Canadian Wood participated in IndiaWood 2024, a prominent international trade fair for the furniture manufacturing and woodworking industry. Canadian Wood is the British Columbia (B.C.) provincial government’s crown corporation, formally known as Forestry Innovation Consulting India Pvt Ltd (FII India). The exhibition took place from 22nd to 26th February 2024 at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC). It garnered massive success and was visited by renowned architects, visionaries, and industry experts from all over the world. The Canadian Wood stall at the fair covered an expansive 130 sqm of space and provided a uniquely immersive experience for visitors by showcasing Canadian timber species in various applications.
Canadian Wood at IndiaWood 2024
The exhibition showcased a diverse range of timber applications that displayed the versatility and sustainability of the responsibly sourced wood species in various settings. One of the chief attractions was an elegantly designed model of a luxury hotel room suite with a balcony.
The layout of the room was designed by renowned architect Gurpreet Singh from Aakar Design Consultants in collaboration with well-known wood manufacturers like Mas Furniture and Bram Woodcrafting from Josmo Studio and some products of FJEG boards were manufactured by Colonial Lumbers, Kannur. They exhibited the quality and craftsmanship of their furniture that can be achieved using Canadian timber species.
The luxury room model featured the integration of the brand’s timber in various applications such as bedroom and living room furniture, doors and doorframes, windows, panelling, timber screens, sliding windows, bar units, and outdoor furniture. LumberX Resources and Sundher Group are Canadian lumber companies that also participated in the exhibition. Their presence further strengthened the global collaboration and supply for the timber industry in India.
Pranesh Chhibber, Country Director, Canadian Wood said-
Canadian Wood’s commitment to sustainability transcends borders. Anything provided by Canadian Wood is legally harvested and certified which shows their dedication towards sustainable practices and sourcing wood from sustainably managed forests. This ensures a regular supply of renewable raw materials.
The participation in IndiaWood is not limited to showcasing products, it’s a well-thought-out move to connect with their target audience and form a bridge between buyers and sellers. The brand collaborates with top-line manufacturers in India and educates them on the five unique wood species that are suitable for diverse applications.
Their species are considered unique because they have four softwood species that are not found anywhere else in the world. These include Douglas-Fir, Western Hemlock, Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and Spruce-Pine-Fir. These species cover a diverse range of applications ranging from naturally durable cedar wood used for outdoor areas to aesthetic interiors designed from Douglas-Fir and Western Hemlock. Canadian Wood stands as a symbol of quality, innovation, and environmental responsibility.
Shabbir & Alifiya Vagh from MAS furniture commented on their collaboration with FII India–
Shabbir and Alifiya Vagh say that they have been collaborating with Canadian Wood for many years going back to the inception of DII in India. They have used different formats like solid wood, edge-glued wood, laminated wood, and finger-jointed wood across different wood types like Spruce-Pine-Fir, Western Hemlock, Yellow Cedar, Western Red Cedar, and Douglas-Fir for exterior use.
Every wood type is extremely workable and they have gained a deep understanding of their unique attributes. In their display at IndiaWood, the Western Hemlock becomes the focal point because of its exceptional workability and staining capability. They have also furnished a hotel room with softwood and the positive reaction they received indicates that people appreciated their quality. Their experience with Canadian Wood has been exceptional and they are satisfied with the results.
Tony Kordolia from JOSMO talked about the remarkable qualities of Canadian timber–
His team’s latest masterpiece is a beach-inspired bar cabinet which was a great success at IndiaWood 2024. Premium Canadian timber was used to make the bar and it has a distinctive beachy feel which captures the essence of relaxation and style. Its uniqueness is elevated by the flawless grain design of the Douglas-Fir which turns it into a true work of art. They have used cross-lamination to strengthen the structure which shows both aesthetic brilliance and structural integrity. Canadian Wood is their preferred choice when it comes to sourcing reliable wood. Their top-quality wood ensured that every detail of the bar cabinet reflected craftsmanship and excellence.
Bram from Bram Woodcrafting Studio commented–
Being a woodworker with two decades of craftsmanship, wood is not just his profession, but also his lifelong passion. Having grown up in France he developed a deep connection with woodworking and now, he is teaching this art as a way of giving back. Even though the vocation of woodworkers is not well-known in India, he has found immense fulfilment here. According to him, wood is more than a material; it’s a source of boundless inspiration and earthy warmth in interior spaces.
The participation at IndiaWood has been genuinely rewarding especially because of collaborations with Canadian Wood and MAS furniture. Having collaborated with Canadian Wood four times, he has explored the different species they offer. Yellow Cedar stands out for him because it has proven itself to be exceptional for crafting windows. Top-quality Canadian timber species make each creation an ode to the versatility and beauty of wood.
Canadian Wood’s participation at the Wood in Architecture & Design Conference 2024
Canadian Wood also participated in the parallel event – Wood in Architecture & Design Conference (WAD 2024).
The event held a discussion on the topic – ‘Harvesting Hope: Pioneering Sustainable Future through Timber Construction’. Pranesh Chhibber, Country Director, Canadian Wood was one of the speakers at the discussion and he shared his valuable insights and underlined the commitment of Canadian Wood towards sustainable practices.
The conference focused on the international wood trade raising awareness about crucial aspects of the industry. For example, it highlighted the fact that even though wood is the most traded natural resource an astonishing 10 to 30% of the wood is traded illegally. Additionally, it was also emphasized that legally harvested and certified wood can play a major role in helping India achieve its COP26 goals.
The conference also included myth-busting sessions that addressed misconceptions about sustainability and revealed the untapped potential within the industry. In India, there is a substantial annual import of about 7 million cubic meters of wood, however, a large number of individuals are still unaware of the exciting opportunities this sector has to offer. The conference also talked about the surge in import of softwood from Canada over the past decade signaling the expanding market for Canadian timber. Therefore, Canadian Wood aims to use platforms like WAD 2024 to raise awareness and reach out to a wider audience. This will help develop a greater understanding of the use of sustainable practices and the potential of the industry.
Canadian Wood was at the centre of all activities at the exhibition, which gave them an opportunity to engage with industry professionals, showcase their inventive timber solutions, and contribute to the discussion on sustainable timber construction at IndiaWood 2024.
The brand promotes five wood species in India that are recommended for various applications and include Western Red Cedar, Western Hemlock, Douglas-Fir, Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF), and Yellow Cedar. They are available in 23 cities across India through a wide network of 40+ stockists.
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