Godin, the following workshops are planned for:

 Victoria - Westin Bear Mountain, September 20, 2012
Kelowna – Delta Grand Hotel, October 11, 2012
Surrey – Sheraton Guildford, October 30, 2012

Click here for more information on the workshop or to register

Please contact Scott Thompson, Program Manager, for more information – 604-882-7100.

Many workers across the nation are exposed to wood dusts at sawmills, wood processing facilities and during construction and renovation activities.  In 2009, California’s Proposition 65 list added wood dust as a substance known to the State of California to cause cancer.

Wood dust becomes a potential health problem when wood particles become airborne. Wood dust can be created when wood is cut, drilled, sanded, machined or processed.  Breathing these particles can cause allergic respiratory symptoms, mucosal and non-allergic respiratory symptoms, irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, pulmonary function impairment, and even cancer. Western red cedar dust has even been shown to cause asthma.

In response to health concerns over worker exposure to wood dusts, the Institute for Safety and Health Management (ISHM) has recently sponsored an educational video about the topic.  Larry Curtis, CSHM, Executive Director of the ISHM, stated, “Several entities have set standards, or given recommendations, for wood dust exposure. These include OSHA, NIOSH, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).  Health effects associated with worker exposure to wood dust comes not only from the wood dust itself, but also from biological organisms such as mold that can grow on the wood.  Chemicals, including formaldehyde, copper naphthanate, and pentachlorophenol, are also sometimes used in the processing of some woods and are yet another health risk to workers.  We hope this new video helps to educate workers, managers and the public about the risks associated with exposure to wood dust.”

The new video discussing exposure to wood dust can be seen at:
http://youtu.be/tq2ruF4iy2U

Wood Dust Exposure Hazards

Click here to read the entire article

The recent B.C. heat wave has caused a big turnaround for the province’s forests, raising fire danger ratings to extreme in certain areas.

In the Kamloops Forest District, which covers most of the southern Interior, the fire danger rating has shot up from moderate to high. A large area around Prince George as well as sections of the southern Interior that include parts of the Shuswap have been placed under extreme fire risk.

“We have lots of people out there in the backcountry and we want to make sure they’re being vigilant with their campfires,” fire information officer Kayla Pepper said.

Following temperatures of 37 and 38 degrees over the weekend, the Lac Le Jeune campsite outside of Merritt is also under an extreme fire risk.

Do your lower-skilled employees need training? Want help funding their training?

The ASPECT Targeted Skills Shortage Program provides up to $7500 per employer (maximum $1500 per participant) for workplace training that helps grow your employees’ potential

The catch? You must employ less than 100 people and work in one of the following sectors:

• Healthcare and Social Services (NAICS 62)
• Manufacturing (NAICS 31-33)
• Transportation (NAICS 48)
• Technology, Clean Tech and Green Economy Sector (NAICS1114, 2213, 4181, 54162, 562)
• Natural Gas (NAICS 211, 23712)

Eligible employees are those who do not have a high school diploma, or they have a high school diploma but no recognized certification.

For more information, click here or contact:

Kat Starosta, Training Innovations
www.tsspbc.com
604.362.2060 or kat.starosta@training-innovations.com

BC Wood will be ramping up its’ presence at the Interior Design Show West (IDS West) this coming fall September 27-30^th. In an effort to bring more attention to the growing strength of wood design and manufacturing in BC, BC Wood has partnered with the show organizers of IDS West to create a high profile “Design BC” pavilion. The pavilion will showcase BC Wood members and their products, everything from custom furniture and architectural millwork, to design-inspired finished products such as kitchen cabinets, doors, flooring and paneling. The objective will be to feature the individual companies, drawing more traffic to the centrally located space. BC Wood is currently working with the IDWS West show organizers to develop promotional strategies that will highlight the companies participating in the “Design BC” pavilion and promote the strength of the growing design sector in BC.

A total of 1800 square feet of exhibition space has been set aside for the “Design BC” pavilion, with BC Wood covering a portion of the hard costs for this sector wide display. If you plan to participate in the IDS West show this year, please contact me to see how we can save you money and ensure you higher visibility through the “Design BC” pavilion. Call 604-882-7100 or email me at bhawrysh@bcwood.com