TEDxOkanaganCollege 2011: Engineered Wood Products - The Sustainable Solution by Bill Downing

Bill Downing has seen first hand how manufacturing sustainable products has an international demand. This presentation looks at the current and future role of engineered wood products as a sustainable alternative in traditional concrete and steel applications.

Bill Downing is the President of Structurlam Products in Penticton, BC. Structurlam is a manufacturer of glue-laminated columns and beams, and a premier fabricator of heavy timber commercial structures. Prior to joining Structurlam, Mr. Downing was the CEO of BC Wood Specialties Group, an industry association of value-added wood product manufacturers in British Columbia.

He has also held various senior positions with PCI Geomatics Ltd., one of the world's largest suppliers of geomatics software, including VP Sales and Marketing, Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director of a Netherlands-based subsidiary. Bill grew up Kootenay region of British Columbia and began his career there as a forester for Wynndel Box and Lumber Co. in Creston. Mr. Downing has a degree in forestry from the University of British Columbia, an MBA from the University of Washington and is a Registered Professional Forester.