Vancouver, BC – September 3, 2024 – The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) today reaffirmed its commitment to fostering a vibrant secondary wood products manufacturing sector in British Columbia. The organization also highlighted the valuable work being done by the Value-Added Accelerator (VA Accelerator) in driving innovation and growth within this sector.
COFI believes that a healthy primary sector is essential for a thriving secondary sector. COFI members are actively involved in initiatives aimed at increasing demand for value-added wood products and ensuring a reliable fibre supply.
Since the release of the BC Ministry of Forests Intentions Paper in 2021, the provincial government has demonstrated a strong commitment to shifting the focus of the forest industry towards value-added manufacturing. COFI has actively engaged in supporting this transition, working closely with the Value-Added Wood Coalition, First Nations Forestry Council and Ministry of Forests to identify opportunities and address challenges in fibre supply chains.
The VA Accelerator has played an important role in facilitating collaboration and driving positive change. Through regional meetings and discussions, primary, secondary and value-added manufacturers have established new business relationships, identified growth opportunities, and contributed to the development of a shared understanding of the key barriers to increasing value-added production.
COFI members have already seen progress in expanding their value-added product sales, both domestically and internationally, supporting good, local jobs in their communities. COFI members, such as West Fraser, Canfor and Western Forest Products, are steadfast in their commitment to supporting local domestic demands in BC, bolstering the province’s economic growth, self-sufficiency and value-added supply chains. Fact sheets summarizing this work are available for download below.
COFI supports the VA Accelerator’s ongoing efforts to facilitate collaboration and innovation at the regional level. By working together, industry, government and First Nations can identify opportunities to optimize fibre supply, develop new products and strengthen the overall competitiveness of BC’s forest products sector.
We are committed to supporting the transition of the BC forest industry towards higher-value production. The VA Accelerator and other related initiatives are essential for achieving this goal.
Download the COFI fact sheet on Value-Added manufacturing here.
Download the company fact sheets on Value-Added manufacturing below:
Canfor
West Fraser
Western Forest Products
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About the BC Council of Forest Industries
The BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI) represents the interests of British Columbia’s forest industry, advocating for policies that support sustainable forest management, economic prosperity, and the well-being of forest-dependent communities.
Media Contact:
Travis Joern, Director of Communications, COFI
778-846-3465, Joern@cofi.org
www.cofi.org