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December 28, 2018
News 
 

Addressing the forest industry labour shortfall

Retirement-related turnover is the key factor supporting projected job vacancies over the next decade and is expected to reach 60 per cent in forestry and logging occupations in B.C. This issue is compounded by the fact that fewer young people are joining the forest industry, writes David Elstone, executive director of the TLA.


Charting industry trends: an overview of CFI's 2018 Contractor Survey results

Two years ago, CFI shared results from an inaugural contractor survey. This year, we followed up with a second survey. By comparing results from both surveys, it’s clear Canada’s contractors have roadblocks ahead of them if they are to have healthy, profitable futures in the industry.


Diving in head first: Lavern Heideman & Sons invests $17M to boost production

“It was either just run the other equipment into the ground and walk away, or dive in head first,” says Kris Heideman, vice-president of Eganville, Ont.-based Lavern Heideman & Sons Lumber, about the company’s recent $17 million upgrade. The company has expanded to accommodate a new large-log line, as well as dry kilns and space for their planer mill.


Opinion: Death of a saw salesman?

For as long as filers have been hammering saws, the manufacturers have sent smiling representatives out into the wild seeking the fertile ground of working filing rooms to sew their seeds of promise. But today, there is a real fear amongst sawfilers that perhaps the era of one-on-one interaction with a direct representative from the supplier could come to an end, writes Trevor Shpeley, a former executive of the BC Saw Filers Association.
 
Sponsored Spotlight 
 
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Featured News 
 
Top 10 Under 40

Introducing CFI's sixth annual Top 10 Under 40

Enabling the next generation to succeed is the only way to preserve the future of any industry. CFI is proud to introduce our sixth consecutive annual Top 10 forestry leaders under 40 years old. » Read more...
 
Logger business

Logger business: program helps contractors improve business side of operations

Like many successful loggers, Liz Bernier and Joel St. Onge had the operations side of their business nailed down. They had the growth curve to prove it. Yet as they grew, they outgrew some of their business practices. That’s where the Business Skills program from FPInnovations entered the picture. » Read more...
 
News 
 

Coastal innovation: veneer facility thinks outside the box

On the picturesque shores of Vancouver Island, a veneer and roundwood facility has been efficiently turning 100 per cent Douglas fir into quality veneer sheets since 1988. Editor Maria Church shares the details. » Read more...

Integrated op: Vanderhoof mill produces lumber, pellets and energy on one site

Touring Nechako Lumber is an all day affair. The 8.9 million square-foot site in Vanderhoof, B.C., is home to a small-log sawmill, planer mill, pellet plant and energy system, all of which are seamlessly integrated to handle 100 per cent of the roughly 900,000 tonnes (800 cubic metres) of logs that enter Nechako’s gates each year. » Read more...

The evolution of steep slope harvesting in Canada

In 2008, the harvest profile changed and the economy tightened, resulting in less steep slope harvesting. But as the economy improved, loggers looked up the hill at the reservoir of wood and wondered how they would log steep terrain safely and cost effectively. In 2014, FPInnovations launched the Steep Slope Initiative in response. » Read more...

Driving success: Kamloops log hauler keeps employees top of mind

“Being in the trucking business ourselves, we know that most shops spend very little time considering the comfort of the professional drivers who are waiting for a repair to be made. We wanted to be different, and it definitely creates some buzz,” says Greg Munden, owner, Munden Ventures. » Read more...
 
 
Events 
 

TLA Convention & Trade Show

January 16 – 18, 2019
Location: Vancouver, B.C.
» Learn more

B.C. Natural Resources Forum

January 22 – 24, 2019
Location: Prince George, B.C.
» Learn more

Western Forestry Contractors’ Association Conference & Trade Show

January 30 – February 1, 2019
Location: Victoria, B.C.
» Learn more

PaperWeek 2019

February 4 – 7, 2019
Location: Montreal
» Learn more

OFIA 76th Annual Meeting & Convention

February 27, 2019
Location: Toronto, Ont.
» Learn more