Gorman Brothers Lumber in West Kelowna is already a value-added expert and exporter.
That why it makes sense to make Gorman the first 'Make More in BC' economic hub of forestry diversification and growth.
BC Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar was at Gorman today to make the announcement.
"The Make More in BC project is about building a stronger, more resilient forest sector that is never again dependent on a single trading partner like the United States," Parmar, who is also the NDP MLA for Langford Highlands near Victoria.
"We cannot allow forestry workers and communities to remain vulnerable to duties, tariffs and global uncertainty. We need to make more in BC, creat more jobs in BC and build a future that keeps more value here at home."
Parmar hopes Gorman is the first of many 'Make More in BC' economic hubs in the larger Merrit Timber Supply Area.
Gorman, established in 1951, discovered long ago that selling logs and dimensional lumber like 2x4s was a volatile business.
So, it specializes in 1-inch finished boards, which it exports to 35 countries for home finishing and renovation of ceilings, soffits, wainscoting, trim, decking and siding.
To make sure there's no waste and even more value added, Gorman sells leftover scraps to SBC Firemaster in Princeton which turns leftover wood into condensed logs that can be burned in a fireplace with reduced smoke and ash.
Part of the 'Make More in BC' project is a $2-million grant from the province for FPInnovations in Montreal. FP is a not-for-profit organization that helps forestry companies identify opportunities, diversify and grow.
BC's forestry sector has been hurt by American tariffs and timber cutting restrictions.
Programs have existed before to encourage diversification, value-added activities and finding new markets outside the US.
But the campaign has renewed vigor and a new name -- Make More in BC -- because Trump has upped tariffs and the provincial government wants to prop up forestry.
Despite the tough times, forestry in BC remains a giant economic engine, contributing $13 billion to the GDP annually.
BC is the world's third-largest exporter of softwood lumber in the world (behind Russia and Sweden) and the province is home to 2,000 forestry facilities and supports 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Parmar see opportunity for BC softwood in Europe as sanctions on Russia take hold.
He is hopeful Ottawa can negotiate a better Canada-US-Mexico free trade agreement to make exporting to America easier and more profitable.
Nick Arkle, Gorman's CEO, has already been working with other forestry companies in the Southern Interior on the 'economic hubs' concept.
"This cluster initiative is about a region finding the delicate balance between long-term generational stewardship on the land and economic, social and cultural interests," he said.
"With First Nations and communities guiding the stewardship portion the goal is to seek greater security of sustainable and affordable fibre flow that will, in turn, encourage investment and innovation to produce higher value and end products along with additional products such as wood residues into the forest-based bioeconomy."
In addition, the province's Look West strategy has the goal of tripling the amount of BC wood used in construction by 2030.
Besides the 1-inch board specialty mill in West Kelowna, Gorman has a cedar mill in Revelstoke, a plywood mill in Salmon Arm, a dimensional lumber mill in Princeton, a telephone pole mill in Lumby and a remanufacturing plant in Washington state.
Across all divisions, Gorman employs around 1,000 people.
