Strategic analysis of International Forest Products Limited

International Forest Products Limited is a sawmilling company that produces softwood lumber for sale in domestic and international markets including the United States and Japan. Production facilities located in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon produce nearly 1.5 billion board feet of lumber annually. Timber is secured through Crown forest tenure holdings and external open market purchases. This paper includes: a strategic analysis of the firm; an industry analysis; a strategic fit analysis; a value chain discussion; and a financial review. Seven areas of improvement are discussed including: manufacturing investments; use of debt; labour costs; logging costs; coastal supply chain management; marketing and brand management; and market diversification efforts. The goal of this analysis is to provide strategic recommendations for the company that will result in improved profitability, consistent earnings and a higher degree of reinforcing activities between business units.