Forestry

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.

Historically, Atikokan has experienced economic strife before and survived, so surely the community will only gain in strength as it faces hundreds of layoffs in its main industry, a development official says.

Rather than wait for the axe to drop, the Town of Espanola has surveyed the northern landscape to gain a greater understanding of what becomes of one-industry towns that have grown too reliant on a major company to be the town’s major breadwinner.

Muskoka; the name itself speaks of vacation paradise. Its countryside is filled with trees and lakes a mere two hours away from Toronto.