Canadian Wood India marked its 12th year of participation at IndiaWood 2026, held in Bengaluru from 26 February to 2 March, one of India’s leading exhibitions for the woodworking and furniture manufacturing industry. The five-day event brought together manufacturers, architects, designers, and material suppliers, providing an excellent platform for industry interaction, knowledge exchange, and business opportunities.
At the exhibition, Canadian Wood India showcased the versatility and sustainability of softwood species from British Columbia, Canada, showcasing furniture crafted from Western Hemlock.
Western Hemlock Furniture Attracts Strong Interest
Major highlights of the booth was a collection of furniture pieces made with Western Hemlock and a finishes wall showcasing a range of stains and treatments. Visitors were particularly drawn to the natural aesthetic appeal, distinctive grain patterns, and versatility in finishes of the wood. The display included a dining table with chairs, a chest of drawers, and a reception table, demonstrating how B.C. wood species can be transformed into elegant and contemporary furniture pieces. The response from visitors was very positive, with many appreciating the natural character and unique appearance of the wood.
The furniture pieces were developed in collaboration with Verbarq, a Bengaluru-based furniture manufacturing company known for its craftsmanship and contemporary designs. The furniture was designed by Mr. Romy Mathew, Director of Verbarq Pvt Ltd, whose expertise helped translate the natural beauty of Western hemlock into functional and aesthetically appealing furniture. This collaboration highlighted the advantages of using Canadian wood species in furniture and how it can be effectively integrated into the Indian furniture manufacturing ecosystem through innovative design and skilled craftsmanship.
Canadian Wood also displayed lumber of five Canadian wood species and various grades, allowing visitors to look, feel and gain understanding of their characteristics and potential applications Furniture manufacturers, architects, designers, and wood importers engaged with the Canadian Wood technical team, asking detailed questions to better understand these sustainable materials from British Columbia (B.C.). The team’s expertise and practical knowledge helped participants explore how the wood products could be effectively used across a wide range of woodworking and furniture applications.
Part of the showcase included an introduction to the “Canadian Wood Trial Program” ta signature programwhich allows manufacturers to test Canadian softwood species under real production conditions with direct technical support from experts. The program enables companies to gain practical experience with the material before moving into larger-scale production. This initiative also focuses on closer collaboration with factories by supplying material for trial use and supporting product development. The trial program aims to help manufacturers explore new sustainable material and expand their product offerings using Canadian wood species.
The booth witnessed strong engagement from industry professionals throughout the exhibition. The event provided an excellent opportunity to interact with manufacturers, designers, and material suppliers, while also strengthening existing relationships and building new connections within the woodworking community.
Canadian Wood India’s participation at IndiaWood 2026 reaffirmed the growing interest in sustainable wood materials and the potential for wider adoption of Canadian wood species in the Indian market. Through continued industry engagement and knowledge-sharing initiatives, Canadian Wood remains committed to supporting the woodworking and furniture manufacturing sector in India with responsibly sourced wood from British Columbia, Canada.
