A wave of B.C. sawmill shutdowns and layoffs is a combination of reduced log supply, high log prices and a steep drop in lumber prices, forest industry executives say. Lumber prices hit a record of $650 per 1,000 board feet early this year as U.S. housing demand ramped up and B.C. producers piled up lumber due to a shortage of …
Bioenergy – State of the Nation Report launched
Bioenergy Australia on Tuesday released the Bioenergy State of the Nation Report (produced in collaboration with KPMG). The first state-of-the-nation assessment of the sector identifies Australia’s significant bioenergy opportunity and provides a criteria for kick-starting Australia’s bioenergy economy. The opportunity for Australia is significant and multi-faceted, offering an AU$3.5-$5 billion investment opportunity, mostly in regional economies, which the Australian government …
Historic sawmilling viaduct opened
An historic wooden trestle viaduct that once serviced the sawmilling industry has been restored and is once again open to visitors to the magnificent Waitutu forest in the South of New Zealand. Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage celebrated the reopening of southern Fiordland’s Percy Burn viaduct, thought to be the highest surviving wooden bridge in the world, following significant restoration work. …
NZ Timber Standards now out for public comment
This has been described by the Timber Design Society as one of the most important developments for structural engineers in recent years. They’re currently inviting all TDS members and others involved, to submit comments directly. Please follow the links below to submit your comments: DZ NZS AS 1720.1 Timber Structures – Part 1: Design Methods DR AS/NZS 1720.4:2018 Timber structures …
Predictive maintenance avoids downstream machine failures
It’s long been agreed that reactive maintenance isn’t effective. Instead of allowing equipment to reach the point of failure, issues can be spotted much earlier by detecting subtle changes in the machinery over time. With this insight, predictive maintenance is enabled and parts can be replaced before a total breakdown occurs. A predictive maintenance program is effective if the alert …
Nail laminated timber growing in popularity
With several installations under its belt, Timmerman Timberworks Inc. has opted to automate fabrication of nail-laminated timber (NLT) panels. The firm, based in New Lowell, Ont., is reportedly the only company in Canada to have done so. It is currently installing panels at 80 Atlantic Ave. in Toronto, the first new timber-frame commercial building to be constructed in the city …
PGF to support Taranaki sawmill project
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) will provide a loan of up to NZ$1.8 million to TaranakiPine to allow the company to diversify and create new jobs, New Zealand’s Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced this week. TaranakiPine is in the early stages of producing factory finished engineered timber panels, which can be used in the construction of floors and …
Hyne partners with Stirling Machinery for GLT plant
Hyne Timber, manufacturer and distributor of high volume industrial, structural and engineered timber products have announced a major expansion of their Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) plant in Maryborough, Queensland. The move has involved the purchase and installation of 14 new machines supplied by Australian firm, Stirling Machinery, part of the Accurate Group. With the rise of the use of GLT …