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  This brochure describes the species, qualities and typical uses of wood products manufactured in the coast region of British Columbia by the member companies of the Coast Forest Products Association (Coast Forest) and the BC Wood Specialties Group Association (BC Wood).Coast Forest is an industry trade association which represents the interests of companies involved in timber harvesting and the manufacture of primary lumber products in the coastal region of British Columbia, Canada’s most westerly province. Areas of activity include forestry, lumber manufacturing, log security, market development and government relations. Market development includes applied research, product development, market access (codes, standards, etc) and product promotion in both established and emerging markets. The Coast Forest member companies produce a wide range of solid wood products including high quality appearance/decorative products, structural lumber for housing and general construction, special sizes and grades for remanufacturing, as well as utility and lower grade products suitable for pallets, packaging and other industrial uses. These products are produced in the five softwood species that grow in the coastal region: Western hemlock - Hem-Fir (N), Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Yellow cedar and Sitka spruce. BC Wood is the industry trade association that undertakes market development initiatives directed to expanding the global marketing of manufactured wood products from British Columbia. Its membership includes more than 600 manufacturing companies producing a wide range of finished and semi-finished wood products. The range of products includes cabinets, engineered building components, factory built and prefabricated structures, furniture, fixtures and millwork, as well as lumber and semi-finished wood products for overseas manufacturing plants.
 British Columbia’s forests contain more than half of the commercial timber in Canada. This resource forms the foundation of the province’s economy and makes Canada the foremost timber-exporting nation in the world. Canada accounts for approximately 50% of all international trade in softwood lumber products and 60% of that trade originates in the province of British Columbia. Forests of commercial value cover 55% of British Columbia’s total land area of 95 million hectares; 94% of that timber is owned by the provincial government, which enables them to exercise control over the management and utilization of the resource. |
| The coast region of British Columbia accounts for 40% of the total value of BC’s lumber production. The coast forest is basically coniferous species and represents one of the world’s few remaining sources of clear fiber and large-size softwood lumber. About 90% of the coast sawmills’ and remanufacturing production is exported, making them one of the major international suppliers of softwood lumber products and components. The BC coast sawmilling industry has a long history of dependence on, and commitment to, international markets for its lumber products. This is reflected in its long term marketing plans, which are based on continuity of supply. In turn, this involves reliability of supply, provision of quality products that meet customers’ needs and management of the forest in an environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. |
