Who we are

Canada has approximately 30 sector councils representing key industry sectors. Each council is responsible for bringing together all industry stakeholders to help solve human resource and skills development issues within its sector.

As the sector council for the advanced wood manufacturing industry, we work for you. Since 2002, the Wood Manufacturing Council (WMC) has collaborated with employers, workers, educators, professional associations and government to help implement human resources solutions that will ensure the success of the advanced wood manufacturing sector.

Board of Directors

Mr. Mike McClements, Chairman

Executive Dean, Schools of Engineering, IT, Trades & Apprenticeship, Media & Design and Institute of Food Processing, Woodworking Centre of Ontario

Mr. Iain MacDonald, Vice Chair

Director of Centre for Advanced Wood Processing, University of British Columbia

Jim Deslaurier, Treasurer

Deslaurier Custom Cabinets Inc.

Mr. Mitch Toews

Business Development, Lynden Door

Mr. Stan Pauls

Decor Cabinets

Mr. Lloyd Love

Taurus Craco

Mr. Joe Gushue

Prestige Homes

Wendy Ferris

Director, Human Resources, Loewen

Renaud Gagné

Vice President, Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada (CEP) - Québec

Pierre Fournier

President, The Triangle Group

Sandra Nigro

Executive Director, Modular Housing Association, Prairie Provinces

What we do

The Council's mandate is to plan, develop and implement human resources strategies that support the long-term growth and competitiveness of Canada's advanced wood products manufacturing industry and meet the developmental needs of its workforce. The Council identifies and examines the necessary skills and knowledge required to respond to changing industry needs. The Council also develops an overall strategic plan to address key issues such as the shortage of skilled workers and the need for national standards for worker competencies.

Sector profile

The advanced wood manufacturing sector is a major contributor to Canada’s economy. It’s at the cutting edge of technology, using the latest practices and equipment to ensure efficient production that helps the sector—and the environment—thrive. Advanced engineering creates wood products from fast-growing species, and produces high-strength products from smaller trees. At the same time, the industry is able to use more of each log harvested, which means more products with less waste.

The industry is made up of five sub-sectors:

• Furniture
• Cabinets
• Window and doors
• Millwork
• Building components, including structural engineered products and factory-built housing

A wide range of small and large businesses comprises the industry, including global brand-name companies with “household” recognition. You may have heard of some of these major players in the wood manufacturing industry:

• Loewen (windows)
• Masonite (wood doors)
• Timber Systems (building systems)
• Prestige Homes (modular housing)

Nonetheless, small shops—typically employing fewer than four people—are the ‘heart’ of Canada’s advanced wood processing sector, accounting for 60% of all organizations.