TIMELINE
2017
January 2017 — India
Largest shipment of mass timber from B.C. ships to India’s CEPT University
The shipment from B.C. included engineered wood products from Penticton’s Stucturlam; hemlock, Douglas fir and yellow cedar lumber supplied by Surrey’s Coast Clear Wood as well as donated lumber from the Coast Forest Products Association.
January 2017 — India
Kapur Villa demo project creates buzz around Canadian wood
In 2016, the India team completed work on their first commercial demonstration project in India to use Canadian wood. The 1,970 square foot private residence features extensive use of wood species from B.C.
2016
December 2016 — India
India team expands geographic reach
After establishing a head office and wood products showroom in Mumbai with the BC Ministry of International Trade, the India team now has small satellite locations in New Delhi and Bangalore to be closer to customers in the north and south of India.
December 2016 — India
Strong communications, promotion and outreach strategy continues to bring Canada to the forefront
FII India staff continue to develop marketing material targeting audiences in different regions of India. Advertisements raise the profile of Canadian lumber with manufacturers, while on-site collateral at trade shows increases awareness of Canadian species at some of the largest wood product events in the country.
November 2016 — India
In-market activities allow B.C. industry to meet key players in the India market
In 2016/17, the India team facilitated several tours to help advance market development efforts in India. Participants included representatives from the Province of B.C., the Government of Canada and industry.
October 2016 — India
Building relationships and commercial activity through “Explore Business Opportunities with Canadian Wood” event
FII India hosted a networking event “Explore Business Opportunities with Canadian Wood” in December at the FII display centre in Mumbai, with B.C. Minister of Finance Michael de Jong as the guest of honour.
October 2016 — India
Product trials generate early commercial sales
Product trials have emerged as a highly successful means to engage with and motivate Indian manufacturers to try something different—and then convert or augment existing or new production to Canadian species.
September 2016 — India
Marketing efforts continue to build the Canadian wood brand
In association with India’s Festival of Architecture & Interior Designing, FII India sponsored Wood is Good 2016, a furniture design competition for students of architecture and product design from leading colleges.
April 2016 — India
Indian manufacturers’ willingness to experiment with Canadian species continues to grow
Various wood product manufacturers have successfully experimented with B.C. and Canadian wood species through FII-led product trials using wood samples provided by the forest industry and Canada Wood.
February 2016 — India
FII promotes Canadian lumber in Gujarat, India
On February 13, 2016 FII India participated in the Vibrant Kutch event held in India's westernmost state of Gujarat.
2015
November 2015 — India
Highlighting Canada’s sustainably managed forests at the 2015 Green Building Congress Tradeshow
In November, 2015 FII India participated in a three day event in Gandhinagar to highlight B.C. and Canada as a trusted source for certified (PEFC/FSC) solid wood lumber sourced from sustainably managed forests.
November 2015 — India
Inauguration of FII India Display Centre
FII completed and inaugurated an exclusive first-of-its-kind display centre in Mumbai. The 1,300 square foot space highlights how to build with wood from sustainable and certified forests.
October 2015 — India
Interest in product trials grows
Canadian Wood Program”, which is providing qualified Indian manufacturers with small volumes of B.C. wood as well as technical support for inclusion in new or existing product lines. Several trials were completed over the past year with established manufacturers of windows, doors and furniture.
October 2015 — India
Woodworking contractors meet in Mumbai
FII India organized a Woodworking professionals Meet in Mumbai which showcased the versatility of Canadian Wood species - Western Hemlock, Yellow-Cedar, Douglas-fir, SPF and Western Red Cedar.
October 2015 — India
Promotional efforts on display at India’s largest exhibitions and tradeshows
In October, 2015 FII India participated in Mumbai Wood to showcase the versatility of Canadian wood species. The FII India booth featured lumber samples, product applications and finished products. In February, 2016, FII India participated in IndiaWood 2016. To highlight the versatility and aesthetics of Canadian wood, FII India and B.C. companies created several “experience zones”.
October 2015 — India
Mumbai Wood 2015
Canadian Wood showcased sustainable, certified wood varieties from Canada to be used in furniture, doors, door frames and other interior applications.
February 2015 — India
Delhiwood 2015
A delegation of 17 Canadian lumber companies’ visit to India has put the spotlight on certified lumber from sustainably managed sources in Canada.
January 2015 — India
Efforts in India expand the market for Canadian lumber
To create brand recognition, FII India – considered a centre of knowledge regarding softwood species – has delivered several seminars to Indian audiences.
January 2015 — India
Strong outreach strategy brings Canada to the forefront in India
FII India staff developed marketing material for use in channels targeting various audiences. Advertisements raised the profile of Canadian lumber with manufacturers, while pre-conference e-mail advertisements created awareness of FII India’s presence at trade shows.
2014
May 2014 — India
Momentum for B.C. wood products in India builds
After establishing FII India in mid-2012, a decision was made to secure undeveloped office space rather than prefinished space.
February 2014 — India
Seminars in India lead to enquiries for product trials and commercial shipments
FII India’s seminar program is proving a key vehicle in raising awareness of the features of B.C. species, teaching local manufacturers, architects and importers about the properties of B.C. wood, and about which species are suited for specific applications.
February 2014 — India
Government relations efforts build the profile of Canadian wood products in India
In a market such as India, government-to-government relations are an important dimension of trade development. India and Canada are in the process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement which will be an important step in our future trading relationship.
February 2014 — India
Largest ever mission from B.C. attends IndiaWood 2014
B.C. forestry companies and trade associations sent 17 representatives to the IndiaWood Trade Show in early 2014, reflecting growing industry interest in the emerging Indian market.
2013
February 2013 — India
FII Establishes a Subsidiary Company in Mumbai
In 2012/13, FII established a subsidiary company in Mumbai to lead a new market development program aimed at introducing B.C. and Canadian wood products to the potentially large Indian market.
