FOREST TALK

NZ manufacturers left behind

“WHILE NEW ZEALAND HAS REBOUNDED

well from the recession, GDP and production have not yet returned to pre-COVID levels. At a time when COVID support is being wound back here, our trading partners are upping the ante to kick-start and support recovery efforts and, in some cases drive forward substantial industrial innovation strategies,” says New Zealand Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association (WPMA) Chair Brian Stanley.

As a result, New Zealand manufacturers are being left behind as other countries build up support for their manufacturing industries, he says, citing a new report by the WPMA titled International Manufacturing Policy and Programme Responses to COVID-19.

The report, by MartinJenkins consultancy, documents major interventions by New Zealand’s main trading partners. In 2020, around 200 countries introduced COVIDrelated economic support measures worth an estimated US$12-17 trillion, representing 13-19% of global GDP.

Countries like Australia, Singapore and South Korea have introduced major manufacturing strategies to grow the value of their manufacturing sectors and build resilient supply chains. Many other countries have used the COVID crisis to accelerate investment in digital and low-emission technologies to support productivity growth and the transition to a low carbon future.

“The immediate challenge is that COVID continues to change everything and we can’t sit back and rely on NZ’s traditional processes to respond to those challenges,” says Mr Stanley.

“Our wood manufacturers are now up against international competitors receiving substantial and ongoing additional assistance. Furthermore, this is all happening within a trade environment where barriers remain high. We need to see urgent government efforts with the private sector to support the competitiveness of our manufacturers in global markets where there is now scant regard for World Trade Organization (WTO) rules,” he explains.

Another factor is that the completion of New Zealand’s Industry Transformation Plans will be around mid-2021 meaning any initiatives are not likely to be in place before the end of 2021 at the earliest.

“We can’t wait till the end of the year while other countries are already implementing policy and programme support. Other countries are moving fast to bolster their value-adding industries and our manufacturers are seriously getting left behind.”

WPMA Vice-Chair, John Eastwood, also senior executive for the trans-Tasman engineered wood manufacturer XLAM, says the closure of the Whakatane mill highlights the need for government to prevent further decline.

“It’s yet another casualty in a long line of closures in our domestic wood processing industry due to the failure of successive governments to address unfair trade environments and support the competitiveness of our manufacturers.

“There are some key levers government can and must pull immediately to assist manufacturers.”

The WPMA proposes the following immediate interventions in line with other countries: • Accelerated depreciation: Enabling capital investment in digital, Industry 4.0 and greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies to be fully depreciated in the first year. • Government procurement: Embedding domestic manufacturing in the pipeline of major infrastructure and housing projects being delivered over the next decade through improved pre-commercial procurement processes with industry, requiring partnerships with local businesses and adopting content requirements for projects such as local capability development or carbon neutrality. • A step change in R&D support: Significantly increasing the level and accessibility of R&D funding available to enable New Zealand manufacturing to transition to a low carbon future. This would be consistent with recommendations in the Climate Change Commission’s recent report.

Mr Stanley says New Zealand is missing an opportunity now and in the medium term to set policies that encourage higher levels of investment in our wood manufacturing sector.

“New Zealand’s post-COVID economic recovery, particularly the infrastructure/ construction pipelines and shovel ready projects are under threat because of shipping delays. Given the $129 billion infrastructure pipeline over the next decade, and the significant housing deficit, government needs to think differently and to act quickly,” he says. NZL

WPMA Chair, Brian Stanley.

Whakatāne Mill closure ‘devastating’

THE CLOSURE OF WHAKATĀNE MILL HAS

been confirmed, with over 150 skilled operational workers being made redundant after 85 years of operations.

FIRST Union and E tū say the impact on the local community will be significant, however there is still a chance for a new buyer to repurpose the existing plant and secure crucial infrastructure in New Zealand’s forestry supply chain.

