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.

Earlier on ODN

May 1, 2013 –  Structurlam is excited to watch as it becomes famous for building North America’s tallest wood structure in Prince George. ( see pix above )

The 90-foot-tall six-storey building is possible because of the invention of cross laminated timber. The architects received special dispensation to build up to six stories as Canadian codes currently limit wood buildings to four stories.

Michael Green Architecture (MGA) designed the new home for the University of Northern British Columbia’s Masters in Wood Engineering program. The architect has become well known because of a February TED talk promoting the environmental cause for using wood in tall building. The WIDC is all wood except for the metal joinery. Will BC be able to pioneer the techniques and technologies to produce CLT or mass timber buildings, which they have had in Europe for several years, in Asia? Only time will tell!