A North Okanagan company with strong ties to Japan is playing a major role in earthquake relief.
Tolko Industries has donated $100,000 to the Red Cross to help victims of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated a number of Japanese towns.
“We have a pretty long history in Japan of selling to customers,” said John Langley, export sales general manager.
“There are personal relationships there.”
The Vernon company has four employees based in Tokyo who market a variety of products.
Tolko is among five B.C. forest firms that have contributed a total of $500,000 to Red Cross for medical supplies, blankets, food, water and other materials.
“On a humanitarian basis, we wanted to do something to help,” said Langley.
The corporate donations also leveraged the B.C, government to provide another $500,000 to relief efforts.
The new funding brings the government’s Red Cross contribution to $1 million.
Tolko is also in discussions with Japan to provide reconstruction assistance.
“We’ve been trying to hold the line on pricing and to expedite shipping of product to Japan,” said Langley.
Negatively impacting reconstruction is the fact that some of Japan’s mills were wiped out by the tsunami.
“There’s a big shortage of plywood in Japan,” said Langley.
“At our mills in this area, including Armstrong, a significant portion of the orders are dedicated to Japan.”
