The Canadian Mill Services Association (“CMSA”) is announcing that it has completed a purchase agreement with the BC Council of Forest Industries (“COFI”) to acquire the COFI Quality Control (“QC”) operations and to merge them into CMSA. This has involved the transfer of the rights and trademarks to use the COFI grade stamps, and the Interior Lumber Manufacturers’ (ILMA) grade stamps as well as the transfer of the quality control employees from COFI to CMSA.
As of December 31, 2024 COFI ceases to offer QC services and the former COFI customers who were using these services are encouraged to join CMSA as active Members. With completion of the merger, CMSA will now provide all the necessary Quality Control Services including Educational Training and Support to its active members. CMSA shall continue to be members of the NLGA, CLSAB and ALSC and will continue to represent its members with the Canadian Wood Council.
Reason for the Merger
With the increasing challenges in the BC forest industry that has resulted in mill closures, curtailments and transfers of tenure, combined with diminishing available skilled inspectors and resources with which to manage the QC functions, it is becoming more difficult to provide high quality standards at a cost-effective rate. To ensure that members continue to receive the greatest value for services, it was determined by the Boards of both COFI and CMSA that a merger of QC operations would create the most sustainable structure as changes in the industry continue to unfold.
CMSA is a not-for-profit entity that is guided by a Board of Directors. The revised Board will be a combination of both COFI and CMSA members.
