Western Forest Products

Wishing everyone in our communities a wonderful BC Day long weekend from all of us at Western Forest Products. We hope you have a safe, relaxing and enjoyable weekend. To encourage responsible driving and recreation this weekend, Amanda and Riley from our Timberlands team in northern Vancouver Island will be on the forest service road (FSR) near Holberg, sharing safety tips with visitors to the area. They’re friendly locals, so they may even share a few regional secrets if you’re extra nice to them! For more FSR safety tips, you can view, download or print this infosheet: westernforest.com/wp-content/upl…

The team at Forest Products Supply recently joined us for our Cedar Partner Training Program, exploring our operations across Vancouver Island. As key strategic customers, they gained firsthand experience with our industry-leading forestry and manufacturing processes during their visit to our Saanich Forestry Centre, Saltair Sawmill, Duke Point Sawmill, Burleith log sort, and the new kilns at our Value-Added Division in Chemainus. With some of the largest inventories of building materials across the Midwest United States, Forest Products Supply is a trusted leader, distributing our Western Red Cedar across 15 states.

The Western Timberlands team had an incredible time at Filomi Days, celebrating the Port Hardy community alongside our neighbours. This annual three-day event celebrates the industries that have helped to shape the region so many of us call home, including fishing, logging, and mining. Congratulations to our team for placing third in the parade, adding to a weekend that brought thousands together to celebrate local heritage and community spirit. Thank you to everyone who helped organize and volunteer for this year’s event.

We're live from the Sunbelt Builders Show in San Antonio, Texas, showcasing an impressive catalogue of products alongside industry partners from across North America. Join us at Booth 221 to learn more about our top-selling Western Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar products and see why builders in Texas are choosing Western Forest Products for their builds this summer.

Our timberlands team members work closely with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to help monitor and control wildfires in remote areas. With frequent eyes and boots on the ground, they are often looked to for their knowledge of the terrain and are among the first to spot and report wildfires, enabling a prompt response. While lightning is the leading cause of wildfires across BC, Vancouver Island sees a higher proportion of human-caused ignitions, highlighting the importance of coordination with BCWS in prevention and response. If you are off on a backcountry adventure, please be fire smart and know before you go by checking public safety sites like @DriveBC and @BCGovFireInfo for current road access, wildfire activity and control stage.

Since joining Western more than a decade ago, Rob Vlaj has taken on a variety of roles, continuously building his knowledge and experience along the way. His latest accomplishment is completing his saw filing apprenticeship and becoming a certified saw filer. Described by Sawfiling Supervisor Doug Hinthorne as dependable, helpful and a positive role model, Rob exemplifies a lead-by-example approach in the workplace. We are happy to celebrate this achievement alongside Rob and thank him for his ongoing dedication to his work and team. @skilledtradesbc

Every project at Western begins with our people. Behind our new thermal modification kiln is a story of local expertise, teamwork, and the shared effort to build something new on Vancouver Island. In our latest feature, AJ Gale and Jarrad Astren share the planning, problem-solving and collaboration that brought this impactful project to life. Read the full story on our thermally modified wood microsite and meet some of the people helping shape the next chapter for value-added coastal B.C. wood: westernforest.com/products/therm…

Over the weekend, Western was back at Quinsam Field for the annual We Wai Kai Day, and back behind the grill, too. Mike Petersen, Maintenance & Reliability Manager, Doug Underhill, General Manager of Timberlands, and Brad McRae, Director of Government Relations, were flipping burgers alongside neighbours and friends from across Campbell River and Quadra Island, a tradition we're glad to keep up year after year. As longstanding partners of the We Wai Kai - Cape Mudge First Nation, we're grateful to Chief Ronnie Chickite and Council for having us. @mosaicforests @MowiCanadaWest (Photos provided by Katie Green, We Wai Kai Nation Communications Office)

The latest issue of Forestnet Magazine takes a closer look at our Value-Added Division in Chemainus and the construction of three kilns designed to enhance our manufacturing capabilities and broaden our product offerings. Featuring insights from Operations Manager AJ Gale, the story examines two continuous dry kilns—the largest in North America—and highlights the collaboration with BC-based Comact on these projects. The issue also includes a sidebar on our thermal-modification kiln nearing completion that will support future product diversification. View the full article online here: forestnet.com/logging-sawmil…

