Mark brings more than 40 years of forest industry experience to Western Forest Products. Over his career, he has seen the industry evolve through changing markets, fibre availability, customer expectations, and product innovation. That perspective now shapes his work on thermally modified Hem-Fir.
Creating higher value applications through technology.
Since joining Western Forest, Mark has been closely involved in exploring the potential of thermally modified wood. For him, the opportunity is to move beyond treating coastal Hem-Fir as a commodity and create higher-value applications through proven technology, disciplined execution, and market-focused product development.
Mark has taken a hands-on approach to understanding the science behind thermal modification, including how the process improves durability, dimensional stability, and long-term performance. This work has reinforced his confidence that Western can bring a high-quality product to market that stands alongside established cedar products and meets the expectations of designers, builders, and specifiers.
Mark also credits the strength of the team behind the initiative. The project brings together expertise from Vancouver Island manufacturing teams, marketing, business development, and in-house wood processing specialists. That cross-functional approach has helped move the program from early exploration toward commercial execution.
‘After 40 years in this industry, I see this as a practical step forward, taking a familiar species, applying proven technology, and building a product the market can believe in.’
For Mark, thermally modified Hem-Fir represents more than a new product. It is part of a broader shift in how the industry creates value, building on decades of forestry experience while embracing new approaches that strengthen the future of coastal forestry.
