Canadian Forest Service Publications
Secondary manufacturing of solid wood products in Saskatchewan and Manitoba 2017: Structure and economic contribution. 2019. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia. Information report BC-X-449. 32 p.
Year: 2019
Issued by: Pacific Forestry Centre
Catalog ID: 39965
Language: English
Series: Information Report (PFC - Victoria)
Availability: PDF (download)
Abstract
This report presents survey results for Saskatchewan (SK) and Manitoba (MB)’s secondary wood manufacturing industries in 2017. The survey is part of the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) survey program on secondary wood manufacturing products across Canada; it compiles operational, employment, production, marketing, and financial information on nine business types. Most firms were in the south of the provinces where the population and demand for those products is concentrated. We estimated that SK’s secondary wood manufacturing industries employed 2,201 people and had sales of $305 million. MB’s secondary wood manufacturing industries were more than double the size of those in SK with 4,887 employees and $714 million sales. For both SK and MB, the majority of sales were within the provinces. Markets for MB products were more diverse with 35% exported to the rest of Canada and 13% to the United States. Of the responding firms, 41% in MB and 19% in SK hoped to expand operations, although firms reported several barriers to expansion plans. Market issues were identified as the most pressing challenges facing the industry in both provinces.
Plain Language Summary
This report presents the structure and economic contribution of the secondary wood manufacturing industries to Saskatchewan (SK) and Manitoba (MB)’s economy in 2017. We estimate that 173 businesses employed 2,201 people, had sales of $305 million and used 0.6 million m3 of wood fibre in SK. In MB, we estimate that 92 businesses employed 4,887 people, had sales of $714 million and used 0.7 million m3 of wood fibre. The majority of wood fibre used in SK was obtained locally, while MB respondents mainly sourced their wood fibre from other provinces. The markets for SK products were highly concentrated locally at 85%, while the markets for MB’s products were more diverse with 52% to local market, 35% to the rest of Canada, and 13% to the United States. Of responding firms, 19% in SK and 41% in MB expected to expand in the near future, but market issues stood out as the most pressing challenges facing the industry.
