Photos: FII India
Developing market interest for BC wood in India requires close collaboration with local manufacturers. FII India fosters this by providing technical guidance, facilitating product trials, and building long-term industry relationships.
These ongoing efforts culminated at INDIAWOOD 2025, Asia’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and furniture manufacturing industry. At the event, FII India showcased a collection of high-end finished products. Made by local manufacturers using BC species, these products demonstrated the versatile applications achievable.
Sumitra Woodcraft
This included work by Sumitra Woodcraft, a company FII India has worked with for over eight years. Throughout various product trials, FII India offered technical guidance and support. This relationship helped Sumitra transition to using BC wood and integrating western hemlock into their export furniture offerings for markets like the United States. Sumitra’s experience in supplying furniture to well-known international retailers made them a fitting collaborator to show how BC species can be used in quality residential and commercial furniture.
“Our furniture products made out of Canadian species were attracting attention because they presented a good combination of species crafted with beautiful finishes.” – Akshat Garg, Sumitra Woodcraft
Buildkraft
Buildkraft was another key collaborator, having worked with FII India for over a decade and a consistent importer of BC wood. Utilizing technical support provided by FII India, the company has shifted from local hardwoods to mainly BC species like Douglas-fir. Known for expertise in high-end residential and hospitality projects across India, Buildkraft was the suitable choice to create a pergola for the booth. The pergola demonstrated the structural capabilities and appearance of BC wood in outdoor settings.
Artius Interiors Products
The third featured manufacturer was Artius Interiors Products, who specialize in high-end windows, doors, and larger glulam structures. The company has worked with FII India for almost 10 years and has fully shifted production to BC species, transitioning from teak to yellow cedar and Douglas-fir. For the booth, Artius used yellow cedar to craft doors and window frames. Focusing on quality wood windows and doors using glue-laminated timber and building custom homes for private residences, their showcase demonstrated the potential for premium applications with BC wood.
The booth had a range of display products, as well as a lumber display and wall of wood finishes to showcase the variety of looks and textures that can be achieved with BC species. The displays offered a deeper understanding of the performance attributes and visual appeal of key BC species, including western hemlock, Douglas-fir, yellow cedar, western red cedar, and S-P-F.
The event provided opportunities for FII India and collaborating manufacturers to connect with buyers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders. Presenting finished products crafted by established local companies helped visitors clearly visualize the quality and potential of BC wood in real-world applications.
Showcasing the work of these companies helped achieve many positive outcomes. The exhibition successfully generated many leads that resulted in container orders by both manufacturers and stockists. Additionally, new manufacturers expressed interest in trying BC wood, signing up for product trials.
