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Pleasant Valley Remanufacturing Expansion
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By Nicole Million, Houston Today
John Brink is proof that persistence pays off. Brink Forest Products, a pioneer in the production of finger-jointing lumber products, which involves turning low-quality lumber and trim blocks into high quality boards by gluing them together with strong finger-joints, has finally a presence in Houston after purchasing Pleasant Valley Reman (PVR) plant from LeggettWood this past November.
Owner and founder of Brink Forest Products John Brink, who started the company in 1975, said that he felt the match would be a good one, and admits that he has been attempting to gain a presence in Houston for years. One of the main reasons we wanted to come here was because of the highly trained work force at PVR. Brink Forest Products, which is based out of Prince George, currently employs 160 people, with about 40 working at PVR in Houston, and according to Brink, a possible expansion could bring that number up to about 200. The company has an annual payroll of about $ 6 million to 8 million, with the Houston payroll making up about $2 million of that. Brink said that the Houston plant would play an important role in the overall business of Brink Forest Products
It will in essence work as a complimentary operation of our Prince George plant. The end products, finger-joint ready blocks, are required in Prince George for making longer length products. According to Brink about 25 per cent of the company’s product is made up of the finger-joints, with dimensions lumber and cash and carry studs type lumber making up the rest.
Before Brink Forest Products purchased the Pleasant Valley Remanufacturing plant, the plant was owned by American company LeggettWood but according to Brink, the fact that a Canadian company now owns PVR is a very important step towards reclaiming the Canadian economy. Its an interesting observation but most of the end and finished products prior to us buying the plant were destined to the US. Now, the end product stays in northern British Columbia.
He said the company intends to stay in Houston long-term. There are several opportunities to expand in the area, we intend to stay and grow. Brink said he believes Houston offers a unique location, as it has interesting potential access to timber, Prince Rupert, rail and road access. I have great confidence in Houston and northern British Columbia. Brink said that in the next year, the company intends to see what modifications need to be made to the current facility and go from there. Yes we plan to expand. We will be watching closely around the market access to the US. Timing is the critical part here. Brink is excited to be part of the Houston business community, and said that he and the company intent to be an active part of the community in the years to come.
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