Sustainability in Joinery

Sustainability is a term easily looked at and approached from one perspective. In modern times the important topic of sustainability has been brought to the front of many policies and discussions at both local and national levels. It feels like everyone is trying to do their bit to make the world a more sustainable place with the use of reusable bags, straws and choosing natural fibers over synthetic clothes. However sustainability can be two dimensioned, there is more than one way to approach it.

Sustainability on one hand means “The avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain ecological balance”. On the other hand it can mean “The ability to maintain a certain rate or level”. Question is how do we maintain a certain level or avoid depleting natural resources? All members of staff, families and government need to commonly agree to prioritise sustainability to the same degree. Many of us will be fatigued by the current workloads and resilience will be the way we pick ourselves and each other up to maintain our common goal.

Resilience is often associated with sustainability, the cornerstone of sustainability resides in resilience. I understand the challenges of sustainability will mean the movement of money, focus, priorities and materials away from their usual place which can be daunting to think about. Everyone needs to have the same amount of buy in to ever make a difference.

Members of the MJ community are currently participating in a co-design project with Emina Petrovic and her colleagues from Victoria University named “Developing aspirational change – better kitchen joinery outcomes for all”. This has received funding from Branz to conduct a study on the use of sustainable materials used in the kitchen joinery industry and producing a more sustainable product in turn reducing the amount of waste going back into landfill. This is an exciting project and I look forward to seeing it progress over the next 3 years.

Now is the best time to address this overdue conversation which should include not only the impact and the sustainability of that but also our resilience to be able to adapt. From a Master Joiners perspective we can see how a 3D approach to sustainability is how the future of our memberships and trades growth is secured. There is the first and second take on sustainability and it is a worthy conversation to have in conjunction with the way that we shore up our ability to withstand and recover from difficulties, springing back into shape in much the same way we need our environment to do. Sustainability, resilience and growth will become pivotal at our Master Joiners conference in May this year.

Back costing, boosting the wellbeing of our staff, managing our client relationships and the experience they have with the timber joinery sector, compliant timber joinery and productivity are all relative to growth and sustainability. The biggest challenge will be how we teach the next generation of business owners to pick up on good habits to carry that forward. I know one day I will be putting my feet up surveying the landscape and I’m adamant that there is no time like now to participate in exploring the dimensions of sustainability we are yet to explore. In that conversation we will bring our team because it’s our team who will ultimately be responsible for running the ball.

Our “Inspired to Grow” conference theme is also dimensional with content to trigger conversations, expand on the way we shore up and grow our resilience and sustainability in a way that strengthens our profession, our joiners but also our clients.

Regards,

Andrew Reilly National President Registered Master Joiners

Official

CNC changing the woodworking industry

As I write this we have just come through Cyclone Gabrielle. Not a good time for many throughout the North Island in particular. Our thoughts - Michael and I - are with all those affected by the bad weather. Despite this we have a full issue with lots for you to read and look at. Of particular note is our feature looking at selecting CNC technology. Over the last decade or so there have been many changes and improvements as to what is available. Everything from sophisticated CNC processing centres to automated storage systems to ever improving edgebanding cells. The influence of CNC has really changed the face of the woodworking industry. We have a bit of the latest in this issue including an interview with Alexis Pantelides representing Homag here in New Zealand. Makes for interesting reading.

We also have a catch up on the forty year anniversary of the Melteca plant in Hamilton. It is interesting to see how it has developed from open farmland to now being part of an industrial hub and a very important part of the New Zealand operation operated by Laminex NZ. I particularly enjoyed interviewing the Plant Manager David Miles. Another anniversary of note in this issue is the twenty one years since Prime Panels was established later becoming NZ Panels Group. Many will recognise the three founders Nav, Robert and Hugo I’m sure.

New products abound in this issue too. Of note are product from Bellevue Architectural in the high end of European door hardware, woodworking machinery from Stirling Machinery, FIT with a new range of concealed pocket doors and Hettich with a new addition to their outdoor cabinetry hardware offering. I always like to draw attention to the State of the Industry reports from Master Joiner chapters around the country. These are up to date snapshots of how things are going for the joinery industry. The general message seems to say things will remain very busy in 2023. The conference for the Master Joiners this year is in Wellington in late May and I’m sure it will be well attended as usual. I’m sure you will all find something of interest in this issue

Bob Nordgren

Editor Michael Goddard michael@joiners.net.nz

Publisher Bob Nordgren bob@joiners.net.nz

ISSN and opinion are not necessarily those of the publisher, its staff, the New Zealand Joinery Manufacturers Federation Inc., or their executives, unless expressly stated. All articles printed in JOINERS Magazine are subject to copyright and cannot be reproduced without the express consent of the Publisher or the authors therein. Advertisements and articles are accepted without liability as to the accuracy or otherwise of the factual matters represented.

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