{"id":97395,"date":"2026-04-13T15:10:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T19:10:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?post_type=rbc_my_money_matter&#038;p=97395"},"modified":"2026-04-13T15:10:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T19:10:20","slug":"east-mountain-forest-building-global-business","status":"publish","type":"rbc_my_money_matter","link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-block drop-shadow pos-rel top-line-blue block-wpr\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-block-inner-block block-inner\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tldr\">TLDR<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>East Mountain Forest Products (EMFOR) has built a global business through a relationship-driven approach rooted in decades of industry experience.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>The company focuses on who it partners with rather than where they operate, enabling flexibility across shifting global trade conditions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-rbc-list is-style-blue-disc\">\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>A collaborative, ecosystem-based model allows them to create value across partners while adapting quickly to disruption.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"wp-block-rbc-list-item\">\n<p>Canada\u2019s reputation for trust plays an important role in enabling international growth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the Business Beyond Borders series, RBC speaks with businesses across Canada about how they are seizing opportunity in the global landscape, growing their businesses strategically and navigating the realities of expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eastmountainforest.com\/\">East Mountain Forest Products<\/a> (EMFOR), global growth hasn\u2019t followed a traditional path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although founded in 2024, the company is built on decades of experience in the lumber industry, with founders Phil Hsieh and Greg Stewart drawing on third-generation expertise and long-standing relationships across international markets. From the start, the business was designed to operate globally. East Mountain Forest Products is strategically positioned \u2013 with both its team and its inventory \u2013 to support customers across Canada, the U.S, South America and Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than entering markets one by one, the company activates an existing network of trusted buyers, sellers and vendors who ultimately fall under a single category: partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a model shaped by the realities of the lumber industry, where relationships often carry more weight than contracts and where trust is built over years \u2013 sometimes decades. \u201cWe are a new business, but have a legacy mindset,\u201d says Hsieh during a recent conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the centre of that mindset is a simple idea: \u201cWe don\u2019t think about doing business with countries \u2013 we think about doing business with companies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-trusted-relationships-form-the-foundation-of-a-global-business-model\">Trusted relationships form the foundation of a global business model<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For EMFOR, relationships are the foundation of their business. Long before the company was formally established, Hsieh and Stewart had built a global network of partners across Asia, South America and Europe. Those relationships, developed over decades in the industry, became the starting point for the business itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the business took shape, those connections evolved. Customers became suppliers. Suppliers became strategic partners. Over time, the traditional boundaries between buyer and seller gave way to something more collaborative. \u201cWe are creating a community within the market,\u201d explains Hsieh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a model rooted in the industry\u2019s handshake culture \u2013 an environment where trust functions as a form of currency and reputation carries real weight. \u201cIn this industry, people will commit to agreements worth hundreds of thousands of dollars \u2013 even over a million dollars \u2013 without a signed contract,\u201d says Hsieh. \u201cIt\u2019s a verbal promise, and the deal gets done. That\u2019s how it\u2019s worked for decades.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That level of trust may seem unconventional, but it creates resilience. Because relationships are built over time, EMFOR is able to navigate shifting geopolitical conditions, supply chain disruptions and changing market dynamics with greater flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-reinventing-the-supply-chain-through-partnership\">Reinventing the supply chain through partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This relationship-driven approach has led the team to rethink the traditional supply chain. Rather than operating within a linear system \u2013 where goods move from supplier to buyer \u2013 the company works within a more interconnected ecosystem of partners, where value is created across multiple points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the centre of this approach is what Hsieh describes as a \u201cwin-win-win\u201d philosophy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In traditional trade models, success is measured by whether both buyer and seller benefit. But in today\u2019s environment, marked by supply chain disruption, tariffs and shifting demand, that\u2019s no longer enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For East Mountain, the goal is to create value across a broader network. That might mean helping a customer become a supplier, redistributing volume across markets or connecting partners they wouldn\u2019t access on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cA win-win solves the transaction,\u201d says Hsieh. \u201cA win-win-win strengthens the whole system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This model also allows EMFOR to remain highly adaptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As tariffs shift, trade relationships evolve or supply constraints emerge, EMFOR can adjust its sourcing strategies, drawing from different regions, suppliers or partners to meet changing conditions. Rather than being locked into a single supply chain, the company operates across a diversified network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an approach that reflects a shift in thinking away from simply moving commodities and toward creating value through how products are sourced, positioned and delivered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-east-mountain-forest-products-evaluates-and-enters-new-markets\">How East Mountain Forest Products evaluates and enters new markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While East Mountain\u2019s model may differ from traditional expansion strategies, its approach to entering new markets is, in fact, both deliberate and disciplined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-start-with-relationships\">Start with relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Market entry begins with people, not places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than targeting specific geographies, the company builds outward from its existing network of trusted partners. These