Innovation, Sustainability, and the Future of Construction

The construction industry stands at a pivotal moment, facing rising demand for sustainable and efficient building solutions. Oregon-based Freres Engineered Wood, a family-run business with over a century of expertise, is leading the charge. Known for their innovative products like mass plywood panels (MPP), Freres is redefining what it means to build for future generations.

O’Brien’s team has long relied on our friends at Freres to help us stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability for building materials. Our current work on the new Oregon State University High Ground Housing at the Hatfield Marine Science Center employs mass plywood panels (MPP) engineered and manufactured by Freres from wood grown here in Oregon.

Meet Tyler Freres

Tyler Freres is the Vice President of Sales for Freres Engineered Wood, a family-owned business that has operated for a century as a significant contributor to the timber industry. Tyler has played a key role in the company’s development of the MPP product, which is a more resource-efficient alternative to cross-laminated timber. Tyler’s work at Freres Engineered Wood combines his deep roots in Oregon’s forest industry with his ongoing commitment to innovation in sustainable construction.

We interviewed Tyler to hear his perspective on the future of the construction industry:

Tyler Freres Vice President of Sales

Labor Efficiency

Addressing the construction industry’s challenges requires multifaceted solutions, starting with the workforce itself. “Automation in manufacturing, particularly for materials like timber, can transform manual processes into streamlined systems,” Tyler says. For example, Freres uses advanced vision technology and AI to optimize wood grading, ensuring the best use of resources. “However, construction won’t become factory-based overnight. It requires a balanced approach that respects the on-site complexities contractors face daily,” shares Tyler.

The construction industry can sometimes struggle to attract skilled workers who are willing to take on the physically demanding and risk-heavy work. Additionally, global economic shifts, such as deglobalization, have led to a push for more domestic production. For a timber producer like Freres Engineered Wood, the business has been preparing for the future by investing in automation to make production processes more efficient, and create desirable jobs from very manual current processes.

Creating a Closed-Loop System

Another hurdle is sustainability, to which mass timber is a promising solution. Freres Wood’s collaboration with institutions like Oregon State University’s Hatfield Laboratory enables manufacturers, architects, and contractors to address sustainability, efficiency, and waste reduction together. For example, prefabrication can significantly reduce waste at job sites, turning what used to end up in landfills into renewable energy. At Freres’ manufacturing facility, wood waste generates enough electricity to power 5,000 homes, demonstrating a closed-loop system that benefits both the environment and the community.

Freres has long been a strong proponent of using local materials and employing local people, “Wood is one of the most sustainable building materials we have,” Tyler emphasizes. “Unlike concrete and steel, which emit significant carbon during production, wood naturally sequesters carbon, locking it within its fibers. With responsible forest management, it’s not just a renewal resource—it’s a climate solution.” Compared to steel and concrete, which account for roughly 16% of global carbon emissions, wood not only requires less energy to produce but also locks away carbon for decades. Every cubic meter of wood used in construction removes one ton of CO? from the atmosphere.

As he looks towards the future, Tyler urges all of us to be part of evolving our thinking here In Oregon and beyond. “The traditional mindset towards forest management needs to progress and adapt to modern realities and solutions. Local management of forests can reduce wildfire risks, enhance habitats, and ensure a sustainable supply of timber for construction. Instead, decades of federal regulations have decimated rural economies by limiting timber harvests, forcing the construction industry to import from countries like Brazil and China. With the implementation of national tariffs on the horizon, this is not a sustainable practice and will be even less so in the near future,” Tyler concludes.

Moving Forward

Talking with Tyler, it becomes clear that recognizing the value of local wood is of the utmost importance. Using Oregon’s timber to build local structures supports rural economies, reduces environmental impact, and showcases the regenerative potential of forestry.

“Developers and architects who are actively pushing for sustainable materials deserve recognition, which could be achieved through adopting policies that incentivize sustainable design, similar to Energy Star certifications for appliances,” Tyler says. “The federal government is already requiring wood to be considered first in new federal construction, which is a step in the right direction.”

Freres Engineered Wood is already in the early adopter stage for mass timber, and the potential is enormous. Europe has been leading the way for decades, and Freres is at the forefront of the charge for American companies to catch up.

In 2025 and beyond, Tyler expects to see continued growth in prefabrication and greater adoption of mass timber–and he is not alone. The future of construction depends on us all—developers, architects, policymakers, general contractors, and manufacturers—working together to champion sustainable materials and methods. By prioritizing local timber and innovative products like mass plywood panels, we can create buildings that stand as testaments to sustainability, efficiency, and resilience.