VICTORIA, BC, June 4, 2026 /CNW/ – Canada’s forest sector is at a pivotal moment. Ongoing pressures — including tariffs, fibre supply challenges, changing market demands and climate change — are significantly impacting the industry and the communities that depend on it. In response, the Government of Canada is focusing on what we can control — and moving forward with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners on a co-ordinated approach to transform the sector into one that can thrive in the long term.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a Forest Sector Action Plan, with key commitments to drive the transformation of the forest sector in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other key partners.

The Action Plan is informed by the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s recommendations and builds on the extensive work it completed during its 90–day mandate.

The plan focuses on four priority areas to position Canada’s forest sector as a leading global supplier of both traditional and advanced forest products:

Securing a competitive and predictable supply of wood fibre;Making the investments required for innovation and modernization across the sector;Expanding domestic and international market opportunities; andSupporting workers and communities through skills development and transition measures.

Federal, provincial and territorial governments discussed the implementation of the Action Plan during this year’s meeting of the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM). At the meeting, governments committed to collaborate over the coming months to align policies and investments, reduce barriers and accelerate progress toward transformation. This work will come together by the end of 2026 in a formal Forest Sector Strategy for Canada.

Canada’s natural resources have long underpinned our prosperity — and as we work to build the strongest economy in the G7 and double non-U.S. trade over the next decade, our forest sector can play a central role. By supporting workers today and modernizing the industry for tomorrow, the Government of Canada is ensuring the forest sector remains a pillar of strength and prosperity for decades to come.

Quotes

“Mills are closing, Canadians are losing jobs, and communities are suffering, due to tariff pressures, market changes and more. We must take action to pivot, grow, modernize and diversify so we can protect the industry we have built and catalyze its growth for the long term. Today’s Action Plan builds on the work of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force and provides a clear path forward for the concrete measures Team Canada will take to build a strong, prosperous, sovereign Canada for all.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canada’s forest sector relies on the people, families and communities who build it. At a time of real challenge, this Action Plan will empower workers with the skills they need to thrive while supporting good jobs and helping communities adapt. By investing in skills and innovation, we are building a stronger, more inclusive economy where the forest sector continues to create opportunity today and shape a sustainable future for generations to come.”

The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario

Quick Facts

Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous people, and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP.Since August 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced over $2 billion in measures designed to defend and transform Canada’s forest sector, including the renewal of NRCan’s suite of forest sector transformation programs.The Government of Canada announced the creation of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force on November 26, 2025, as part of new measures to support and transform Canada’s forest sector.The Task Force was launched on January 19, 2026, and mandated to deliver a final report within 90 days.On June 3, 2026, Minister Hodgson released the Task Force’s final report and announced new and expanded measures to support the transformation of Canada’s forest sector as well as close to $130 million for 56 forest sector projects across the country.

Related Products

Draft Action Plan to Transform Canada’s Forest SectorCanadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s final reportCanada advances forest sector transformation to protect jobs and strengthen communities nationwide (June 3, 2026)Statement by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on the conclusion of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force’s mandate (April 16, 2026)Government of Canada launches $500 million in support for retooling Canada’s forest sector (February 25, 2026)Advancing protections and support for Canada’s forest sector (December 15, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to protect and transform Canada’s steel and lumber industries (November 26, 2025)Prime Minister Carney announces new measures to transform Canada’s softwood lumber industry (August 5, 2025)

Associated Links

Canada’s softwood lumber industrySupport for Canada’s Forest Sector Employers and WorkersSoftwood Lumber Guarantee Program

Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

CARSON CITY, Nev., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Click Bond, Inc. is excited to announce that Jen Aleman Hutter has accepted the role of Chief Operating Officer for Physical Systems, Inc. (PSI), the parent company of Click Bond, Inc. In this new role, Hutter will oversee the day-to-day operations across PSI’s growing portfolio, support the integration of acquired businesses, and lead shareholder relations, all while bringing a disciplined, people-centered approach to a pivotal period of expansion for the company.

Founded in 1967 by the Hutter family, PSI has operated on a consolidated basis with Click Bond, its wholly owned subsidiary, for nearly 40 years; both PSI and Click Bond have remained family-owned and operated. As PSI looked to broaden its investment scope and evaluate business opportunities both within and alongside Click Bond, the company’s Board of Directors recognized a need to evolve and strengthen its operating capabilities. Appointing Mrs. Hutter as COO reflects that evolution.

“Click Bond was built by my in-laws, Charlie and Collie Hutter, in the spirit of curiosity, innovation, and human-centered excellence,” said Mrs. Hutter. “It is an honor for me to serve in this role as COO of PSI as we expand the footprint of this proud legacy.”

Hutter brings more than two decades of experience in investment banking, entrepreneurship, and operational leadership to her new role. She began her career in public debt, private equity, and capital raising at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette and Credit Suisse. Later, she cofounded KAP Group, a consulting firm that advised emerging private equity funds and platforms on institutional capital positioning — work guided by the principle “make it easy to invest with you,” a philosophy that continues to guide her approach to value creation.

She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, magna cum laude, from Southern Methodist University, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, where she remains active in alumni fundraising and applicant interviews. She has served on five nonprofit boards, including The Center Foundation, Sierra Nevada College, and Communities in Schools Nevada. She also currently serves as a Board Director for Sterling Realty Organization, a fourth-generation family business managing $1 billion in real estate assets.

Hutter’s involvement with PSI is expected to have direct benefits for Click Bond, providing even better support, shared resources, and a stronger foundation from which to grow.

