Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, today recognized Stucturlam for its leading-edge work in developing structural wood products.

Thomson toured Structurlam's Okanagan Falls manufacturing plant, which was recently expanded to allow for increased production of Structurlam's cross-laminated timber panels, a solid-wood product that offers a lighter-weight alternative to concrete in commercial construction.

Structurlam is one of only two companies in Canada to manufacture this revolutionary building product. Structurlam also exemplifies the Province's Wood First Initiative, introduced in 2009, to promote B.C. wood in commercial construction.

Structurlam opened its expanded, 930-square-metre (10,000-square-foot) production plant in May 2013. Currently the company employs 150 people in Penticton, Okanagan Falls and Oliver.

The Province's commitment to using wood first is a key component of Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia. Launched in 2012, the strategy is designed to advance economic and environmental sustainability in the forest sector as a whole. The strategy is part of the BC Jobs Plan, which is designed to create long-term jobs and investment in British Columbia through competitive industries like forestry.

Quotes:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Structurlam is a world-class manufacturer and technological innovator. Their leading-edge products and manufacturing processes are changing the way the world thinks about building with wood, while helping ensure long-term employment for Okanagan workers and their families."

Structurlam Products president Bill Downing -

"Wood has been enjoying a renaissance in the commercial construction market. And thanks to the things like the Wood First Initiative and the ongoing collaboration between industry and government, we are opening up markets around the world for commercial structural applications for homegrown wood products."

Quick Facts:

• In 2011, the Province established a Wood First Advisory Committee, to provide strategic guidance on the priorities for the Wood First Initiative. The committee includes a broad cross-section of representatives from the value-added wood processing sector and wood products' end-user communities.
• Structurlam is a leader in cross-laminated timber technology. CLT panels compare in strength to concrete, but are up to six times lighter.
• Structurlam was founded in 1962 and opened its cross-laminated timber plant in 2011. The expanded, 930-square-metre (10,000-square-foot) production plant opened in July 2013. Today, the company employs 150 people in Penticton, Okanagan Falls and Oliver.

Learn More:

Our Natural Advantage: Forest Sector Strategy for British Columbia: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/mof/forestsectorstrategy/Forest_Strategy_WEB.PDF

BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

BC Wood First Initiative: http://www.jtst.gov.bc.ca/woodfirst/

Structurlam website: http://www.structurlam.com/contact/

Contact:

Brennan Clarke
Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261