Forestry

There is a new voice crying in the wilderness - that of the Ontario Forest Business Association.

Inclement spring weather has forced Northern Ontario forest producers to scramble for raw material this spring, but some say overly protective and “restrictive” provincial conservation guidelines designed to protect wildlife habitat and sensitive eco

Northern Ontario’s declining wood supply should come as no surprise to forest companies that assist the province in writing forest management plans.

Before, when a forestry company wanted to increase its profitability, it simply went out and cut more logs. That might have been the case years ago, but now it is a completely different story, says Tembec president and CEO Frank Dottori.

North of Terrace Bay, the waters of Kenogami River, Long Lake and the Aguasabon River flow toward Lake Superior, a natural route for thousands of trees heading to sawmills in the days before wood-laden trucks thundered down asphalt highways.

For Dan Warren, the former Proboard plant in Atikokan is more than just a new business venture. It is a chance to come home again. Warren’s company Fibratech Manufacturing Inc.

Kenora Forest Products is one of several wood products manufacturers agonizing over how to marry the operation with a value-added component.

A study conducted early last year showed extended rail service in Timmins was feasible, but given the current economic conditions for the forest industry, it is too expensive.

Timiskaming’s increased emphasis on value-added wood products may be producing results, if recent interest in the region by home and office furnishing company Ikea is any indication.

Arvo Tyrvainen has a simple philosophy, and seeks an answer to a seemingly simple question.