It is vital that machinery which requires human interaction is adequately guarded to protect workers from risk, says WorkSafe. This message comes after a worker for Kiwi Lumber suffered fatal chest injuries when she was pulled into machinery the sawmill used for grading and sorting timber in November 2018. WorkSafe’s investigation found when the worker accessed the machine to clear …
AKD restarts Irrewarra sawmilling operation
AKD has announced that they will recommence operations at their Irrewarra sawmilling site to provide more Australian produced timber for their customers and employment opportunities in the Colac region. In May because of CoVid-19 the business made the decision to idle its Irrewarra sawmill in a pre-emptive move to flex AKD production in anticipation of reduced market demand. “The decision …
Timberlink selects new CLT and GLT equipment supplier
Timberlink Australia is pleased to announce that following an extensive international review, Danish based Kallesoe Machinery A/S has been selected as the manufacturing equipment supplier for Timberlink’s planned Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) plant. Working alongside Timberlink, Kallesoe will supply and commission a turnkey solution providing plant design, manufacturing equipment and installation, supported by a fully …
NZ sawmill picks up major skills award
A New Zealand sawmilling operation, Westco Lumber Ltd, picked up this week a major award at the at the 2020 Diversity Awards NZ™ for their efforts to improve learning amongst its staff and workers. West Coast sawmill business Westco Lumber Ltd wanted to reinvigorate a culture of learning among its workers, recognising that an engaged workforce has been key to …
Blenheim sawmill to close by end of the year
In early September we reported on a review that was being undertaken in conjunction with PwC on the future of Timberlink New Zealand’s Blenheim sawmill. The sawmill was taken over by Australian company Timberlink in September 2015, after they bought the site from Flight Timbers. It had invested more than NZ$10 million into the Blenheim site, where it processed 123,000 …
Businesses must ensure machines are guarded to highest standard
A worker who was seven weeks into his first job has been left unable to return to work after he lost three fingers and part of his palm as the result of a traumatic amputation in unguarded machinery. Yesterday, Taranaki Sawmills Limited was sentenced at the New Plymouth District Court for failing to ensure the machine was safe for workers …
Caboolture restarting and reinvesting
AKD confirmed that the Caboolture Sawmill will recommence operations on the 14th of September 2020, after a brief closure period due to a storage shed fire in June. This recommencement is possible due to the rebuilding of the fuel handling system which will make for a safer and more sustainable business in the long term. In addition, AKD is excited …
NZ sawmill set to create 50 jobs
Kiwi Lumber is to set up permanent operations following the successful trial of a sawmill at Matawhero, Gisborne. The operation will create 50 jobs and pave the way for NZ$15 million of capital investment over the next three years and a substantial investment in systems and teams. Kiwi Lumber managing director Adam Gresham is confident the Matawhero mill can be …
Claymark sale process successful
The Receivers of the wood products company, the Claymark Group, have announced that they have signed an agreement for the sale of the Companies’ business and assets as a going concern. The agreement is unconditional and settlement is set to occur on 30 September 2020. The business has been purchased by a consortium led by Paul Pedersen. The receivership was …