NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008FOR0153-001743 Nov. 17, 2008	Ministry of Forests and Range
B.C. WOOD TRUSS ROOFING TECHNOLOGY SUCCESSFUL IN CHINA

SHANGHAI, CHINA – B.C. forest products and Canadian wood truss technology have experienced a breakthrough with three commercial projects providing new roofs to 38 apartment buildings in Shanghai, Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced today while visiting a project site in the Putuo district.

 

“Putuo is the third commercial roofing project in Shanghai using our wood truss systems and building materials,” said Bell, while touring the site. “We’re well-positioned to take advantage of a significant increase in upcoming renovations as Shanghai prepares for Expo 2010. Housing authorities are particularly interested in the construction speed and environmental benefits of our roofing products and techniques, after witnessing the success of two previous demonstration roofing projects.”

 

The Chinese government recently issued a call to upgrade the country’s older multi-storied, multi-family houses by 2010 in an effort to increase energy efficiency and improve the lifestyles of their residents. An estimated 10,000 buildings will be renovated in Shanghai over the next two years – representing a market opportunity for up to 94.9 million board feet of lumber if all 10,000 building were to use wood truss systems.   

 

Early successes in the roof renovation project, and positive results from a joint cost comparison study with the Shanghai Housing Bureau, convinced Shanghai’s municipal government of the benefits and viability of the wood truss system. The roof renovation projects provide an opportunity to train large Chinese construction companies in the use of hybrid wood-frame construction technology and to build awareness of the system among key Chinese government and industry stakeholders.

 

The project will also provide technical support for new districts and general contractors with the aim of making the wood truss system a significant element of the city’s “600 Day Initiative” to improve its infrastructure before Expo 2010.

 

Putuo’s commercial wood truss project is using about 54,000 board feet of lumber for roof renovations, and is a unique partnership with Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd., the Canada Wood Group, and Natural Resources Canada.

 

Photos from the China trade mission are available online in the Ministry of Forests and Range media room http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/media/.

-30-

Media contact:	Sophia Proctor Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Forests and Range 250 387-4592
For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca.