Without question, the past number of weeks have been difficult and unfortunately, the future is still very much an unknown. However, one thing that I can say for certain is that BC Wood is here to support you through these challenging times. We continue to stay up to date so we can provide you with the most current information available on any new support programs that are introduced by provincial and federal governments, as well as new details on previously announced plans. The latest information on COVID 19 resources is available on our website at https://bcwood.com/covid-19-resources.

 

We also understand that to support our industry in staying viable and strong, we must find ways to adapt our market development programs. Our staff reviewed all our programs with an eye towards delivering valuable activities that are both safe for all concerned and help you accomplish your immediate business and marketing goals. In the days ahead we will roll out a completely new set of virtual programs that will provide you with the latest market intelligence, identify new market opportunities, connect you with new customers and support your efforts to turn those new contacts into new customers. These tools will help you to continue to be productive during these times when social distancing and travel limitations have created some challenges.

 

BC Wood will also take a lead role in advocating on behalf of BC's value-added wood products to the provincial and federal governments. More than ever it is important that both levels of government understand the challenges, the opportunities, achievements and the short and longer term needs of our industry. BC Wood is in a unique and prominent position to take on this important role. You can help support this effort by sharing with me your challenges, best practices and ideas on ways to help our industry and local economies recover and get people back to work.

 

BC Wood's staff will continue to closely monitor the information available and follow the guidance of the Government of Canada, and Vancouver Coastal Health. In these times, we must remember to take care of ourselves and those around us. We must work together and support each other and uncover our collective strengths, as the resiliency of our business community is put to the test.

All levels of government in British Columbia (B.C.) are leading by example, showcasing what's possible with wood construction and demonstrating the importance of sustainable building.

Through its Wood First Act, the province of B.C. encourages public institutions to consider using wood in construction where appropriate. Since the act was introduced about a decade ago, more than 50 B.C. municipalities have adopted wood-first resolutions, policies or bylaws - promoting locally sourced timber construction as a way to take action against climate change.

Wood has become the predominant structural and finishing material for fire halls, municipal buildings, police stations and libraries throughout the province. Wood harvested from sustainably managed forests has many inherent benefits; it's a sturdy building material, a natural insulator, good for health and wellbeing, and fast and efficient for construction.

Former City of Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis said he wants people to see the many benefits and beauty of wood - and to understand that it's a safe and durable material we can use with confidence.

RPB Hotels and Resorts has selected HDR to provide architectural design services for the development of a new 82-suite, 12-story mass timber constructed Ramada Hotel in Kelowna, British Columbia.

The City of Kelowna was an early adopter of British Columbia's new regulations allowing mass timber construction of up to 12 stories. The development will not only be the tallest mass timber tower in Kelowna, but a positive contribution to the community by providing more centrally located hotel accommodations and pedestrian-friendly access to other amenities.

The tower will be constructed using partial encapsulation and exposed CLT (cross-laminated timber), in addition to glulam (glue-laminated timber). The new hotel will provide three different suite typologies with access via a single-loaded corridor, day-lit from north and south. The development is divided between façade articulation and material treatments - distinguishing street-level retail amenities, the hotel's main lobby and two penthouse suites, which are recessed from the main suite block on the west elevation. The façade's glass projection, which captures common space on each floor for guests to socialize, will showcase the innovative mass timber design and construction.

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As the B.C. lumber industry closed out a dismal 2019, punctuated by holiday shutdowns, shift reductions and shuttered mills, a Langley, B.C.-based company rooted in remanufacturing finished the year with optimism.

Adding shifts and expanding its portfolio, San Group is in the midst of a $100-million project to reinvigorate the City of Port Alberni as a major player in the Canadian lumber industry.

San Group purchased a large-diameter sawmill from Coulson Forest Products (located just outside of urban Port Alberni) in 2017, and is spending millions on new equipment and construction to build a small-diameter mill and a remanufacturing facility nearby.

Delta, B.C. is a wide-open landscape of quiet neighbourhoods and sprawling farms and migrating birds that gather near the coast of Boundary Bay. A network of three communities, combined with a population of about 100,000 people, the city is also home to one of the largest, developing industrial lands in the Greater Vancouver Area.

With this growing market near an airport and two provincial highways, a small, aging fire hall couldn't keep up with the community's emergency response needs. Also lacking was a proper emergency operations centre (EOC). During an event, such as a flood, rooms in city hall were cleared into makeshift workspace for 30 to 40 people overseeing different functions.

"When you're dealing with disasters and emergencies, tensions are running high," says Michel Latendresse, Delta deputy fire chief. "That doesn't serve a one-room model where phones are ringing and people are trying to have private conversations."

Ghazal Ebrahimi says there's a typical misconception about green buildings. It's that environmentally friendly buildings are boring and look like shoeboxes.

She recalled that during the time she worked as an architect, she would tell clients that green buildings can be pleasing to the senses.

"I always had to explain that a green building doesn't need to be boring," Ebrahimi told the Straight in a phone interview. "It actually can be beautiful."

Ebrahimi is a Vancouver-based senior analyst with the buildings and urban-solutions program of the Pembina Institute, a think tank focused on energy.

Because of her background in architecture, Ebrahimi puts the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre at the top of her list of favourite green buildings in Vancouver.

