News
FERIC, Forintek, and Paprican Members Take the
First Step to Team Up in a Single Research Institute for the Forest
Sector.
POINTE-CLAIRE, Québec, June 20, 2006: Don Banks,
Chairman of the Board of FERIC, Phil Latos, Chairman of the Board of
Forintek, and Frank Dottori, Chairman of the Board of Paprican, are
pleased to announce that the Boards and Member Companies of these three
research institutes have voted in favour of takthe creation of a new
structure to spearhead their activities.
“Soaring energy prices, restrictions on available fibre, increased
availability of low-cost foreign fibre, the value of the Canadian dollar,
and the ongoing globalization of the industry are all factors, amongst
others, that continue to pressure the Canadian Forest Sector,”
said Mr. Banks. “From the forest, to wood, and pulp and paper,
Canadian producers face similar challenges, and one of the goals of
the Single Institute proposal is to come up with an organization conducive
to even greater efficiency and capacity in innovation and research and
development to address these challenges.”
“Our three Institutes are all engaged in research relevant to
forest products and technology and many of our Members hold membership
in one, two or all three of the Institutes,” said Mr. Latos. “Our
objective is to ensure that FERIC, Forintek, and Paprican research teams
continue to play a leading role in the restructuring of Canada’s
Forest Products Industry. Teaming up would allow the industry to benefit
from synergies and facilitate the development of an integrated approach
to research and development in the Canadian Forest Sector as well as
be in the best possible position to play a leading role at the global
level.”
“With the creation of this Single Institute we will be in a position
to speak with a stronger common voice on Forest Sector issues,”
said Mr. Dottori. ”It is in difficult times that companies can
truly feel the strength of joining forces to collaborate in pre-competitive
areas with other members and clients of the new Institute. I am confident
that this new structure will also allow us to attract new members and
increase the overall financial support for research and development
in the Forest Sector.”
The Institutes will be working together to develop an integration plan
which will be presented to their respective members for final approval
in the next six months.
FERIC’s goal is to improve Canadian forestry operations related
to the harvesting and transportation of wood, and the growing of trees,
within a framework of sustainable development. Its mission is to provide
all members and partners with the knowledge and technology to conduct
cost-competitive, quality operations that respect the forest environment.
The Institute’s research program is developed with the guidance
of regional advisory committees that include representatives of all
members and partners. Ongoing feedback helps address the broad spectrum
of technical problems encountered during the planning and implementation
of all aspects of forestry operations.
Forintek Canada Corp. is Canada's national wood products research institute.
Its mission is to develop scientific and technical knowledge, application
and solutions that will enhance the ongoing competitiveness of its members
and the Canadian wood products sector. Based on priorities set by its
industry and government members, it delivers technological solutions
in such areas as lumber, panels, and other value-added wood products
manufacturing processes or attributes, drying and protection, building
systems, etc. Forintek also conducts market and economic studies, and
plays a key role in the development of building codes and standards,
both nationally and internationally.
Paprican, the Pulp and Paper Research Institute of Canada, is a leading
not-for-profit research and technology institute that provides valuable
technology transfer and cost-competitive research addressing both the
short-term and strategic needs of its Members. Its research programs
are driven by the high-priority technical issues of the industry such
as product quality and value, cost competitiveness, environment and
sustainability. Internationally recognized for excellence, Paprican
operates laboratories in Quebec and British Columbia, and is well positioned
to offer services to the global pulp and paper industry.
