Australian Forests & Timber - November 2019

November 2019

Incorporating AUSTRALIAN FOREST LOGGER & SAWMILLER

w w w. t i m b e r b i z . c o m . a u

Going pink for a cause – Pages 20-21

Logging truck safety – Page 10

AUSTimber 2020 site visit – Inside

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In the news

• OneFortyOne CEO Linda Sewell.

Water, land biggest threats to Green Triangle expansion OneFortyOne denies restricting local processors access to timber Bruce Mitchell

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HE two interrelated factors impeding future growth in the Green Triangle region are the availability of land and restrictions over water licenses currently in place in the Limestone Coast, according to OneFortyOne. And the forest grower and forest products company believes the water licensing conditions faced by plantations in South Australia are the biggest threat to the sup-

ply chain in the region and that under current water allocation limits, there may be a loss of more than 25,000 hectares of plantation area in the region.

OneFortyOne made the comments in a submission to the South Australian Government’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Matters Relating to the Timber Industry in the Limestone Coast which is investigating whether the export of wood fibre is in compliance with the conditions of sale of the radiata pine for-

ests in the Limestone Coast.

The inquiry follows claims earlier this year that SouthEast processors were in danger of going under because they couldn’t get their hands on enough timber to sustain their businesses due to the volume of products being exported.

OneFortyOne says that under the terms of the Plantation Lease Agreement any sawlog over and above its contracts with domestic suppliers must be made available to domestic sawmills

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and exports on an equal basis and that it has fulfilled this obligation for the past seven years.

OneFortyOne CEO Linda Sewell says in the submission that industry participants have correctly expressed that the size of forestry plantations could undoubtedly be expanded, when considering positive market conditions and high demand for timber, but that this is next to impossible without greater availability of water licenses.

“We believe that without adjustments to regulatory conditions and the way water use is calculated and managed in South Australia, growth and future investment will be inherently limited.’’

Some practical steps that could be taken included a scientific review of groundwater movement and the impact of man-made drainage systems on water availability.

“Government support for research into the water use of plantations would be well received,’’ Ms Sewell says.

“We believe that industry must introduce reforms to ensure a zero-waste policy, to minimise the waste of as little wood fibre as possible, and further invest in skill development. In turn, OneFortyOne proposes that the South Australian Government consider further options to work with industry in order to remove barriers and address the water licence concerns.’’

But in addressing the reason for the inquiry, Ms Sewell says OneFortyOne has reported annually to the South Australian Government on

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

its compliance and will continue to comply with all contractual obligations stipulated in the Plantation Lease Agreement between the Government of South Australia and OneFortyOne, including in matters related to export.

“OneFortyOne prioritises domestic customers and since February 2018, 100 per cent of OneFortyOne sawlog has been sold domestically,’’ she says.

“The majority of our harvested product (sawlog and pulplog volume) is sold through direct, bilateral negotiations with domestic processors, and those located within the Green Triangle Region.

“That being said, export, as it does for other industries such as mining and agriculture, has a legitimate role to play in business. An export market helps balance cyclical downturns in domestic markets, diversify customer opportunities, offers alternative markets for products and a channel for salvage from fire or pests as well as securing ongoing job opportunities.’’

OneFortyOne took seriously its compliance with the Plantation Lease Agreement (PLA) as agreed with the South Australian Government.

“In addition to our annual reporting requirements we have voluntarily agreed to an independent audit on the PLA by BDO Advisory (SA) Pty Ltd, managed by PIRSA,’’ Ms Sewell says.

That audit is a comprehensive process focussing on the PLA obligations and is ongoing.

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In the news November 2019 Issue 7 Vol. 28 Established 1991 News Woodtech19 Trucking safety Fire equipment Mill profile Whats On

3 5-6 10 18-19 25 24

Front Cover: Tasmanian Timber Tree Farmer of the Year Sue and Owen Smith with Outstanding Contribution to the Timber Industry award recipient Penny Wells.

Publisher and Chief Executive: Hartley Higgins General Manager: Robyn Haworth Editor: Bruce Mitchell b.mitchelll@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9512 Advertising: Gavin de Almeida g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Production: Peter Frezzini & NEM Creative Team Trader classified: g.dealmeida@ryanmediapl.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9517 Subscriptions: subs@forestsandtimber.com.au Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9522 Subcription rates One-year (8 editions) $55 Two-years (16 editions) $95 Accounts: Adelaide Office (08) 8369 9555 Postal Address: 630 Regency Road, Broadview South Australia 5083 Phone: (08) 8369 9555 Fax: (08) 8369 9501 Melbourne Office: Suite 2262, 442 Auburn Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122 Phone: (03) 9810 3262 Website www.timberbiz.com.au Printed by Lane Print, Adelaide, SA

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• AFCA board members Wayne Shaw-Johnston, Ricky Leeson Phillip Dohnt, Karen Hall, Adan Taylor (Chairman) and Christian Stafford.

AFCA board re-elected as services grow

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USTRALIAN Forests Contactors Association AGM held in Traralgon last month saw the former board re-elected, together with chairman Adan Taylor.

In preventing the AFCA Annual Report, Mr Taylor thanked the board and staff for their contributions and highlighted that board members served in an honorary capacity.

During the AGM and later at the Annual Dinner attended by 70 members, sponsors, supporters, local councillors and state politicians, Mr Taylor complimented the founding AFCA sponsors including Komatsu, John Deer/RDO Equipment and Waratah, along

with the silver and bronze sponsors.

Turning to the forthcoming AUSTimber 2020, he thanked the major event partners of HVP Plantations, LaTrobe City Council, Wellington Shire, for their support for the event which will showcase the whole industry.

“We are pleased to have the well-known identity Dr Karl Kruszelnicki, Australian science communicator and author, as guest speaker for the Hall of Fame dinner and Q&A session the next day”, he said “Seventy per cent of the sites have been sold and we

are confident it will be a sell out with strong interest from overseas suppliers”, he said.

General Manager Stacey Gardner covered a range of association issues and programs describing the year as ‘a mixed bag - many positives, frustrations and concerns’.

Ms Gardner expressed concerns surrounding the Victorian Native Forests members being threatened by government policy and uncertainty following AFCA making the case for their future and the industry.

On a more positive note she referred to the association’s work with the Forestry Log Haulage Registered Code (LHC). AFCA delivered safety training to 24 centres with

plans to present to further 30 centres in the coming year.

Having secured a significant NSW government contract to design and deliver a Forest Contractor Training and Certification system titled Forest Fit, AFCA is looking forward to the opportunity to deliver a standardise assessment process to gain certification, based on the right type of training, focusing on environment safety and best practice for small and large operators.

“This is an exciting program to deliver another industry first over the next two years, providing opportunities for additional professional development and training to be rolled out nationally,’’ she said.

The epitome of what makes timber industry tick TASMANIA’s Sue and Owen Smith are the very public face in their home state of the heights timber farming can reach.

The inaugural winners of this year’s Tasmanian Timber Awards Tree Farmers of the Year, the Smiths are simply the epitome of what makes the timber industry tick.

They saw an opportunity in difficult times, and grabbed it.

As their nomination papers say, they watch and learn. There is no time or place for doing everything the same way as before.

They are active industry leaders – which the industry desperately needs - and exemplify this with 45 years as an employer and were recognised as Tree Farmer of the Year in 2007.

And he has seen the industry, and its machinery requirements, grow.

People like Stuart and the Smiths have They really are the people the industry a huge joint memory and knowledge of the industry which must not be lost. needs.

Sadly, the industry also needs to hear The industry also needs people like Stuart Macdonald, another proud Tasmani- from people like James Wood. James an, who has retired after a 42-year career was guest speaker at the first of around working with Caterpillar, most recently 30 logging truck driver safety and wellbeing workshops being held across Auswith supplier William Adams.

Stuart worked in sales in both Launces- tralia organised by the Australian Forestton and Hobart and five years as the ry Contractors Association.

When James, a former diesel mechanic Launceston branch manager and then back to his first love – sales, as Tasma- on big trucks, told his story of his ‘couple nian Sales Manager based in Launceston. of mistakes’ which left him a paraplegic a He knows the importance of forestry pin could have been heard dropping.

Hopefully, for the drivers at the workto Tasmania and Victoria as well, He has seen the machinery area evolve, particu- shop, the penny might have dropped as well. larly in terms of safety.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

www.timberbiz.com.au

WoodTECH 19

Industry rapidly changing, and that story needs to be told Bruce Mitchell

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HE timber industry is rapidly changing as technology forces a rethink on how mills are managed, according to the head of Forest Industry Consulting at Indufor Asia Pacific Marcel Vroege.