Tuesday, April 28 @ 9:30am to 11:00pm

For the time being, the COVID-19-economy has drastically changed the face of exporting, and now is the time to adapt and prepare for the future. Having the skills and tools required to sell your goods and services to other provinces and countries takes preparation which you can start now. In this webinar, you'll learn how you can attend virtual tradeshows, access funding resources, and hone a skill set that can help you export across the globe, from Alberta to Australia. Business around the world is adapting, and now could be the time to look into expanding your markets.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

• Funding opportunities for exporting business for non-travel expenses
• Continue to build your sales relationships virtually
• Find tradeshows that have moved online or to B2B platforms

 

Free Registration

 

Learn more about Export Navigator 

BC Wood just received funding approval for the 2020-21 Wood First Program. Beginning April 1st, 2020, we will be coordinating and delivering an exciting line up of activities to assist you in your marketing and business development!

Virtual Workshops:

We will be delivering a number of virtual workshops throughout the year on Business Development and Marketing topics. Please contact Rumin at rmann@bcwood.com if you have a request for a particular topic.

Marketing Assessments:

A marketing expert will review and evaluate your company's marketing activities and strategy. You will then receive a comprehensive summary report that identifies each marketing activity/strategy, recommended changes or improvements, and new marketing activities/strategies that should be considered. Alongside the report, you will receive recommendations on how to accelerate your marketing strategy, as well as how to strengthen and improve your overall brand and messaging to further set you apart from competitors and achieve your desired business goals. Funding covers 75% of cost. Average value for a marketing assessment is $3000; so your cost would only be about $750.

Marketing or Business Development One-on-One Assistance Projects:

Company specific projects use the information gained from assessments to help improve competitiveness, address gaps, and strengthen your company's supply chain. With this help, you will learn how to efficiently manage your business and market your product in a more professional and effective manner, ultimately growing your company. Examples of eligible projects include: leadership, management training, sales coaching, creating a social media strategy, effectively managing teams virtually, video production training, etc. Funding covers 40% of the project total cost.

These are only a few of the many activities we have lined up for the upcoming year. To find out how BC Wood can assist you with your marketing and business development, contact Rumin at rmann@bcwood.com or 604-882-7100.

BC WOOD's WoodTALKS PROGRAM  has revamped and now provides BC value-added wood manufacturers the opportunity to provide accredited educational  LIVE WEBINARS directly to the Specifier Community including architects, designers, engineers, developers, builders, and contractors in B.C., Canada, and USA.  Participants in the program receive the added benefit of establishing themselves as trusted industry leaders, presenting their company and products of expertise, and building their client bases.

 

When regular face-to-face business resumes, participants in this program will have additional opportunities to deliver both in-person or hybrid educational lunch and learn sessions.   BC Wood is a Recognized Educational Provider with AIBC (Architectural Institute of BC), AIA (American Institute of Architects),  BC Housing Continuing Professional Development, AAA (Alberta Association of Architects), and  IDCEC (Interior Designer Continuing Educational Council).

 

For more information on how you can participate, or if you have any questions contact:  Ken Hori at BC Wood Specialties Group C: 604-317-3161,  khori@bcwood.com.

The explosion of inbound tourism has been one of the great economic stories in Japan for the past few years. That phenomenal growth had resurrected many Japanese resorts, with major foreign investors just starting to launch new high-quality properties that would generate a greater level of recognition amongst the world's well-heeled travelers. Unfortunately, COVID-19 crashed the party. With the sudden ban on international travel, the Japanese tourism industry has been hit hard and the postponement of the Olympics has dashed the hopes for a record summer. However, despite the short-term pain, there is optimism for these resorts for the summer and beyond.

Many investors and stakeholders are of course worried about the current situation. As a result, one of the major foreign developers organized a webinar to answer these questions and I was able to take part. This particular developer has been active in Japan for a long-time and could speak with authority on the subject, having gone through the severe downturns after the 2008 financial crisis as well as the 2011 nuclear disaster in Fukushima. Both times, interest in Japanese resort properties plummeted overnight and both times the developer cut their operations down to the bone as a defensive strategy. However, each time that left them unprepared to benefit from the following rebounds, so this time they are continuing full steam ahead with their projects. Their optimism is driven by the fact that this time, inquiries have not stopped and their projects for 2020 are already fully booked.

One of the unexpected outcomes of the corona virus situation has been that wealthy Japanese have rushed back to resort properties, as the major urban centres are seen as risky. Over the past few weeks, Nagano resort areas have been packed by both existing resort homeowners and people renting cabins for long terms. It the past, such properties were just retreats from Tokyo's summer heat, but now they are being rediscovered as sanctuaries. Japan based expats typically flee the summer heat to their home countries, but this summer, they will not have that option because of international travel bans. Resort operators and developers are watching this shift in domestic demand and are looking to increase their promotions of summer season activities. Furano in Hokkaido is one of the few areas in Japan that has successfully marketed itself in this way and as a result, enjoys 80% occupancy rates over the summer. With all Japanese travelers likely to be limited to domestic options this year, resorts throughout the country will be trying to replicate Furano's success. With a re-evaluation of what domestic resorts offer, a long-term mindset shift toward resort property ownership will be established.

In the end, whether it is domestic or foreign guests, the fundamental attractiveness of Japanese resorts has not changed. In fact, if these areas can better package and sell their summer options, they will emerge even stronger after COVID-19. Through our 2019/20 programs, BC Wood's Japan office created extensive connections with developers in the main resort areas and we will be helping members connect to them in an effective new online format. For more information, please contact Jim Ivanoff ( ivanoff@bcwood.jp).

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