B.C.’s Truck Loggers show is back—and standing strong The forest industry, like the roots of B.C.’s trees, is firmly planted in British Columbia’s economy and communities—and a big part of the coastal side of the forest industry will be back together in early-2022, with the return of the Truck Loggers Association (TLA) convention, from Jan. 12 to 14, at the Westin Bayshore in Vancouver.
The TLA notes that its membership and supporters, like B.C.’s trees, are resilient and standing strong against its many challenges. A pillar of B.C.’s economy supporting small rural communities and its largest cities, forestry is here to stay.
This year’s TLA convention, themed “Firmly Planted. Standing Strong”, brings the forestry sector together to delve into the issues and policies that will significantly impact its growth for generations to come.
Issue number one at the convention is likely to be the B.C. NDP government’s announcement that it plans to move forward with some 2.6 million hectares of logging deferrals, while developing a new forest management approach.
Thousands of logging, sawmill and pulp and paper mill jobs may be lost in B.C., if the old growth being made off-limits to logging through temporary deferrals become permanent, warn forestry sector industry groups, including the TLA.
In terms of the nuts and bolts of the convention, the Truck Loggers will feature a wide variety of presentations, from the latest logging equipment and technologies, to safety in the woods, and how the industry can attract and keep employees through recruitment and retention strategies, including training and wellness.
As with past Truck Logger shows, the industry, and the companies involved in supplying it, from processing heads to fuel companies, will all be represented at the trade show component of the show, with displays.
Further information on the TLA convention is available at www.tla.ca.
On the Cover:
Logging company Tri Valley Construction Ltd., of Princeton, B.C., did not hesitate when they were approached by Cat and B.C. Cat dealer, Finning, about participating in a trial of the new Cat 538 machine—and the new machine has proven itself in B.C.’s Southern Interior. Tri Valley is also getting involved in more steep slope logging, with the purchase of Tractionline and Harvestline equipment from The Inland Group. (Cover photo courtesy of Tri Valley Construction).
Major industry expansions in Saskatchewan
Big things are happening in the forest industry in Saskatchewan, with a new timber allocation from the Saskatchewan government supporting growth of the industry, including a $100 million expansion of Dunkley Lumber’s Carrot River sawmill.
Moving into steep slope equipment
Tri Valley Construction has been working with some new logging equipment, having solid success with Cat’s new 538 machine, and the company is now springboarding into getting involved with steep slope logging equipment in B.C.’s Southern Interior.
Franklin Forest dives into different markets
Franklin Forest Products turns out a variety of wood products—everything from wood for logging road bridges to diving boards—from its spectacular location on Vancouver Island’s Alberni Inlet, using an interesting combination of mill equipment.
Livestock—and logging
Livestock still makes up a good portion of the business for B.C.’s Ootsa Lake Cattle Company, but it has also been doing more logging the last few years, including an interesting project for a community forest.
Turning out more lumber on The Rock
Newfoundland’s largest sawmill, Sexton Lumber, has seen some big increases in demand for lumber, and has incorporated a number of equipment changes to improve efficiencies.
THE EDGE
Included in this edition of The Edge, Canada’s leading publication on research in the forest industry, are stories from the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) and FPInnovations.
Tech Update:
From power upgrades to safety improvements, read all about what’s new in mulcher systems in this issue’s
The Last Word
The partnership of Alberta sawmill Vanderwell Contractors—which will be supplying the raw material for a $35 million biofuel and hydrogen commercial demonstration project partnership—with a biofuel producer deserves praise, says Tony Kryzanowski.
DEPARTMENTS
