Chantiers Chibougamau is an independently owned and operated sawmill and engineered wood plant in northern Quebec. Founded in the early 1960s, the company manages 2.7 million acres of black spruce fibre that is harvested and, in an ISO 14001-endorsed process, transformed into solid sawn I-joist and glulam beams.
Since 1999 the company has pursued its interests in the UK market and its efforts have begun to pay off. “As a Canadian company attempting to gain market share abroad, the challenges can be great,” said Albert Renaud, vice-president, marketing and sales. “We have proven to our present customer base that we are an alternative to the existing engineered wood suppliers and our future looks bright. Bill Reilly, a seasoned veteran in building products and European affairs, has led our UK sales force to market.”
Progress has not always been easy and the company is well aware that only a maintained effort and market presence will ensure success. Construction details and product performance information have already been shared with UK builders and a software package, designed specifically for the UK will soon be available.
“We have been in the lumber industry for decades and relationship building is part of the way we do business,” said executive vice-president and part owner Michel Filion. “We are in this for the long haul.
“Our annual plant capacity of 40 million linear metres, combined with our product line and business development plan make the UK market very exciting.”
