BC Wood Goes Virtual with Business Development Activities and Services |
COVID-19 is changing the way BC's value-added wood product companies pursue their marketing and sales objectives, and BC Wood is helping lead the way. For individual wood product companies, the virus-related travel and large-group restrictions means more video conferencing with existing clients, and a broad range of online and in-market strategies to secure leads and develop new customers. The latter includes online product brochures, video factory tours and participation at virtual tradeshows.
Given its mandate to assist value-added manufacturers prosper, BC Wood is going virtual with all of its business development support activities and services, including its market intelligence and in-market assistance, and efforts to connect wood sellers and buyers-such as the annual Global Buyers Mission. BC Wood is also introducing new programs to help companies adapt to the new business environment including workshops on "Business Development In Time Of Uncertainty " and "managing a workforce from home". These timely program changes are made possible thanks to the emergence of new digital tools developed as a result of the restrictions.
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What do you think of the Wood Connections redesign?
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Provided the content is the same, it doesn't matter.
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Fast + Epp’s Mass Timber Headquarters Hits Major Construction Milestone
ConstructCanada
VANCOUVER — Construction of Fast + Epp’s four-storey mass timber hybrid office located near Vancouver’s Broadway and Cambie intersection has been completed.
The new building was erected at 7th Ave. and Yukon St. in four weeks using cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor and wall panels, glulam beams and steel posts. Exterior wall panels including firewall at the property line were pre-clad with membrane and insulation.
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Webinar: The New NAFTA: How to leverage CUSMA to enter new markets
EDC
To access a recording of this webinar after the seminar, please go to EDC's webinar page . A MyEDC account must be made to view past webinars.
The Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) came into effect on July 1, bringing key changes to the long-standing North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
Our expert-led webinar, The new NAFTA: How to leverage CUSMA to enter new markets, will show you how CUSMA promotes economic recovery from the effects of COVID-19.
You’ll also discover how your company can adjust its operations to leverage free trade agreements when doing business internationally.
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UBC Wood Co-op Students Available for Winter (January 2021 Start)
UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing
UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing is now looking for co-op postings for the Winter 2021 term (January 2021 start). Please see the program overview and a job template. Students are available for 4 month (January to April) or 8 month (January to August).
CAWP students are qualified for positions related to marketing/sales, business process analyses/improvements, engineering processes, manufacturing, quality control, research, testing and technical analysis.
Students get taken up quite quickly so it is highly recommend sending your job descriptions as soon as possible to Sanya Sivic at [email protected].
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Kinsol Timber Systems Bringing Wood Buildings To Life
Business Examiner
MILL BAY – Each piece of wood tells a story, through its grain, beauty and where it comes from.
Kinsol Timber Systems is built to highlight that in the structures it makes, working closely with customers during the design phase to feature timber and enhance the finished product.
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Court approves sale of C&C Wood Products and Westside Logging in Quesnel
Williams Lake Tribune
On Wednesday, July 29, B.C. Supreme Court approved the deal PricewaterhouseCoopers made earlier this month with a company named Quesnel Investment Corporation.
According to an update provided on PWC’s website, the court issued an order which approved PWC’s work as receiver of the bankrupt companies including; statement of receipts and disbursements, sale process of the Quesnel operations and assets and the non-licence asset purchase agreement and the licence asset purchase agreement.
The Court also granted an order which approved the sealing of the confidential supplement to the First Report.
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What is that new building under construction on Queens Way?
Dan Falloon, Squamish Chief
A new building under construction on Queens Way will, according to its owner, become a hub of world-class design.
The roughly 27,000-square-foot structure at 38935 Queens Way will house Squamish woodworking and furniture company Leon Lebeniste on its main floor with a publicly accessible space, complete with a café, on the second floor, according to company founder Jon Hewitt.
"The intention for this place is that it's a lighthouse of design and manufacturing excellence," he said. "If you're bombing up and down the Sea to Sky Highway, it's a 'you must stop and see what's happening at this place' type of thing.
