How Jartek ThermoWood® is helping Western accelerate thermally modified Hem-Fir production.
With over 50 kiln installations to date, see how Mika is ramping up Western’s Thermal Modification Kiln.
For several weeks, Mika Talja’s days on Vancouver Island have centred on one goal: helping Western bring its first thermal modification kiln into operation.
Mika is a project manager with Jartek, the Finnish company supplying Western’s kiln technology. He has worked with Jartek for almost 19 years and has been involved in approximately fifty kiln installations around the world.
That international experience is helping Western take an important step forward, moving from years of product research and production trials toward commercial production of thermally modified Hem-Fir.
“We have widely tested technology,” Mika says. “Jartek has installed about 100 kilns already, and we are always improving things.”
Thermal modification kiln commissioning on Vancouver Island.
Mika has spent extended time at Western’s Vancouver Island site overseeing the installation, setup, and commissioning of the new kiln. His work brings him together with Western’s capital, manufacturing, and operations teams as they prepare the equipment for its first production runs.
For Western, this stage is about more than switching on a new piece of equipment. Thermal modification commissioning requires careful setup, process knowledge, operator training, and close attention to safety and consistency. Those details matter because the kiln will support Western’s first domestically produced platform of thermally modified wood products.
Mika’s role does not end when the kiln is switched on. He will remain closely involved through startup and training, helping Western employees understand the process and learn how to operate the system safely and consistently.
Jartek ThermoWood® technology and hands-on training.
For Western’s team, working with Jartek ThermoWood® technology means learning a new process from the ground up. Asking questions, building confidence, and understanding each stage of the system are all important parts of commissioning.
“They are doing this for the first time, so they need to ask what needs to be done,” Mika says. “I think it has been run very well.”
That practical learning is essential as Western prepares to produce thermally modified Hem-Fir at commercial scale. The kiln, boiler system, controls, loading practices, and operating procedures all need to work together to deliver consistent material. For Mika, the quality of the collaboration has stood out.
“The communication is good,” he says. “I’m happy to see how they are working.”
Preparing for thermally modified Hem-Fir production.
The new kiln represents a major step in Western’s plan to develop a new category of thermally modified Hem-Fir products. The material is being developed for applications where appearance, stability, durability, and reliable supply are important to wood product professionals, including millwork, finishing, custom carpentry, forestry, and architectural design.
By bringing wood thermal modification technology into its own operations, Western is building the knowledge and production capability needed to support long-term product development. The goal is not only to install a kiln, but to create a repeatable platform that connects coastal B.C. fibre, manufacturing expertise, and market demand.
That platform begins with controlled startup, disciplined training, and careful production learning. Each step helps Western’s teams understand how the process performs in practice and how thermally modified Hem-Fir can be manufactured consistently for future customers.
The first kiln is only the beginning.
Western planned the site with future growth in mind. The boiler system and site layout have been designed to support two additional kilns, both larger than the first. This gives Western a clear path to increase thermally modified wood production if demand continues to grow.
Instead of starting over, future expansion can build on the infrastructure, operating knowledge, and technical capabilities being established today.
The current kiln is already the largest Jartek thermal modification kiln installed in Canada. Together with the site’s expansion capacity, it gives Western a strong foundation for building a new, domestically produced category of thermally modified wood products.
From startup to a scalable wood product platform.
As commissioning moves toward production, Mika’s advice to Western’s team is simple:
“Learn from the training and continue following the process.”
With Jartek’s proven technology, Mika’s international kiln experience, and Western’s growing in-house expertise, the new kiln is being prepared for more than a successful startup. It is the first step in a platform designed to grow, supporting the development of thermally modified Hem-Fir products for wood professionals, designers, builders, and future markets.