And politically, Mr Vroege said, it really doesn’t matter for our industry who is in charge.

“As long as we can tell our story to the politicians,’’ he said.

“We have an awesome story to tell.

“We have an industry which is sustainable.

“There is always room for improvement but we are one of the industries that can really stand out and claim and back up our sustainability picture.’’

But he said a lot of the politicians may still have the wrong ideas about the industry and it is up to the industry to tell the story.

“I have come across a lot of

people, including politicians, who still see our industry as an industry which employs a lot of people,’’ Mr Vroege said.

“That picture is rapidly changing.

“We generally don’t need as many people, and in the future we will need less people.

“But the people we do need will need to be highly skilled, well educated, capable people.’’

Technology was driving the industry and will only speed up, and speed up quickly and the market will decide what can be sold, where, and when.

“So we need to invest huge amounts of money to make it all happen,’’ he said.

“Technology will get cheaper, but we are going to need more and more of it.

“We all need to talk to our politicians and convince them of the future of our industry.

We have to ensure that the resources we use come from sustainable supplies.’’

Globally there was an ever speeding up of technology.

Transistor/microprocessor

developments provided an indication as to the speed of technological development and development in the next 10 years would equal to all developments in the past.

“If this growth continues, as everyone expects, the reality is that in the next 10 years technology developed in our industry is going to equal as much as we have done to date in the past 2000 years,’’ Mr Vroege said.

In the timber processing industry, the increase in computer processing power is allowing for ever better decision making, based on observations made by scanners, cameras and other sensors measuring and observing an ever increasing number of inputs.

Combining all those allows for a continued improvement in mill operations.

“CLT is really big at the moment but I believe it is just one step in the process of getting much more technically advanced wood products into construction,’’ Mr Vroege said.

• WoodTECH keynote speaker, Marcel Vroege.

Mill maintenance saves more than it costs MAINTENANCE of equipment is the cost of doing business but unplanned downtime is the business of loss according to Nicholson Manufacturing regional sales manager John Jennings.

Mr Jennings told the WoodTech19 conference in Melbourne that maintenance programs did work and saved more downtime and money than they cost.

“I find myself, in my sales role, touring mills and I go and see the debarker and invariably I can’t help but come back to, ‘Gee, how can we make this equipment be more efficient, reduce downtime…’,’’ Mr Jennings said.

“We’ve all got some form of service program and everyone has fantastic fitters and turners and technicians and yet each time I go into a mill they’ve still got equipment failures.

“And why is that? They are all doing their servicing, they are all doing their greasing, but what they are not doing is really understanding the machinery,’’ he said.

But they were not understanding the big picture.

“We’ve got techs who come in a look beyond just greasing something.

“We’ll look at how the machine runs, we’ll pick up on where wearing items may become failure items, because generally the technicians on-site are generalists. www.timberbiz.com.au

He said it had been calculated that 70 per cent of companies lack awareness of when their equipment needed to be repaired, when it needed to be maintained or when the equipment was coming up to failure levels.

In the debarking work, Nicholsons would go in and suggest that before a machine fails that the operators may need to simply to replace some of the components.

“We do this to make sure the business keeps on running and so you can plan the maintenance rather than getting stuck which is invariably what happens.

“For me, I see maintenance as the cost of doing business. That means you should be planning it. It’s not expensive.

“But unplanned downtime is the business of loss.’

“Maintenance programs do work,’’ Mr Jennings said.

“So engage the OEMs, the USNRs, the HewSaw people, because they’ve all got good technicians, open up the manual and start building up those maintenance programs.

He said 5S is the key; sort, straighten, shine, standardize across the network and sustain it.

“Sustaining it is the hardest thing to do, but it is where the managers come in and start driving some of these accountabilities.

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Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

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WoodTECH 19

Josh Bergen Precision Manufacturing, Canada with Terry Bradford from • Bradford Industries.

• Aaron McRae and Adrian Hoogeveen from Thode Knife & Saw.

• Tony Ratcliffe and Stewart Martin from Checkmate Precision Cutting Tools.

• Gary Sutton, David Spencer and Dale McLachlan (Hyne Timber).

John Jennings (Nicholson Manufacturing) and Justin Prouse (Camco Cutting • Sawmill Operational Improvement Coordinator with FWPA Ken Robertson • Tools International). and FWPA R&D manager Chris Lafferty.

Conference again a stand-out update W oodTECH19 again provided a standout update for sawmilling companies and equipment and technology providers.

Close to 350 delegates from the local industry attended the series that ran in both New Zealand and Australia.

The turnout and feedback from local mills has been outstanding.

Suppliers of saws and sawmilling technologies presenting and exhibiting (leading companies from Sweden, Germany, the USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia and NZ) and the series of practical troubleshooting workshops run as part of this year’s series, really struck a chord

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with New Zealand and Australian sawmills.

The WoodTECH series was reintroduced to Australasian sawmilling and wood manufacturing companies in 2017.

After a decade of national training programmes falling over, saw-doctors groupings folding, mill closures and consolidation within the industry, local wood producers were keen on getting their teams together again at one central location.

An independent forum to learn about new technology, new processes and systems, to exchange ideas and to network was being called for.

That’s where the Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) stepped in. The

WoodTECH series was set up with the local industry and key national and global technology providers. Sawmilling and wood manufacturing events are now being run for the local industry.

WoodTECH 2019 presented an independent platform for local companies to evaluate new innovations, technologies, processes and systems in sawmilling, scanning, saw maintenance and mill optimisation. Practical troubleshooting, maintenance, QC, saw alignment, training and recruitment sessions were also built into the two-day programme with short presentations, workshops, trade exhibitions and tech talks given as part of the event.

The two-day programme was specifically designed with industry to ensure sawmill production and operational staff would gain maximum benefit from attending the series. Local sawmills learnt how they could extract the best performance out of their own saws, machine centres and sawing operations.

The way the programme was set up also meant that sawmill teams - management, mill production, saw-doctors and maintenance staff – were able to take advantage of the line-up of international specialists that were brought into the region. Many of the larger mills picked up the opportunity of sending through 10-15 employees to the event. In

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

addition to mixing with tech specialists from around the globe and counterparts from mills around the country, teams were able to put the learnings from the event into practice once back on their own worksite.

Planning is already well underway for the WoodTECH 2020 series which will run in both New Zealand and Australia in August.

Like 2018, the focus will be again on new technologies, new processing systems and case studies to showcase “smart operating practices” in dry-mill and timber manufacturing operations. Early details on the event can be found on www.woodtech. events/wt20. www.timberbiz.com.au

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AUSTimber 2020 ForestTECH kicks off this month

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First look at exhibitors site EXHIBITORS and sponsors were given a first-hand look at the preliminary over the AUSTimber 2020 site at Rosedale in Victoria’s Gippsland.

AUSTimber’s Dionne Olsen welcomed the exhibitors, sponsors and service providers to the October Site Visit at the Gormandale HVP plantations.

Around 100 exhibitors more than 8000 people are expected at the largest forestry show in the Asia Pacific region in April next year.

Showcase equipment with dynamic in-forest hardwood and softwood demonstration opportunities include: • Clear felling • Cut-to-length Eucalyptus harvesting • Pine harvesting in first thinnings • Establishment techniques and silverculture practices • In-field chipping, mulching and bio-fuel production • Later thinnings, Long length harvesting • Truck and trailer with test drive route An exhibitor’s brochure was circulated at the site visit covering Site Preparation and Requirements, including bump 8

in/out details, safety, site transport and fire management.

Beside site familiarisation and chipping options, exhibitors heard more detail on next year’s event including the car parking facilities at the site.

Field trips were being scoped by a subcommittee and further details will be available closer to the event.

Ms Olsen said site phone data and Wi-Fi communications would be upgraded for the event to facilitate exhibitor and emergency services communications requirements, including video options.

“Our goal is to deliver another successful and enjoyable AUSTimber show, ensuring safety of people, environment, equipment and assets throughout bump in/ 5 out, field trips, show days and other events,” she said.

1 – AusTimber Site Visit “We are working hard to 2 – Jules Larson, Brendan Satchwell and Stuart Bell from make sure everyone is aligned Waratah Forestry Equipment. regarding requirements, what 3 – Terry Lowe from Harry the Hirer with Wayne Shawto expect, and to provide asJohnston from HarvestCo and Ben Kinnear from Harry. sistance when needed.”

4 – AUSTimber’s Dionne Olsen Dionne Olsen with HVP PAGES 22-23: AUSTimber Plantations general manager and event sponsor Simon Galt.

