Japanese Buyers Mission to BC: Strengthening Partnerships and Showcasing Sustainability
From October 6-12, Canada Wood hosted an inbound mission for a group of Japanese wood industry professionals, including managers from trading companies, wood treaters, pre-cutters, and an engineered wood manufacturer specializing in glulam and CLT. After a pause last year, this year’s program was expanded from five to six days, allowing participants to experience more of BC’s innovative mass timber projects.
With Starbucks fueling them almost daily, the delegation embarked on a packed schedule, exploring BC’s sustainable forest management practices and touring several member mills. They saw firsthand the high-quality production of hem-fir, Douglas fir, and yellow cedar lumber at Teal Jones mill, as well as advanced kiln drying and Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) testing for hem-fir products at Western Forest Products (WFP) sawmills, specifically geared for the Japanese market.
Sustainability was a recurring theme throughout the mission, emphasized during a visit to WFP’s Saanich Forestry Centre. The delegation saw how the centre’s greenhouses produce 4 million seedlings annually, reinforcing BC’s commitment to reforestation. WFP’s collaboration with First Nations and participation in Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program highlighted the province’s broader efforts to ensure the future of BC’s forests.
The mission wrapped up at S&R Sawmill in Surrey, where the facility’s custom-cut approach, tailored to Japanese needs, demonstrated BC’s adaptability to meet international demands. Throughout the mission, the Japanese delegation connected with BC forestry leaders, explored sustainable practices, and gained valuable insights, strengthening relationships and paving the way for future collaboration in sustainable forestry and mass timber construction.
For many participants, this was their first visit to Canada, and they were thoroughly impressed. They noted that the information and insights gained would be highly beneficial to their work. The mission was a great success, and we look forward to hosting a similar program in the fall of 2025!