relationships provide both a foothold and a source of insight into new markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI think about the company I\u2019m dealing with first,\u201d says Hsieh. \u201cAre they trustworthy? Do they have strong business practices? Will they be around for 20 or 30 years? This is what matters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-look-beyond-the-product-to-business-practices\">Look beyond the product to business practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Evaluating a partner goes well beyond the product itself. In markets such as Brazil, for example, where both legal and illegal harvesting exist, selecting the right partners requires careful due diligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>EMFOR looks at not only forest management practices, but at how companies operate more broadly \u2013 how they treat their employees, their approach to health and safety, their commitment to environmental sustainability and their overall business integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-understand-the-market-dynamics\">Understand the market dynamics<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with strong relationships, understanding the local market remains essential. This includes how products are used, differences in standards and variations in demand and supply chains. Each market has its own nuances, and success depends on recognizing and adapting accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-adapt-the-model-to-fit\">Adapt the model to fit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach. EMFOR adjusts its product mix, sourcing strategy and partnership structure based on the needs of each market and relationship. Flexibility is built into the model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-balancing-trust-with-risk-management\">Balancing trust with risk management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A relationship-driven model requires a different approach to risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than relying solely on formal contracts, a relationship-first approach addresses risk through a combination of experience, judgment and thoughtful execution. Transactions may be phased, shipments staggered, and financial tools \u2013 such as letters of credit or border bonds \u2013 used selectively, depending on the partner and the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Long-standing relationships play a critical role in this approach. Working with known, reliable partners \u2013 many of whom have been part of the founders\u2019 network for years \u2013 adds a level of confidence that complements formal safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Still, discipline remains essential. Each transaction is approached with care, balancing relationship strength with practical measures to protect both sides. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That same balance extends to financial partnerships. EMFOR works closely with RBC, building on relationships that predate the business and have continued as the company has grown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, as the relationship transitioned from a personal banking to a business-focused partnership, that financial layer of discipline was built over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a newly established company, EMFOR was onboarded with RBC in early 2024 as it prepared to launch operations and expand its export business. With a focus on letters of credit (LCs), the team worked closely with RBC to navigate the complexities of export financing, particularly around LC discounting. While early transactions didn\u2019t immediately meet discounting criteria, ongoing guidance and consistent engagement helped refine the company\u2019s approach. Over time, this collaboration led to successful LC discounting on a regular basis, supporting cash flow while enabling the business to scale confidently across global markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhat made the difference was the foundation we built over time,\u201d says Deepthika Gooneratne, Director of Trade Finance Solutions with RBC. \u201cWe worked closely with EMFOR to identify the types of counterparties and banks that aligned with our risk appetite and helped them position their business accordingly. That consistency and openness to guidance is what ultimately turned opportunity into traction.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This relationship continuity provided confidence that the right support would be there when needed, with trust built over time, delivering tangible results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-being-a-canadian-business-matters-on-the-world-stage\">Why being a Canadian business matters on the world stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Being Canadian has proven to be a meaningful advantage on the global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Canadian brand is a valuable asset. Canada is widely viewed as a trusted, neutral and collaborative trading partner. With that kind of reputation, it\u2019s easier to build relationships internationally and open doors in markets where credibility matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Government-led trade missions and Canada\u2019s broader trade infrastructure further support this position, helping Canadian businesses establish connections and build visibility abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, Hsieh believes Canadian companies don\u2019t always fully capitalize on this advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI find that many Canadian businesses are hesitant to go out and present themselves as Canadian,\u201d he says. \u201cBut we should be proud of it. We are known for being fair, respectful and easy to work with \u2013 and that matters globally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lessons-for-companies-expanding-globally\">Lessons for companies expanding globally<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the conversation turned to advice for other Canadian companies considering international growth, several themes emerged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-lessons-east-mountain-forest-products-has-learned-about-global-growth\">5 lessons East Mountain Forest Products has learned about global growth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-choose-partners-not-just-markets\">1. Choose partners, not just markets<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Focus on companies with integrity, strong business practices and long-term alignment. \u201cI always look at the company first,\u201d says Hsieh. \u201cIf they\u2019re trustworthy and thinking long-term, that\u2019s most important.