2020 ideal opportunity to 5 – Brenton Dukakis from Kennedy Trailors and Ray Kell from showcase machinery the Forest Centre.

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Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

THE region’s premier technology series run for Australasia’s forest resource managers, planners and inventory foresters by the Forest Industry Engineering Association kicks off this month in Melbourne and Rotorua.

Since 2007, it’s the one event every year run in both Australia and New Zealand that focuses on this particular part of the forestry industry.

Forest owners, forestry mangers, key researchers and technology providers now also pick up the opportunity of building in their own client meetings, workshops and discussion groups around the ForestTECH event.

More than 250 delegates attended the ForestTECH series in November last year with all major forestry companies in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Africa and South America.

At recent ForestTECH events, new data collection technologies have been highlighted along with advances being made on accessing, processing and better interpreting the associated big data streams that are being collected out in the field.

The task being grappled with by many forestry companies has been how best to sort through and use the collected data and convert it into something that’s usable for all stakeholders.

Research into remote sensing of plantation forests in this region for resource assessment and inventory management is world class will feature this year.

ForestTECH 2019 will provide local forestry companies with a timely and independent overview of recent advances, both in research and in the operational use of the technology, made in just 12 months on forest data collection tools and systems that have been developed to better measure, analyse, report and act on this captured information.

ForestTECH will run in Melbourne from November 13 to November 14 and in Rotorua from November 19 to November 20. www.timberbiz.com.au

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Log Truck Safety

Logging truck safety comes down to choices Driver well-being program delivering strong messages for drivers Bruce Mitchell

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he message to logging truck drivers and managers in South Australia could not have been more simple.

Safety – their safety and the safety of those around them – came down to the choices they make.

Be it from how their trucks are loaded, to how their private lives and habits have an impact on safety, it was all down to choices.

The workshop – the first of around 30 being held across Australia – was organised by the Australian Forestry Contractors Association in partnership with Australian Trucking Safety Services & Solutions (ATSSS) and KJ Training and Consulting to deliver the Professional Ownership and Driver Wellbeing program funded through $140,000 from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and supported by the Federal Government.

The first of the speakers, Alan Pincott from ATSSS, has had many years of experience in a variety of roles in the heavy transport industry and is a qualified heavy vehicle mechanic. He has been a VicRoads heavy vehicle licence tester and has 18 years’ experience as an on-road

Regulatory & Compliance Officer in country Victoria with extensive experience in crash investigation.

He spoke of the changes to the Heavy Vehicle National Law (NSW) which, in part, mean that each party in the chain of responsibility for a heavy vehicle – in this case log loaders and drivers – has a primary duty to eliminate public risk.

His bottom line was that inattention – which includes inattention to the loading of a logging truck by another – fatigue, speed and the weather where the primary causes of accidents.

Kirstin Pincott, a Trainer, Consultant and clinician with KJ Training and Consulting, who has had significant experience as a Safe Driving Program Facilitator as well as having worked with the VicRoads behaviour change program – Safe Driving Program, delivered the PODW message.

She spoke of truck driver wellness; drugs and alcohol, diet, exercise.

In particular – given the “disordered’’ sleep patterns of most logging truck drivers – she dwelt on sleep.

She said that while seven to nine hours of sleep each night was ideal most logging truck drivers were lucky to get five to six hours.

“The body is fighting its natural processes,’’ she said.

“And it’s like getting jet lag every week.’’

Miss Pincott said truck drivers were at a higher risk of disordered sleep.

Drivers could in time become accustomed to irregular sleep patterns but it would still cause problems for them because it was “body fighting the way the brain works’’.

“Five hours sleep, if they are ‘good’ five hours is okay,’’ she said.

But getting those good five hours depended on diet, reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption and other stimulants, and good “sleep hygiene”; darkened, quiet rooms, and regular sleepinducing bed-time routines.

These free sessions will be specifically targeting drivers, management and staff within the forest industry. The program will be limited to 30 sessions with a maximum of 40 attendees per session.

Visit the AFCA for bookings.

Kirstin Pincott and Eric Notley from E&B Notley Transport in Geelong during the Professional • Ownership and Driver Wellbeing program.

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A couple of ‘mistakes’ just not worth it JAMES Wood doesn’t much like public speaking.

But he knows his story is important.

“This is the sort of stuff, the sort of thing, I would like to have been told before I had my accident,’’ he said.

“It might have given me a little bit of a different understanding of what safety is all about, and maybe a reason for some of the safety things my managers and supervisors asked me to do.’’

James is a paraplegic. And he admits it’s because he made a couple of bad choices.

“We all get a lot of ‘safety’ given to us,’’ James said.

“We are being told to do our jobs, to do them safely. We have safety meetings, safety training, safety rules, safety systems.’’

James had trained as a diesel mechanic straight out of school and loved his job.

More importantly he had been trained. He’s been through safety training, and had been through the rules, systems and procedures.

“But I stuffed up. I made some wrong choices. And I ended up in a wheel chair for the rest of my life.’’

The accident happened in the Hunter Valley 26 years ago.

It was his first job on a Monday; a simple job of repairing the power steering on a truck.

“It wasn’t something new, it wasn’t something I hadn’t experienced,” he said.

But that was when things started to go wrong. James

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

didn’t do any sort of job plan or risk assessment as he was meant to do.

He was told to take the truck, once repaired, to a parking bay about a couple of minutes away.

He noticed he had five minutes to get it parked and get to the lunch room for the morning break and catch up with his mates.

“So I took off in the truck in a bit of a hurry, going a little bit too quick for the conditions, and lost control,’’ James said.

“Wet slippery road, I’m going too fast and I rolled the truck down the side of a hill.”

The truck rolled three times and James was thrown out of the cabin. He wasn’t wearing his seat belt.

He broke his back and damaged his spinal cord.

The truck cabin, however, remained pretty much intact and was upright.

“If I had belted up I would have been held inside the cabin, and I wouldn’t be doing these talks.’’

James said the impact of his injury also affected his family, his workmates and his friendships and different ways.

“When you are out there doing your jobs, you’ve all got your choices to make,’’ James said.

“My accident changed every bit of my life,’’ he said.

“I didn’t take the time to think about how I would do the job.

“I took a risk.

“I didn’t protect myself.” www.timberbiz.com.au

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Tree Farming Why the Smiths won the award

• Inaugural Tasmanian Timber Awards’ Tree Farmers of the Year Sue and Owen Smith.

Economic adversity grows tree farming success in Tasmania Bruce Mitchell

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UE and Owen Smith’s success in the tree farming business has its roots in his response to Gunns’ decision to go into voluntary administration in 2012.

The embattled timber giant’s departure from Tasmania saw the price of wood pulp dramatically fall to almost to about a third of its price which didn’t even cover the cost of replanting.

But for the Launcestonbased Smiths – the inaugural Tasmanian Timber Awards’ Tree Farmer of the Year – it created an opportunity.

“We got out of it for a couple of years but when the scrub started to regrow I couldn’t stand the site of it so I decided to go back and replanted and got it all going again,’’ Owen said.

Owen and Sue purchased their original property in 1982 with about 400ha of plantation timber at Diddleum Plains and Ross in Tasmania’s north east.

They were no newcomers to the industry with Owen operating a logging contractor business for around 60 years in the State’s native forests.

“We bought the property because it had a lot of very good native timber and a small plantation on it,’’ Owen said.

And most of it was suitable for saw logs.

“That’s basically where our plantation business started.

Owen got the feeling for the plantations there and we 12

went on to plant more plantations and more plantations,’’ Sue said.

Owen said there had been some good timber on but also a lot of land with degenerated forests on it which he cleared and put into plantation as well.

He also has about 600ha at Waddamana in Central Tasmania with native timber which was severely burnt in fires in May this year.

“We lost a lot of the regrowth,’’ Owen said.

“We’d been through and logged most of it – retention logging – and there was a lot re-growth coming up but we lost all of that.

“Because we had logged the area and thinned it out and taken a lot of the understory the fire didn’t get into the crown of the older trees.

“Most of them will survive.’’

They also have 400ha of timber in the midlands and 800ha acres at Legerwood which includes 200 acres of very good native forest, but the rest is used for cattle and mixed agricultural use.

They harvest the timber themselves with their son Mark.

“We log the trees, but don’t cart them anymore.

“I used to do my own carting, but now have a sub-contractor for that.

The native trees the Owens farm are mainly Eucalyptus regnans – stringy gum, white gum, white-top stringybark, brown top, wattle and blackwood mixed up with the native forest.

The plantation felling is all done with a Komatsu harvester with a 22 inch Wara-

tah head while the native timber is still harvested using chainsaws.

