News
Sierra Forest Products Moves to a New Location
Doubling Its Size After a Decade in Chicago
Chicago, January 24, 2011 - Sierra Forest Products is moving to a new location, effective January 31, 2011.
Established in Chicago in 2000, Sierra Forest Products has made a significant impact on the local building and housing market in the Chicago land area. They have now outgrown their original Downs Drive facility and are relocating to 1801 Hawthorne Lane, West Chicago (a mile from the old location) on January 31, 2011.
At 100,000 square feet the new Sierra headquarters on Hawthorne Lane provides a fifty percent increase in warehouse and office space. The building is a much better facility for Sierra's business, providing nine loading docks and two rail doors. It is also more suitable for Sierra's lumber milling facility. Other new improvements include: energy efficient motion-sensor lighting; a sleeper truck that extends our customer service range and a more capacious cantilever rack system.
"At Sierra Forest Products we are sensitive to our customer's business and their need for timely supply," explained Joe Ventimiglia, General Manager, Sierra Forest Products. "With that in mind we carefully planned and worked through all the details in order to avoid any dropped calls and business interruptions. Shipments will continue at their regular pace. We are not planning any downtime during our move."
Contact numbers remain the same: toll free 1 800 646 7564, phone 630 231 0450, fax 630 231 0454, email sales_chicago@sierrafp.com, web site www.sierrafp.com. The new address is 1801 Hawthorne Lane, West Chicago, IL 60185.
About Sierra Forest Products - Chicago
Sierra Forest Products is a division of the UCS Forest Group of Companies. The Chicago division continues to enhance its position in the central U.S. market earning a reputation for providing the highest level of customer service by adding value to their customer's business.
Beginning primarily in sheet goods and lumber, the Chicago division is now a leader in the expansion into imported products. Stocking one of the most comprehensive inventories of quality products in North America, Chicago manages its own state of the art warehouse facilities and fleet of curtain-side trailers, and utilizes leading edge practices and technologies to maximize customer service.
With Sierra's unique industry and product knowledge, it maintains key relationships with the top suppliers, which enable them to serve customers who require just in time, inventory either from its warehouse or direct from its suppliers. A key element of Sierra's philosophy is treating customers as business partners. Sierra provides a complete product management service that identifies your product needs, sources the product, secures the supply, inventories it, and delivers on time.
Media Contact:
Peter Donato
Special Assignment Inc.
Tel.: 416.964.6118
E-mail: donato@specialassignment.com
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UCS Forest Group Purchases A & M Wood Specialty Inc.
Mississauga, ON - September 28, 2007 – Warren Spitz, President & CEO of the UCS Forest Group, is pleased to announce that the UCS Forest Group has successfully completed the purchase of A & M Wood Specialty Inc. based in Cambridge, Ontario.
A & M is a highly respected retailer, distributor and exporter of wood and related wood products, carrying one of the broadest inventories in North America. The company offers over 120 species of fine hardwoods, veneers, squares, burls, specialty and furniture grade plywood. These products are used for furniture making, architectural millwork, musical instruments, wood turning, carving, flooring, model making, boat and aircraft construction, marquetry, and hobby woodworking. A & M ships to all 50 states in the U.S. and all Canadian provinces and territories, as well as around the world, including to Germany, Japan, Australia, Ireland, China and Romania.
A & M Wood was founded in April 1973 by Andrew Poynter, and with the support of his wife Madeleine, has established a highly regarded organization run by a team of dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable professionals. The company is well known and respected nationally and internationally by the community of high quality woodworkers.
Andrew and his team have had a relationship with our group since our inception in 1986. We have always had a very high degree of respect for one another and our companies, and very much share values about people, professionalism, and integrity. A & M also shares our philosophy of community outreach by supporting charities too numerous to mention here, but span the local community, the arts, our industry, the environment, and international relief.
We welcome Andrew and the entire A & M team to the UCS family, and look forward to working with them, learning from them, and helping them continue to fulfill their vision of being the most respected and enabled provider of specialty woods and wood products in the world. Andrew will continue to manage A & M as a division of the UCS Group of companies, and to work with our leadership team to expand our offering to the woodworking industry.
Please join me in offering our warmest UCS welcome to the A & M team! Together, we will continue to “Deliver the Difference” to “Lovers of Wood”!
www.amwoodinc.com
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UCS Forest Group Purchases Cambium Forest Products
CALGARY, AB - July 4, 2007 – Warren Spitz, President & CEO of the UCS Forest Group, is pleased to announce that they have successfully concluded an agreement to purchase Cambium Forest Products in Calgary, Alberta.
