Value-Added Products

 

Production of value-added products by members of the Quebec lumber industry is currently experiencing strong growth.

Several QFIC members have taken an active part in this trend. By investing to modernize their plants, these companies have succeeded in increasing and upgrading regular commodity production. They have also invested in new machinery used to produce value-added products such as MSR lumber, finger-jointed lumber, and other secondary-processed products.

MSR lumber provides end users with a variety of lumber pieces featuring uniform, constant stiffness values determined in accordance with the limit states accepted for structural uses. Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F) is the primary group of species used for this type of product on account of the physical characteristics qualifying it for the MSR grade. Several Quebec mills produce a range of MSR lumber grades, of which 1650 Fb and 2100 Fb are the most popular. The best-known dimensions remain 2 x 3, 2 x 4, and 2 x 6.

A number of mills also produce finger-jointed lumber which, when manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the National Lumber Grades Authority's (NLGA) SPS-1 and SPS-3 standards, is interchangeable with non-finger-jointed lumber of the same grade. This product plays a major role in the production of I-beams, a particularly popular item in residential and commercial construction. Glued-laminated products, either as beams or boards, have also become sought-after among certain groups of clients having specific needs.

In addition to these value-added products, Quebec mills have, for several years now, been producing bed components using high-precision processes.

Finally, the QFIC, in conjunction with its members, the National Lumber Grades Authority, Forintek Canada Corp., and the Canadian Wood Council, has been actively developing norms and processes designed to maintain the outstanding competitiveness of the Quebec lumber industry.

Performance and Appearance

In its efforts to continually improve the quality of Quebec lumber products, the QFIC Quality Control Department has, in conjunction with an advisory committee on norms, developed an assessment tool for use by its members. Going by the name of the Performance Program, this approach uses a general grid to evaluate production quality. The QFIC is the first association of lumber producers in North America to implement an evaluation process that goes beyond the requirements of the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA).

The results of this assessment are intended to provide producers with indicators of their sawing performance in terms of both quality and consistency. The Performance Program measures such parameters as: planning sizes and manufacturing imperfections, as well as the quality of end-trimming, kiln-drying, stamping, and packaging. The goal is thus to work toward achieving consistent quality in reference to standards, with manufacturing processes and product presentation coming in for special attention.

Each member receives an inspection report, which provides an overview of the quality of the company's products, in addition to individual breakdowns according to the dimension and grade of stamped products. The data also allow QFIC members to compare their performance with industry averages.

In practical terms, QFIC inspectors visit all member sawmills; as well, a semi-annual performance report covering the previous 12 months is sent to members, who can use it to monitor progress not only in their mills but also across the entire lumber industry.

Tangible Results

Since its inception in June 1996, the Performance Program has prompted producers to implement a series of specific measures. Some plants have focused greater attention on the quality of their packing materials and procedures, while others have installed special equipment to improve end-trimming.