Logs go to mills and pulp with 20-25 per cent going to saw logs.

“With native forests if you can get a 25 per cent saw log recovery you are doing pretty well,’’ Owen said.

The timber going to the mills is used for buildings and feature timber.

Owen said Tasmanian timber wasn’t any more special than mainland timbers, but it was a very white wood where some mainland

woods seemed to be darker.

One of the biggest problems the entire industry faced was a lack of young, skilled workers.

“When Gunns failed we lost a lot of infrastructure and skilled labour,’’ Owen said.

“And people got older and left, and younger went to the mainland or got other jobs and now it’s very hard to get skilled people to work in native forests in particular.

“Finding people to work is a very big problem at the present time.’’

Owen and his son Mark at their family’s at Diddleum Plains • tree farm.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

OWEN and Sue Smith epitomise the ultimate tree grower. Through a career of 60 years the Smiths have incrementally acquired a large portfolio of properties and deployed a diverse silvicultural strategy in natural forests and plantations forests to deliver a sustainable yield for the family now and in generations to come.

The Smiths consider forestry at the heart of their business plan and have also developed an enviable portfolio of properties, some agricultural, some production forestry, and some a carefully considered mixture of both.

The Smith’s forestry portfolio has supported a family native forest harvesting operation for some time and now supports a family plantation harvesting operation – the ultimate achievement for a Tree Farmer.

The Smiths have been ‘watchers and learners’ over their career in forestry. As recently at 2009 the Smiths have been actively engaged with the Australian Forest Growers in hosting field days and their learning of forest management innovation continues to be observed within the broader industry, with a notable recent innovation being reforestation that relies upon cultivation from the prior rotation. As with all growers there is also an acknowledged application of trial and error in the continual improvement process.

The Smiths have deployed a variety of silvicultural and forest management regimes across their land portfolio dependent on their agricultural objectives, site quality, forest condition and markets.

All forest development works, including harvesting and reforestation have been undertaken by the Smith family.

The Smiths have been active industry leaders for many decades and exemplify this with 45 years as an employer with as many as 22 employees at any one time. Further, the Smiths have been active farm forestry collaborators and were recognised as Tree Farmer of the Year in 2007.

The Smith family’s leadership in the sector continues with the next generation now fully engaged in forest harvesting on their estate and Owen and Sue providing support and guidance where required.

From the nomination by Jim Wilson, a member of the Institute of Foresters. www.timberbiz.com.au

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Guest Columnist

Fast wood production and quality aspects Joachim Nachmansohn

I

N forestry, and particularly in timber production, it’s important to ascertain both high productivity as well as high quality of the produce. For timber there are several levels of quality categories that affects the price of the goods significantly.

Both aspects are important, in order to secure a sustainable production, and they affect all aspects of a forestry venture; all the way from economics and keeping a competitive edge on the market, to production efficiency and forest ecology.

The vision is quite clear; to produce market-ready products, as fast as possible, in highest quantities possible, of highest quality possible, for the lowest investment possible, which by the way is not only financial, but also a matter of management, inputs and technology.

I have mentioned in previous articles about demanddriven fertilization/production. I will not to a complete recap here, but just summarize the principles, and explain how this is relevant for the quality aspect in forestry (I would encourage the interested reader to read my pre-

vious articles for a better understanding of the concept).

Demand-driven fertilization, entails to supply all plant nutrients in right balance with each other and in accordance with the growth rate of the tree. This method/system was developed Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences together with the forest industry of Sweden. The results of implementing the method showed some path-breaking improvements in terms of maximizing the wood production capacity, while at the same time lower any negative environmental impact. This approach is sometimes actually called the Swedish method’ in the English-speaking world of forestry, and have been thoroughly tested in Australia on a scientific level.

So, “what about the quality?”, a prominent professor asked me. He had heard of an instance in which a person was inspecting a site at which demand-driven fertilization was implemented, and he told me an example, in which the same person showed that the wood in the tree was unusually soft.

A valid question given the example.

Well the answer is multifaceted, but still quite clear. The issue is not the method, i.e. demand-driven fertilization,

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but genetics of some species.

It’s no question about the fact the method could obtain maximal wood production capacity for virtually all tree species in forestry production. Some tree species, when growing at maximal growth rate consistently, turned out to grow in such a way that the wood became more porous than usual.

However, this is not the norm, and in some cases the wood becomes even more compact and, therefore of higher quality due to the very fact that it grows at maximal growth rate.

My point with this article is to show, that the general rule is that optimized production (in this case maximized), entails both more produce and an increase in quality. Therefore, it should always be a part of the goal to optimize the production.

Then, as for everything in life, we need to make sound judgment calls, make use of expert know-how, and plan each site independently. In other words, to take into consideration what species you grow. As a general rule there are three categories of trees when it comes to how they will be affected by maximized production rate: 1. Pine and fir-trees, becomes somewhat softer 2. Broad-leaved forest, or what we in Sweden call ‘noble deciduous trees’, such as oak, becomes more compact and hard 3. Eucalyptus, a tree with unique Australian associations, is a relevant example of a species that is virtually not affected On the other hand, the purpose of the production is also important for these considerations. If the wood is used for pulp and paper, the density of the tree doesn’t really matter that much, as long as the production rate is sufficiently high.

The take away from my message, is that abundance in production goes hand in hand with quality, and are best obtain together. The key is to utilize universal and simple principles, that can be implemented on a large scale, as an overall approach. Then there’s always some fine-tuning for each production system. In my experience simplicity and universality are underrated in modern plant production, not only for the production per se, but for the business model as a whole.

BRIEFS VicForests CEO steps down

THE AUTHOR: Joachim Nachmansohn is an international fertilizer and soil & water management expert.

Educated in Sweden with two separate masters degrees in both agriculture and soil and water management he laid a very solid foundation for his in depth research and immersion in plant nutrition, which now covers all big plant production niches such as forestry, agriculture and horticulture.

His unique specialty is Demand-Driven Fertilization, which was founded on Wallenberg Prize awarded discoveries and then was passed along to him by great innovators and scholars.

Through this lineage he is the primary and officially authorized representative and keeper of this game-changing concept.

Through his company Nachmansohn Consulting & Co he now, among other things, spreads unique clarity on the topic of plant nutrition, works with helping plant producers to optimize production, consults fertilizer producers and distributors, as well as contributes with expertise to different institutes.

He is a published columnist and article writer all over the Anglo-American world and beyond, he holds lectures and educations internationally, and not the least is an appreciated inspirational public speaker and takes on international speaking engagements, in which he shares his insights, thoughtfulness and wit.

Joachim can be reached at consulting@joachimnachmansohn.com or visit www. joachimnachmansohn.com

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

VICFORESTS’ CEO Officer Nathan Trushell is to step down to take up a new role with the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR).

His expertise in the native timber industry will carry through to his new role where he will guide the future of the wood and fibre industry in Victoria. VicForests has announced that interim Chief Executive Officer Monique Dawson will take on the role.

FSC CEO appointed THE Forest Stewardship Council has appointed Damian Paull as its new CEO. He replaces Sara Gipton who stood down at the end of September.

Mr Paull joins FSC Australia with a strong background in corporate leadership with a number of regulatory and membership-based organisations that are involved in the development of voluntary standards and codes of practice.

Logset wins Innovation prize The Logset 8H GTE Hybrid harvester wins another wellearned acknowledgement at the Austrofoma exhibition in Austria in October 2019.

The first acknowledgement was given to the machine model in July 2019 when the French forestry magazine Bois International chose the Logset 8H GTE Hybrid as the Forest Machine of the Year.

In the Austrofoma competition 38 different companies were nominated in three categories: forest machines, ergonomics and small forestry equipment (for example chain sawsThe prize is given to the machine because of the great innovation it represents. The hybrid harvester is more efficient than traditional harvesters and it has better fuel economy.

Safety award GIPPSLAND Plantation Harvesting company Mountain Logging has won the 2019 HVP Plantations Chairman’s Safety Award.

Mountain Logging provides harvest services in the Gippsland Region, and received the honour in recognition of its outstanding contributions to safety management on steep plantation sites. Mountain Logging’s four crews harvest more than 300,000 tonnes of plantation wood each year across Gippsland. www.timberbiz.com.au

01–04 April 2020

Coming to you live!

We are excited to announce it will be a Dr Karl double feature.

Dr Karl is bringing his enthusiasm for science and his colourful shirts to AUSTimber2020.

He will be joining us as our guest speaker at our Welcome Dinner and making a special appearance onsite Friday morning bringing his infectious excitement about all things science.