“There are many options for refitting the existing assets to continue manufacturing pulp and paper products,” says Jared Abbott, FIRST Union Secretary for Transport, Logistics and Finance.

“We are inviting potential buyers to ask for our assistance to get the support needed to make the most of the existing skills and infrastructure available.

“There are opportunities in the industry and there is an important role for Government to play in securing the wood supply chain and increasing our manufacturing capacity.”

E tū spokesperson, Raymond Wheeler, says the announcement of the closure is “devastating” for local industry, including businesses such as scaffolding and engineering.

“We’ve just had the economic impact of the Whakaari (White Island) eruption and COVID-19 on Whakatāne’s tourism industry to contend with, and now the region has been dealt this blow. It’s an enormous hit to the regions and to the eastern Bay of Plenty.”

Mr Wheeler says job opportunities in the area are limited, and emphasises the urgency around the Government’s work on an Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) for the forestry and wood processing sector, if local manufacturing is to survive. NZL

Where’s the spending on road freight?

THERE IS ALMOST NO MENTION OF STRATEGIC FREIGHT ROUTES

that will enable trucks to move around the city more easily in the $31 billion Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) announced last month.

National Road Carriers Association (NRC) CEO, David Aitken, says the ATAP announced by Minister of Transport, Michael Wood, and Auckland Mayor, Phil Goff, is practically silent on road freight.

The report is just about all about walking, cycling and public transport. “It will help some people get to where they want to go – but what about transporting food to eat, medicines, clothing and manufacturing supplies?” he asks.

“The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that truck drivers play a vital role in delivering essential supplies for New Zealanders. Everything we consume is delivered by multiple truck trips from seaport or airport to distribution centres and then on to retail outlets or direct to homes. The public sees the freight industry as heroes as a result of their work during COVID.”

Mr Aitken says the ATAP report is unbalanced: “This is very disappointing because half of the investment comes from the National Land Transport Fund, whose main contributor is the freight community through road user charges, which were increased last year.

“The long-delayed all-important East West link is now back on the table as the High Court last week dismissed appeals by Forest and Bird and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei but there is no mention of the link in this report.”

The consented East West link project includes a four-lane road between the Neilson Street interchange at SH20 and the Mount Wellington interchange on SH1, connections to local roads in Onehunga and Penrose, cycleways and work on the foreshore, headlands and wetlands.

Mr Aitken says there is also no mention of upgrades to other strategic arterial routes including Favona Road, Mangere which is a Level 1B freight route (second highest priority) “servicing 2021 transport on a 1960s road network”.

“ATAP stands for Auckland Transport Alignment Project. Where is the alignment for the transport of material supplies? We have a long-term infrastructure deficit that needs addressing. It won’t go away by ignoring it.

“The ATAP report caters for a portion of what is needed, namely commuter traffic. But that is what the Government focuses on all the time. There is not any recognition in here of the stuff that keeps people alive and houses them. Houses don’t just pop up. Housing development timelines of five years will become seven years if we can’t efficiently transport the materials there.

“This is good spending on commuter and leisure travel but not spending on the infrastructure deficit for freight – which is real.” NZL

NRC CEO, David Aitken.

Native trees to boost Awhitu Peninsula

RESTORING NATIVE TREES AND BIODIVERSITY AND IMPROVING

waterways on Auckland’s Awhitu Peninsula will be accelerated thanks to two projects supported and funded by the One Billion Trees Fund, administered by Te Uru Rākau – Forestry New Zealand.

Henry Weston, Acting Deputy Director-General, Te Uru Rākau, says these projects will enable between 15 and 20 jobs to be created for propagation, tree planting and maintenance, and for the expansion of Matakawau Community Nursery’s infrastructure to upscale seedling production from 15,000 to 62,500 stems per year.

The four-year Te Korowai o Papatūanuku Awhitu Peninsula Project received nearly $1.7 million to grow and plant 250,000 native trees, including the planting and maintenance of up to 49 hectares of high ecological value sites.