“Upper Canada Forest Products, our Canadian company, expanded its operations into Calgary in 2001,” said Warren Spitz, “and since that time has developed valued relationships throughout the Alberta market with customers and suppliers alike. Alberta is an extremely important market for our group, and to that end, this transaction is intended to add value to all of our stakeholders by bringing together tremendous people and knowledge, and a broader array of products and supply relationships. We will combine the best practices of each, to ensure that all customers benefit from an ever improving service and product offering.”
Cambium has been serving the Alberta market with panel products, veneers and lumber since 1984. The company was founded by Colin Brown, who has successfully run the company since that time and will continue in a key management capacity with Upper Canada, first assisting with the integration of the two companies, and then helping to develop various product and supply programs for the UCS Group while remaining an important member of the Alberta team.
Under the leadership of Jeff Floyd, Manager- Upper Canada Calgary, the merged teams will work together to continue to provide unique value to customers in the Alberta marketplace. The staff of Upper Canada welcomes the opportunity to serve Cambium customers, and to offer its current customers additional product offerings. The consolidated operations will offer an array of products that will include domestic and imported hardwood lumber, specialty softwoods, exotic woods, veneers, and a full line of panel products.
About UCS Forest Group
UCS Forest Group is North America's premier importer, exporter, and distributor of specialty products for the woodworking industry. UCS does business in Canada as Upper Canada Forest Products and in the United States as Sierra Forest Products. UCS Global is their international trade division with offices in Toronto and Shanghai. For over twenty years, they have focused on setting the industry standard for value creation. Through innovation, technology, but most importantly extraordinary people, the UCS team ensures that the quality of its products and of its service experience will be unparalleled. For more information, visit www.ucsforestgroup.com
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Warren Spitz Appointed to Toronto International Film Festival Board of Directors
Toronto – The Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) today announced that Vice-Chair and Chair Elect Paul Atkinson has officially assumed the duties of Chair of the Board of the Toronto International Film Festival Group. Former Chair Allen Karp will remain a member of the Board. In addition, the Board has elected four new members: William J. Fox, Deepa Mehta, Warren Spitz and Constance Sugiyama.
“We thank Allen Karp for the eight years he served as Chair, for the tremendous leadership he has brought to our organization, and welcome Paul Atkinson’s continuing commitment in his new capacity as Chair,” said Piers Handling, Director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival Group.“
“It’s with great anticipation that I assume the Chair of our Board,” said Paul Atkinson, Chair of the Toronto International Film Festival Group’s Board of Directors. “I look forward to working with my fellow board members, campaign volunteers and all of TIFFG’s staff, continuing to build momentum towards the opening of Bell Festival Centre.”
Paul Atkinson is the CEO of Casero Inc., a leading provider of solutions for digital media and user-generated content. Mr. Atkinson serves on the Boards of Directors of the Institute for Enterprise Education and Variety - The Children's Charity, and is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Richard Ivey School of Business. Mr. Atkinson joined the Toronto International Film Festival Group board in 2004, and also serves as the Campaign Co-Chair for TIFFG.
William J. Fox is Executive Vice-President, Office of the CEO at BCE Inc.. Prior to this, he was Senior Vice President, Public Affairs at Bombardier Inc., and previously Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, CN. Mr. Fox is founding partner of the Earnscliffe Strategy Group, an Ottawa-based public affairs company. Mr. Fox has a master’s degree in journalism from Carleton University and has also studied at l’Universitie de Paris (Sorbonne).
Deepa Mehta is an internationally acclaimed director who has earned global attention with her films. Mehta’s first feature film, SAM & ME, received the first Honourable Mention by the Critics in the Camera D’ Or category at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival. Mehta’s distinguished filmography includes CAMILLA, FIRE, EARTH, BOLLYWOOD /HOLLYWOOD, REPUBLIC OF LOVE, and WATER, the third film in the “elements” trilogy, which opened the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival and was later nominated for an Academy Award. In the spring of 2006, Mehta was recognized by the University of Western Ontario for her achievements, receiving an honourary doctorate.
Warren Spitz is President & CEO, UCS Forest Group. Mr. Sptiz is an active participant in the community, and has been involved throughout his career with organizations such as the United Way, The Hospital for Sick Children Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and many others. He is also active in the business community, and is the incoming Chair of the Young President’s Association (YPO) Upper Canada Chapter, as well as serving on the Executive of the YPO Canadian Council and the 2007 Global Leadership Conference in Toronto.
Constance Sugiyama is Senior Partner, Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP, Founding Director, WCM and Founding Chair, Heather L. Main Memorial Scholarship Fund, Toronto. Ms. Sugiyama advises on a diverse range of domestic and international businesses on issues ranging from corporate finance and corporate governance to complex cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Ms. Sugiyama currently serves as board member of The Hospital for Sick Children, LuminaTO, and also serves on the Business Advisory Council to the DeGroote School of Business, McMaster University, the Advisory Council of Women in Capital Markets and as a Senior Advisor to the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.