Bookmark our website or join our email list and stay up to date with all the action!

Whether you are planning to be an Exhibitor, Sponsor or Attendee, join us and participate in this timber industry Show. Come and speak personally one-to-one with Dr Karl.

Tickets on sale now for Field Trips, the Welcome Dinner and Show days.

Contact Us

Increase your market visibility with a Partner opportunity

austimber2020@afca.asn.au www.austimber.org.au Dr Karl Kruszelnicki appears by arrangement with Claxton Speakers International.

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AFPA Dinner

BRIEFS

Important to tell industry’s story: Minister

Tigercat appoints additional factory support for Western Canada

IT is important to get the timber industry’s contribution to rural and regional communities, as well as the national economy, into the debate about the industry, according to the Assistant Minister for Forestry Senator Jonathon Duniam.

Speaking at an Australian Forest Products Association members’ dinner at Old Parliament House in Canberra, Senator Duniam said the timber industry was an essential Ross Hampton AFPA CEO, Senator Duniam and AFPA Chair Greg McCormack. part of community and economies in regional Australia.

“We know there are around 52,000 Australians are employed directly, and beyond that many thousands of people are supported by the industry,’’ he said.

“It’s important to get that into the debate, especially when this industry injects around $24 billion into the national economy annually.

“That’s no small amount; it’s a massive amount and something we should be very proud of.’’

Senator Duniam said the timber was adapting and delivering for Australia, as demonstrated by responses to the National Forest IndusJulie Collins, Head of Te Uru Rakau and Deputy Director-General Forestry New Zealand with tries Plan.

Jim Houghton from Forest and Wood Products Australia.

•

•

Tigercat is pleased to announce that Jochen Reiter has been appointed to the position of factory support representative for western Canada. He has 21 years’ experience in many aspects of the industry including operating and supervising conventional ground-based and yarding operations.

Caterpillar releases Cat® COMMAND for Compaction for achieving compaction quality Cat® COMMAND for Compaction is an operator-assisted technology that automates the soil compaction process and helps contractors achieve compaction quality. The COMMAND for Compaction system is available for use on select Cat vibratory soil compactors as a dealer installed kit on both new and existing B-Series machines.

Daimler Trucks 750,000th vehicle built at Cleveland Keys to the milestone vehicle – a Freightliner new Cascadia – were presented to representatives from United Parcel Service (UPS) during a ceremony at the facility. Freightliner Trucks acquired the plant in 1989 and started producing the Freightliner Medium Conventional, a day cab truck model based on a Mercedes-Benz cabin mounted on an American chassis.

Komatsu training academy partners with Thiess KOMATSU Training Academy has been awarded a national apprenticeship training contract by leading mining services contractor Thiess.

The three sets of qualifications being provided to Thiess by KTA are AUR30316 Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology, MEM30205 Certificate III in Engineering, - Mechanical Trade, and MEM30305 Certificate III in Engineering, Fabrication Trade.

Tigercat buys Ragnar TIGERCAT Industries Inc. based in Ontario, Canada, has completed the purchase of Ragnar Original Innovations (ROI) located in New Hampshire, USA. The company, founded by Anders Ragnarsson, currently manufactures material processing machinery used in the construction, forestry and recycling industries.

• Senator Duniam during his address to the dinner.

16

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

www.timberbiz.com.au

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With the FL95, you’ll see challenging work dominated from a new angle.

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Fire Season Readiness Bushfires tipped to be worse, and we’re unprepared Dr Richard Thornton

• Vehicle fire supression equipment is essential

Fire safety considerations for the forestry industry Steve Oxley

E

XTREME weather events, drought, climate change and changed fire regulations are putting the Australian forestry industry under increasing pressure.

According to Australia’s State of the Forests Report 2018, 55 million hectares of forest burnt at least once in the 2011 to 2016 period, with 69 per cent due to unplanned fire.

Fires can have a catastrophic impact on forests. Not only do they present a serious threat to lives and livelihoods (in 2018–19 Australia’s forest industry employed around 52,000 people), but an out of control forest fire can devastate native plants and wildlife.

With the extreme dry conditions affecting many regions, an unplanned fire could potentially destroy an entire plantation as well as valuable forestry equipment such as forwarders, log skidders, harvesters and excavators.

18

In forestry environments where machine operators often work alone and hazards vary, every effort should be made to minimise the risk of a fire occurring.

Vehicle fire suppression equipment should be a high priority to be fitted on machinery, even if it is not a legal requirement in your state or territory. Consideration of the installation of fire extinguishers is also recommended to assist in extinguishing an early fire.

The combination of extreme heat, flammable liquids, exhaust and electrical components in an enclosed engine compartment can be particularly hazardous due to the build-up of leaves, bark and pine needles during operation of machinery, increasing the risk of fire.

Heavy vehicles are commonly designed with rear engines; therefore, operators may not immediately see the signs of fire as they focus on the task ahead. A vehicle fire suppression system can provide early detection, alerting machine operators to evacu-

ate in the case of emergency, and can help to minimise vehicle damage.

Upgrading fire safety equipment with Fluorine Free Foam

Existing AFFF systems can be easily upgraded to a fluorine and solvent free foam through minor system modifications. The new concentrates are essentially a ‘drop in’ replacement for the previous vehicle suppression system solution containing fluorine, making conversion a simple process.

The Wormald fluorine-free foam vehicle suppression system is approved by GlobalMark and meets the performance requirements of the revised Australian Standard AS 5062-2016 - Fire protection for mobile and transportable equipment.

With changes to maintenance procedures, the revised standard promotes improved fire safety for mobile plants used in transport, mining, forestry, civil works and port facilities.

For more information on fire suppression solutions, visit www.wormald.com.au/ fff.

Fluorine Free Foam solutions were introduced in response to global concerns about the environmental impact of Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFFs) which contain fluorinated surfactants that form part of a broader group of chemicals called PFAS. The use of solvents in firefighting foams represents risks to the environment due to their significant organic load composition leading to high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). Removing solvents reduces COD by up to 75 per cent.

Wormald expanded its range of Fluorine Free Foam in partnership with 3F, a recognised leader in products that do not use fluorinated compounds. 3F’s Freedol SF is a fluorine and solvent free Steve Oxley is National foam agent that has a signifiProduct Manager for Vehicle cantly lower COD compared Fire Suppression at Wormald to typical AFFF’s.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

BUSHFIRES are predicted to be worse than normal across much of Australia this summer but research shows many people, especially those in high-risk areas, remain unprepared.

The latest Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook shows the 2019-20 fire season has the potential to be an active season across the country, following a very warm and dry start to the year.

The east coast of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, as well as parts of southern Western Australia and South Australia, face above-normal fire potential. It means communities in those areas, and across Australia, should start planning their emergency fire response.

Above-normal bushfire potential refers to the ability of a large fire to take hold. It takes into account recent and predicted weather for a particular area, the dryness of the land and forests, and recent fire history.

The warming trend means that above average temperatures now tend to occur in most years, and 2019 has followed this pattern. These high temperatures further dry the landscape and vegetation.

An early start to the fire season has been declared in many areas across eastern Australia. The dry landscape means that any warm and windy conditions are likely to see elevated fire risk. However, in some drought-affected areas, poor growth of grass and annual plants means that vegetation loads are reduced, which may lower the fire risk.

Heat, drought, flood and fire are not new phenomena for Australia. What is different now is that there is an underlying 1°C increase in average temperatures since industrial times began - the result of climate change - which means that the variability of normal events sits on top of that. So climate change alone doesn’t create a bad fire season, but can make the weather conditions conducive to very large and destructive fires.

Dr Richard Thornton is the Chief Executive Officer of the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC www.timberbiz.com.au

Fire Season Readiness

Rethinking fire spread and behaviour T

HE number of high risk fire days in New Zealand is predicted to increase with climate change and more intense and difficultto-control fires are expected to become more common.

To identify, mitigate and adapt to future fire threat, the New Zealand Government is funding a five year Extreme Fire research programme (2016-2021) led by Scion’s Rural Fire team in collaboration with other New Zealand experts and international fire scientists.

The research programme’s overall aim is to increase understanding of extreme fire, and develop new ways to predict, prevent and fight such fires. One of the major research areas is a re-examination of the way fire spreads.

Traditional models of wildfire heat transfer and fire spread assume a steady, evenly spreading flame front that radiates most of the heat ahead of the fire to unburnt fuels says Grant Pearce, fire scientist.

“We are testing a new theory that heat at the fire front is transferred by turbulent convection,’’ he said.