“The project is being led by partners Awhitu Landcare, Ngāti Te Ata and Auckland Council, and is a great example of how working in collaboration with our stakeholders delivers environmental and economic outcomes and value for our regions,” says Mr Weston. Eligible landowners in ecologically sensitive areas will get access to a planting plan, and subsidised native trees to plant and maintain. Planting and maintenance will be undertaken by Awhitu Landcare and Ngāti Te Ata.

“The project will include investment into Ngāti Te Ata’s cultural landscape restoration activities, supporting kaitaikitanga through a training programme on seed propagation and mātauranga Māori learnings,” Mr Weston explained.

He adds that waterways in the Auckland region will also benefit from an $80,000 investment by Te Uru Rākau in the Million Metres Streams Project.

Established by the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) in 2014, the project’s goal is to plant one million metres (1,000 km) of waterways to restore water quality and habitat health. SBN connects businesses, people, and landowners as part of the project.

“This investment will help support the organisation and the delivery of 20 projects to restore approximately 20 kilometres of waterways with 100,000 seedlings over the next eight months,” says Mr Weston.

The Hauraki Gulf will benefit from these projects, with waterway restoration reducing erosion and sediment movement into the Gulf. NZL

New Chair for FISC

New FISC Chair, Simon O’Grady.

LOOKING AT SIMON O’GRADY’S BUSINESS CARD YOU MIGHT

wonder why he became the new independent Chair of the Forest Industry Safety Council (FISC).

Simon is currently Chief Investment Officer at Kiwi Wealth, a Kiwisaver and investment management business owned by the New Zealand Super Fund, ACC and NZ Post.

He is a highly qualified and experienced investment manager, having worked in the field for more than 25 years in Australia and New Zealand. He is also one of a select group of investment professionals in New Zealand to achieve Chartered Financial Analyst status.

Simon takes over as Chair in April, when FISC’s inaugural Chair, Dame Alison Patterson, steps down after almost six years in the job.

So, what does this Wellington-based investment expert bring to the role of chairing a pan-industry council focused on improving health and safety in forestry?

Well, quite a lot actually. He has a good understanding of the economic drivers of the forestry sector and value chain, experience as a small-block forest owner, and a personal desire to ‘give back’ and make a difference.

In his investment roles Simon has developed an in-depth understanding of the investment and financial side of the industry. He also co-owns two forestry blocks totalling about 400 hectares, one in the Marlborough Sounds and one in Horowhenua.

“I took the role as Chair because FISC does such an important job and I want to contribute to that work. I bring analytical and strategic capabilities to the role that I hope will support the organisation at a governance level and help it deliver on its goals,” he says.

While he has professional and personal forestry experience, not working directly in the industry means he can operate as an independent Chair.

“This independence is essential because a key part of the Chair’s role is facilitation, bringing together the diverse groups represented within FISC. These stakeholders include workers, contractors, owners/managers and government,” says Simon.

He adds that his initial focus over the next six months will Be “listening and learning” to deepen his understanding of Health & Safety in forestry and of FISC’s work. Longer-term he’s keen to contribute to developing FISC’s strategy, including exploring how economic factors could impact on Health & Safety in the industry.

“I am impressed by the work to date done by the Council and Fiona Ewing, National Safety Director, and her team. Safetree is an outstanding initiative that, together with other programmes, is really helping to develop a safety ethos within the industry,” he says.

As the first pan-industry health and safety body set up in New Zealand, FISC has been something of a trailblazer and has put in place effective initiatives, says Simon. “But the industry’s Health & Safety performance shows workers are still being harmed, so there is still much work to do.”

He will continue to be based in Wellington but will spend time getting to know industry participants around the country.

Simon will be formally welcomed onto the FISC Council at its next meeting in April.

