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Forest industry aims to grow the business, and the workforce

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has unveiled an industry-led vision that outlines where the forest industry sees itself by the year 2020. Under the brand of “Canada’s Natural Advantage”, the FPAC vision…

The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) has unveiled an industry-led vision that outlines where the forest industry sees itself by the year 2020. Under the brand of “Canada’s Natural Advantage”, the FPAC vision states that “by 2020, the Canadian forest products industry will power Canada’s new economy by being green, innovative and open to the world.”

Vision 2020 sets out three ambitious goals for the sector:

– Generate an additional $20 billion in economic activity from new innovations and growing markets

– Deliver a further 35% improvement in the sector’s environmental footprint

– Renew the workforce with at least 60,000 new recruits including women, Aboriginals and immigrants

“Canada’s forest products industry has already made significant progress in becoming more competitive, in tackling new markets, in developing innovative new bio-products from wood fibre and in greening our operations,” says the president and CEO of FPAC, Catherine Cobden. “However we do not intend to rest on our laurels. This vision will inspire us to go even further to ensure a vibrant path for the industry in the years ahead.”

“Through commitment to innovation in our businesses, sustainability performance and markets, we are an industry on the move,” says Jim Lopez, president and CEO of Tembec Inc. and chairman of the board at FPAC. “We are determined to continue to work with partners including government so that our vision becomes a reality and Canada’s leadership position in a highly competitive global marketplace is assured.”

“Vision 2020 outlines three key areas for future success — people, products and environmental performance — and is consistent with where the industry is going to ensure profitability and sustainability,” says Richard Garneau, president and CEO of Resolute Forest Products.

FPAC will be taking its vision and challenge across Canada and expects to report back with concrete suggestions on reaching its three goals later this year.