Artizan Design Centre Opens March 21 in Lawrence, MA

Provides New England Architectural, Design, and Building Community with Faster Access to High Quality Canadian Wood Products

Lawrence, Massachusetts, March 21, 2006 -- The Wood Products Group of Canada announced today the grand opening of its new Artizan Design Centre at 29 South Canal Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts. An anchor tenant in Lawrence's newly renovated South Canal International Business Center, the 3,400 square foot Artizan Design Centre showcases innovative, premium quality architectural, design, and building products manufactured by member companies of the Wood Products Group of Canada.

An official ribbon cutting ceremony and remarks by dignitaries from the Province of New Brunswick, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the City of Lawrence marked the occasion.

"At this grand opening of Artizan Design Centre, the Wood Products Group of Canada gratefully acknowledges and sincerely thanks the Honourable Kirk MacDonald, Minister of Business New Brunswick; the Honourable Martin Meehan, U.S. Congressman, Massachusetts Fifth District; Robert L. Culver, president and CEO of MassDevelopment; Mayor Michael Sullivan and the City of Lawrence political and business leaders; representatives from the Merrimack Valley economic development agencies and chamber of commerce; and our own members for their support to help make our vision a reality today," said Fred Nott, president of the Wood Products Group of Canada, which is headquartered in Fredericton, New Brunswick. "We are delighted with our new Lawrence location as a gateway for enhancing business opportunities between our two countries."

Companies from the four Atlantic Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland/Labrador, and Prince Edward Island are showcasing their products and services at Artizan Design Centre. Product categories include: cabinetry, moulding, and specialty millwork; flooring; windows, doors, stairways, and railings; kitchen and bath; heirloom quality furniture; panelized building systems, timber frame structures and log homes; exterior siding, cedar shingles, and outdoor building and appearance products. While business-to-business consulting and installation services are available to the trade, consumers are also welcome to view.

John DiCesare, Vice President of U.S. Operations for the Wood Products Group of Canada, said, "Artizan Design Centre will provide the New England community of architects, builders and consumers with faster access to innovative Canadian wood products, which are recognized worldwide for their natural beauty, quality, and craftsmanship."

DiCesare believes that the Artizan Design Centre concept will appeal to area architects, designers, and builders who are not only looking for new product ideas, but also reliable turnarounds and the ability to customize orders to meet their needs.

"Additionally, U.S. companies may be able to take advantage of an export buyer financing program backed by the Canadian government," continued DiCesare. "Eligibility is based largely on a company's good credit history, and is representative of the goodwill efforts to make doing business with Canadian companies as easy and rewarding as possible."

Artizan Design Centre, 29 South Canal Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts, is open weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Phone +1.978.722.6590 for an appointment. A member of the Boston Society of Architects, Artizan Design Centre will exhibit at Residential Design 2006, April 5-6, Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, booth 818.

Artizan Design Centre is an innovation of the Wood Products Group of Canada (WPGC), a hands-on, not-for-profit trade association dedicated to building an international community of quality resources, inspirational ideas, and market opportunities for its member companies. The WPGC's efforts help wood products manufacturers and their global business partners increase business advantage, adopt best practices, and support the sustainability of managed forest environments.

For Immediate Release
Contacts:
Karen Myers +1.978.502.6218 or
Joel DeWolfe +1.506.462.6460