About TRAPA Forest Products
Who We Are
TRAPA Forest Products is a dynamic and diverse organization. Established in 1954 and a wholly owned subsidiary of Hampton Lumber as of 2012, TRAPA has been in the forest industry for over 70 years. With its head office located in Richmond, British Columbia, and branch offices in Port Alberni, Edmonton, Portland, and Tokyo, our dedicated team works collaboratively to drive excellence in every aspect of our business.
RICHMOND, BC
CANADA
PORT ALBERNI, BC
CANADA
EDMONTON, AB
CANADA
PORTLAND, OREGON
USA
TOKYO
JAPAN
Our History
1954
TRAPA was established
Founded by Mr. Alfred Arakawa, a Japanese immigrant who was the branch manager for Tamura Shokai of Kobe, Japan.
1963
Custom Cut
Custom cut programs began.
Secured the Canadian, Washington State, and Mexican agencies for Overseas Courier Service (OCS).
Arakawa’s son-in-law, Barry Tyrer, joined the company.
2005
New Branch Office
TRAPA established a branch office in Tokyo, Japan.
2012
Acquired by Hampton Lumber
TRAPA acquired by Hampton Lumber, of Portland, OR.
2015
Industrial Matting
Ground protection department established.
2023
Exclusive Partnership
Official sales and marketing partnership with Kalesnikoff Lumber.
2024
TRAPA’s 70th
TRAPA celebrates 70 years of business and official name change to TRAPA Forest Products (formerly Trans-Pacific Trading).
Our Culture
TRAPA is a family-oriented company that respects the fundamental rights of our employees. We celebrate the diversity of individuals within our organization, honoring unique cultures and personal identities. We know that our strength lies in our people. TRAPA’s highly experienced employees manages programs with exceptional expertise, ensuring quality, consistency, and reliability. Our Traffic and Documentation team is second to none, ensuring that every order is executed with the highest level of customer service.
We pride ourselves on fostering an environment where every voice is heard, every contribution is valued, and everyone feels safe and supported. Through teamwork and collaboration, we empower our employees to grow and succeed, offering opportunities for career advancement and personal development.
At TRAPA, we strive to make work enjoyable. Our culture encourages connection through regular social events and provides opportunities for employees to volunteer and fundraise for our company’s chosen charities.
Above all, we mentor and inspire our employees to become the best versions of themselves—both professionally and personally—ensuring their success extends beyond the workplace.
Future Vision
At TRAPA, we are committed to fostering the development of the next generation of talented employees across all areas of our business. We actively explore new opportunities in log and lumber supply, as well as emerging markets, ensuring we remain at the forefront of industry innovation.
As the energy sector transitions to green alternatives, we are dedicated to identifying and embracing roles where we can contribute to a more sustainable future. Our focus includes supporting and expanding our presence in the mass timber construction sector and supplying sustainably harvested, carbon-neutral building materials for the traditional wood framing market.
We are excited about the possibilities ahead and remain steadfast in our commitment to growth, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