“The theory is that as hot

www.timberbiz.com.au

• Fire scientist Grant Pearce collecting fire behaviour video footage from an in-fire camera. air rises (convection), cold air sweeps in behind that and the fire’s flames effectively are pushed forward into the fuel, causing a series of peaks and troughs within the burning flame front.

“The taller flame peaks occur in areas where the air is rising and pulling the flame upward, and the troughs formed by the cold air circulating down.

These cause the flames to be

pushed out ahead, where they can directly ignite fuel.”

The theory has been proposed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Missoula Fire Science Laboratory and tested in laboratory conditions there.

“Here in New Zealand, we are carrying out experimental burns using in-fire temperature and wind sensors and high-speed thermal imaging,” Mr Pearce said.

Experimental burns were carried out in stubble fields in summer 2018 and 2019.

Each of the stubble burn plots were about 2-4 hectares and the evenly spaced crop rows and uniform stubble height mimicked laboratory fuel conditions. The burn results supported the new theory on fire progress. “What they saw in the lab, we saw in the field,” says Grant.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

The team plans to continue their work in heavier, more complex vegetation, such as gorse and wilding pine plots.

Introduced gorse is a ubiquitous pest plant in New Zealand and mature plants plus fallen needles can add up to a very high fuel load. Wilding pines, or weed conifers, can form dense thickets that also have a very high fuel load.

The new fire spread model will be help New Zealand adapt and respond to the threat of extreme fires. Being able to predict extreme fire behaviour will assist rural fire managers to assess risk, predict the spread of fires, implement control measures and improve the safety of firefighters and the public.

Scion is a Government-funded research institute that specialises in research supporting New Zealand’s forestry, wood products and biomaterial sectors. The Rural Fire Research group, established in 1992, focuses on developing develop the science and technology needed to protect life and property, and manage fire in the landscape.

See www.ruralfireresearch. co.nz for more information.

19

Heavy Machinery

• Andrew’s TL755C in Steep Unthinned Clear Fall

Komatsu Forest introduces the Timberpro zero tail-swing range

K

omatsu Forest Pty Ltd introduced the Timberpro tail-swing machines i.e. TL765 at AUSTimber 2016 and last year released the TL775D with both being very successful gaining market share in Australia and New Zealand.

This year Komatsu made a strong move to expand its purpose-built track range by acquiring Timberpro Inc on 1st April 2019, which will remain trading under the Timberpro brand. The main aim of this acquisition was to short cut the development time required to obtain a fully updated proven tail-swing product range.

Obviously, the acquisition of Timberpro Inc added an extra range of zero tailswing machines which were released in North America back in 2008 and contains four models each of levelling and non-levelling versions.

According to Brett Jones MD “KF Australia has decided to introduce these products instead of the new Komatsu XT 5 Series from the Chattanoo20

ga factory as the Timberpro still has the Tier 3 engine option”. In addition, Timberpro had recently developed a major product upgrade with the “D” Series with all models featuring: • New Larger Cabin with unparalleled vision for operator comfort • LED lighting for superior night shift operation • Larger Slew and Tilt components for longer durability • Cummins 9 litre Engine available as Tier III or Tier IV; • Upgraded Hydraulic System for faster time cycles • Market Leading Levelling; 28 degrees forward and 24 degrees side tilt • Optional Feller-Buncher and Harvester Booms In addition the largest tailswing models TN/TL755D incorporate a number of the 765D undercarriage and levelling / slew system components: • Longer heavy-duty track frame (5.0m) • New stronger Lohman

Timberpro Track Range Zero Tail-Swing TN 725D / TL 725D .............

TN 735D / TL 735D .............

TN 745D / TL 745D .............

TN 755D / TL 755D .............

track motors (484,000 Nm) • Larger stronger external slew ring gear Optional Tethering Hitch In late 2016 Andrew Mahnken contacted Brett looking for a steep terrain feller-buncher and it was decided to offer a TL755C due to its powerful undercarriage which provided KF with an opportunity to test the Timberpro zero tailswing product. Andrew’s machine now has over 5,000 hours operating in steep terrain with exceptional production results.

25,315kg / 28,093kg 26,676kg / 29,529kg 27,560kg / 31,425kg 29,574kg / 34,446kg

Medium Tail-Swing TN 765D / TL 765D ............. 37,308kg / 38,465kg TN 775D / TL 775D ............. 42,475kg / 43,636kg Note : TN (Non Levelling) TL (Levelling)

Mountain Logging Pty Ltd : Andrew Mahnken “The purchase was based on recommendation of Brett Jones more than anything,’’ Andrew said. He had been dealing with Brett for over 25 years and had a lot of trust in him. His previous choice of machinery had not been suitable, so Brett suggested trying the Timberpro TL755C. “We have a unique weight requirement. We didn’t want

• Paul Rosin’s TL755D Ready to work at Tumut

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

www.timberbiz.com.au

• TL755D Feller-Buncher in USA

the machine to more than 35 tonne.

“This one was spot on with the weight.

“We move a lot of volume with one machine – around 250,000 tonne per year – so it has got to be a hot rod as well as being very reliable because it is pretty much a primary producer for us.

“And the technical team at KF for after-sales service are the best in the industry without a doubt.”

Rosin Logging Pty Ltd : Paul Rosin A Tumut logging company Rosin Logging bought the first TL755D in Australia.

“I went over to the United States in 2017 when they were doing the development of the machine and had a fairly good look at it,’’ Paul Rosin said.

It suited the company’s needs, in particular its steep country operation.

And he’s pretty happy with it.

“Since we have had the machine it has performed better than what I expected in terms of stability,’’ Paul said.

“We’ve run a 765 harvester for three years and it has performed very well.

“It seemed a natural progression to go across to the 755 in regards to its capacities,’’ he said.

“We wanted a machine that was easily transportable and www.timberbiz.com.au

the 755 fits all those parameters as opposed to the 765.’’

But for Paul it’s more than just a machine. Komatsu’s support has been fundamental to his operations.

“Product purchases aren’t just based on product; it’s based on relationships as well. And I’ve had a good relationship with Komatsu,’’ he said.

“To me that’s the most important part.’’

Clearwater Logging & Transport Pty Ltd : Mick Fenn

• Clearwater Logging TL755D in pink

Western Victorian logging contractor Mick Fenn from Clearwater Logging and Transport in Colac was quite happy to buy the TL755D untried.

But there was one condition. He wanted it painted pink in memory of his mother who died from breast cancer.

The machine has already been used for fundraising activities in Colac for the McGrath Foundation.

“We’ve had a picture on the side of the machine of my mum, my wife’s mum and my son’s girlfriend’s mum who have all passed away from cancer.

“Timberpro got right behind it when we approached them. They were very supportive.’’

Mick said he had been dealing with Komatsu for years and was quite happy

to buy the TL755D untried.

“I’ve dealt with Komatsu for a long time.

“I’ve already got a TL765 out working so we do know about the machines.”

In fact, Mick purchased the first Timberpro TL765C (long tail-swing) in Australia, and second in the world, at AUSTimber2016 so he’s pretty confident about the new machine.

“We’ve also had a 475 and a 445 so basically we’re just upgrading and going with the winch-assist now.’’

He said it was tried technology so he knows what he’s getting.

“I’ve been a logging contractor for 35 years and I get on with Komatsu representative for the area Nigel Howard really well,’’ Mick said.

“They’re all good to do business with.’’

Online Registration Available Visit fols.forestworks.com.au:

• Update contact or employment details.

• Renew FOLS and maintain skills.

Download our free app and replace the need for a card!

Or free call  for any of your FOLS needs.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

21

AUSTimber 2020

Onetrak hits milestone in Australia Forestry industry backs Tigercat with 500 units sold

T

IGERCAT and its Australian dealer Onetrak have recently achieved a milestone having reached 500 Tigercat units sold in Australia. It is a testament to the fantastic support for Tigercat by the forestry industry.

The Tigercat range will include a mix of forestry equipment at AUSTimber 2020 featuring popular models as well as new releases, static displays and live demonstrations. The live demos

will involve both eucalyptus and pine harvesting.

Some of the models earmarked for the show include the 610E, 632E & 635G skidders, the LS855E shovel logger with 5195 directional felling head, LH855E harvester with TH570 (optimised in pine), 855E feller buncher with DT2003 shear including Tigercat factory fitted herbicide stump spraying system, H822D harvester with TH570 debarking head (optimised in

blue gum) and LH822D with TH568.

