Brink Forest Products Ltd. announced on Aug. 25 that it has entered into an agreement with the Bid Group of Companies to purchase Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products Ltd. (VSWP); a value-added lumber manufacturing facility that specializes in the production of finger-jointed lumber products, as well as wood pellets and post/rails.
VSWP operates a facility approximately one hour west of Prince George, nearing the City of Vanderhoof. Operating since 1991, VSWP employs approximately 70 people.
Adding VSWP to the Brink Group of Companies, which includes Brink Forest Products Ltd. in Prince George and Pleasant Valley Remanufacturing Ltd. (PVR) in Houston, the Brink Group of Companies will employ over 300 people in its lumber manufacturing division in Northern British Columbia.
In the past ten years, Brink has built two new finger jointing lines at its Prince George facility and is planning further expansion at its PVR operations in Houston.
“We have embarked on this aggressive growth strategy in response to our customer’s growing need for quality lumber products and the increasing consolidation of the lumber industry in British Columbia and throughout North America,” said John A. Brink, founder, president and CEO of the Brink Group of Companies. “The acquisition of VSWP makes Brink the largest remanufacturer and finger-joint producer in Canada.”
“It will also provide added purchasing power in the constant pursuit of finding suitable fibre and low grade lumber for our operations.” Mr. Brink believes that VSWP is an excellent fit for the Brink Group and has no plans to make major changes to its staff or management.
Vanderhoof Specialty Wood Products Ltd. started operations in the secondary manufacturing industry in 1991 with a small group of employees, gradually expanding over the years. It added finger-jointing in the mid-nineties and took another step into value added manufacturing after it was purchased by the Bid Group of Companies in 2010. A pellet plant was added to complete the total utilisation of the fibre and its residuals.
Mr. Brian Fehr and his group have operated the company for the past six years. It became clear as the Bid Group focused on their core business and growth strategy across North America that discussions needed to occur to find a suitable fit for VSWP.
“I have known John Brink and his companies for many years and they are a perfect fit for the long-term sustainability and growth in Vanderhoof,” said Brian Fehr, Chairman and Managing Director of the Bid Group of Companies.
“We at the Brink Group have been in operations for the past 42 years. We are delighted to have VSWP as one of our operations,” Brink said. “We have confidence in its management and personnel to make this acquisition a great success; we gladly welcome them to the Brink Group.”
Mayor Gerry Thiessen thinks it’s a positive effect for Vanderhoof. “In our conversations with both management, VSWP and Brink, we sense this is a stable transaction for the community over a long period of time.”