Innovative Construction, Wood Products and Forestry
Innovative, connected, and dynamic
Squamish is surrounded by forests and has a rich history in the innovative construction, wood products, and forestry sector.
Firms in this diverse sector include forestry and support activities for the sector, as well as a wide range of companies specializing in emerging industries.
Currently, Squamish is home to over 70 small and medium-sized companies specializing in sustainable building solutions, prefabricated tiny home production, laneway and modular homebuilding, prefabricated building panel manufacturing, timber products and production services, wood and wood products coating, and custom timber frame home design.
2021 Squamish stats at a glance
The sector is supported by state-of-the-art research, and an incoming talent pool from many world-class universities in the nearby Lower Mainland, including the University of British Columbia and its renowned Forest Sciences program.
Local companies in the sector also benefit from Squamish’s well-established international transportation network, which includes a deep-water, break-bulk shipping terminal and extensive east-west and north-south rail lines, with comprehensive knowledge in handling forestry, construction, and wood products.
BC's innovative construction and wood products sector
BC is one of the world’s largest exporters of wood products. Our forestry sector has attractive opportunities in mills, forestry operations, the manufacturing of high-quality forest products and value-added wood products, as well as biofuels.
BC is a leader in innovative, sustainable engineered wood products and technologies, including the manufacturing of mass timber products through to the design and construction of energy-efficient, earthquake-resistant residential, commercial, and mixed-use mass timber buildings.
Canada's forest industry
One of the top global manufacturers of forest products, Canada is among the world’s largest producers and exporters of softwood lumber, accounting for 20% of Canada’s forest product exports. Increasing demand for wood products from emerging economies, along with the growing need for alternative energy sources—including biomass—are creating new opportunities for companies investing in Canada’s forest industry.
Design for Deconstruction: Nexii Circular Economy Case Study
Green construction technology company Nexii manufactures pieces of buildings are manufactured in Squamish. The plant is also home to Nexii’s Research and Development division, which focuses on designing new technology and innovative green solutions.
Driving their R&D is a vision shared by Nexii and Squamish to build a vibrant circular economy that puts people and the planet first. Their recent Deconstruction Case Study put this concept in practice by looking at repurposing building material as an alternative to standard building demolition.
Read the full story
“The whole south coast of BC has put energy into being a global leader in cleantech, in renewables, in the green economy – and Squamish is a big part of that. There are some great companies and a fantastic workforce that wants to be part of that new economy.”
Tools and resource library
Looking for more information regarding the innovative construction, wood products and forestry sector? Look no further. Squamish has wealth of research, information, and tools to help you start, grow or invest in BC. Check out a sample below.
Scientific Research and Experimental Development
Research and development companies of any size can take advantage of this tax incentive program.
Squamish Green Economy Profile
A profile of the Green Economy, a key sector in Squamish.
Sell Your Innovation Through Innovation Solutions Canada
Bring your innovation to market faster through the Government of Canada.
Naturally Wood
A comprehensive resource promoting B.C. as a global supplier of quality, environmentally-responsible forest products.
Forestry Sector Funding Programs
Federal funding programs help ot diversify forest products, markets and processes.
Natural Resources Canada - Indigenous Forestry Initiative
Providing financial support to Indigenous-led economic development projects in Canada's forest sector.
Sector contacts
District of Squamish Economic Development Team
As your point of contact within the District of Squamish, we can connect you to the municipal departments that will help to start and grow your business. Contact us for support with zoning information or site selection, and we can connect you to the appropriate staff member from Community Planning, Building, Real Estate Services, and/or Engineering. Several members of our staff are experienced with the specific regulations relating to your industry, and can help guide you through site selection. We can also provide you with resources to help you start or grow your business, including market research, business intelligence, recommendations for key contacts, and ideas for funding.
BC Wood Association
BC Wood is a provincial member-based organization that exists to help their member businesses grow both domestically within Canada, and internationally. The organization offers international trade events and missions, educational workshops, cost-sharing programs, and up-to-date market intelligence.
Wood First Program
The provincial Wood First program focuses on advancing wood use and innovative wood construction technologies in BC and establishing the province as a showcase for wood products in construction, interior design and daily living. Activities under the Wood First program are delivered primarily through third-party organizations under a cost-sharing framework between Forestry Innovation Investment, the Government of Canada, and industry. Initiatives are based on the understanding that the long-term sustainability of the forest economy includes actively maintaining, creating, and diversifying demand for BC forest products.
Wood WORKS!
Wood WORKS! is a Canadian Wood Council program, which is industry-led and is intended to help increase the use of wood in non-residential, mid-rise and tall building markets in Canada. The initiative seeks to build proficiency in using wood through training, networking and direct technical support.
Think Wood Research Library
The Think Wood Research Library connects industry to the latest research and resources on mass timber, light-frame wood building systems (5 stories and up), and timber bridges. Practitioners, researchers, and anyone with an interest in the latest knowledge about wood construction will benefit from the diverse catalogue of content, from peer-reviewed academic papers to practical applied research and resources.
BC Wood Supplier Directory
BC Wood Supplier Directory connects companies with over 400 suppliers of high-quality, eco-friendly wood products, from dimension lumber, engineered, mass timber and specialty products, to furniture, doors and windows, pulp, paper and pellets.
Forestry Innovation Investment Research Library
This BC-based research library provides the provincial forest industry and design community, including BC companies, trade associations, and research institutions with a wide variety of credible reports, data, and information.
Vancouver Economic Commission Resources
The Vancouver Economic Commission provides a thorough list of BC’s many associations that provide a wide range of support, research, and funding to innovative construction, wood products, and forestry businesses.
Trade and Invest BC
Trade and Invest BC recognizes forestry as a key sector in BC. Trade and Invest BC help organizations and investors find success doing business in British Columbia by facilitating foreign direct investment, helping to build connections between companies, and promoting BC products and services globally.
Invest in Canada: Cleantech in Canada
Invest in Canada is Canada’s global investment attraction and promotion agency. Facilitating global investment that spurs job growth and makes Canada stronger. Invest in Canada's customized services help global companies unlock investment opportunities in Canada.
