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The Wood Innovation Group
Welcome to the TWIG Newsletter! We're working to help shape the future of the value-added wood products industry. Our events and programming provide a dynamic platform for professionals to connect, learn, and share innovative ideas. Our newsletter is dedicated to those interested in using creativity and design to transform wood into finished products while blending tradition with cutting-edge technology.
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Your voice matters. If you have events, projects, or ideas to share, reach out to us at info@twigbca.ca
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Sea 2 Sky Wood Network
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December 4th, 6:00 - 8:00
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Wood-First-Wednesday
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December 4th, 6:00 - 8:00
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R&B Brewing, 1-54 E 4th Ave, Vancouver
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The Vancouver group meets again at for its regular gathering at a local craft brewery More Info+
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Innovation in the Value-Added Wood Sector: A Call for Cultural Renewal
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Picking up from our last newsletter, we explored a high-level overview of BC’s history as it relates to the trees harvested and the industries that have been a part of BC’s value-added chain for over 200 years. These written pieces aim to clarify TWIG’s position in the value chain and how our work contributes to growing the industry, creating new value for the future of our forests, and advancing solutions for reclaimed wood.
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British Columbia’s forestry industry has a long history, and we are in a period of significant change. Evolution is needed—not just technically, environmentally, or politically, but culturally. In earlier years, BC’s culture was defined by logging and the communities built around these industries. Timber was an abundant, low-cost resource that fueled economic growth and helped establish key industries. By the early 1900s, more sawmills were built, and BC’s coastal regions experienced a boom, largely driven by the harvesting of vast old-growth forests. Communities grew into towns that depended on forestry, and the livelihoods of those townspeople were deeply intertwined with the wood industry. This interconnectedness gave rise to BC’s early wood culture.
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By the latter half of the 20th century, globalization and technological advancements began to reshape the industry. Forest management practices improved, but the focus shifted toward exporting commodity lumber to meet global demand. Between the 1990s and early 2000s, the local processing industry suffered steep declines. Raw log exports increased as companies prioritized harvesting the highest-value timber rather than investing in innovative uses for second-growth trees. During this period, sawmill closures, mill consolidations, and reductions in pulp and paper operations led to significant job losses in forestry-dependent communities. Along with these closures, BC’s wood culture—rooted in its forest communities—was deeply eroded, leaving a gap that persists today.
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Now, BC is at another pivotal stage of transition. Tools, technologies, and harvesting techniques have advanced, and there is increasing momentum toward higher-value wood products, led by mass timber and prefabrication industries. Policy shifts around old-growth forest protection, Indigenous leadership in forestry, and sustainability initiatives represent significant progress. Programs like the Value-Added Accelerator are fostering new opportunities, aiming to build capacity for higher-value manufacturing and encourage collaboration among businesses, First Nations, innovators, and communities.
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Yet, challenges remain. Mill closures and job losses across BC continue to affect communities, and the cultural ties to forestry are increasingly fragmented. The culture that remains is often tethered to outdated models of the past, even as the industry attempts to look forward.
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True innovation cannot happen unless it is accompanied by a cultural shift. It is not enough to innovate how we harvest trees, manage forests, or process wood; we must also reimagine how to connect BC’s forestry communities—rooted in the history of resource towns—with the urban centers driving value-added innovation today. This means strengthening connections across BC, among professionals, researchers, communities, and organizations dedicated to sustainable and value-driven forestry. At its core, TWIG is about fostering this cultural renewal.
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For BC to truly lead in value-added wood production and sustainable forestry practices, we need a renewed cultural vision—one that values wood not just as a resource, but as a cornerstone of identity, community, and innovation.
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With forest-felt regards,
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Patrick Christie and The TWIG team
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Call for Participants
Wood Design Challenge
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January to September 2025
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A reimagined version of our Shape program held in 2023, the Shape & Structure (S&S) Program for 2025 offers a unique opportunity for designers, makers, and wood industry professionals to collaborate and innovate fresh ideas for BC’s wood industry. Over 8 months, participants will reimagine waste materials, by-products, and underutilized wood to create high-value products with real market potential, contributing to both a sustainable circular economy and the future of BC’s wood industry.
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Shape & Structure gives participants the chance to engage with experts in wood innovation, materials science, and design while developing eco-friendly, higher-value products. You’ll build connections, expand your skills, and contribute to shaping the future of BC’s diverse wood sector. Whether you’re looking to challenge your creativity or gain industry knowledge, the program provides hands-on opportunities to drive personal and professional growth.
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Participants will take part in monthly online sessions, guided by professionals with experience in wood product design and supported by UBC’s Centre for Advanced Wood Processing. The program culminates in a final showcase in September 2025, where participants will present their work to demonstrate what’s possible for BC wood products.
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Impact of Your Participation
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Your involvement in the Shape & Structure Program could have a lasting impact on BC’s wood industry. By tapping into your creativity and applying your skills, you’ll help reduce waste, promote sustainable practices, and drive economic growth in the wood sector. The products you help create will demonstrate what’s possible for a future where higher-value products lead to more efficient resource use, benefiting both BC’s local communities and the environment.
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DFMA Workshop 3
Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) is a design approach that focuses on ease of manufacture and assembly efficiency. In North America, due to the fragmented nature of construction whereby the designers, engineers, manufacturers, and contractors all work independently, the bridging of the knowledge gap will help improve the success rate of projects. DfMA will improve projects by reducing time, waste, cost and labour, while increasing quality and efficiency.
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This 3-day hands-on workshop will be a lecture/design/build format. It will be led by UBC Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA) faculty and staff. The expertise from industry leaders in design, engineering, fabrication, and installation will also be called upon to discuss lessons learned in mass timber construction. Participants will be guided through the process of designing mass-timber projects while considering manufacturing technologies.
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The use of digital technology in design and manufacturing are aiding the realization of mass-timber projects. The participants will be supported through a design-build exercise utilizing Computer Aided Design (CAD) software for design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software for manufacturing of components. The project will culminate with the fabrication of components and the assembly of a mass-timber structure.
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For more information please contact Jason at 604 822-0082 or by email at jason.chiu@ubc.ca
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UBC - Industrial Wood Finishing Certificate Course
A unique Industry Training Program
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One-week intensive practical - April 2025
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Part-time online training program with a one-week hands-on practical session
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North America’s most comprehensive wood finishing certificate program.
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The certificate program provides participants with a broad understanding of the field of wood finishing. Its designed for individuals who have some general experience in wood finishing and would like to expand their knowledge.
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Once completed, learners will have the knowledge and experience to do the following:
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- Understand why finish is applied to wood and how wood properties affect finishing
- To be able to identify the best finishing system based on the end-use
- Trouble-shoot wood finishing problems
- Design a safe and efficient finishing facility
This course will provide you with the knowledge and tools to start a finishing business or to improve an existing one.
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Expanding regional networks
We are seeking leaders and community builders to expand TWIG's regional networks in the communities where they live. We operate in Squamish, Victoria and Vancouver and are looking for new places to expand our networks. We would love to see new networks grow in Northern BC, the interior, the Sunshine Coast and anywhere else in BC. We really believe in these networks and their ability to impact communities and help develop innovation within regions.
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If this resonates with you and you are passionate about creating community, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us at info@twigbc.ca, and we can schedule a call to explore what might be possible.
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Got an idea? Need some Testing?
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Do you have a concept, product, or prototype that you want to realize? TWIG can work with you to make this happen with financial support through The Wood First Program. Carried out through the Center for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) and its team of technical staff, we are able to provide an array of support on various wood-based projects.
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