AS PART OF ITS INITIATIVE TO HELP THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY

learn and become safer, WorkSafe is sharing information about forestry fatalities. With thanks to Mr Whare’s whānau, the Contractor and Principal for this information about a fatality near Masterton in January: • Person: Steve Whare, 53 years old, an experienced and popular member of the logging crew. • Date: 26 January 2021. • Location: Tinui Valley, near Masterton. • Employer: Egmont Logging harvesting for Farman Turkington Forestry. • Activity: Machine-assisted felling of a mature Macrocarpa shelter belt on farmland. • Terrain and conditions: At the time of the incident Mr Whare was clear-felling on the flat and it was clear underfoot. The weather was hot and sunny. • Circumstances: Indications are that Mr Whare had completed his cuts on a tree being held by a grapple. It appears as though the shelter belt was close cropped about 30 years old. It had a mean height of approximately 32 metres, with intertwined tops. WorkSafe understands that Mr Whare retreated to a partially protected position two trees away. Following that, it appears that as the machine started to move to lower the cut tree, the top third of the tree next to it (intertwined top), broke off, fatally striking Mr Whare. WorkSafe says its investigation is ongoing and the information above is as it understood events at the time of this update. • RiskManagement:WorkSafe says the Health and Safety at Work Act requires those in control of, influencing, or arranging work, to do all that is reasonably practical to protect workers and others from harm arising from that work. A principle of the Act is that workers should be provided the highest level of protection against harm to their health, safety and welfare from hazards and risks arising from work. In high-risk situations this means understanding and applying the hierarchy of controls. If the risk cannot be eliminated, then the next step is to look for ways that the work can be done without risk before adopting measures to manage the risk. Where trees can be fully mechanically felled, they should be. Only where they cannot and must be felled should exposing a tree faller with a chainsaw to the risk be considered. NZL

Taking on new challenges

BRENT GUILD HAS BEEN APPOINTED

Executive General Manager, New Zealand, by OneFortyOne. He replaces Lees Seymour, who resigned from the role in late 2020.

“We are pleased to confirm Brent’s appointment,” says OneFortyOne Chief Executive Officer, Andy Giles Knopp. “Brent has been working as General Manager Forests for OneFortyOne New Zealand since 2019 and as one of two acting leaders for the New Zealand team for the past several months. In this role he has made a significant impact on the business, particularly during a difficult 2020.”

Brent says he is looking forward to the challenges and opportunities offered by the role:

“Our industry is an important contributor to the Nelson Tasman and Marlborough regions. We have very committed teams in both the forest and the mill, and I am looking forward to working with them and better understanding the aspirations of our stakeholders.” NZL

OneFortyOne’s new Executive General Manager New Zealand, Brent Guild.

Māori trades and training set to benefit

WHĀNAU AND COMMUNITIES IN

Tairāwhiti-East Coast, Northland-Tai Tokerau and the Bay of Plenty are set to benefit from a funding boost for Māori Trades and Training.

“The Government is continuing to support Māori into work and training by investing $5.5m to help up to 150 Māori train and gain qualifications,” says Social Development and Employment Minister, Carmel Sepuloni.

“The funding recipients are Manaia SAFE Forestry School and the ICONIQ Group in Tairāwhiti-East Coast, North Drill in Northland-Tai Tokerau and Minginui Nursery in the Bay of Plenty.

“The four funding recipients are providing high quality programmes to help their regions’ rangatahi get the training and qualifications they need to find long-term jobs in their local communities.

“But these programmes are about more than just learning new skills. They also provide rangatahi with the pastoral care, guidance, qualifications and confidence to productively participate in their local communities, while helping build a stronger economy.

“Rangatahi will be taught how to safely work in forestry, acquire horticulture nursery skills and get the experience needed to get jobs in the drilling, mining and quarrying industries. Alternatively they will learn how to build safe, warm, healthy homes, benefitting their whānau and the neighbourhoods they live in.