With these new appointments comes the departure of four board members. Retiring from the board are Niv Fichman, Rhombus Media, Mary Schectman, Beverly Topping, President & CEO, Institute of Corporate Directors and Robb Chase, former President of Papa John’s International in Louisville Kentucky.
“We’re very grateful to our departing Board members for the excellent service they’ve provided to the Toronto International Film Festival Group,” said Mr. Atkinson. “Their insights and contributions have aided the Group’s continued growth.”
Toronto International Film Festival Inc. as at June 20, 2007
2007/2008 Board of Directors
Chair Emeritus: William Marshall (Producer, Xybermedia)
Chair: Paul Atkinson (CEO & Chairman, Casero Inc.)
Directors:
Barry Avrich (President & CEO, Endeavour Marketing.)
Ian Bandeen (CEO, Canadian Trading & Quotation System Inc.)
David R. Bloom (President, DGRB Consultants Inc.)
Brendan Calder (Professor, Joseph L. Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto & Corporate Director)
Irene Chu (President & Producer, Goldspin Productions Inc.)
William (Bill) J. Fox (Executive Vice President, Communications & Corporate Development)
Jan Innes (Vice President Communications, Rogers Communication Inc.)
Ellis Jacob (President & CEO, Cineplex Galaxy LP)
B. Denham Jolly (President & CEO, Milestone Radio Inc.)
Allen Karp (Chairman Emeritus, Cineplex Odeon Corporation)
David J. Kassie (Chairman & CEO, Genuity Capital Markets)
Bill Kurtin (CEO, The Plan Group)
Kenneth W. Lalonde (President & CEO, The CUMIS Group Limited)
Ralph Lean, Q.C. (Senior Partner, Cassels Brock & Blackwell)
James Little (Chief Brand & Communications Officer, RBC Financial Group)
Michael MacMillan (Executive Chairman, Alliance Atlantis Communications Inc.)
Deepa Mehta (Filmmaker) Ron Moore (Chairman & CEO, Sonar Communications Group Inc.)
Leslie Noble (Principal, Strategy Corp Inc.)
Warren Spitz (President & CEO, Upper Canada Forest Products)
Rajesh Subramaniam (Senior Vice President, International Marketing, Federal Express Services)
Constance Sugiyama (Senior Partner, Gowlings Lafleur Henderson LLP)
Lisa de Wilde (CEO, TVOntario)
Ex-Officio: Slawko Klymkiw (Executive Director, Canadian Film Centre)
Designed by world-renowned architectural firm KPMB, Bell Festival Centre (placeholder name) is a dynamic, open and inviting facility located on the northwest corner of King and John Streets. The five-storey podium building houses the Group’s operations, a gallery, five cinemas, educational suites and a film reference library. Construction of TIFFG’s Bell Festival Centre marked the launch of the Group’s landmark destination facility dedicated to the moving image.
The project is a co-development between TIFFG and the King and John Festival Corporation (KJFC), comprised of The Daniels Corporation, filmmaker Ivan Reitman and the Reitman Family. Atop Bell Festival Centre sits Festival Tower, a 37-story residential condominium which will be built and operated by KJFC.
TIFFG thanks its founding sponsor Bell, who through an innovative marketing alliance, will have naming rights to Bell Festival Centre and retain exclusive telecom sponsorship of the Group. TIFFG also thanks its philanthropic donors as well as the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario, who have each contributed $25 million towards the capital costs of Bell Festival Centre.
The Toronto International Film Festival Group is a charitable, not-for-profit, cultural organization whose mission is to transform the way people see the world. Its vision is to lead the world in creative and cultural discovery through the moving image. For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 416-934-3200.
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Upper Canada Forest Products is Bullfrog Powered
Upper Canada Walks the Talk on the Environment with Green Energy from Bullfrog Power™
TORONTO, ON - September 28, 2005 - Bullfrog Power, Ontario's first 100% green electricity retailer, announced today that Upper Canada Forest Products' 100,000 square foot warehouse, Toronto office and North American data centre have become bullfrogpowered operations. Currently, the Upper Canada warehouse is the single largest building in Ontario to be bullfrogpowered. By choosing Bullfrog Power, Upper Canada is demonstrating its commitment to support clean, renewable power sourced exclusively from pollution-free wind and low-impact hydro power generators that are EcoLogoM certified under the Federal Government's Environmental ChoiceM Program.
