Welcome to the latest issue of WoodTECH.News. Last month we mentioned that the programme for WoodTECH 2021 was in development. Every two years, this technology event focuses on sawmilling and saws. It’s one that we’re really excited about and one that will be quite different to past events. While WoodTECH is well known for bringing down 20 to 30 international equipment …
H2F treated framing: Disposing of a myth
It has been suggested that the reuse of H2F framing at the end of a building’s life may pose a substantial problem in 20-30 years. This article explains the nature and benefits of H2F framing, why the suggested timeline is too short and why the magnitude of the problem has been over-estimated. H2F treated framing, easily recognised by the distinctive …
WoodTECH 2021 linking NZ and Australian sawmills
For over 20 years now, sawmillers and saw-doctors have been meeting every two years in New Zealand and in Australia. The occasion? The WoodTECH series. It’s run by the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) and designed with industry and key technology and equipment providers. The event provides a unique independent showcase for local companies to evaluate the very latest in …
The forestry shows in 2021 – What´s up?
Fortunately, a full series of technology events and shows are being planned in Australasia by the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA). A full list of events can be found on the FIEA website. This week, Rotorua hosted the annual MobileTECH Ag 2021 event and in just three weeks’ time, forest managers and harvesting contractors will be coming into Rotorua for …
Glulam on the BIG Stage
Over the past few months, the TimberLab manufacturing team in New Zealand have been focusing their efforts on the delivery of components for one of NZ’s largest and most complex Glulam projects to date, the University of Waikato, The Pā. “The Pā will provide a new main entrance to the campus, a student hub (including food outlets and social learning …
NZ paper & packaging mill closure confirmed
Whakatāne Mill Ltd (WML) confirmed in a statement on Tuesday that the mill will cease production on June 21 and close for good on June 30. A proposal to close the facility was announced last month. After consultation with staff, no viable alternative or buyer for the business had been found and the decision was made to close the mill. …
Why NZ’s wood processors are under stress
The closure of Whakatāne Mill has put the ailing wood processing industry in New Zealand back in the headlines, with calls for urgent steps to avoid more closures. “This is a violation of our responsibility to future generations,” says David Turner, the executive director of Sequal, a wood processing factory in Kawerau that employs 80 people. He predicts more mills …
20% production increase for Hyne’s Tuan mill
20% production increase for Hyne’s Tuan mill Recruitment is set to commence for 50 more jobs created in Maryborough as the member for Maryborough, Bruce Saunders MP and Hyne Timber CEO, Jon Kleinschmidt announces an AU$14.5M expansion project. With demand for structural and engineered timber products on the increase, 139-year-old, privately owned Hyne Timber is investing for growth and increased …
Carter Holt Harvey’s NZ supply shakeup
A decision by Carter Holt Harvey to stop supplying wood products to major retailers could redefine how houses are built in New Zealand, an industry organisation says. Mitre 10 and Bunnings have confirmed to Stuff Carter Holt Harvey has stopped supplying them with wood products. Mitre 10 chief of customer solutions Chris Peak said Carter Holt Harvey Woodproducts had told …
NZ manufacturers being left behind
New Zealand manufacturers are being left behind as other countries build up support for their manufacturing industries through COVID-19 and beyond, says the New Zealand Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA). A new report released this week by the WPMA ‘International Manufacturing Policy and Programme Responses to COVID-19’ documents major interventions by New Zealand’s main trading partners. The report by …
WoodTECH Update – Issue 34
Welcome to the latest issue of WoodTECH.News. The design of the WoodTECH 2021 programme aimed at sawmillers, saw doctors and wood producers in both New Zealand and Australia is already underway. As detailed in last month’s issue, for the first time it’s being run at the same time this year – in both countries. Further details will follow in the next …
Is treated H2 timber framing a time bomb?