“Today’s announcement is focused on regions where we want to engage with Māori and rangatahi who have been impacted by COVID-19, or who are not in education, employment or training. We want to help Māori get the training and qualifications they need, in order to find long-term jobs. NZL

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ACC backs Robotic scaling tech

Top: Robotic Scaling Machine (RSM) checkpoint. Above: RSM scanning using a robotic arm (left); RSM scanning on truck (centre); RSM scan of logs and QR codes (right).

WITH LOGS BEING NEW ZEALAND’S THIRD-BIGGEST EXPORT,

worth $4.5 billion in 2020, log handling is also a major cause of workplace injuries, with some 17,000 active claims costing $75 million last year, ACC data shows.

Now, ACC has teamed up with one of the world’s top 50 robotics companies, Tauranga-based Robotics Plus, to improve the Health & Safety of forestry and port workers.

The technology being developed by Robotics Plus includes a Robotic Scaling Machine (RSM) that can more quickly and accurately measure the volume of timber on logging trucks, eliminating the dangerous manual task of climbing over trucks to measure logs at ports, forestry sites and sawmills.

Injuries easily occur when workers climb ramps to individually scan and measure each log with a ruler. The new technology cuts scaling time from around 40 minutes per truck to just four-and-a-half.

“It starts at the back-end of the truck and works forward and it scans each face of the logs. Then we apply some machine-learning algorithms that do the scaling or the circumference of the log,” says Robotics Plus co-founder and CEO, Steve Saunders.

Mount Maunganui-based port logistics company, ISO Limited, which handles more than half of New Zealand’s log exports, has recorded no injuries or fatalities in log scaling since installing 11 RSMs at sites across the North and South Islands. The move has also allowed workers that were doing this task manually to be moved to higher-skilled positions.

“It’s safer and more productive than the previous manual system used throughout the world which requires people to manually scan and measure the logs by climbing on to trucks and trailers to perform the task,” says Paul Cameron, CEO of ISO.

“We are excited to partner with Robotics Plus to take this innovative Kiwi technology to the rest of the world,” adds ACC’s Head of Private Markets, Martin Goldfinch. “This investment is a perfect fit with our goal to ensure Kiwis stay healthy and safe while contributing to a financially sustainable scheme for the benefit of all New Zealanders. That’s the impact we want to make – combining ACC’s established expertise in injury prevention with its proven skill in investment management.” ACC’s Impact Investment Fund used for this project sits within the target range of $2 million to $15 million.

Steve adds: “It’s great to have ACC investing in Robotics Plus alongside the continued support of Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co. ACC is an excellent strategic fit as it aligns with our values and our vision. The investment will help us accelerate the development of our advanced technologies that help solve complex global problems, including robotic log scaling technology, as we scale up rapidly and enter new markets internationally while providing solutions domestically.”

The RSM, developed in collaboration with ISO, led to Robotics Plus being listed on Robotics Business Review’s top 50 most transformative companies in the global robotics sector in 2020.

The technology is among a suite of innovative projects Robotics Plus has developed, including robotic fruit packers that reduce the musculoskeletal strains and injuries associated with repetitive manual tasks, and robots capable of a variety of tasks in horticulture. NZL

3D truck imaging.

Woodland warrior

JOHN DEERE’S NEW SIX-WHEEL 768L-II BOGIE SKIDDER IS A TRUE

woodland warrior, designed to conquer wet conditions and steep slope terrain. Incorporating the proven features of John Deere’s existing skidders, the new 768L-II maximises productivity, performance, and comfort when carrying hefty loads over long distances in challenging conditions.

“Profitability and productivity are critical in the woods, and as loggers take to new areas for jobs, they need dependable machines that are built with these niche applications in mind,” says Matthew Flood, product marketing manager, John Deere Forestry. “With our new bogie skidder, we’re delivering a purpose-built machine that navigates tough terrain, such as swamps or steep slopes.”

