KLONDIKE at DEMO International®, Canada’s Forestry Equipment Show
DEMO International®, the leading forestry equipment show in Canada, took place on September 22nd-24th, 2016 at UBC’s Malcolm Knapp Research Forest in Maple Ridge, BC. As a leading provider of oils and lubricants to the forestry industry in Canada, KLONDIKE showcased its extensive range of lubricating solutions at this mega event.
The Story of DEMO International®
DEMO International® started 49 years ago and has grown into Canada’s biggest and most unique forestry equipment show. From cutting-edge equipment technologies through products to services for the logging industry, it can all be found at the show.
DEMO International® takes place once every four years in a different location. This year marks the thirteenth edition of the show.
DEMO International® 2016
Surrounding a 3.2 kilometer loop of roadway, specially built for the show, the size of the event in 2016 was significant. With more than 150 exhibitors attending from North America, South America, Europe and other areas from all over the world, DEMO 2016 showcased the latest in forestry equipment, in action and in the forest. Caterpillar, Hitachi, John Deere, Kubota, Liebherr, Vermeer, and Volvo were all at the show!
Honorary Chair of DEMO International® 2016
“We are very pleased to announce that the Honorable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has agreed to join the team as DEMO International® 2016 Honorary Chair,” stated Peter Robichaud, Executive Director of the Canadian Woodlands Forum. “As a leader of the forestry sector in British Columbia, we look forward to drawing on his experience and leadership to showcase British Columbia’s forest industry worldwide and inviting everyone to Vancouver.”
Importance of the Forestry Sector for the Canadian Economy
As per the official data from Natural Resources Canada: In 2013, production in the forest sector contributed $19.8 billion—or 1.25%—to Canada’s real gross domestic product (GDP). In a global context, Canada has the world’s largest forest product trade balance—C$19.3 billion (2013)—a position it has held for as long as trustworthy trade statistics have been compiled. While other countries may produce more of one product or another, no nation derives more net benefit from trade in forest products than Canada, and the gap between Canada and the second largest net trader (Sweden) has been expanding continuously since 2009.
Forests are a major source of wealth for Canadians, providing a wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits.
KLONDIKE Lubricants for the Forestry Industry
The KLONDIKE brand was born as a solution to the Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic that infected many forests along the West Coast of Canada. This catastrophe was wide ranging in its destruction with millions of hectares of infected trees that had to be removed quickly throughout one of the most extreme terrains in the world. Contractors harvesting this wood were confronted with a host of unexpected problems. Warping bars and chains due to lack of moisture and extraordinarily high frictional temperatures made for a difficult and costly cutting operation. Traditional chain oil blends were not up to the rigorous needs of the immense operation at hand. With many years in the lubricants industry this national crisis posed a once-in-a-life-time challenge. KLONDIKE was born.
KLONDIKE Lubricants at DEMO International® 2016
Logging was the first industry KLONDIKE provided a lubricating solution for. The product line of the independent Canadian corporation has grown significantly throughout the years and today spans across 270 oils and lubricants.