\u201d &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-build-relationships-before-you-need-them\">2. Build relationships before you need them<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Strong networks create flexibility in uncertain conditions. Establishing trusted industry and financial partnerships means support is available when opportunities or challenges arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-create-value-across-the-ecosystem\">3. Create value across the ecosystem<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Look beyond transactions to create long-term mutual benefit across partners. The strongest businesses build communities, not just customer lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-stay-adaptable\">4. Stay adaptable<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Global trade conditions evolve quickly. Business models must be flexible enough to evolve with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-leverage-canada-s-reputation\">5. Leverage Canada\u2019s reputation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Trust in Canadian businesses opens doors internationally \u2013 as long as companies actively lean into that advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rethinking-global-growth-in-a-changing-world\">Rethinking global growth in a changing world<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As the nature of globalization evolves, success depends less on where a company chooses to operate and more on how it builds and sustains relationships across markets. For East Mountain Forest Products, that means prioritizing trust, adaptability and long-term thinking in every aspect of their business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an approach that is more human, more connected and ultimately more resilient than traditional models of global expansion. And it reinforces a simple but powerful idea: in global business, who you work with matters just as much as where you go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group  mar-b-hlf has-rbc-bright-blue-tint-4-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\" id=\"h-your-business-is-going-places-where-to-next\">Your Business Is Going Places. Where To Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Whether you&#8217;re thinking about going global or have already started to trade internationally, RBC Trade Specialists can help you make informed decisions as you expand into new markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/contact.rbc.com\/FSContact\/index-internationaltrade.php\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97395-7e4ee90c\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"Connect with an RBC Trade Specialist\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">Connect with an RBC Trade Specialist<\/a><strong> <\/strong>or contact your RBC Relationship Manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/business\/international-trade\/index.html\" data-dig-id=\"LP-97395-1e767df4\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"link click\" data-dig-label=\"RBC International Trade\" class=\"rbc-link-format\">RBC International Trade<\/a> site for market intelligence, resources and tools to help you grow internationally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons pad-b-hlf is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-rbc-default-collapsible\"><p><button class=\"collapse-toggle collapsed\" data-target=\"#collapse834a1009\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse834a1009\" data-dig-id=\"LP-57738-834a1009\" data-dig-category=\"LP\" data-dig-action=\"accordion closed\" action-closed=\"accordion closed\" action-opened=\"accordion open\" data-dig-label=\"Things our lawyers want you to know\"><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><span>Things our lawyers want you to know<\/span><\/button><\/p><div class=\"collapse-content collapse\" id=\"collapse834a1009\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-rbc-collapsible-inner-block collapse-inner\">\n<p>This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":112,"featured_media":97404,"parent":57335,"menu_order":0,"template":"wp-custom-template-mmm-sticky-nav","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"rbc_content_type":[31],"rbc_audience":[110],"rbc_lob_group":[35],"rbc_difficulty_level":[33],"rbc_mmm_category":[305,323,388,391,325,382,326],"class_list":["post-97395","rbc_my_money_matter","type-rbc_my_money_matter","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","rbc_content_type-article","rbc_audience-business-owners","rbc_lob_group-business","rbc_difficulty_level-beginner","rbc_mmm_category-business","rbc_mmm_category-business-stages","rbc_mmm_category-business-success-stories","rbc_mmm_category-commercial","rbc_mmm_category-get-inspired","rbc_mmm_category-grow-your-business","rbc_mmm_category-right-sized-business-advice"],"acf":{"contently_publication_id":"","custom_author":"Royal Bank of Canada","rbc_video_header":"","rbc_media_duration":"","rbc_toc_for_mmm_tag":"h2","rbc_toc_for_mmm_limit":6,"rbc_toc_for_mmm":[{"title":"How East Mountain Forest Products evaluates and enters new markets","url":"#h-how-east-mountain-forest-products-evaluates-and-enters-new-markets"},{"title":"Balancing trust with risk management","url":"#h-balancing-trust-with-risk-management"},{"title":"Why being a Canadian business matters on the world stage","url":"#h-why-being-a-canadian-business-matters-on-the-world-stage"},{"title":"Lessons for companies expanding globally","url":"#h-lessons-for-companies-expanding-globally"}],"rbc_toc_for_mmm_action":"Generate Table Of Contents"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.2 (Yoast SEO v27.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RBC Royal Bank\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"16 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"hardikthakkar\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/e5c3534eb97bbe4a5f4b907c550dd589\"},\"headline\":\"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\"},\"wordCount\":1785,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\",\"name\":\"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships - My Money Matters\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00\",\"description\":\"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":720,\"caption\":\"Phil Hsieh, East Mountain Forest Products\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"My Money Matters\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Business\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Get Inspired\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Business Success Stories\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":5,\"name\":\"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/\",\"name\":\"RBC Royal Bank\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/e5c3534eb97bbe4a5f4b907c550dd589\",\"name\":\"hardikthakkar\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"hardikthakkar\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"description":"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_description":"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","og_site_name":"RBC Royal Bank","article_modified_time":"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"16 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/"},"author":{"name":"hardikthakkar","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/e5c3534eb97bbe4a5f4b907c550dd589"},"headline":"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships","datePublished":"2026-04-13T19:10:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/"},"wordCount":1785,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80","inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","name":"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships - My Money Matters","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80","datePublished":"2026-04-13T19:10:18+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-13T19:10:20+00:00","description":"Built on decades of industry relationships, East Mountain Forest Products is taking a different approach to global growth \u2013 one that prioritizes trust over geography and partnerships over transactions.