The 209kW (281hp) 768L-II features heavy-duty bogie axles, which incorporate large components to maximise durability and stability for long axle and tyre life. The heavy-duty axles are purpose-built for tough applications, pulling heavy loads and manoeuvring through terrain. The smooth, stable operation results in reduced machine vibration, ultimately minimising operator fatigue. Another key feature is its tractive ability and floatation. When combined with the bogie axles, ground pressure is reduced, allowing the 768L-II to work in wet terrain not accessible with a four-wheel skidder. As a result, the harvesting window is extended, adding more working days to the calendar.

The new arch design provides the operator with an expansive rearward view of the grapple and work area, for good visibility. The long wheelbase and boom-arch envelope boost reach and lift capability for the boom and grapple. The tight turning radius enhances agility at the landing.

“The John Deere bogie skidder is hands down twice as good as a regular four-tyre skidder. It’s just all-around better in my book for productivity and ground disturbance,” says Jason Dawson of Triple J Logging. “With the 768L-II, you can carry twice as much of a load, especially in wet conditions and on steep terrain, without tearing the ground up.”

The 768L-II retains the other customer-favourite features introduced on the L-II product line-up. Streamlined and redesigned electrical and hydraulic systems result in improved uptime and increased guarding and protection of key components. An improved grapple squeeze force and two-speed winch further increase productivity, while articulation steering sensors improve operator experience.

Other features include a spacious cab with ample storage space, configurable controls, and air conditioning. Armrest-mounted electrohydraulic controls offer hand-finger operation of all machine functions, and joystick steering provides smooth control of steer, direction and ground speed. The industry-exclusive Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) marries the efficiency of a direct-drive transmission with the smoothness of a hydrostatic drive. As a result, CVT provides more power to the ground by sensing the load, increasing torque and tractive effort as needed to maintain the desired speed. NZL

Investing in the future

ACTING DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL, HENRY WESTON, SAYS THE

Forestry and Wood Processing Workforce Action Plan, developed in partnership with the sector, has identified that up to 5000 more forestry and wood processing workers will be required by 2025.

With this in mind, Te Uru Rākau is delivering $1.5 million into training and employment projects to help the sector meet labour and skills gaps.

“The food and fibre sectors are a key driver for the New Zealand economy and it is a priority for the Ministry of Primary Industries to invest in projects that attract people to the sector,” says Mr Weston.

“As New Zealand continues to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19, we need people taking up careers in this important sector. The forestry and wood processing sectors already bring in between $6 and $7 billion each year, employ 35,000 people, and we want to keep helping New Zealanders find exciting and rewarding training and career opportunities.

“It was great to see 10 trainees graduate from a 17-week Taranakibased course at the end of 2020 and go straight into jobs. The training built the silviculture skills of young people, enabling them to work within the iwi land development programme and within the wider Taranaki region.”

By Jim Childerstone

Steve Johnson (far left) with the latest intake of Pathways forestry students, from left: Varseti McFelin, Michael Bennett, Harvey Tuckey, Connor Brown, Anthony Smart, Tane Parker, Joel Park, Luke Hewson, Ranah Herewhini, Harvey Pringle, Heath Brevenbeck, Alistair McKenzie (tutor).

Get forestry recruits out of school

GET FORESTRY RECRUITS OUT OF SCHOOL AND THEY COULD

stick with it, is what Steve Johnson of Johnson Forestry Services and Tokomairiro Training is finding with the current 11 strong group of youngsters in this year’s Forestry Career Pathways course.

Launched in 2019, the first eight trainees are mostly now in forestry and related jobs with a couple going on to further studies. Steve says the current crop are showing considerable enthusiasm and predicts they’ll stick with it. They come mostly from the Otago/ Southland region; also a couple from South Canterbury and one from the North Island. But it appears none from the tourist towns where redundant workers number into the thousands.

