Value-Added Wood Manufacturing

Value-added manufacturing is the process of increasing the value of a product by modifying it during the manufacturing process. In B.C., wood is transformed into high-value products like mass timber, furniture, and engineered wood products. This supports local jobs, innovation, and a sustainable forest economy for people in B.C.

Working together to sustain, diversify and grow B.C.’s value-added wood manufacturing is a key government commitment to help get more value and jobs from every tree we harvest.

On this page:

• Value-Added Accelerators
• BC Timber Sales's Category 4 Value-Added Manufacturing Program
• Value-Added Sector Strategies Branch: Regional Staff

Value-Added Accelerators

The Value-Added Accelerators (VAAs) are a collaborative initiative designed to grow and strengthen B.C.’s value-added wood manufacturing sector. Led by a partnership of the BC Value-Added Wood Coalition, the Council of Forest Industries, the First Nations Forestry Council, and the Ministry of Forests, including BC Timber Sales (BCTS), the VAAs aim to improve fibre access, foster business-to-business partnerships, and increase Indigenous participation in the value-added sector. Through regional engagement sessions and strategic planning, the VAAs are developing actionable solutions to ensure a more integrated, competitive, and sustainable forest industry in B.C.

In 2023 and 2024, a series of engagement sessions, virtual and in-person, were hosted throughout the province. Throughout these sessions, feedback was received on how to support and grow the sector. This helped to inform and develop a Plan for B.C.'s Value-Added Accelerators (PDF, 3MB), which the group has committed to work on together.

BC Timber Sales’ Category 4 Value-Added Manufacturing Program

BC Timber Sales (BCTS) is a part of the Ministry of Forests and a partner in the VAAs. In 2024, BCTS introduced a new Category 4 program that is designed to support the sector by providing a dedicated supply of fibre for value-added manufacturers.

For more information on the Category 4 program please contact:

BCTS Provincial Operations
BCTS.ValueAdded@gov.bc.ca

Value-Added Sector Strategies Branch: Regional Staff

The B.C. government has established the Value-Added Sector Strategies (VASS) Branch to support and grow the value-added sector in B.C. The branch aims to strengthen the sector by improving coordination, fibre access, and business development. VASS Branch staff support the value-added sector by connecting secondary manufacturers with primary producers, tenure holders, and First Nations to enhance local fibre flow. The branch also supports local pilot projects, tool development and policy solutions, and coordinates with other ministries to align efforts and identify funding opportunities.

Regional specialists in the North, South, and Coast provide targeted support to manufacturers by offering local expertise tailored to the unique needs of each area. VASS Branch staff are currently working to build a foundational understanding of the sector—collecting data, identifying gaps and opportunities, and engaging directly with manufacturers to better understand business needs and regional fibre dynamics. 

To reach out to your regional specialist, please contact:

• VASS@gov.bc.ca