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Kalesnikoff Updated Website Shows Mass Timber Venture
Woodworking Network
CASTLEGAR, B.C. -- Mass timber company Kalesnikoff has announced the launch of their redesigned website, www.kalesnikoff.com. The new site places an emphasis on the West Kootenay region company’s 80-year history as wood experts in the forest sector and features the company’s past and present stories, detailed product line, service offerings, forest stewardship information and a blog which will include stories featuring the company’s people and community as well as company news.
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Excitement building around Esquimalt Town Square
Don Descoteau, BC Local News
Anyone who hasn’t ventured into the heart of Esquimalt recently will notice big changes to the landscape – especially in the centre of the township, where the Esquimalt Town Square project is transforming the former public works site behind city hall.
It’s still a working construction site, but one of the four buildings in the plan is now ready to go on Carlisle Avenue, awaiting new residents this fall. The second condominium building next door won’t be far behind.
Mayor Barb Desjardins finds it difficult to contain her enthusiasm about the development and the future of this site.
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Testimonial Video – Meeting & Events in Whistler
GoWhistler, Youtube
BC Wood is a proud supporter of Whistler BC and are looking forward to returning for the 2021 Global Buyers Mission.
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Government Funding for International Growth
Export Navigator, Small Business BC
When: Oct. 23, 2020
Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
Price: Free
If you are looking to expand your sales outside of Canada, there are government programs available to help. This seminar will explore programs that split the cost of attending virtual trade events, establishing new research and development collaborations with foreign partners, and conducting market research to find new international customers for your products or services.
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WMC Management Skill Training Courses
Are you looking for industry training options to build your management team and strengthen your business?
UBC - Centre for Advanced Wood Processing is pleased to offer three online Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC) Management Skills Training online courses starting on September 14th.
Designed specifically for the wood products industry, these affordably-priced online courses will build your team’s knowledge in the areas of production planning, quality management, new product development, and equipment justification. Course content is based on case studies from the various sub-sectors with the underlying goal to teach skills that can be immediately applied in the workforce related to production, purchasing, HR, QC, equipment evaluation and purchase, sales/marketing, and new product development. Each course is led by a tutor with extensive industry experience and requires about 5hrs of study per week.
Date / Course
Sept. 14 – Nov. 9: Production Planning
Sept. 14 - Oct. 26: Quality Management and Control
Sept. 14 - Oct. 26: Business Finance
Note: These are not academic courses and no prerequisites are required
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Consider highlighting products or services, sales or promotions, personal bios, and more. Use images that complement your message, and link your images to supporting resources. |
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We are pleased to invite you to participate in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP)
World Trade Centre
New trade agreements and a competitive Canadian dollar make it an ideal time to extend your company's reach through the export of goods and services.
World Trade Centre Vancouver has successfully delivered Canada's Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), in B.C. since 2017.
The Trade Accelerator Program is designed to help SMEs TAP into their full export potential. It has a proven track record helping participants get results.
Just six months after graduating the program:
- On average, export revenue increased by 28%
- Participants forecast their export sales to grow 47% over the next 5 years
By enrolling in TAP Canada you can:
- Navigate complexities of the global trade ecosystem
- Leverage Canada's deep trade and investment resources
- Access tailored, face-to-face coaching and advice
- Learn about international best practices
- Accelerate export readiness
- Develop and implement a new market entry plan
- Expand your global trade footprint and increase revenue
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Leadership in the New Normal Series – Leadership is a MINDSET and Not a Job Title!™
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True leaders wake up every morning and ask themselves, “what can I do to help my team succeed today and what tools and support can I give them to help them achieve both personal and corporate goals.”
Unfortunately, everyone who holds a position of leadership is not a leader.
Leadership is a MINDSET and not a job title!™
There are way too many people today that have been provided with the opportunity to lead without any idea of how to do so. They have either been at a position long enough that someone decides that they should be promoted or they are excellent tactitions and have been recognized for great work that they do.
Neither is a reason to make someone a leader.
Call it a leader, a manager or whatever you want, people who have people they are responsible for must be taught how to lead.
It is a different skill set, one that takes time and effort to learn and requires a mindset of team first, personal gain and glory a distant third at best.
As a leader, your role is not to micromanage tasks or people, nor is it to berate, belittle or objectify. It is rather to inspire, coach, mentor, teach and motivate. It is to get the best out of individuals by understanding that they are humans first and because of that come to the office each day with their own sets of goals, wants, needs, fears and desires.