A lot of exciting new Tigercat product releases are in the pipeline. Last year saw the release of the massive Tigercat 1185 rubber tired harvester and now the smaller model 1165 rubber tired harvester is anticipated to be launched at AUSTimber. The 1165 is a mid-sized harvester well suited for thinning, selective cut and final fell applications. With strong swing and leveling capabilities that

exceed the competition, the 1165 is well suited for steep slopes. The machine is available in both six-wheel and eight-wheel drive configurations.

This year the new Tigercat 480B mulcher entered the Australian market and Tigercat’s mulcher line-up is due to release the all-new M760B mulcher (550HP Wheeled Mulcher designed off the 480B main structure) in time for next year’s big event.

The new 850 processor

with TH568 are potentially also landing in Australia in time for the show. The new 850 is a dedicated roadside processor base unit, with industry leading balance, performance, and fuel efficiency.

A large group of factory representatives including senior management and engineers together with Tigercat’s local Australian product specialist and support team and its dealer Onetrak will be in attendance at the event.

Trimble Forestry - Delivering the Connected Forest Logistics systems and services for timber haulage operations Trimble Forestry is one of the world’s largest providers of forestry logistics solutions in the world with demonstrable solutions for increasing productivity and maximising supply efficiency from timber harvesting.

Trimble Forestry Logistics has been delivering over 50 million tonne annually to facilities all over the world, including in Australasia. Trimble Forestry’s Wood Supply Execution system (WSX) manages the planning and execution of the woodflow process for log harvest and haulage operations.

In Australasia - Trimble Forestry Logistics is providing central dispatch services to a number of large forestry companies and haulage companies. This includes consortiums of haulage contractors that operate under a range of logistics models including Harvest and Haul, as well as comprehensive central dispatch services.

Central Dispatch Management Systems allow contractors to plan, control, and manage operations in the following ways: Controlling uplift and delivery options, Providing a comprehensive web reporting platform with real time visibility of operating metrics, Mobile application for truck driver or loader operator on in-cab device, Paperless E-ticket solution that provides traceability for all users, integrates with their enterprise solutions and has a comprehensive reporting suite, Integrated In-cab Technology System (ICTS) and Chain of Responsibility support

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Trimble Forestry offers land, forest, fibre and mill management solutions that improve productivity and enhance operations for internationally recognized integrated forest product companies, forest land owners, timberland investment, conservation and government departments.

The Connected Forest portfolio manages the full raw materials lifecycle of planning, planting, growing, thinning, harvesting, transporting and manufacturing. WSX is a key component of the Connected Forest portfolio.

For further information: E: forestrysales@trimble.com PH: + 64 7 348 0308

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

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AUSTimber 2020 AUSTimber ideal opportunity to showcase John Deere

A

USTIMBER 2020 is a great opportunity to showcase the full line of John Deere Forestry equipment, innovative technologies and our new dealers, according to John Deere’s general manager of Forestry Sales and Marketing Simon Shackleton.

The John Deere site next year will showcase Tracked and Wheeled Harvesters, Swing Machines, Forwarders, Skidders and Tracked Feller Bunchers, along with John Deere features such as Intelligent Boom Control (IBC) and Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT).

John Deere will also bring a range of construction equipment products often used in forestry work such as 4WD Wheel Loaders, Crawler Dozers, Compact Track Loaders and Motor Graders.

“We’ll also feature the new John Deere Shovel which compliments the existing range of Deere levelling tracked forestry machines,” Mr Shackleton said.

The AUSTimber demonstration site will also give visitors the opportunity to see the equipment in action in both pine and eucalyptus.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see live demonstrations and talk with experts on TimberMatic Maps and TimberManager.

The map application is a new way to visualize a forest site. The solution clarifies and improves the working

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of the machine chain in the plantation. A real-time view of the progress of the site is provided to machine operators.

TimberMatic Maps provides precise information on the progress of the harvesting, forwarding, infield stocks and what’s at the landing and is visible in real time to the machine operator.

The TimberManager system shows the progress of the site in cubes and percentages.

“Our new dealer channel is ready to sell and support the full line of John Deere forestry and construction equipment, and partner with customers to keep them up and running,’’ Mr Shackleton said.

“John Deere has invested heavily to support our dealers with in-country parts and support specialists on the ground, and this is already making a real impact on our customers’ operations.

“We’re excited about AUSTimber 2020 because it will be the global unveiling of a brand-new product never seen at a public forum before along with all the other John Deere equipment on display.

We look forward to seeing you all at the John Deere, RDO Equipment and AFGRI Equipment site,” Mr Shackleton said.

Looking Back

Weiler Forestry Feller bunchers on display AUSTimber 2020, the largest forestry show in the Asia Pacific region, will provide the perfect platform for Weiler Forestry to launch its new range of track feller buncher, harvester and wheel skidder models into the Australian and New Zealand markets.

“This is an excellent opportunity for potential customers to get up close with our new products for the first time in this region, and we are excited to be releasing a number of new models, one of which will be its global release” International sales manager for Weiler Forestry John Ferraris said.

Leveraging the strength of the Caterpillar distribution network, Weiler products will be sold and supported through local dealers William Adams, WesTrac, Hastings Deering, Cavpower and Gough who will be showcasing and demonstrating Weiler products at the event.

Founded in 2000, Weiler has a long-standing history of successfully manufacturing purpose-built equipment distributed through the Caterpillar dealer network and currently produces an extensive portfolio of products, such as paving machines.

Production of Weiler Forestry machines began in September 2019 Prior to which, Weiler executives met with customers and dealers to better understand the demands, challenges and product wish list of the forestry market.

“I am looking forward to continuing to listen to our customers so we can offer them the products that best serve their needs through the best dealer network in the world,” Weiler VP Bill Hood said.

Forestry customers want the world’s best products, readily available and ready to work every day. Weiler strives to provide the highest overall value to the customer through competitive pricing and low ownership and operating life cycle costs.

“The opportunity to take our purpose built forestry product to a new level, by harnessing the key strengths of the Weiler business model which is very focused on the voice of customer, both before and after sales, combined with the nimbleness that they have demonstrated within their other product lines to recognize and introduce product enhancements and improvements at a lightning pace, is a truly exciting proposition and one we are proud to be officially launching at AUSTimber 2020” said Glen Slocombe, Product Manager at William Adams.

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

2018: The Federal Government’s $20 million National Forest Industries Plan lays the foundation to turbocharge Australia’s renewable forest industries and has the potential to create tens of thousands of new jobs in regional Australia.

Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud announced the proposal along with Assistant Minister for Agriculture Senator Richard Colebeck.

“A key theme that came up during consultation was Australia will need to plant a billion new trees over the next decade to meet demand in 2050, particularly sawlogs for building and construction.

“The coalition has heard this loud and clear,’’ he said.

2015: FORMER Australian Contractors Association boss Colin McCulloch is project manager of a new training hub to bring skilled workers into the plantation and wood sector.

A board of industry leaders has also been appointed and ongoing costs will be funded by industry and with income from training programs.

Colin said Tasmania’s wood and forestry industry had changed, and it needed more people equipped with the right skills and attitudes than previously required.

“The ownership of the forests is completely different to what it was five or 10 years ago.”

2010: Greenpeace was caught using false and misleading information to attack the credibility of a company to advance its agenda, according to an independent peer reviewed release by ITS Global.

The international audit group studied the July 2010 document How Sinar Mas is Pulping the Planet, a report that focused most of its attention on the sustainable forestry practices of the Jakarta-based Asian Pulp & Paper (APP), one of the world’s leading pulp and paper companies.

The audit systematically analyzed 72 Greenpeace claims against APP that included more than 300 footnotes and approximately 100 references. The evidence shows that Greenpeace provided quotes that don’t exist, maps that show concessions that don’t exist and used source material with high margins of error cited as absolute fact, said Alan Oxley, chief executive officer of the Melbournebased ITS Global.

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Milestone What’s On 13-14 November 2019 ForestTECH, Melbourne

19-20 November 2019

ForestTECH, Rotorua, New Zealand

11-15 NOVEMBER 2019

PEFC Forest Certification Week 2019 – Würzburg, Germany.

More info: www. pefc.org/ events-training/pefcforestcertification-week-2019

18-30 NOVEMBER 2019

CLEM2019, IV Latin American Conference on Timber Structure – Montevideo, Uruguay, LATU, Latitud, the Architecture faculty of Universidad ORT Uruguay, and the Engineering faculty of UDELAR. More info: www. clem2019.uy/

Right product foundation of a long career

19-21 NOVEMBER 2019

Malaysian Wood Expo 2019 – Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur. Email: info@malaysianwoodexpo. com.my or visit www. malaysianwoodexpo.com.my

Stuart ups stumps in Tassie after 42 years on the job

D

RAWING a 42-year career to a close with his November retirement imminent, William Adams Tasmanian sales manager, Stuart Macdonald reckons working with Caterpillar products made a solid foundation for a long career.

