British veneer producer alleges government of duplicity in endorsing their product
B.C. Veneer Products, a Surrey-based manufacturer specializing in value-added veneer wood products, is on the brink of closure due to a lack of log supply. The company's forestry supplier on Vancouver Island has reached its maximum allowable cut for the year, limiting the availability of fibre needed for veneer production.
The company's owner, Jeff Gunia, has expressed his concern, calling for immediate solutions rather than promises, as B.C. Veneer Products is in a critical state and may close in the next three or four months. The company needs 15 truckloads of logs to keep its plant and its 17 employees working between now and January.
The provincial government, led by Premier David Eby, has been promoting value-added wood products. Recently, Eby promoted a "wood leather" soccer ball made from B.C. Veneer Products' wood fibre during a June trade mission to Japan. However, the government's efforts to support local manufacturers appear to be falling short, according to critics.
Opposition politicians have highlighted the government’s failure to strategically support local manufacturers facing unstable fibre supply and resulting job losses in value-added forestry. The BC Conservatives, led by John Rustad, have accused the NDP government of failure on the forestry file. Rustad stated that the government supports local success stories but lets them fail quietly after the cameras are gone.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar has acknowledged the issue and is looking at ways to use recently announced federal funding to move logs from northwest B.C. down to the Lower Mainland. Parmar has also mentioned a "virtual log sort" model that would allow companies like B.C. Veneer to directly purchase logs.
Parmar has reviewed BC Timber Sales and made several recommendations to more efficiently distribute fibre. He has stated that finding ways to support value-added operators is a priority and he has doubled the percentage of volume available through BC Timber Sales from 10 to 20%.
However, Gunia accuses the provincial government of hypocrisy for promoting value-added wood products while his business is facing closure. He believes the government's emphasis on promoting value-added wood products is hypocritical, as they are allowing a veneer plant to die despite promoting value-added products.
Forests Minister Ravi Parmar plans to reach out to Jeff Gunia to learn more about B.C. Veneer Products' challenges. The company has provided the wood fibre used by UBC designers to create the "wood leather" soccer ball, showcasing its role in innovative products. The company's closure could have a significant impact on the local economy and the value-added forestry sector.
- Jeff Gunia, the owner of B.C. Veneer Products, is urging immediate action rather than empty promises, as the company is on the verge of closure due to a lack of log supply in the next three to four months.
- The provincial government, led by Premier David Eby, has been promoting value-added wood products but critics argue that their efforts to support local manufacturers have fallen short, especially in cases where manufacturers face unstable fibre supply and potential job losses in value-added forestry.
- The closure of B.C. Veneer Products could have a significant impact on the local economy and the value-added forestry sector, as the company has provided wood fibre for innovative products, such as the "wood leather" soccer ball showcased by UBC designers.
