FREDERICTON (NB) – November 20, 2010 – The New Brunswick Forest Products Association announced the funding for its LeanSigma productivity improvement initiative today. Industry and government leaders are working together to implement a process improvement program. This program has allow government and industry members to establish working groups to co-operatively find efficiencies, eliminate waste and reduce costs on Crown land operations and in the daily operations of our industry members. The New Brunswick Forest Products Association team is now working with the Department of Natural Resources team to lean processes in the forest management of Crown lands. Together we can work to do things better and the Forest Products Association is providing the training for both government and industry to make this happen.
The New Brunswick Forest Products Association is benefiting from new these initiatives and expertise thanks to investments of over $500,000 from both the federal and provincial governments. The Government of Canada has contributed $297,500 in the project through the CAF program, a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Province of New Brunswick invested $200,000 through the Regional Development Corporation, and another $12,500 through Business New Brunswick. “In kind’ contributions of $228,750 were provided by the provincial government and industry partners.
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, and The Honourable Bruce Northrup, provincial Minister of Natural Resources, were joined by Mark Arsenault, President, and Kevin Jewett, Chairman of the New Brunswick Forest Products Association today to take part in the announcement.
Kevin Jewett, Chairman of industry association expressed appreciation for the partnership and said; “These investments have allowed the NBFPA to hire and train two full time consultants that promote LeanSigma management practices encouraging our members to eliminate waste, expand efficiencies and implement a corporate culture of continuous improvements.”
“The Government of Canada recognizes the need to continue to invest in forestry initiatives that produce long-term results,” said Minister Ashfield. “Our investment of close to $300,000 through the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) has helped the New Brunswick Forest Products Association provide training in productivity improvements.”
“Our government is committed to working to renew and strengthen the forest industry, which is the single biggest sector of our economy,” said Minister Northrup. The $200,000 that the provincial government has invested in process improvement training and development will result in more efficient and effective processes related to our Crown land management that will benefit both industry and taxpayers.”
The funds also supported a study to determine ways of increasing the use of wood as a preferred construction material in public buildings.” The NBFPA is working with the Maritime Lumber Bureau and the Forest Products Association of Nova Scotia towards the implementation of an Atlantic Canadian Wood First Initiative. The Wood First Initiative seeks to maximize the use of wood as a preferred building material in the construction industry.
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FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway and provincial Minister of Natural Resources and the Honourable Bruce Northrup announced today a combined investment of over $500,000 for the New Brunswick Forestry Association. Members of the Association are already benefitting from new initiatives that are helping to sustain the viability of the sector over the long term.
The Government of Canada has contributed close to $300,000 toward the project under the Community Adjustment Fund; a key economic stimulus initiative under Canada’s Economic Action Plan, while the Province of New Brunswick has invested just over $200,000.
INFORMATION:
Ann Kenney
Senior Communications Officer
ACOA New Brunswick
506-452-3687 Anne Bull Monteith
Communications
Department of Natural Resources
506-453-2614
Mark L. Arsenault
President and CEO
NB Forest Product Association
506-452-6930