“Once you get to work in a company selling or servicing products that you are passionate about – why would you leave,” Stuart said.

Some five decades ago, in Launceston then 15-year-old Stuart launched into a world of work – initially in a couple of nondescript jobs, then as a store-man with Johnstone & Wilmot (now no longer operating) in their wine and spirits business.

Following some fatherly advice, Stuart joined William Adams Launceston branch as an equipment sales cadet in May 1977.

“In those day’s my father Ron kept saying that a job in selling and marketing was the place to be for a young guy like me because ‘that’s where the money is’,’’ Stuart said.

“Dad was also familiar with Caterpillar machines’ reputation, so when the job came up I jumped at the chance and the rest is history,” he said.

The role was an instant hit marrying his love of machines and associated equipment with two of what he says are the best companies around - William Adams and Caterpillar.

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“It gave me an opportunity as a young man to be part of something that was so much bigger than myself,” Stuart said.

“I have so much pride when I think about the many great Caterpillar machines we have sold and the wonderful customers and their families that have put their money on the line to purchase from us.”

Stuart worked in sales in both Launceston and Hobart and five years as the Launceston Branch Manager and then back to his first love – sales, as Tasmanian Sales Manager based in Launceston.

A big part of his career has involved the forest industries.

“Forestry is a very important part of the Tasmanian and Victorian equipment market and it has been a pleasure to serve our various forestry customers,” he said.

Like all other areas of machine development, advances in forestry machine technology have improved safety, productivity and profitability.

“Early in my sales career we’d sell skidders and track type tractors to pull logs and on some logging jobs, track loaders would pull logs with a winch and carry out another log in the forks,” Stuart said.

“The loading was mainly done with tracked loaders or the occasional wheel loader with log forks.

“Then in Tasmania in the mid to late 80s people began using excavators with rigid

log grabs – which was probably the biggest single change to happen in the industry at that time,” he said.

“It snowballed from there - by the time I left Hobart in 1993 for Launceston every logger and his dog had a log grab on an excavator.”

Stuart said the relationship with Caterpillar saw important solutions developed to address customer needs, or to close a model gap as industry needs advanced.

One such development was for customers wanting to handle 10 and 12 tonne loads in the 1980s.

At that at that time Caterpillar didn’t have a true 30 tonne class excavator, Stuart said, “so Caterpillar and William Adams developed a modified Cat 225 (25 tonne) excavator’’.

“Customers were harvesting big heavy trees and our standard excavators couldn’t physically handle them – so we worked around it with engineering help from Steve Cousland at Caterpillar and Ian Patchell, a talented engineer and attachment manufacturer from New Zealand.

“We developed a log loader based on the Cat 225 with modifications including forestry guards, a track gauge widener, a shorter, heavyduty boom and stick with a large rigid log grab and we changed the lift geometry and increased the lift capacity of the front end with a boom foot adaptor and

20-21 NOVEMBER 2019 under-slung boom cylinder mounts ” Stuart said.

“It didn’t suit every customer, but it allowed us to break into the growing 30 tonne size market.

“In some ways it was like an early but far less sophisticated version of Caterpillar’s current FM (Forest Machine) and we sold quite a few of them,” he said.

“They weren’t without problems because they could lift more than they were structurally designed to do, but they did the job.”

“I look at life through Cat yellow-coloured glasses but I sincerely believe that William Adams and Caterpillar have stood the test of time and will continue to do so,” he said.

“Customers want quality advice before, during and after the sale. They will continue to come to us if they feel confident that we can give them the best equipment and the best product support long after the sale is completed.”

The forest industry is a wonderful, renewable industry, and has improved safety, best practice and sustainability, Stuart said.

“The major forestry companies are now focused on doing the right thing.

“They want to see the next generation involved and have taken steps to clean up bad practice,” he said.

“The industry is headed in the right direction and I’m sure this trend will continue.”

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

Exploring pathways to verified sustainable tropical timber Conference – Berlin, Germany.

More info: www.europeansttc. com/

3-4 DECEMBER 2019

Climate change and new challenges in the production of high quality and well adapted forest reproductive material – Jastrebarsko, Croatia. More info: www.efi.int/ events/climatechange-andnew-challengesproductionhigh-quality-andwell-adaptedforest

24 December 2019 Christmas Eve (SA)

25 December 2019

Christmas Day (National)

26 December 2019

Boxing Day (Nation except SA) Proclamation Day (SA)

28 January 2019

Australia Day (as January 26 falls on Saturday the following Monday is observed)

16-17 DECEMBER 2019

Forest Landscape Restoration and the Bonn Challenge in Eastern and South-East Europe – Belgrade, Serbia. More info: www.unece.org/

30 March - 4 April 2020

AUSTimber, HVP Flynn site, Latrobe City, Victoria

3-5 APRIL 2020

FORESTlive, Forestry trade fair – Offenburg, Germany. More info: www.messeoffenburg.de

To be included in Whats On

please send events listings to b.mitchell@ryanmediapl.com.au www.timberbiz.com.au

Mill Profile

Riding in on the tide of success Alpine looking after its own backyard Keith Smiley

S

OME flow on a wave of success not of their own making, while others strive for perfection.

Graham Church sees his role as MD of Alpine MDF, as a commitment needing a conclusion: he is a tenacious and highly focussed man, challenged by a manufacturing sector, under more scrutiny than is warranted.

In the north east corner of Victoria, settled at the junction of the Ovens and King rivers, between golden vineyards, the Murray river, and Mt Buffalo, Wangaratta chugs along as a tourist destination, sporting a vibrant timberfinishing industry. Graham, who hails from New Zealand, has spent 35 years in the MDF industry, raising two children and spending time with his four grandchildren.

Thailand-based company, Metro Ply, bought Alpine

MDF in 2017 from Japanese giant, Sumitomo Forestry Company. Alpine is a multimillion-dollar operation now employing 140 staff, ninetyfive engaged in admin and manufacture, while the rest are ‘in an added value department’, making MDF mouldings and prime flat MDF panels, mainly for the door and furniture manufacturers.

Asked if Metro cut their staff numbers, Graham stresses: “Quite the opposite.

At the time of the hand-over we had just ramped back up to full capacity on a 24 hour seven-day basis and were in the process of employing additional staff.”

Alpine calculates that for every person directly employed by them, they create indirect employment for four others. Alpine’s philosophy is to look after their own backyard before going outside of the north east region.

The new owners are a fam-

Graham Church, MD, expanding Alpine MDF in • Wangaratta

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ily company and manufacturing panel products is their core business. “They are the largest panels producer in Thailand, with a strong manufacturing mentality,” says Graham.

“We have been able to share our business knowledge and experience and have developed a healthy respect for the synergies that we can offer each other. The Thai family have all been university educated in the USA and have a good grasp of the English language, so there are no communication barriers; however, to answer your question, no, I have not picked up the Thai language or phrases.”

Graham said.

Metro Ply are excited about their venture into Australia and according to Graham, would ‘definitely like to increase their footprint here’.

Alpine is on a 50-acre site with plenty of room for expansion. There are a num-

ber of projects that are being scoped, so activity might begin soon.

Alpine is a recognisable brand, found in chain stores like Bunnings, but it also has a strong building construction and joinery distribution for the domestic market.

It is one of three major manufacturers, eager to become the preferred supplier. Alpine MDF has fully embraced environmentally-friendly manufacturing practices, carrying a Global Green Tag. Timber is taken from radiata pine forests that reach maturity by about 30 years. Their range of MDF includes thicknesses from 2.5mm to 33.8mm and up to 5400x2400mm for large panels, suitable for drawer, cabinet carcasses, shelving, partitioning, kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, furniture and toy sizes. “ We have recently introduced a new product into

Alpine MDF’s large manufacturing facility in • northeast Victoria

Australian Forests & Timber News November 2019

the market that is ultra high moisture resistant MDF, applying a ‘no added formaldehyde’ option. We are expecting this product to open up new opportunities for MDF in general, particularly in the high humidity regions like northern New South Wales and Queensland. We will also have a fire retardant product available later this year,” Graham explained. Nevertheless, Alpine’s core range of product is interior MDF. Alpine is doing its bit for the performing arts in Wang’, being the major sponsor of Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre. The company tries to support as many organisations as possible, each on its own merit.

Graham Church helps in administration for the local Myrtleford Golf Club, and manages a round of golf when he is not drawn away to the business. He and his family live in Myrtleford.

• 50 acres scoped ready for new activity

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