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Transformation support Invest now to tackle today’s challenges

Access financing and advisory support to modernize your operations and better position your forestry business.

Just a few questions. No financial engagement at this stage.

Plan, finance and transform your business

Tailored support for Canadian forestry manufacturers looking to invest in automation, equipment upgrades, strategic growth initiatives, mergers or acquisitions.

Build a roadmap

Develop or validate a plan aligned with your investment priorities. A plan is a requirement for financing.

Up to $25M

You could get financing* at a preferred rate to implement your initiatives.

Long-term edge

Deliver your project with clear outcomes, backed by flexible, customized financing.

Are we a good fit?

Check out some of the general requirements for our direct financing offers. Some exceptions may apply. Look at our FAQ

Minimum requirements**
Location Headquarters in Canada
Industry Forestry manufacturing: sawmills, remanufacturing facilities, pulp and paper mills, finished wood product manufacturers.
Cash flow Sufficiently covered your obligations, including loan payments and other fixed costs, before 2025 (exception for sawmills) and meet sector-specific financial or tariff-based criteria.
Annual revenue $2M or more
Years in operation 3 years or more
Transformation plan A transformation plan is required for financing.

TECHNOLOGY AND INVESTMENTS

Remaining competitive

Investing in technology and diversification can improve efficiency and strengthen resilience, especially when facing sustained economic pressure. By acting now, you can better navigate the economic headwinds and come out stronger.

TAILORED OFFER

Supported sectors

  • Sawmills
  • Remanufacturing facilities
  • Pulp and paper mills
  • Finished wood product manufacturers

Integrated advice and financing

Combine financing with expert guidance to structure and execute your transformation plan.

  • Tailored consulting for the forestry sector Work with us to build a structured roadmap with detailed strategies that reflect your business reality and that of the forestry manufacturing sector.
  • Financing for critical projects You could get longer repayment periods of up to 12 years along with initial interest-only phases to support large-scale transformation projects.

Applying is easy

1
Share some info with us
Give us some information about your business and tell us about your projects and challenges.
2
Speak with an expert
We'll contact you to better understand your situation and how our consulting services can help.
3
Get a tailored proposal
We’ll put together a proposal including solutions, deliverables, budget and timelines. No financial commitment until you sign off.

About BDC

BDC is the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs.

100,000+
Entrepreneurs we work with across Canada
400B
Revenues generated by our clients
93%
Customer satisfaction rate

Designed to work with you

Forestry Support Program

Get expert advice and financing to support your operations amid rising trade uncertainty and economic pressures.

Liquidity support

Unlock financing to support your operations and cash-flow needs, with flexible, interest-only terms.

Softwood Lumber Loan Guarantee

Access term loans and letters of credit through your financial institution, backed by a BDC guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

This is a unique opportunity for companies in forestry manufacturing to get access to advice and up to $25 million in financing, at a preferential rate over a 12-year term, to support investments in advanced technology and strategic investments to improve:

  • Automation and AI adoption
  • Equipment acquisition

It's also a unique opportunity to explore other options including partnerships in the sector and/or mergers and acquisitions.

Note that a transformation plan is required to get financing. BDC Advisory Services can help you build one or validate your existing plan.

A transformation plan is a structured roadmap outlining your business objectives, required investments, total project costs and expected gains. It's required to access financing and must meet BDC’s standards for completeness and clarity.

Eligible projects are those that improve productivity, competitiveness or market diversification, including investments in automation, equipment as well as strategic growth initiatives such as mergers or partnerships.

Eligible businesses can access financing of $1 million to $25 million, depending on the scope and scale of the transformation project and subject to approval.

Businesses in Forestry manufacturing must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be based and headquartered in Canada with operations in Canada.
  • Must have a minimum of $2 million in annual revenue.
  • The loan must be strictly used to implement any transformation project.

Eligibility related to tariffs depends on your sub-sector:

  • Finished wood products manufacturers must show at least 15% of revenue is subject to U.S. tariffs, with tariffs representing at least 5% of total revenue.
  • Sawmills must be subject to (or potentially exposed to) U.S. softwood lumber duties.

For other sub-sectors (e.g., remanufacturing, pulp and paper, service companies), eligibility is based on financial impact, such as a minimum annual revenue decline of 20% or a reduction in annual Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization (EBITDA) of 15%, rather than direct tariff exposure.

Whether your transformation plan was developed internally or externally, BDC Advisory Services will review it to ensure it meets the required best practices before financing is approved.

Yes, financing may cover up to 100% of the project cost, as validated through your transformation plan.

Yes, you may still apply for Transformation support. However, you can’t access the Liquidity support under the BDC Forestry support program.

*Conditions apply. Subject to loan approval. Maximum loan amounts may differ by sectors. Businesses must demonstrate direct or indirect negative material impact on their operations and profitability due to U.S. tariffs or related uncertainties or current economic downturn. Loan must be used to address potential impacts from tariffs or related uncertainties or current economic downturn or to implement a transformation project. The business must have been viable before the implementation of tariffs (exception for Sawmills).

**Transformation support isn’t available to Forestry service companies, such as companies harvesting lumber and forestry transportation.