There is no cookie cutter approach or hack for leadership, it takes empathy, understanding and the want to listen to and value each person individually and uniquely.
When we truly lead, we inspire. When we inspire, we have engaged employees who are motivated, understand purpose and objectives and work towards them.
Sound like the kind of employees you want? Then now is the time to develop the leaders you need!
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Norelco Cabinet Solutions |
Norelco Cabinet Solutions is a Kelowna-based manufacturer of custom premium cabinetry. The company was founded in 1972, originally operating as a “mom & pop shop” focused on serving the local market; however, it came into its own when acquired by fourth owner, Peter Raja in 2002. Raja grew the company, expanding into Western Canada and the United States, specifically in California and Hawaii.
At its core, Norelco is a company that is focused primarily on producing exceptional quality product. They build more than just cabinets, they are a solutions company that can produce any spec, in any timeframe with any logistics required. They have set up a solid network of material suppliers, where they source solely from North America and Europe. This mentality has created a nice niche for them in both the high-end custom home and multi-family markets, where they are small enough to give their clients the personal touch with any customization for their home, while big enough to meet the volume of the scheduling timelines of a multi-family project. Having such a strong dedication to quality has allowed them to work with like-minded architects and builders to create a product they are proud of.
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At Norelco, they believe their staff is their strength - all of whom are committed to excellence while driving solutions with integrity. Many of the staff are still with the company almost twenty years later, but are now manufacturing premium custom cabinetry, designed and built to outlast styles and trends.
Despite restricted travel, Norelco has been active in their marketing and sales activities, having recently participated in a Building Connections virtual mission to Lake Tahoe.
To learn more about Norelco, you can visit them at any of the following:
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Virtual UBCM Exhibitor Showcase, Sept., 22-24
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BC Wood will be organizing industry participation at the Virtual UBCM Exhibitor Showcase, from Tuesday to Thursday, September 22-24, 2020.
The show provides a unique opportunity for suppliers to promote and connect with a myriad of municipal and local governments, as well as regional district representatives - all in one locale! The UBCM presents the best occasion to meet, exchange ideas, accelerate or forge new relationships with those tasked with planning and constructing community service facilities.
The Virtual UBCM Exhibitor Showcase’s primary attendees are elected local government officials, including Mayors, Councillors, and Regional District Directors. Many non-elected decision makers such as Corporate Administrative Officers, City Managers, Finance, Purchasing and Community Services Managers, in addition to several Provincial Ministers and MLA's also attend.
Exhibition space is limited, so for more information regarding participation at the UBCM Trade Show in BC Wood's pavilion, please contact Brian Hawrysh at 604-882-7100 or email [email protected]. |
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Needing Some Extra Financial Support to Beef Up Your Marketing and Business Development to Get New Sales?
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There are cost-shared programs available for BC’s value-added wood products industry to assist you with creating new marketing strategies, developing / revamping your branding and brand strategies, sales coaching, training for all aspects of business and marketing, etc. This funding is available in the following categories:
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. You can go with any marketing firm of your choice and do not need to be a BC Wood member to access this program.
Company 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 and management training, sales coaching, creating a social media strategy, creating a marketing strategy to enter a new market or a new product line, video production training, SEO training, creating a Marketing Plan/Strategy, creating a new brand strategy, content creation, etc. Funding covers 40% of the project total cost.
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Continue Your International Marketing Efforts Through BC Wood's GBM
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The Global Buyers Mission (GBM) continues to be the best business building event for Canadian wood products manufacturers interested in growing their export market opportunities - and developing new business relationships with architects, designers, developers, builders & contractors, wholesalers and distributors worldwide.
We will be delivering this year's event online, with a custom program using imagery and settings from the beautiful Whistler Conference Centre and Whistler Village. Join us in the Grand Foyer for your gateway into the GBM Exhibit Hall, the Rainbow Theatre for WoodTALKS Presentations, or the Roundhouse at the top of the Mountain for our Social/networking events!
