More forestry-sector manufacturers receiving funds from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund include:

• Surrey – Advance Lumber Remanufacturing Ltd. is a wood pallet manufacturer serving the distribution, logistics, agriculture and construction sectors. It will receive as much as $800,000 to build a new manufacturing facility, and buy and commission a processing line and nailing machine, increasing production to meet growing demand, expanding its product offerings and creating 15 jobs.

• Kamloops – River City Fibre LP, a partnership between Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. and Simpcw Resources Group, the economic development arm of the Simpcw First Nation, turns low-value pulp logs and salvaged timber into wood chips, hog fuel and sawdust for the Kamloops Kruger pulp mill. It will receive as much as $600,000 to buy a de-wrapping station and electric log loader to enhance the speed and precision of log processing, reduce emissions and create four jobs. 

• Penticton – PBS Truss MFG Ltd. is a new manufacturer of engineered building components, such as trusses, wall panels and floor cassettes. It will receive as much as $520,000 to support the construction of a new manufacturing facility and the purchase of specialized equipment to begin manufacturing products in-house for distribution within its network of Home Hardware Building Centres. The project addresses the growing demand for prefabricated and off-site construction components, and creates 23 jobs.

• Cranbrook – Kootenay Wood Preservers uses small, traditionally unsuitable fibre to manufacture specialized wood posts and poles. It will receive as much as $450,000 to relocate its manufacturing facility from Lumberton to Cranbrook, modernize its equipment to increase production and automation, and expand its fibre profile, creating nine jobs.

• Kelowna – Acutruss Industries Ltd. designs and manufactures engineered wood building components, such as roof and floor trusses, I-joists and wall panels. It is receiving as much as $100,000 to support the purchase and commissioning of equipment to manufacture precision cut I-joists through automation, while increasing production and efficiency, and creating 12 new jobs.

• Squamish – Squamish First Nation, in partnership with its economic development arm, Nch’Kay Development Corporation, will receive as much as $50,000 toward planning activities that include pre-construction engineering and site assessment for a potential capital project.

• Burns Lake – Decker Lake Forest Products Inc. manufactures lumber primarily from burnt logs and pine-beetle kill. It will receive as much as $50,000 to complete planning activities for a potential capital project.

• Fruitvale – Atco Wood Products manufactures veneer, ties, posts, wood chips, mulch and biomass. It will receive as much as $50,000 to complete planning for a new veneer-production facility, and purchase and commission new equipment to improve fibre utilization and optimize production.

• Lavington – Tolko Industries Ltd. is a forest-products manufacturer. It is receiving as much as $50,000 to build project planning for a potential capital project at one of its Okanagan locations.

• Burns Lake – Burns Lake Native Development Corporation was founded in 1974 and is dedicated to the economic and social advancement of the First Nations communities in the Burns Lake region. It is receiving more than $22,000 to develop a business plan to establish a wood-fibre production facility in Burns Lake, which aims to transform low-grade, unusable wood or wood fibre into biofuel, hog fuel and sawdust, with the goal of fostering development and creating opportunities for its communities.

Michael Armstrong, vice-president and chief forester, BC Council of Forest Industries –

“The uptake of the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund demonstrates the commitment of forest-product companies to invest in B.C. operations, supporting jobs and strengthening communities across the province. By enabling investments in local manufacturing, the BCMJF fosters innovation, encourages product diversification, improves biomass utilization and reduces waste. A predictable supply of fibre is crucial to the success of these initiatives, ensuring sustainable job creation and economic prosperity in urban and rural communities alike.”

Jeremy Hamm, general manager, Cedarland Forest Products –

“Support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will help Cedarland install new advanced equipment, keeping us on the leading edge of remanufacturing. We will now be able to produce high-end finished products from a variety of B.C. species, while adding value every step of the way.”

Greg Smith, president, Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd. –

“Gilbert Smith Forest Products Ltd. gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. This project will allow us to maintain our permanent primary manufacturing jobs, along with solidifying the newly created remanufacturing jobs supplied by expanded species offerings, and higher value products.”

Sukhi Brar, president, Advance Lumber Remanufacturing Ltd. –

“This funding from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund is helping us invest in advanced technology to increase capacity, accelerate processing, and create more value-added products by giving low-grade lumber a new life as high-quality pallets. We’re driving innovation and supporting sustainability in B.C.’s manufacturing and forestry industries by keeping lumber and jobs in the province, while creating new employment opportunities as we expand.” 

Paul Donald, CEO, Simpcw Resources Group –

“Securing funding for the electric log loader and de-wrapping station project is a monumental step forward for our operations at River City Fibre. Working with the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund was a pleasure because the BCMJF demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing our industry and a genuine commitment to supporting solutions that matter. This project not only strengthens an industry in desperate need of innovation, but it also shows how efficiency and decarbonization can happen simultaneously.” 

Kevin Wallis, vice-president, engineered building components, PBS Truss MFG Ltd. –

“We are very grateful for the financial support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. We believe our manufacture and supply of high-quality engineered building components will reduce construction time for single- and multi-family homes that will help address the housing shortage in British Columbia.”

James Code, CFO, Kootenay Wood Preservers –

“We are grateful for the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund's financial support. We're thrilled to build an advanced manufacturing facility using innovative technologies like automated fibre scanning and sorting systems. These enhancements optimize resource utilization and reduce waste, supporting sustainability. Additionally, our team can produce high-quality, value-added fibre posts and poles with enhanced workplace safety and job satisfaction.” 

Brian Greensdale, operations manager, Acutruss Industries Ltd. –

“We are grateful for the support provided by the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. This funding will help with investments in our I-Joist manufacturing equipment, allowing us to broaden the range of value-added products available to our customers, improve productivity and generate high-skill employment opportunities. These elements are crucial to maintaining our competitive edge and ensuring our long-term sustainability.”