Companies in 150 Mile House, Vanderhoof, 100 Mile House and Terrace will receive financial support from the government for value-added manufacturing projects that promote more sustainable jobs.
OT Timber Frames Ltd. will receive as much as $235,000 to scale up the production of pre-fabricated homes and expand product offerings to include insulation components, with expansion of the production facility and addition of two CNC machines.
The funds will help create five new positions and maintain year-round employment for current staff at OT Timber Frames.
New Wave Docks Ltd. at 100 Mile House will receive as much as $300,000 to double manufacturing capacity and provide space to diversify production. This entails the construction of a new 14,000-square-foot steel-engineered building to house a large-scale roto-oven and aluminum fabrication shop in the same facility, and will create as many as 15 new jobs.
Bid Group Technologies Ltd. in Vanderhoof will receive as much as $100,000 to expand manufacturing capacity to keep production in-house instead of outsourcing it and optimize the parts-production process to drive efficiency.
Monster Industries Ltd. in Terrace will receive as much as $466,000 to build a new fabrication facility and purchase a new crane that will help manufacture drying kilns for the forestry industry in B.C., which are essential for the production of value-added wood products, and will create seven new skilled positions.
“By empowering innovative ideas and investing in companies that value a clean, sustainable future, we are setting the stage for local economies to flourish,” said Brenda Bailey, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “The projects we’re supporting through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund will create stability for workers and their families throughout the province by keeping good-paying jobs in the communities they call home.”
The BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund (BCMJF) supports for-profit organizations to plan and launch shovel-ready, high-value industrial and manufacturing projects that bring direct benefits and stable, family-supporting jobs to communities, while driving clean and inclusive growth throughout the province.
“Manufacturing facilities and workers are often the backbones of their communities, especially in rural and remote areas,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Forests. “Investing in the growth of a wood-manufacturing company means investing in a community and its people. These five projects from the BC Jobs Manufacturing Fund support the growth of these wood-manufacturing companies making more local high-quality wood products and creating the next generation of forestry jobs.”
Funding through the BCMJF is part of a series of programs the Province has introduced to support the growth of value-added manufacturing in B.C. In January 2023, the Ministry of Forests introduced a new value-added manufacturing program to establish a dedicated fibre supply for small and medium-sized manufacturers. The Province is working with the value-added manufacturing sector to increase the flow of fibre and find ways to expand local production of high-value wood products. A strong value-added manufacturing industry diversifies the forestry sector, buffering against global market challenges.
Building resilient economies through the BCMJF is part of the Province’s work through the StrongerBC Economic Plan to build a strong and sustainable economy through clean and inclusive growth. Supporting B.C.’s manufacturing sector helps bring the government closer to its goal of building a more innovative economy for people, businesses and communities in B.C.
Kyle Thomson, owner of Monster Industries Ltd., said support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund for their new facility in Terrace fills them with immense pride.
“We are eager to embark on this journey, unlocking potential, creating employment and making a monstrous impact within the manufacturing sector in northwestern B.C. and beyond. Our commitment to success will invigorate and empower our team, fostering a culture of growth and achievement at Monster Industries.”
Juergen Poepsel, operations manager, of OT Timber Frames Ltd. said the funding will support OT Timber Frames’ expansion into pre-manufacturing of their projects.
Poepsel said pre-manufacturing is an important part of a transition to “a more competitive business model that will enable us to help address the housing shortage in B.C., secure our business for the years to come and create well-paying jobs in our rural community.”
Mike McNeil, owner of New Wave Docks Ltd. said the funds will allow them to expand their manufacturing facility located in 100 Mile House, “in turn creating jobs in our small community, increasing our productivity of environmentally friendly products and innovating new ideas. The success of our business and communities critically depends on the support of our Province.”
Lisa Minnie, vice-president of finance for Bid Group Technologies Ltd. said they are grateful for the support from the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund for their operations in Vanderhoof.
“This funding helps facilitate investments in precision manufacturing that will allow us to meet increasing customer demand across North America for parts and services for modern wood-processing facilities.”