January 08, 2008
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan value-added wood products sector will benefit from an $800,000 Government of Canada investment focused on technical innovation, market development and access, as well as product diversification to create a more competitive manufacturing industry.
Bradley Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, 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 and Roland Baumeister, Manager, Secondary Manufacturing Department for Western Canada, FPInnovations-Forintek Division, announced the new initiative today.
Western Economic Diversification Canada is investing $800,000 over three years for three Forintek staff to work with Saskatchewan mills and manufacturing firms. Forintek staff will conduct technical assessments, prepare and deliver workshops to promote productivity, create bulletins/literature for distribution, share best practices, respond to technical enquiries and foster market development. FPInnovations-Forintek Division will contribute $210,000 to pay for salaries, travel expenses, and technical and business skills development.
"Our Government is standing up for Canada's traditional industries and will continue to support workers in forestry and manufacturing industries as they adjust to global conditions," said MP Trost. "We support Canadian innovators in developing new ideas that result in improved productivity and profitability for entrepreneurs and small business owners."
"The major focus of the Forintek program will be enhancing opportunities for Saskatchewan businesses in the wood products sector," said Baumeister. "The forestry and wood products sector is a vital part of the Canadian economy, but is particularly important in the western provinces. At this time, the industry is being challenged from an increasing diversity of international competitors, a weak US dollar and changing consumer preferences in the markets it supplies," added Baumeister.
The objectives of this initiative are threefold:
Increase business competitiveness and foster industry growth through improved productivity and quality control;
Encourage innovation, product development and diversification into value-added production, and
Sustain collaborative projects and improve the integration of investments made by the industry and governments.
FPInnovations-Forintek Division will assist small operators to add value to their product lines, improve small mill operations, provide direction to down stream users to make new or better uses of wood products, match new market opportunities to the value-added sector, and help bring new Saskatchewan-based technologies and products to market. The value-added wood products sector includes: millwork, kitchen cabinets, prefabricated buildings, engineered wood products, wood pellets and other uses for wood waste such as bark mulch.
For additional information, contact:
Joanne Mysak
Manager, Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Tel: 306-975-5942
Fax: 306-975-5949
Roland Baumeister
Manager - Secondary Manufacturing Dept.
FPInnovations-Forintek Division
Tel: 604-222-5672
E-mail: Roland@van.forintek.ca
WD Toll-Free Number:1 888 338-WEST (9378)
Web Site: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca.
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