Canadian Forest Service Publications
Secondary manufacturing of solid wood products in British Columbia 2012: structure, economic contribution and changes since 1990. 2015. Bogdanski, B.E.C; McBeath, A. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia. Information report BC-X-436. 31p.
Year: 2015
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 35951
Language: English
Series: Information Report (PFC - Victoria)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
The British Columbia forest industry continuously faces challenges related to the ups and downs in commodity markets and increased global competition. Such challenges were front and centre during the housing and financial crisis in the United States and subsequent great recession of 2007–2009. This report presents survey results for the province’s secondary wood manufacturing industries in 2012. The survey gathered operational, employment, production, marketing, and financial information on business types, with supplemental information gathered for panelboard producers. Analysis of the survey results provides a comprehensive picture of the state of the sector’s industries and allows for comparison with past surveys conducted by the Canadian Forest Service, including the last one undertaken in 2006, before the United States financial and housing crisis. Although the size of the industry has contracted since the last survey, it is much more balanced across the business types, with a shift from panelboards and remanufactured lumber products to cabinetry, millwork, and furniture, value-added businesses that are more closely tied to the domestic construction industry.
Plain Language Summary
This report looks into the state of British Columbia’s secondary wood manufacturing sector. This is the latest in a number of surveys and resulting reports on the sector dating back to 1990. This sector includes businesses such as millwork, engineered wood products, lumber remanufacturing, cabinets, and furniture. The industry was surveyed in the fall of 2013 and businesses were asked to provide information on employment, production, sales and wood use for 2012. Also, businesses were asked questions on possible expansion constraints and their use of the internet. The results found the size of the industry has contracted since the last survey conducted in 2006, before the recession. It was found the industry is now more balanced across business types, with a shift from panelboards and remanufactured lumber products to cabinetry, millwork, and furniture, value-added businesses that are more closely tied to the domestic construction industry. This report adds to the literature on this sector to better understand current and past trends and current challenges and opportunities facing the industries. The information supports the development of current and proposed policies and programs designed to support this sector.
