Business View Magazine | November 2020

21 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2020 NORDI C STRUCTURES commercial, infrastructure, recreational, multi- residential, and civil works. Since its emergence as a turnkey structures provider, Nordic Structures built the first mass timber university building in the U.S. at UMass Amherst, and the first mass timber office buildings in Denver, New York City, San Francisco, and more recently, the first in New Hampshire. Nordic Structures pioneered a unique glulam production process which exploits wood typically considered too small for utilization. Nordic Structures achieves this through innovative small-block production methodologies, leading to higher yields per tree – a strong indication of its commitment to the sustainable production of mass timber products. From its initial foray into the engineered wood sector providing I-joists for residential construction, Nordic Structures transitioned to larger glulam structures like hockey arenas and soccer stadiums at the outset of the 21st Century. In 2010, the company built the first North American cross-laminated timber plant. “At the time,” notes Jean-Marc Dubois, Director of Business Development at Nordic Structures, “the North American market was not ready for mass timber structures, and production volumes were disappointing. In response, Nordic Structures decided to become its own development company, constructing a 24-unit condominium building in Chibougamau, a project that redefined our focus to become both a product and project management company serving clients across North America.” Nordic Structures operates primarily from two centers – the motherhouse in Chibougamau, where the company has its primary manufacturing plant, and its Montreal headquarters. A staff of over sixty project managers, designers, and engineers handle project-based work from the Montreal office. The company also operates a sawmill in Landrienne and has recently retooled a shuttered pulp mill in Lebel-sur-Quévillon. Dubois explains, “With these facilities, Nordic Structures has closed the loop in its production cycle, effectively creating an internal circular economy that enhances our