- Meet one-on-one with even more qualified buyers than ever from the United States, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan, as well as 20+ other countries
- More international buyers visiting GBM site since there will be no visa issues or travel costs
- BC Wood will continue to verify every buyer's qualifications to ensure you are seeing the best of the best
- Buyer/specifier access to tradeshow floor and company content two weeks prior to live launch, plus two months post-live event, with anytime messaging feature
- Reduce your GBM participation costs and get more of your staff involved
- More time on the "show-floor" for longer, more productive discussions with buyers
- Interactive booth with space for product brochures/information/product displays/videos and a link to your website, as well as "Live video meetings" direct from your booth space/office/plant during show hours (can be pre-scheduled with interpreter, or drop-in style)
- Live Socials/Networking with up to 12 tables/topics to jump in and out of. Visit with your peers and customers in either a topical or market-based conversation.
- Get data on which buyers are looking at your products
STAY TUNED for launch details and show dates!
If you have questions or want to make sure you are on the list to receive more details, contact [email protected].
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Experiencing Hakuba’s Offerings and Opportunities
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Usually I take my family to Canada over the summer as a both a chance to visit family and to escape Tokyo’s extreme heat, but unfortunately, this was not an option this year because of COVID-19. Instead, we decided to go to a mountain resort within Japan so we could still cool off in nature. I originally thought of heading for Niseko as my family has never been to Hokkaido, but we were not keen on flying to Sapporo to get there. Going by car would involve either a long drive to the top of Honshu and a ferry ride or an overnight ferry trip departing from just north of Tokyo. On the other hand, Hakuba, being just an easy 3 1/2 hour drive from Tokyo, could be reached without any unnecessary interactions with others. That made the decision for us.
Over the past few years, I have visited Hakuba for business meetings several times, but going as a tourist that had to entertain his family gave me a much more in-depth understanding of the area. The big issue for resort developments in Japan prior to COVID was attracting visitors during the green season, so going this summer allowed me to evaluate Hakuba’s new offerings. Hiking was always a staple of this area and mountain biking options were added years ago. However, last year the main ski hill Happo-One, together with the outdoor brand Snow Peak added a first-class glamping site, built with a large volume of WRC, in order to attract an entirely different type of clientele.
Other ski hills that make up “Hakuba Valley” have also being adding touches of glamping to entice casual visitors to the top. Iwatake Mountain Resort has added “Hakuba Mountain Harbour” where you can enjoy the delicacies of a famous New York café perched over a ridge looking out at the Japan Alps. Similarly, Happo-One has its “Hakuba Mountain Beach” offering great food and relaxed atmosphere. Tsugaike Mountain has targeted families by importing a variety of French extreme adventure equipment to create the “Hakuba Tsugaike Wow” park on its slopes. While I did not come across that many new commercial buildings down in the valley, Snow Peak’s new flagship store “Land Station Hakuba,” designed by Kengo Kuma, was open and drawing crowds.
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A few comments, suggestions and ideas...
It’s the dog days of summer, and as such I was doing a little reflecting on the crazy times we are in and giving some thought to the things I know - or at least thought I knew.
“The older I get the less I seem to know” .... At least that’s the way I have felt since the beginning of this Pandemic. In March, the world seemed to come to a screeching halt and the way we conducted business changed overnight. I had plenty of ideas and a few predictions on how things were going to turn out, none of which, it seems are correct.
“Get to know thy neighbour” ... Our neighbours to the South are a complicated bunch, constantly preoccupied with partisan politics, where the simple act of wearing a mask has become a major political statement. Yet through all this division and political posturing, their economy has rebounded impressively, housing starts are up, and the residential construction sector is experiencing a mini boom. I don’t think anyone predicted that.
“Exercising an idle mind” ... I guess one of the only things I sort of got right was that the quarantine we experienced across many parts of the world and especially in North America has led to a huge pent up demand in the renovation and DIY sectors. This in turn, has led to a surge in softwood lumber prices not seen in years. It seems that all the time we spent at home, gave folks plenty of opportunity to think about how to improve their living experience.
So as stated, just when you think you know something, along comes a Pandemic that humbles you and puts you back in your place. As we all continue to work through the pandemic together, BC Wood is there to support BC industry in navigating the complex US market and taking advantage of the opportunities such dramatic change creates. For more information on the US market, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
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