Western Forest Products

Halloween festivities across our offices and operations highlighted what makes our workplaces special—the people. From quirky costumes to creative door displays and pumpkins, team members livened up the week with creative flair. Whether you’re trick-or-treating with the kids or getting into the spirit of the season with friends, we hope you have a great Halloween weekend.

Our Timberlands team came ready to celebrate the season at the Mount Waddington Regional Fall Fair, welcoming visitors to an engaging, interactive display alongside representatives from the Ministry of Forests. Congratulations to the team for bringing home the blue ribbon once again, and thank you to this year’s organizers for creating another great opportunity to connect with community members from across Northern Vancouver Island.

We’re heading to Anaheim for NAWLA Traders Market, celebrating its 30th anniversary alongside industry professionals from across North America. Visit Booth #1011 to explore our Thermally Modified Hem-Fir alongside other Western Red Cedar and Yellow Cedar products. Our Mass Timber team will also be joining us to discuss our mass timber offerings and your upcoming projects. We look forward to reconnecting with longtime partners and meeting new faces from across the industry. See you in Anaheim! #NAWLA30

There’s always something to learn from others when it comes to safety. From harvesting to manufacturing, our teams bring different experiences and perspectives. Connecting with colleagues and industry peers creates opportunities to share ideas, challenge assumptions and explore new approaches. At the Vancouver Island Safety Conference, Western team members did just that, returning with valuable insights and training opportunities they can bring back to our operations. Thank you to the BC Forest Safety Council for bringing local industry together, and to keynote speaker Paul Krismer and speakers Darcy Kulai, Mike Kay, Dan McMillan and Bill Laturnus for sharing their insights. Special thanks to Theressa Klein, our Health & Safety Manager, for volunteering on the conference steering committee. (Photo by Geoff Howe Photography)

Based in Squamish, B.C., we’ve partnered with the talented team at Fisher Coating for the specialized factory-applied finishing on our Vancouver house pilot project. With many nationally recognized projects in their portfolio—including the Audain Art Museum and Sea to Sky Gondola—they combine industry-leading manufacturing capabilities with a highly collaborative approach. We recently spoke with Andrew Scott, President of Fisher Coating, to learn more about this approach, their interest in Western’s ThermoWood® Hem-Fir, and what architects should consider when choosing the right finish. Read the full profile here: westernforest.com/products/t… --- Project pictured: The Perch Architect: Michel Laflamme Build: Summerhill Fine Homes Inc. Photo: Matt Anthony Photography

As National Forest Products Week comes to a close in the U.S., we're celebrating the people and partnerships behind our products. Bringing products to market takes more than a single team. It takes coordination across every stage of the journey, from production at our mills through distribution by our many partners. Every team member and partner plays an important role in connecting our natural wood products with the customers who bring projects to life, from everyday applications to ambitious builds. To everyone who plays a part in that journey, thank you.

When Terry Hahn joined Western in the 80s, he planned to spend only a couple of years logging before pursuing a career in computer programming. Decades later, he’s celebrating 45 years with our team, a career shaped by challenging work, strong camaraderie and opportunities that led him to his current role as Grader Operator in Port McNeill. Growing up on northern Vancouver Island, forestry was always part of Terry’s life. His grandfather operated a road grader in Zeballos, and his father worked in nearly every role in the industry except grading. Terry credits the support and mentorship he received along the way for helping him build a long and rewarding career with Western. Englewood Operations Manager Rob Shambrook was particularly instrumental in that journey. Outside of work, Terry is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys riding his motorcycle, exploring new places and, in years past, skydiving throughout B.C. and California. One of his more memorable jumps saw him parachute into the Port McNeill Fall Fair, with permission, of course. He also enjoys roasting his own coffee at home and spending time with his wife, Janice. Congratulations, Terry, on 45 years (and counting) with Western. Thank you for your dedication, experience and the positive impact you continue to make on the team.

We’re taking a look back at the Cowichan Exhibition Logger Sports, where summer wrapped up with flying chips and forestry skills on full display. Western’s Ally Briscoe, Brad Constantine, Nicola Leonard and Nick Russell got in on the action, while Marie-Eve Leclerc helped keep the event moving as a volunteer. From axes flying to competitors racing up poles, the competition put skill, strength and a bit of nerve to the test, carrying on a logger sports tradition with deep roots on Vancouver Island. The event marked the close of the local logger sports season, with competitors now looking ahead to what’s next. Thanks to the Cowichan Exhibition team for keeping the tradition going and giving our crew a chance to be part of it. @NorthCowichan (Photos by Heather Warren)

Mass timber education starts with connecting the classroom to the industry. Kelsey Boyer, Director of Mass Timber at Western, gave a guest presentation at @CalPoly's Mass Timber Construction Management Faculty Workshop and led a hands-on exploration of Mass Timber products. "It’s always valuable to spend time with the faculty who are preparing the next generation of architects, engineers, and builders," Kelsey shared. "The more we can connect what’s happening in the mass timber industry with what’s being taught in the classroom, the better prepared students will be to work with these systems." Thank you to the Cal Poly team and participating faculty for bringing industry and education together!

