The Government of Canada today announced an investment of $126,000 toward FPInnovations to expand the Woodmark Quality Certification Program. This quality management program is the first of its kind and will trademark and promote British Columbia’s value-added wood products abroad.

Ron Cannan, Member of Parliament for Kelowna-Lake Country, made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification.

“Our Government is standing up for Canada’s traditional industries,” said MP Cannan. “This investment will help brand and promote Canada’s top-quality value-added wood products and help businesses across British Columbia reach the global marketplace.”

The Woodmark Quality Certification Program is designed to improve the competitiveness of Canada’s kitchen cabinet and furniture manufacturing industry by applying quality standards and best practices to their manufacturing process. The certification process consists of developing a trademark and evaluating a company's quality management systems against set standards. Through this process, the excellence and reputation of Canadian wood products will be promoted to the global marketplace.

“The major focus of the Woodmark Quality program is to bring best practices and quality assurance techniques to businesses in the wood products sector,” says Roland Baumeister, Manager of Value-Added Manufacturing, FPInnovations. “When companies implement these techniques, they can reduce their amount of rework, increase product quality and improve productivity – all essential elements to survival in this extremely competitive market.”

The Woodmark Quality Certification Program is delivered by FPInnovations through its network of Industry Advisors. Western Economic Diversification Canada’s funding will help the program to deliver the following activities: establishing a trademark and logo; developing marketing materials and a trade booth; and travelling to industry events to promote the Woodmark program. The program is also supported by $51,500 from FPInnovations.

The value-added wood products sector includes millwork, furniture, flooring, kitchen cabinets, housing components, component parts such as stairs, windows, doors, and wood pellets. These products are referred to as value-added because the unfinished wood is transformed into a product that sells for a high value.

Forintek is a division of FPInnovations, a not-for-profit world leader in creating science-based solutions that support the global competitiveness of the Canadian forest sector and that respond to the priority needs of its industrial and government members. Forintek creates solutions for wood – from forest to market by providing members with innovative solutions, sound scientific advice, direct technical support, and relevant market and economic studies. Forintek maintains research facilities in Vancouver and Quebec City, and has 22 regional offices across Canada. Created through the merger of Canada’s primary forest sector research institutes, FPInnovations has over 600 employees, with research laboratories in Quebec City, Montreal and Vancouver, and technology transfer offices throughout the country.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is a department of the Government of Canada that works in partnership with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the economy of Western Canada.

Note: This web version of the news release was amended after its release November 16th, to include more information on the Woodmark Program and FPInnovations.

For additional information, contact:

Donna Howes
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: (604) 666-1318
Cel: (604) 505-6616

Mr. Roland Baumeister
Manager – Secondary Manufacturing
FPInnovations - Forintek Division
Tel: (604) 224-3221
Cel: (604) 880-2080
http://www.fpinnovations.ca/
http://www.solutionsforwood.ca/