TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group
TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Our Story

TWIG (The Wood Innovation Group) is a BC-based network that brings together professionals, designers, and researchers to modernize the forest products industry—supporting a transition toward higher-value uses of fibre from second-growth forests. Founded in 2012 as a grassroots meetup called Outside the Box, TWIG has evolved into a central hub for connection, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and creative problem-solving across the sector.

With the support of Forestry Innovation Investment’s Wood First Program and in partnership with CAWP, TWIG has grown from informal meetups into a trusted space for idea exchange, cross-disciplinary connection, and collective action. As Outside the Box, we hosted over 50 events featuring 35 guest speakers across 10 venues—many of which sparked the development of new products, partnerships, services, and businesses that are still active today.

Since rebranding as TWIG in 2020, we’ve delivered over 100 events (in person and online), launched new programs, and supported initiatives that strengthen BC’s wood economy. Our work helps people move their ideas forward—whether by developing innovative products, navigating partnerships, or exploring new pathways in their work. We focus on building relationships that support long-term collaboration and knowledge exchange.

At TWIG, we believe innovation starts with relationships. Our approach is grounded in trust, shared purpose, and the understanding that meaningful progress happens when people come together. We don’t define innovation simply through the lens of outcomes, but through the quality and character of the connections that allow new ideas to take root. By tending to the conditions where collaboration can thrive, we support thoughtful, long-term change—where wood is not just a material, but a medium for shaping a collective identity rooted in the people and cultures of British Columbia.

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Organizing Members

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Patrick Christie
Organizer
Daly Co / Space

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Jason Chiu
Co-Organizer
CAWP

+Info

Chris Chan Rangate Soukup America Alpine Workshop TWIG BC

Chris Chan
Advisor – Industry
Rangate / Alpine / CutterShare / Soukup

+Info

Patrick is an independent contractor, entrepreneur and artist doing work primarily under Daly Co. Design with a foundation of Industrial Design from Emily Carr University. He has been with TWIG since the beginning, seeking connections after school stepped into the organizer role in 2017. Wood is his creative medium, and specifically wood from BC as he sees the impact it can have on a social, environmental and cultural level.

He practices process that create new connections within material, organizations, industry and people to create projects that are circular in their economy. His work can be found across the city of Vancouver and he works out of Space – an ecosystem of shared spaces he is the founder of in East Vancouver offering creators and innovators space to work.

Jason is the Managing Director at the UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing.  He is one of the founders and organizers of the TWIG (Outside the Box) groups.  The meetup groups was formed to inspire and educate industrial designers to incorporate wood as natural and sustainable building material, and to connect the designers to manufacturers with capabilities to assist with production. 

He has worked in the wood products industry for over 20 years primarily focused on process improvement initiatives in larger scale manufacturing. He brings his knowledge and expertise of the industry to assist designers and start-ups with product development and manufacturing solutions.

Chris is a co-operator of a a cluster of solid-wood processing and offsite construction equipment businesses. Rangate, Alpine Workshops, CutterShare, and Soukup America are all businesses servicing the U.S. and across Canada with daily operation from East Vancouver.

Chris and team have enjoyed and benefited from the local communities, knowledge, conversations, arts, and the love of wood. Outside the Box, now TWIG, provides vital human connections where we live and work. It is similar to the tree roots in a forest, where a community can strive and grow healthier through sharing experiences and taking actions together. Let us spark a new conversation!

Regional Organizers

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Tania Pilon
Organizer – WFW
LWPAC / Intelligent City

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Lenny Rubenovitch
Organizer – S2S
Rubenovitch Furnishings

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Marc deMontigy
Organizer – VIWN
Toolpath Design

+Info

Advisors

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Neil Godin
Advisor – Marketing and Business
Neil Godin International

+Info

Neil is a business consultant, trainer and coach based in Vancouver. In a career that spans more than 35 years, he has worked with companies and organizations of all sizes and kinds, and in recent years has focused on the value added wood products industry. He loves wood and enjoys working with people “who make (beautiful) things out of wood, before they sell it.”

He was an early member and co-organizer with Outside The Box, and is excited about its metamorphosis into TWIG. While he (apparently) lacked talent in woodworking (his Grade Seven carpentry teacher said he would pass him only if he promised not to return the following year), he went on to design and construct many pieces of furniture for his homes.

Credits

TWIG is possible through funding from the Forestry Innovation Investment’s Wood First Programs & the UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP)—a training, education and technical services organization that promotes the growth and development of value-added manufacturing with wood.