Both Steve and Mike Hurring held workshops in the resorts at the start of the first lockdown which indicated a flurry of interest that appears to have died away. Geoff Owen, DOC Operations Manager, Wakatipu, says the Department of Conservation recruited over 30 workers trained for wilding control, track and replanting work but they did not last the distance, saying he realises some jobs can be boring. However, Queenstown Lakes District Council, with its 650 hectares of forested reserves has not actively recruited any new workers under its original Ben Lomond Queenstown Hill 2005 management plan. The writer visited these sites recently and was confronted by thick regeneration of exotic weedy shrub and regenerating conifers. A council official told NZ Logger that the council intends to update the plan which will include employment in the amenity forested reserves.

Steve explains that the Pathways course was designed to find a career pathway into the forestry industry at any level. Two days in the week include industry visits, practical exercises and assignments.

Perhaps Lakes District high schools and tertiary institutions should include forestry as part of career recommendations. At least it adds another skill rather than relying solely on tourism during hard times.

Industry visits include to nursery, to forest, to processing plants, to ports, says Pathways tutor Alistair McKenzie, an ex Forestry Service qualified trainer with 45 years’ experience.

Practical exercises include planting, pruning and chainsaw use. “All protective equipment (PPE) tools required for the course are supplied,” he explains.

Pre-employment level drug testing, inductions and Health & Safety awareness are also included in the course. Some level 2 and level 3 unit standards are offered.

The courses are popular with, and supported by, Southern Wood Council Members, Wenita Forest Products, City Forests Dunedin and Earnslaw One, says Alistair. Other funding is provided by the Forest Growers Association, MSD and MBIE. Transport is provided from Dunedin and surrounding areas.

Steve says students from the previous two courses are working in silviculture, harvesting and processing. Others have gone on to tertiary study.

Johnson Forestry also runs a course for WINZ, taking in both redundant workers and those wanting to change jobs. Last year’s trainees included eight, of which five remained in forestry work. Johnson Forestry currently runs six crews, mostly within the two southern provinces doing planting, pruning, thinning operations. NZL

The course, run by Treemachine Services for rangatahi from Ngāti Maru and other Taranaki iwi, was funded by Te Uru Rākau with support from North Tec, Taranaki Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and Ministry of Social Development and forestry companies.

In Masterton, KTM Silviculture ran a programme for 24 trainees to gain Level 3 NZQA silviculture training qualifications.

“This will help address the skills gap in Wairarapa, which is currently holding back forestry activities in the region,” Mr Weston says.

“Funding provided to Tāne Mahuta in the Bay of Plenty enables 20 tairua (students) to do an eight-week Te Whakatō Rākau training programme, and we are also supporting a programme for 12 local rangitahi aged 18-29 run by Mohaka Kingz Contracting for their E Tū Kahikatoa project in Wairoa.

“The students will not only gain NZQA Level 2 and Level 3 forestry credits, they will get work experience in a commercial planting environment, nutrition advice and kaihautū mentor support within a kaupapa Māori framework.”

Te Uru Rākau is also supporting the education of younger students and a grant has been provided to the Southern North Island Wood Council to deliver the Wood is Good education programme. This programme teaches rural primary school students about logging truck safety and introduces aspects of forestry through in class activities.

Mr Weston says these training investments are part of Te Uru Rākau’s broad programme that is assisting the industry to meet its training and employment needs in coming years. NZL

Sawmill feed system gets a makeover

THE SPRINGER GROUP, AN AUSTRIAN, FAMILY-RUN COMPANY,

will be the main contractor for the new, earthquake-proof, heavyduty sawmill feed system at Pan Pac’s Whirinaki (Hawke’s Bay) site. The investment totals around NZD 13 million (approx. EUR 7.8 million).

Pan Pac, owned by the Japanese OJI Group, is a leading specialist in sustainable radiata pine products and New Zealand’s biggest exporter of high-quality premium appearance lumber throughout Asia. The project will include local partners like Lakeland Steel and Design Manufacture & Installation in Rotorua.

