Kalesnikoff Lumber announced plans Thursday for a multi species mass timber manufacturing facility in South Slocan.
The company says it will be North America’s most advanced, fully integrated, multi-species mass timber manufacturing facility and create 50 full-time, technology-centered local jobs.
Kalesnikoff’s $35 million mass timber investment will encompass construction of a new 110,000 sq ft. building, and the purchase of state-of-the-art processing equipment and technology from leading companies including Denmark-based Kallesoe Machinery and Canadian-based Conception RP.
“We see mass timber as a natural and exciting innovation and next step for our company and team,” said Chris Kalesnikoff, Chief Operating Officer of Kalesnikoff Lumber Company. “We’ve done extensive research to ensure our new world-class equipment will create exceptionally high-quality cross-laminated timber and glulam beams. Our focus will be on full integration from the forest through cutting, drying, and manufacturing to the final finished and delivered products.”
Cross-laminated timber and glulam, also known as mass timber, are well established and widely used in Europe where green building technology is much further evolved than in North America. Leading architects, engineers, designers and project managers around the world, including here in North America, are increasingly seeking high-quality, custom mass timber products to create sustainable, stunning and energy-efficient buildings.
Today’s announcement follows the Province of British Columbia’s recent commitment to invite eligible local governments to become early adopters of mass timber technology for construction of buildings up to 12 storeys in advance of anticipated changes to Canada’s Building Code in 2020.
“For eighty years and over four generations, we have provided consistently high-quality, value-added wood products to our customers around the world.” said Ken Kalesnikoff, chief executive officer of Kalesnikoff Lumber Company.
“We are proud of our customer and partner relationships, the jobs and opportunities we’ve created for our employees, and the privilege of supporting many important local initiatives in our community. Today’s announcement will allow us to build on our ongoing legacy.”
This new facility is scheduled to open in late 2019 with a full product line by the summer of 2020, creating 50 new technology-centered, local jobs and expanded community benefits. Kalesnikoff will begin recruitment later this year.
To mark this significant evolution, the company has re-branded, including a new logo and tag line “Timber Inspires” that reflects the endless possibilities of wood, and the intersection of design, engineering and construction using Kalesnikoff mass timber products.
For more information, visit www.timberinspires.ca, www.kalesnikoff.com.