“I was thrilled and honored when Jen, considering her next career options, expressed an interest in helping the family in a formal way; in truth, she has been doing so for 20 years!,” said Karl Hutter, CEO of Physical Systems and Click Bond as well as Mrs. Hutter’s husband. “Her deep familiarity with our family and alignment with our values and culture, combined with her extensive relevant experience beyond our walls, makes Jen a uniquely qualified leader in this role. As PSI’s next chapter takes shape, I am confident that Jen will bring strong process, incisive analysis, true heart, and bold imagination to building a bright and inspiring future for our family enterprise.”

Brandon Perlich, Click Bond’s President and Chief Financial Officer of Physical Systems, said, “I’m truly excited to welcome Jen Hutter as PSI’s COO. She brings a powerful combination of experience, judgment, and business insight that will help shape a bright future and elevate our organization. I look forward to partnering with her as we drive the next phase of growth together.”

Hutter’s leadership is further informed by her work as the founder of Girl, Slow Down, a movement dedicated to helping high-achieving women and girls redefine success through rest, intentionality, and presence. She strives to blend operational excellence with a deep commitment to compassionate leadership and sustainable performance, building enduring value while fostering cultures where people can thrive.

“I am dedicated to creating lasting value for our employees, our customers, and our shareholders, by showing up as a rested, present, and strategic thinker and leader,” she said.

About Click Bond
Click Bond, Inc. is a global leader in aerospace assembly technology and the pioneer of adhesive-bonded fastening for aerospace. The company creates innovative solutions, delivered through world-class manufacturing and customer support. Founded in 1987, Click Bond, Inc. is headquartered in Carson City, NV, with an additional manufacturing facility in Watertown, CT. For more information about Click Bond, visit www.clickbond.com.

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SOURCE Click Bond, Inc.

Community-funded round backed by North Dakotans and Minnesotans, along with rancher-users across the country marks a defining chapter for the only technology ecosystem built exclusively for the beef cattle industry.

FARGO, N.D., June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — 701x, the Fargo, North Dakota-based agricultural technology company bringing connected intelligence to the beef cattle industry, today announced the close of an oversubscribed $10M Series B funding round. Marking six years in business with strong adoption across the United States, the company simultaneously announced it has hit profitability, added world-class talent, and is accelerating a major global expansion.

Unlike typical venture-backed technology companies, 701x’s Series B was raised entirely from individuals who believe in the company’s mission: local North Dakotans and Minnesotans extending to the greater Minneapolis area, and rancher-users from across the country who have experienced the 701x platform firsthand. No venture capital or institutional money was involved.

The Only Ecosystem Built for Beef Cattle

In six years, 701x has built what no other company has: a true, connected ecosystem of the most important technology tools focused exclusively on beef cattle. The 701x platform spans on-ranch software, breed association software, smart wearables, DNA solutions, and a growing accessory product line — all designed to work together and give producers the complete picture of their herd. View their product line at 701x.com.

At the heart of the wearables category is the xTpro — a GPS smart ear tag that utilizes direct-to-satellite connectivity to deliver real-time data and alerts straight to a rancher’s phone, no matter where the herd is located. Equipped with a suite of onboard sensors, the xTpro enables 701x to provide producers with instant alerts for out-of-fence events, animal health changes, estrus detection, calving activity, and bull-not-mounting notifications — putting critical herd intelligence in the palm of a rancher’s hand around the clock.

Profitability Fueled by Heavy R&D Investment

701x has achieved its first profitable month — a significant milestone for a company that continues to direct the majority of its labor budget toward research and development. Current R&D priorities include completing a comprehensive overhaul of an acquired registry software platform and advancing innovation toward a full feedlot management system, both of which represent major near-term milestones for the company and its customers.

75% Reduction in Assembly Costs for the xTpro Tag

Through the integration of robotics and automation throughout its production line, 701x has reduced assembly costs for its signature xTpro smart ear tag by 75%. This manufacturing transformation is no accident: 701x Founder and CEO, Kevin Biffert, built Fargo Automation from the ground up as its sole owner, developing high-speed automation machinery for some of the largest pharmaceutical companies across the globe before selling the company to Körber Medipak in 2017. That deep expertise in precision manufacturing is now being applied directly to 701x’s production operations, allowing the company to achieve significant efficiencies of scale and deliver high-quality, low-cost products to the market at scale — an advantage that grows as production volumes increase.

World-Class Talent Joins for Global Expansion

To support its global ambitions, 701x has brought on world-class talent across key functions. The company is already live in Canada and is on track to launch in the following markets before the end of the year:

AustraliaNew ZealandMexicoUnited KingdomBrazil

This expansion positions 701x as a truly global platform for the beef cattle industry, bringing precision livestock technology to producers across four continents.

“701x was founded because the beef industry deserves better technology — not outdated or single function piecemeal tools, but a connected ecosystem designed specifically for cattle producers. 701x provides tools with the greatest ROI by targeting ranchers true pain points – fertility and health metrics for their cattle. Closing an oversubscribed round funded by our neighbors, our community, and our own customers is the kind of validation that means the most to us. This is just the beginning.”
— Kevin Biffert, CEO, 701x

About 701x

Founded in Fargo, North Dakota, 701x is building a complete technology ecosystem exclusively for the beef cattle industry. The 701x platform brings together on-ranch management software, breed association tools, smart wearables, DNA solutions, and accessory products into a single connected system for cattle producers. With strong adoption across the United States and active operations in Canada, 701x is expanding globally to bring precision livestock technology to beef producers worldwide. Learn more at www.701x.com.

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SOURCE 701x, Inc.