In Memory of Art Paul & Judson Beaumont and the many other pioneers and innovators in BC who have made significant contributions to our industry.

bcfii.ca

CAWP

Our Story

TWIG (The Wood Innovation Group) is a BC-based network that brings together professionals, designers, and researchers to modernize the forest products industry—supporting a transition toward higher-value uses of fibre from second-growth forests. Founded in 2012 as a grassroots meetup called Outside the Box, TWIG has evolved into a central hub for connection, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and creative problem-solving across the sector.

With the support of Forestry Innovation Investment’s Wood First Program and in partnership with CAWP, TWIG has grown from informal meetups into a trusted space for idea exchange, cross-disciplinary connection, and collective action. As Outside the Box, we hosted over 50 events featuring 35 guest speakers across 10 venues—many of which sparked the development of new products, partnerships, services, and businesses that are still active today.

Since rebranding as TWIG in 2020, we’ve delivered over 100 events (in person and online), launched new programs, and supported initiatives that strengthen BC’s wood economy. Our work helps people move their ideas forward—whether by developing innovative products, navigating partnerships, or exploring new pathways in their work. We focus on building relationships that support long-term collaboration and knowledge exchange.

At TWIG, we believe innovation starts with relationships. Our approach is grounded in trust, shared purpose, and the understanding that meaningful progress happens when people come together. We don’t define innovation simply through the lens of outcomes, but through the quality and character of the connections that allow new ideas to take root. By tending to the conditions where collaboration can thrive, we support thoughtful, long-term change—where wood is not just a material, but a medium for shaping a collective identity rooted in the people and cultures of British Columbia.

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Organizing Members

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Patrick Christie
Organizer
Daly Co / Space

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Jason Chiu
Co-Organizer
CAWP

+Info

Chris Chan Rangate Soukup America Alpine Workshop TWIG BC

Chris Chan
Advisor – Industry
Rangate / Alpine / CutterShare / Soukup

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Neil Godin
Advisor – Marketing and Business
Neil Godin International

+Info

Patrick is an independent contractor, entrepreneur and artist doing work primarily under Daly Co. Design with a foundation of Industrial Design from Emily Carr University. He has been with TWIG since the beginning, seeking connections after school stepped into the organizer role in 2017. Wood is his creative medium, and specifically wood from BC as he sees the impact it can have on a social, environmental and cultural level.

He practices process that create new connections within material, organizations, industry and people to create projects that are circular in their economy. His work can be found across the city of Vancouver and he works out of Space – an ecosystem of shared spaces he is the founder of in East Vancouver offering creators and innovators space to work.

Chris is a co-operator of a a cluster of solid-wood processing and offsite construction equipment businesses. Rangate, Alpine Workshops, CutterShare, and Soukup America are all businesses servicing the U.S. and across Canada with daily operation from East Vancouver.

Chris and team have enjoyed and benefited from the local communities, knowledge, conversations, arts, and the love of wood. Outside the Box, now TWIG, provides vital human connections where we live and work. It is similar to the tree roots in a forest, where a community can strive and grow healthier through sharing experiences and taking actions together. Let us spark a new conversation!

Neil is a business consultant, trainer and coach based in Vancouver. In a career that spans more than 35 years, he has worked with companies and organizations of all sizes and kinds, and in recent years has focused on the value added wood products industry. He loves wood and enjoys working with people “who make (beautiful) things out of wood, before they sell it.”

He was an early member and co-organizer with Outside The Box, and is excited about its metamorphosis into TWIG. While he (apparently) lacked talent in woodworking (his Grade Seven carpentry teacher said he would pass him only if he promised not to return the following year), he went on to design and construct many pieces of furniture for his homes.

Jason is the Managing Director at the UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing.  He is one of the founders and organizers of the TWIG (Outside the Box) groups.  The meetup groups was formed to inspire and educate industrial designers to incorporate wood as natural and sustainable building material, and to connect the designers to manufacturers with capabilities to assist with production. 

He has worked in the wood products industry for over 20 years primarily focused on process improvement initiatives in larger scale manufacturing. He brings his knowledge and expertise of the industry to assist designers and start-ups with product development and manufacturing solutions.

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Tania Pilon
Organizer – WFW
LWPAC / Intelligent City

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Lenny Rubenovitch
Organizer – S2S
Rubenovitch Furnishings

+Info

TWIG | The Wood Innovation Group

Marc deMontigy
Organizer – VIWN
Toolpath Design

+Info

Credits

TWIG is possible through funding from the Forestry Innovation Investment’s Wood First Programs & the UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP)—a training, education and technical services organization that promotes the growth and development of value-added manufacturing with wood.

In Memory of Art Paul & Judson Beaumont and the many other pioneers and innovators in BC who have made significant contributions to our industry.

bcfii.ca

CAWP