A new sustainable wood panel has been designed by Daiken North America, a Huntsville, Ontario-based company that has partnered with Japanese firm Daiken to revolutionize forest manufacturing, an effort that has been in development since 2018.
With a $10 million boost in funding from the provincial government, the goal is to scale up production of its highly innovative DIO woodcore product, a first-of-its-kind laminated board that has been developed in Huntsville for global markets. The funding will be used to upgrade the production line, create jobs, and improve productivity.
“Daiken’s $70 million project will equip them to manufacture a new type of wood panel used in flooring, recreational vehicles, and modular housing, while supporting 128 existing jobs and creating 10 new jobs. This made-in-Ontario forest product is the first of its kind in the world, offering a higher-performance, lower-cost alternative to imported material,” says a company release. “It will be made available to domestic and international markets, enhancing Ontario’s reputation as a world-recognized manufacturer of innovative and sustainably sourced wood products.”
This support will also strengthen the forest sector by establishing a new market for underused wood, which will serve 28 regional businesses in the sector.
“Ontario’s forestry sector is a key pillar of our economy, supporting over 100,000 jobs across the province,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Through the Forest Sector Investment and Innovation Program, our government is ensuring companies like Daiken can scale their operations, which will not only strengthen our domestic manufacturing supply chains but expand the reach of Ontario-made products to new markets, increasing the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.”
Though Daiken Corporation is based in Japan, Daiken North America’s Huntsville facility employs 128 people, manufacturing panels sold to OEMs as well as Canadian and U.S. distributors.