Toronto-based Upper Canada Forest Products is North America's premier importer, exporter and distributor of specialty wood products for the commercial wood working industry. While their product is wood, their twenty year success is defined by a culture of caring for employees, customers, the community, and the environment. Certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Upper Canada participates as a member in this non-profit organization, together with select environmental and social groups and progressive forestry and wood retail companies, to improve forest management worldwide. Upper Canada Forest Products is also active in developing industry standards and species alternatives to help reduce waste of our forest heritage. Together with its employees, the company is active in several community initiatives including Habitat for Humanity. Now, the company is further enhancing its reputation for caring by supporting renewable power from Bullfrog Power.
Warren Spitz, the founder and President of Upper Canada Forest Products, says he is thrilled to become a bullfrogpowered organization. "Bullfrog Power is an unmistakable way for us to demonstrate we walk-the-talk in caring for the environment that sustains us," said Mr. Spitz.
"We're delighted that Upper Canada, a leader in responsible forest management, has made a substantial contribution to supporting green power production in this province," said Tom Heintzman, Bullfrog Power President. "With Upper Canada's warehouse now the largest bullfrogpowered site anywhere, the company has definitively demonstrated it is a true supporter of green power, and a company that is ready and willing to make a difference."
About Bullfrog Power
Bullfrog Power™ is a 100% green electricity retailer in Ontario that sources electricity exclusively from wind and low-impact water power producers who meet or exceed the federal government's EcoLogoM standard for renewable energy. Bullfrogpowered™ customers' electricity dollars support clean, renewable electricity from producers who are displacing polluting and CO2-emitting electricity on the Ontario grid. Bullfrog Power has pledged 10% of company profits to organizations that promote sustainability. Visit Bullfrog Power on the web at www.bullfrogpower.com.
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Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario: Achievement Award
On May 25, 2005, Trevor Chambers (Toronto) accepted an award on behalf of Upper Canada Toronto at the Transportation Health and Safety Association of Ontario (THSAO) Annual Awards Ceremony. THSAO is one of 14 associations mandated by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to advance and promote safe workplace practices in businesses across Ontario. Their focus is on companies and personnel in the transportation industry.
We are pleased to announce that the Toronto drivers have achieved an award for operating with an injury frequency and cost rate factor below the rate group average for three consecutive years. This achievement recognizes companies that are 25% below the average in their category in injury and cost rate frequency (according to WSIB claims) and who drive 100,000 to 250, 000 person-hours in a three-year period.
Not only is this a great achievement for everyone at the Toronto region, but it also reinforces that UCS has the best fleet of drivers in the industry, and more importantly, the safest!
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Clean Sweep at the BC AWMAC Awards
The BC Architectural Woodworking Millwork Association of Canada (AWMAC) presented UCS with two awards during their Awards Night, April 22, 2005. Congratulations to the entire Western Region staff for all their hard work.
Supplier of the Year
Upper Canada Forest Products: Vancouver/Kelowna
Sales Representative of the Year
Deano Pellegrino
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UCS Forest Group to Sponsor Habitat for Humanity Homes
TORONTO, ON - September 29th, 2004 - Warren Spitz , President and CEO of UCS Forest Group is pleased to announce a corporate donation to Habitant for Humanity, Toronto that will manifest itself as new homes for three families. The announcement was made at the UCS corporate event at Casa Loma, in celebration of the National Hardwood Lumber Association Convention that took place in Toronto in September.
"With what we do at the UCS Forest Group, Habitat for Humanity provides us with a custom made opportunity to help and to give back," said Mr. Spitz. "For all our success and I am humbled by our good fortune, the opportunity to show compassion and to do something good seemed like a great idea. We wanted to act on that and thought it appropriate in light of our celebration tonight. I know our staff will get involved in a hands on way and you will certainly see us on-site helping to build the UCS Habitat for Humanity homes."
Habitat for Humanity builds homes for people who need them. Habitat for Humanity Toronto is a non-profit, non-governmental, charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of economically disadvantaged persons through home ownership and to the belief that decent, affordable housing is a basic human need.
Habitat for Humanity Toronto was established sixteen years ago and is the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Canada, which in turn is part of the Habitat's International organization. The organization works with corporate, faith and individual donors and volunteers to build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with families in need of adequate shelter. In the Toronto area, forty-six children and thirty-two adults currently live in their own newly constructed or renovated Habitat homes with another forty-eight homes planning to be built in the GTA within the next year. It is their mission to eliminate poverty housing in the GTA in partnership with volunteers, donors, sponsors and the homeowners themselves.
About UCS Forest Group
The UCS Forest Group attributes their success to the corporate philosophy of treating their customers as business partners. Based on our core values of honesty, loyalty, trust, respect and creativity, our mission is to exceed customer expectations by adding value to their business by developing an intimate knowledge of their goals and satisfying their unique product and service requirements. The UCS Difference is a combination of service and quality products; but most of all, people.
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