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80","width":1280,"height":720,"caption":"Phil Hsieh, East Mountain Forest Products"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"My Money Matters","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Business","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Get Inspired","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Business Success Stories","item":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":5,"name":"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/","name":"RBC Royal Bank","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/#\/schema\/person\/e5c3534eb97bbe4a5f4b907c550dd589","name":"hardikthakkar","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/087e4b19d27d12bd3a6771d9ef5f1c8339f6db2c06747baff8c47adba03a7364?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"hardikthakkar"}}]}},"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships","url":"http:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/my-money-matters\/business\/get-inspired\/business-success-stories\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80&w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80"},"articleSection":"Uncategorized","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"hardikthakkar"}],"creator":["hardikthakkar"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"RBC Royal Bank","logo":""},"keywords":[],"dateCreated":"2026-04-13T19:10:18Z","datePublished":"2026-04-13T19:10:18Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T19:10:20Z"},"rendered":"<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"wp-parsely-metadata\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"headline\":\"Business Beyond Borders: East Mountain Forest Products is Building a Global Business Through Trusted Partnerships\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/business\\\/get-inspired\\\/business-success-stories\\\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\\\/\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/my-money-matters\\\/business\\\/get-inspired\\\/business-success-stories\\\/east-mountain-forest-building-global-business\\\/\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80&w=150&h=150&crop=1\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\\\/en-ca\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/12\\\/2026\\\/04\\\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80\"},\"articleSection\":\"Uncategorized\",\"author\":[{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"name\":\"hardikthakkar\"}],\"creator\":[\"hardikthakkar\"],\"publisher\":{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"name\":\"RBC Royal Bank\",\"logo\":\"\"},\"keywords\":[],\"dateCreated\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:18Z\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:18Z\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-13T19:10:20Z\"}<\/script>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/rbcroyalbank.com\/p.js"},"featured_img":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/12\/2026\/04\/East-Mountain-Forest-Products.png?quality=80&w=1024","coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/author\/hardikthakkar\/","display_name":"hardikthakkar"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 5 days ago","modified":"Updated 5 days ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on April 13, 2026","modified":"Updated on April 13, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on April 13, 2026 3:10 pm","modified":"Updated on April 13, 2026 3:10 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","tax_additional":{"post_tag":{"linked":[],"unlinked":[],"slug":"post_tag","name":"Tags"},"rbc_content_type":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/content-type\/article\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Article<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Article<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_content_type","name":"Content Types"},"rbc_audience":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/audience\/business-owners\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Owners<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Owners<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_audience","name":"Audiences"},"rbc_lob_group":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/lob-group\/business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_lob_group","name":"LOB Groups"},"rbc_difficulty_level":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/difficulty-level\/beginner\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Beginner<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Beginner<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_difficulty_level","name":"Difficulty Levels"},"rbc_mmm_category":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/business-stages\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Stages<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/business-success-stories\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Success Stories<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/commercial\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Commercial<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/get-inspired\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Get Inspired<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/grow-your-business\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Grow Your Business<\/a>","<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/mmm-category\/right-sized-business-advice\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Right-Sized Business Advice<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Stages<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Business Success Stories<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Commercial<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Get Inspired<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Grow Your Business<\/span>","<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">Right-Sized Business Advice<\/span>"],"slug":"rbc_mmm_category","name":"Categories"},"ep_custom_result":{"linked":[],"unlinked":[],"slug":"ep_custom_result","name":"Custom Results"}},"series_order":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"primary_tag":"","primary_rbc_mmm_category":"388","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97395","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rbc_my_money_matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/112"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97395\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97405,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/97395\/revisions\/97405"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_my_money_matter\/57335"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/97404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=97395"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=97395"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_content_type?post=97395"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_audience?post=97395"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_lob_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_lob_group?post=97395"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_difficulty_level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_difficulty_level?post=97395"},{"taxonomy":"rbc_mmm_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rbcroyalbank.com\/en-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rbc_mmm_category?post=97395"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}