The near-universal use of H2 blue, green or red framing timber in construction is now a time bomb for landfill in 20-40 years’ time. It cannot be composted nor recycled, and thus is sent to landfill. In an ideal world, buildings would be carefully deconstructed and every skerrick reused, but in the Land of Oz, where labourers are paid $55 …
Pan Pac invests $13m in new log infeed system
Pan Pac Forest Products plans to substantially upgrade the sawmill log infeed system at its Whirinaki (Hawke’s Bay) site in New Zealand. The investment (at approximately NZ$13 million) to replace the sawmill log infeed system originally installed in the early 1980s highlights the continued commitment of Pan Pac’s shareholder Oji Holdings, said Pan Pac Managing Director Tony Cliifford. ‘Such strategic …
Whakatane mill may shut down
More than 200 staff at the Whakatane Mill in the eastern Bay of Plenty have this week been presented with a proposal to close the mill. General Manager Juha Verajankorva said in a statement that, faced with the loss of its biggest customer, the plant was no longer economically viable. “We have begun consultation with staff on a proposal to …
New timber building tops out in Brisbane
The latest five storey mass engineered timber building to be constructed in Queensland, topped out last week as the final, prefabricated Glue Laminated Timber Beams and Cross Laminated Timber panels are craned into position. The NIOA facility extension in the Brisbane Airport precinct is the first mass timber structure of its kind for builder, Besix Watpac and Site Manager, Ben …
Timber Machining apprentices thriving
MLC, a New Zealand manufacturing company currently has two staff members who started an apprenticeship programme in timber machining. In this article, we take a look at the career path of the two employees and how they have got to where they are within the company. Simon Williams-Fry, one of the company’s first trained machinists who completed his apprenticeship over …
Largest investment ever made in Finnish forest industry
Metsä Fibre, part of Metsä Group, has made the investment decision to build a new bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. The value of the investment is EUR 1.6 billion and it is the largest investment ever made by the Finnish forest industry in Finland. The construction phase will take approximately two and a half years, and the mill will be …
Neville Smith announces production increases
More than 40 jobs are set to be created both in the short and long term across Tasmania in the forestry industry, after Neville Smith Forest Products announced an increase in production at their Southwood site in the Huon Valley. A further 30 full time jobs will be created in the state’s south as a result of a second shift …
Hundegger supplying CNC machinery for CLT/GLT plant
Timberlink Australia is delighted to partner with Hans Hundegger AG who will supply the key CNC machining equipment for the new Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glue Laminated Timber (GLT) plant being built in Tarpeena, South Australia. The decision to commission Hundegger Australasia Pty Ltd comes following an extensive international review to find the best Computer Numerical Control (CNC) panel …
WoodTECH Update – Issue 33
Welcome to the latest issue of WoodTECH.News. As the first issue of the year goes out, we’re reminded that COVID-19 still has a big part to play in 2021. At the time of publication, Perth has just entered a 5-day lockdown, as mutated strains of the virus create headaches for the teams attempting to stop the spread. New Zealand has just …
Modifying timber to reduce fire risk
In the wake of the last, disastrous fire season in Australia, materials are under close scrutiny. Clever options like FLAMEfixx use advanced technology to make timber safer in BAL zones and beyond. The Bushfire Royal Commission recently handed down its 1,000-page final report. Alongside important recommendations regarding government action, better firefighting capacity and mitigation strategies, an entire chapter (19) is …
AU$14 m investment in WA mill
Manjimup in Western Australia will receive an economic boost this year, with the re-activation of a local timber processing centre creating 65 full-time jobs. The new jobs are the result of an AU$14 million dollar investment from Parkside Timber, as it retires its dry millat Greenbushes to upgrade the Manjimup facility. A spokesperson for Parkside said recruitment had already started, …
Softwood sawn timber testing facility set up
A research project that’s looking into the mechanical properties of softwood sawn timber has resulted in the establishment of a world-leading, dedicated timber testing facility in South Australia, from which industry is likely to reap rewards for years to come. The state-of-the art laboratory, established at The University of South Australia’s (UniSA) Mawson Lakes campus, has been fitted with the …
New sustainable biocide into more markets
The introduction of BIOBIOWOOD provides the wood industry a sustainable solution that can turn softwoods and soft hardwoods into premium hardwoods without the use of biocides. IWT-Moldrup is providing a complete system with equipment, processes, and resins. IWT-Moldrup uses a resin, which protects the wood againsttermites and other insects and it creates a solid and bio-friendlydurability in low-cost wood species …
Early Expressions of interest – WoodTECH 2021
Plans are now well underway for ustralasia’s major sawmilling event, WoodTECH 2021. Despite major woodworking tradeshows, exhibitions and conferences throughout Europe, North America and Asia been cancelled in 2020 and stops already being put on most shows well into 2021, we’re confident, that WoodTECH 2021 will run this year in New Zealand and Australia on 3-4 August. In fact, it’s …
Managing moisture content in the supply chain
The timber industry is being encouraged to share their experience in managing timber’s moisture content (MC) in the supply chain. Unexpected MC changes in timber and wood products can be a cause of concern, and University of Tasmania researchers want to hear industry’s first-hand experience with these changes and the problems that they can generate. “Timber’s MC can change significantly …
Timberlink selects site for new CLT &GLT plant
Timberlink’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Tyson, is pleased to advise that after a significant review of possible locations, the Timberlink Tarpeena sawmill site has been selected to build Australia’s first softwood, state-of-the-art CLT (Cross Laminated Timber) and GLT (Glue Laminated Timber) manufacturing facility. Initially creating 27 full-time permanent jobs, then rising to 50 jobs once the plant reaches its capacity. …
Latest edition quarterly Timber Market Survey out
Prices in Australia for untreated MGP products remained relatively stable over the September quarter 2020. Price movements for MGP10 products ranged between 0.1% and 0.3%, while price movements for MGP12 products were within +/-0.1%. Treated F7 product prices showed slightly larger movements that were in a downwards direction and ranged between -0.4% and -0.2%. Mixed results were seen in treated …
WoodTECH Update – Issue 32
Welcome to the latest issue of WoodTECH.News. December is finally here and what a year it’s been. COVID-19, the biggest pandemic in 100 years, has seen countries shutdown, borders closed and economies severely impacted. It’s also reinforced the importance of family, our colleagues and our connections throughout the sector. With vaccines now on the horizon, it will be interesting to see …