Hyne Timber has announced a significant expansion to its Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing capability in Maryborough, Queensland. Already a significant manufacturer of GLT in addition to softwood timber products, this expansion investment with the support of a Queensland Government Jobs and Regional Growth Fund will launch the company into a globally competitive product offer. The new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant …
JNL confirms plans for Kaitaia Triboard mill
Forestry and wood processing company, Juken New Zealand Ltd (JNL) has confirmed that its plan to refurbish its Kaitaia Triboard mill will go ahead, securing wood processing jobs in the town for the long-term. The company told Triboard staff in September that it wanted to make changes at the mill, including investing to refurbish the plant and technology and return …
The robots are coming to wood manufacturing
Advanced Automation was a key component of the just completed WoodTECH 2018 series run for local wood manufacturers. In fact, one presenter discussed in New Zealand a local wood producer that has just integrated robotics into much of their new lumber manufacturing operation. In this article leading suppliers discuss major trends and developments in pallet and lumber machinery including robotics, …
Review of Wood Processing training needs
Over the past 50 years Toi Ohomai, formerly Waiariki Institute of Technology and also the NZ Forest Service, have been home to a tertiary training facility at Waipa, specialising in various aspects of solid wood processing. The wood processing industry is currently experiencing significant skills shortages, but also, a misalignment between training and industry requirements. Toi Ohomai is now reviewing …
The robots are coming!
Robots are likely to have a bigger role in timber processing as they take over work that is dirty, dangerous or difficult. By Philip Hopkins for Timberbiz That was a key message of Troy Krogh, regional director of Scott Automation & Robotics, to the WoodTech conference in Melbourne last week. The conference is held annually by the Forest Industry Engineering …
Commission rules on J-Frame
This week JNL have been have been in contact with their J-Frame customers regarding the outcome of the Commerce Commission investigation into allegations that its J-Frame product had failed timber treatment Standards. The Commission’s findings have just been sent to the company’s customer base and industry representatives of JNL, Accredited Certifying Bodies or Technical Service Providers. The Commission has asserted …
WoodTECH 2018 Event Summary
Another Record Turnout After an absence of over eight years, the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) this year focused on innovations and new technologies around dry-mill and wood manufacturing operations. The previous two WoodTECH events, 2017 and 2015, both concentrated on green-mill and sawing technologies. Once again the WoodTECH series attracted strong numbers, with over 350 delegates attending the New …
Wood Treatment receives a global greentag
MicroPro® Wood Treatment Technology has received a Global GreenTag GreenRate™ Level A award under Version 4.0 of the Global GreenTag International Product Certification Standard. It is the highest-level achievement for a product under Global GreenTag’s GreenRate™ product rating system – declared by the certification body as ‘Fit-for-Purpose’ and confirmed for Green Building compliance. GreenRate™ Level A equals to a Sustainability …
WoodTECH 2018 Event Photos
We had a great turnout for WoodTECH 2018. Once again the WoodTECH series attracted record numbers, with over 350 delegates attending the New Zealand and Australian events in 2018. Delegates ranged from wood processing & manufacturing site managers, Dry-mill & production managers & supervisors, Timber machining & moulding, Kiln drying operators and local & international equipment, product and service suppliers. …
Renewable diesel and bitumen from wood waste
Turning sawmill scraps and sawdust into renewable diesel and bitumen sounds far-fetched, but could soon become a reality under a plan by Australian building and construction supplier Boral. Boral’s six hardwood timber mills on the New South Wales north coast produce a lot of wood waste – as much as 50,000 tonnes each, every year. Currently used for landscaping, boiler …
Five ways to help attract, recruit and retain
Kara Biles, Director of Leadership and Learning, Canfor What’s the secret to attraction, recruitment and retention of the future workplace? Unfortunately, there is no secret solution, at least not one that we’ve found at Canfor. But what we do know is that we need to be more innovative as we work to recruit and retain future employees. We all know …
Timberlink’s investment to increase processing capacity by 20%
A combined AU$110 million will be poured into two South-East sawmills, securing the future of 500 factory jobs and highlighting the region’s reputation as a world leader in forestry. The investments by Timberlink and OneFortyOne Plantations shows confidence in the industry – the region’s largest employer, providing 7000 jobs and AU$1.2 billion for the local economy. Timberlink will spend AU$90 …