Edmonton, AB – Star Building Materials Edmonton recently welcomed 22 delegates from Japan’s housing and construction industry as part of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) tour of North American wood construction practices.

Coordinated in partnership with Canada Wood Group, BC Council of Forest Industries, and MiTek Industries, Star Building Materials was selected for the visit because of its demonstrated leadership in automated production and precision manufacturing. The group toured Star Building Materials’ Edmonton facility to see how automation, precision manufacturing, and expanded capacity are driving efficiency in multi-family building solutions, with the hope of addressing labour shortages in Japan’s construction industry.

A key highlight was Star’s SawTek system, the first of its kind in the Northern Alberta region and third in Canada, with the first two introduced at Star Building Materials Calgary. The SawTek system automates cutting and labelling floor joists with an accuracy of 1/16^th of an inch. This innovation eliminates the need for manual on-site adjustments, saving time and reducing waste. These capabilities reflect Star’s commitment to advancing the efficiency, precision, and reliability of wood manufacturing in Canada.

“Our automation allows builders like Streetside to gain from greater precision and productivity,” said Sandy Maxwell, Director, Brand Operations, Star Building Materials Edmonton. “Together, these capabilities ensure reliability and value for our partners and customers.”

Following the manufacturing facility visit, the COFI delegates toured a StreetSide multi-family site in Edmonton’s Uplands community to see Star’s components in action. They observed how StreetSide leverages Star’s innovations to accelerate construction timelines and deliver high-quality homes.

“Star’s accuracy and quality of materials help our site teams maintain schedules and keep projects on pace,” said Craig Illenseer, Director, Construction Operations, Streetside Edmonton. “That precision makes a noticeable difference in the field.”

Delegates were impressed by both the technology and the results. Many noted that the speed of construction and the quality of the finished units exceeded what they typically have built.

“The delegates couldn’t believe how quickly the project was moving,” said Craig. “When they learned it would be completed within 12 months, there was a collective moment of surprise.”

Star Building Materials’ recent expansion and investment in technology have positioned it as a model of innovation in Canada’s building materials sector, strengthening Qualico’s reputation as an industry leader by combining technical advancement with a focus on quality and efficiency, and inspiring practices worldwide through Canadian ingenuity.