Kalesnikoff: products and EPD coverage at a glance
Kalesnikoff is a vertically integrated mass timber producer in British Columbia that ships across North America. If you spec CLT or glulam, they are probably on your shortlist. Here is a sharp read on what they make, how broad the SKU universe is, and where their EPD coverage already helps or could stretch further.
Who Kalesnikoff is
Kalesnikoff operates a sawmill and mass timber campus in the West Kootenays and recently added a modular and prefabrication facility that expands into wall systems, trusses, and volumetric modules. Think of them as a one‑shop stack for heavy timber structures, from billets to building blocks. Their sustainability narrative sits here if you want the brand view (Kalesnikoff, Sustainability).
What they sell
Core catalog items are cross‑laminated timber (CLT) panels, glulam beams and columns, and GLT decking panels. With multiple thicknesses, grades, species, and cut‑to‑fit fabrication, practical SKUs land in the dozens rather than a tidy line card. The new Castlegar facility adds panelized walls, light‑frame trusses, and modular units for mid‑rise housing and education.
EPDs already in place
Kalesnikoff publishes product‑specific EPDs for CLT and for glulam under ASTM International’s program. Both were issued March 16, 2022 and remain valid through March 16, 2027 (Kalesnikoff Glulam EPD, 2022; PDF) (Kalesnikoff CLT EPD, 2022; PDF). For most project teams that is sufficient to unlock product‑specific EPD credit pathways in rating systems like the in‑development LEED v5.
Coverage by product category
Two of their three main mass‑timber categories are covered with product‑specific EPDs today, namely CLT and glulam. GLT panels appear uncovered. The prefab wall systems, trusses, and modular assemblies are also not typically covered by EPDs in North America, although some owners now ask for documentation at the assembly level.
How strong is that, commercially
Pretty strong for structural packages centered on CLT and beams. On projects that quantify embodied carbon at material takeoff, having CLT and glulam EPDs means specifiers avoid conservative defaults. That keeps Kalesnikoff in play without forcing price‑only comparisons. Missing EPDs for GLT panels can still trigger questions in submittals, especially for schools and public work where procurement checklists are rigid.
Where gaps could close fast
A GLT panel EPD is the obvious next move. It fills a frequent scope line in floors and roofs, and it aligns with industry‑wide baselines already familiar to reviewers. For teams leaning into off‑site construction, an EPD for a representative wall panel or kit of parts can act as a bridge document until whole‑assembly methods are standardized.
Who they meet in the spec arena
In Canada and the U.S., they often face Nordic Structures, SmartLam North America, Western Archrib, and Element5 on like‑kind packages. In some contexts, veneer‑based mass plywood panels from Freres compete head‑to‑head with CLT for floors and roofs. Several of these peers publicize product EPDs for CLT and glulam, so an uncovered GLT slot can be a tie‑breaker in compliance‑driven bids.
Industry safety net, for now
Industry‑average EPDs exist for North American glulam and other wood categories, and were current through mid 2025. Many submittal reviewers accept these as a backstop when a product‑specific EPD is not available, although product‑specific still carries more weight with carbon accounting and incentives (WoodWorks, 2025, Current EPDs for Wood Products).
What we would watch next
Two timing cues matter. First, Kalesnikoff’s CLT and glulam EPDs run through March 16, 2027, so renewal planning should start well before design teams begin asking about 2027 specifications. Second, the prefab expansion will tempt owners to ask for EPDs on wall panels and modules. Start with GLT, then pick one high‑volume wall configuration as a pilot. Nail that, then scale.
Bottom line for manufacturer teams
Kalesnikoff is a focused mass‑timber play that already checks the big EPD boxes for CLT and glulam. Add GLT coverage and a targeted prefab panel declaration, and they turn a solid hand into a full house. For sales, that means fewer detours through waiver land and more time in the yes lane. It sounds simple, and it is, but it wins specs. It’s frankly intersting how often that one missing EPD slows a bid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Kalesnikoff’s CLT and glulam EPDs remain valid for current projects?
If GLT panels lack a product‑specific EPD, what do project teams use?
Many accept the North American industry‑average EPDs as a baseline, although product‑specific EPDs are preferred where carbon targets drive selection (WoodWorks, 2025, Current EPDs for Wood Products).
Which competitors commonly appear against Kalesnikoff on bids?
Nordic Structures, SmartLam North America, Western Archrib, Element5, and in some scopes Freres with mass plywood panels. Several publish CLT and glulam EPDs, which is why closing GLT coverage helps in tight reviews.
About the Author
John brings a clear, research-driven perspective on the EPD, LCA and HPD space and keeps a close pulse on environmental trends and standards in North America, helping clients understand where the industry is heading and how to get there.
