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Ontario investing in new forest sector technology

The Ontario government is investing over $1 million in Distinctive Wood Products, a manufacturer of kitchen cabinets and accessories. This investment will increase production by 40 per cent, boost U.S. export sales by almost 300 per cent and create nine new jobs at the company – and up to nine additional jobs throughout the forest sector supply chain.

“We are investing in businesses like Distinctive Wood Products to create jobs and strengthen our forest sector supply chain,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “This is good news for the Kitchener-Waterloo region, for Ontario’s forest sector and for consumers on both sides of the border who will enjoy greater access to high-quality cabinets and accessories.”

The total expansion project is valued at $4.4 million and will now add automated sanding equipment and a finishing system which hardens paint to prepare completed products for market. This investment will increase production capacity, reducing waste and allow Distinctive Wood Products to fulfill orders more quickly. The improvements are expected to boost the company’s revenue by 56 per cent.

To ramp up production, Distinctive Wood Products will increase its purchases of Ontario-made medium density fibreboard by 55 per cent, increasing demand for harvesting companies, sawmills and trucking – adding $4.3 million to Ontario’s forest supply chain each year.

Funding for this project is being provided through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, a business support program designed to improve productivity and innovation, enhance competitiveness, support new market access and strengthen regional economies.

Projects like this, which build a more competitive forest sector through technological innovation, are critical to achieving Ontario’s goals in Sustainable Growth: Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy and the Forest Biomass Action Plan.