Our team is preparing to showcase a variety of products, including Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar and Douglas-Fir, at the @SunbeltBuilders on July 22nd and 23rd in San Antonio, Texas. Featuring an extensive program that includes the Star Awards, informative keynotes, and over 200 exhibitors from across North America, we’re looking forward to connecting with Texas builders and supporting our distribution partners at this upcoming event. Register today and visit us at Booth 221: sunbeltbuildersshow.com

Built in 2018, Ice Block I in Sacramento, California, is one of Northern California's early contemporary timber-framed mid-rise buildings. Designed as a mixed-use development with retail, restaurant, and office space, the project demonstrates the versatility and aesthetic appeal of mass timber construction. Western was selected to supply the Douglas-fir glulam beams that form the building's structural framework. Exposed throughout the interior, the glulams helped create a warm, inviting space. Architect: RMW Architecture Structural Engineer: @buehler_itw Contractor: @ascentbuilders Developer/Owner: Heller Pacific (Photos provided by Davies Imaging Group)

@Astrophile042 You can view our current career opportunities through the link. If you don't see anything that fits your experience, we update the page regularly, so feel free to check back later.

@WFPCompany Do you accept people without experience? I am strong and do gym everyday.

Take the next step or kickstart your career in forestry with the Western team. We’re hiring for a range of roles across our operations on Vancouver Island, including labourers, operators, truck drivers and field planners. With opportunities in the office, forest and mills, you can find your fit by visiting our careers page today: westernforest.com/careers #bcjobs

Earlier this year, our Timberlands maintenance team oversaw a major rebuild of an aging log stacker, returning this critical piece of equipment to safe and reliable service. A big thank you to Wade Macadam, his team at Pro-Fix Maintenance and their local subcontractors, who completed the teardown, structural repairs, hydraulic renewal and component rebuilds required to extend the life of the machine. Led by Mike Petersen, Maintenance & Reliability Manager, this restoration project reduced material waste, avoided the need for a replacement unit and supported local jobs and businesses on Vancouver Island.

Fernwood House in Oregon exemplifies many of the extensive benefits of using Western Red Cedar for residential builds. This designer home includes Western Red Cedar Tongue & Groove, installed vertically for siding and installed as soffits over the deck, along with Western Red Cedar boards. From biophilia and the measurable impact on occupants to thermal conductivity and improved acoustics, Western Red Cedar not only provides practical benefits but also remains a truly renewable major building material. To learn more about Western Red Cedar products for your next residential project, visit our website: westernforest.com/products/exter… Architect: Giulietti Schouten Weber Architects Structural Engineer: Vista Structural Engineering General Contractor: Cornerstone Construction Services (Photos by Adam Potts)

Kris Kennedy is an experienced production supervisor at La-kwa sa muqw Forestry, a limited partnership between Western and the Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum and K’ómoks First Nations. A part of this talented team since 2018, Kris spent over a decade in the industry before deciding to step into a supervisory role. With a growing interest in the business side of things and a want to deepen his understanding of the industry, he found it the perfect fit. His training as a certified structural firefighter and as a wildland fire and urban interface instructor gives Kris a unique perspective on safety and site awareness, enabling him to deliver wildfire preparedness refresher courses to team members. When asked about his commitment to safety, Kris shared the following: “I try to lead by example in everything that I do. At work, with safety training and program development and at home, in being a good role model for my kids

After a thorough global evaluation, Western selected Jartek, a Finnish leader in thermal modification technology with decades of experience and installations around the world. Their systems provide precise control of temperature, steam, and treatment time, which are key factors in achieving consistent performance and quality. This week, we are pleased to welcome Tuuli Luoranen, Chair of the Board at Jartek and Chair of the International ThermoWood Association, and Jeroen Hinnen, Sales Manager North America, to Vancouver Island to work alongside our team as we prepare to bring this technology into operation. This visit reflects the strength of this partnership and the shared confidence in what we are building: a locally produced, thermally modified wood platform backed by proven global expertise.

The forestry program at Carihi Secondary School in Campbell River will soon enter its 13th year of offering hands-on learning in our local forests. Hopping aboard the Carihi Forestry Bus, students regularly get out of the classroom and into the field to learn about forestry firsthand. Over the years, the program has helped students explore career paths in the forestry sector while developing an understanding of the role forestry plays in communities across the province. Special thanks to teacher Jason Kerluck for your commitment to getting students outdoors to learn about our working forests and to Alexandra Thomas, Forest Stewardship Coordinator at the Na̲nwak̲olas Council, for supporting field tours that inspire the next generation.