“The sawmill feed system to be replaced was originally installed in the early 1980s,” says Pan Pac Managing Director, Tony Clifford. The order was issued following several years of in-depth project work geared to customers’ highly specific requirements. However, Springer had already started to help Pan Pac develop the new heavyduty sawmill feed system back in 2017.

“Pan Pac has always harnessed international technologies to improve processes and our product range’s lumber quality for our customers worldwide, which is why we chose the Springer Group,” explains Michael Reaburn, Pan Pac’s general manager of lumber.

In order to minimise downtime, system integration, commissioning and project hand-over are scheduled during a planned shut-down of the plant at the end of 2022.

Facts and figures about the project: • System capacity: 15 cycles/minute, unsorted mixed operation, length of the log 3.4 – 6 metres, LED 0,9 metres and max. log envelopes of up to 1.1 metres. • Annual log feeding capacity: 950,000 tonnes/1,100.00 m³ p.a. • Radiata pine logs supplied by the company’s own forestry enterprise and from its own forests. • Heavy-duty sawmill feed system with two parallel double-feed decks (deep pile 2.5 m). • Consecutively alternating log feed from the two two-stage feed decks to ensure seamless feed to the saw line according to the production specifications, as well as symmetrical utilisation of the sorting systems. • LOGEYE 301 with WiNLOG recording at the saw infeed, sorting, production data capture/logging/statistical analyses etc. • The new generation of screw conveyor technology as a heavy-duty version. • Smart sensor technology: Continuous fill level scanning of the feed decks as well as constant log position detection in the whole separation and infeed area. • Earthquake-proof design of all the system and control technology. • Modular system and control concept guarantee uninterrupted assembly and partial/pre-commissioning without additional downtime. NZL

New generation harvester head

WARATAH FORESTRY EQUIPMENT HAS INTRODUCED A NEW

generation of its HTH616C harvester head. The new HTH616C Series-III features many new service and accessibility upgrades and is highlighted by a main control valve designed to increase performance, responsiveness, and compatibility to a greater range of carriers – including WCTL (Wheeled Cut To Length), and smaller, lower powered carriers having limited flow.

“Boosting productivity and profitability is what the HTH616C Series-III is all about,” says Brent Fisher, Product Marketing Manager for Waratah. “With a new valve, improved performance and more uptime, contractors can have confidence in the loads delivered. The HTH616C Series-III gives more performance from low-powered carriers, and it provides a great option for those with WCTL machines who want a 600 series head.”

With a weight starting at 1,800 kg (3,968 lb.), the HTH616 Series-III features a more efficient main control valve that can be configured with various options to fit performance needs on wheeled or tracked machines alike. Motor selections can be configured to complement the new valve and improve feeding speed, with a high torque motor option available to help increase productivity in the toughest delimbing conditions.

Operationally, the new valve provides improved responsiveness in the delimb and drive arms to enhance grabbing stems, log handling, and improve sawing performance – reducing processing times.

The cast delimb arm design improves limb shedding, and can be configured in a processing or harvesting profile with a maximum delimb opening of 68.5cm.

The H616C Series-III has optional twin diameter sensors that provide better measuring when small end diameters are critical. Additionally, the head features more length measuring consistency, with more measuring arm travel and enhanced measuring arm responsiveness.

The head also has a variety of features for increased uptime.

Hose routing has been optimised to the new valve, improving fitting access for easier serviceability, while optional harvesting guards for the main valve, drive arms, and saw box are available to reduce understory hosing interference.

An improved valve cover provides quick, no-tools access with integrated handles and quick-attach pins. A larger oiler filler improves the ease of filling bar and chain oil and helps shorten daily servicing.

The Waratah HTH616C Series-III is currently available to customers in New Zealand, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, Asia Pacific, Brazil and Latin America. NZL