The best part of the North Island Career Expo & Interactive Trades Event? Seeing students and job seekers explore career opportunities firsthand. Participants had the opportunity to try operating a crane manipulator, explore the tools and equipment used by our welders and mechanics, test their knowledge of nuts and bolts while wearing full PPE and identify tree species using wood and seed samples. It was great to connect with students from across SD 85 and local job seekers to share some of the many career opportunities available at Western. Thank you to the organizers, exhibitors and everyone who stopped by to make the event a success. Whether you're starting your career or bringing years of experience, we're hiring in communities from Campbell River to Port McNeill, with opportunities for skilled trades professionals, equipment operators, aspiring forestry professionals and supervisors. Explore current openings: westernforest.com/careers #bcjobs @SkilledTradesBC

The Western team had some great conversations and made new connections at this year's @MassTimberPlus. Rich Frazer, General Manager of Engineered Wood Products, and Kelsey Boyer, Director of Mass Timber, represented Western at this year's event, connecting with industry colleagues and sharing updates on our Alaska Yellow Cedar and Hem-Fir glulam. It was a pleasure to reconnect with familiar faces, meet new people and discuss opportunities across the mass timber industry. Thank you to everyone who took the time to connect with our team! Special thanks to @GetFEA and WoodWorks for bringing the industry together for a great conference. We’re looking forward to continuing the conversations. #AEC #MassTimber #Glulam

This Canadian Thanksgiving, we're grateful for the people who make Western what it is. From the seeds and seedlings that will become the forests of tomorrow to the products we deliver every day, it's your dedication, skill and care that make it all possible. Thank you for the care and expertise you bring to your work every day. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Western.

Congratulations to Anna McNally, Cedar Sales Manager at Western, on being named to Canadian Forest Industries’ Top 20 Under 40 list, recognizing emerging leaders in Canada’s forest products sector. Anna’s forestry career started almost by accident. After immigrating to Canada from Ireland, she joined Western in a reception role while getting settled and soon discovered an industry she wanted to grow with. Today, she leads one of Western’s key business segments and shares her knowledge with customers and the broader industry, from training building distributors to presenting at industry conferences. Anna credits the relationships she’s built and the trust she’s earned along the way as among her proudest achievements. @COFI_INFO

Build a career in forestry at Western Forest Products. We are hiring for roles across our Vancouver Island operations, from foresters and field planners to mechanics, millwrights, and grapple yarder positions. Explore opportunities to work with us and apply today: westernforest.com/careers/ #bcjobs

Today marks the final day of Tour de Rock 2026. When this year's cyclists left Port Alice on September 19, they had 1,200 kilometres stretching down Vancouver Island ahead of them. They also had a strong show of support from the close-knit community they were leaving behind. Western’s local Senior General Foreman, Vince Devlin, and his daughter Blakely were among those rallying the community, with Blakely and her mother Dayna holding a bake sale as part of the fundraising effort. Alongside other community members, they helped raise an incredible $30,000 for @cancersociety. Congratulations to the cyclists and teams on completing an amazing journey and inspiring communities across Vancouver Island.

The Western team is heading to @MassTimberPlus, taking place October 6th to 8th in Philadelphia. Visit us at booth #809 to meet our mass timber experts and explore our latest products and services. We’re excited to connect with other industry professionals and share how we can support your next project, from early design through installation. See you there! #MassTimber #AEC #Glulam

Western operates on the traditional lands of more than 50 First Nations on the coast of British Columbia. On the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we recognize our responsibility to listen, learn, and advance reconciliation through meaningful action and lasting relationships. This year, our Campbell River team moved into the new We Wai Kai Nation administrative building. It reflects We Wai Kai culture and identity through local materials, sustainable design, and Indigenous art, including multi-story exterior panels designed by Jessica Chickite, a Lekwiltok artist from the We Wai Kai Nation. Sharing this space creates more opportunities to connect, collaborate and strengthen our relationship. Reconciliation is ongoing work, and we are grateful for the relationships that continue to guide us on that journey. #NDTR #ForestStewardship #WeWaiKai

Thanks to Vita Magazine for highlighting STILL/not still in their recap of this year’s @IDSvancouver. Experiencing the installation and central bar in person, they provided a beautiful synopsis of the project’s impact on visitors, focusing on connecting people with the forest and highlighting the architectural potential of B.C. Hem-Fir and more. Read the full article here: vitamagazine.com/2026/09/25/…

From growing resilient seedlings to what’s ahead for reforestation, there was plenty to talk about at this year’s Forest Nursery Association of BC annual general meeting. Western’s Saanich Forestry Centre Manager and FNABC President, Christina Lavoie, joined forestry and nursery professionals in Prince George to learn from one another and explore the work shaping reforestation today. Bringing people and experience together helps build the knowledge needed to support thriving forest ecosystems. Congratulations to Arbutus Grove Nursery on receiving the Chief Forester Award and Sylvia L’Hirondelle on receiving the Green Timbers Award. A special thanks as well to Rebecca Larsson and the @sveaskog team for making the trip from Sweden to join us in northern BC.