4 | Hastings: BBI Wood Products REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Timber demand behind expansion Sue Russell Brendan O’Sullivan established BBI Wood Products in 2008 supplying plywood to the packaging sector out of its base at Tomoana, Hastings. In 2009 Rowe McGregor came on board and handles the day-to -day running operations as general manager. Today, the Company has expanded its product offering to service the wider civil and construction industries with plywood for forming concrete to a range of high-specification products used in interior finishings. Brendan describes the region as a great one to operate in, backed by serious infrastructure support in the form of good port facilities, roading access, airport and a general positive vibe shared by Hawke’s Bay District and Regional Councils alike. “There are a lot of really good reasons for commercial and industrial businesses of scale to base themselves in this region. There are several areas opening up such as the Irongate Industrial Hub we’re investing in with a purpose built distribution centre which is going to allow us to process more product to our distribution network of building supply merchants,” says Brendan. And the timing, with the building due to be completed by September, couldn’t be better as huge demand for treated timber products soars and acute shortages are being experienced by timber merchants. The 6800 square metre building is being constructed using Laminated Veneer Lumbar (LVL) manufactured by Nelson Pine, with an impressive 45m x 100m internal clear span and 8m and 7m canopies around the perimeter. Once completed BBI’s new distribution centre will occupy an area larger than a football field. “Using LVL works in perfectly with our focus on building using sustainably processed materials. It’s a very beautiful and versatile product. Not only is it aesthetically attractive, it gives a warm feeling to the structure along with carbon storage and sound absorption properties in what will be a noisy environment.” “There are several areas opening up such as the Irongate Industrial Hub we’re investing in with a purpose built distribution centre which is going to allow us to process more product to our distribution network of building supply merchants.” Brendan says Hawke’s Bay offers businesses requiring large-scale processing, warehousing and distribution space plenty of good reasons to consider the region. “Typically these businesses are usually based in Auckland but we have such great infrastructure designed to support industries such as these to operate really efficiently.” “The council is very supportive of encouraging development here and facilities such as Napier Port and the excellent roading and local trucking services make distribution very good.” He says agencies such as MPI combined with the Napier Port, are great to deal with and very responsive, while as a region it has a stable population base, excellent climate and a less frantic energy compared with the larger centres. “We are looking very much looking forward to the move into new premises at Irongate, to page 6 (06) 873 5350 115 Elwood Road, Tomoana, Hastings 4172 info@tomoanawarehousing.co.nz www.tomoanawarehousing.co.nz (06) 873 5350 115 Elwood Road, Tomoana, Hastings 4172 info@tomoanawarehousing.co.nz www.tomoanawarehousing.co.nz Tomoana Warehousing is a leading transport, warehousing and third party logistics provider to importers, exporters and manufacturers nationwide. Can do. Will do. TOMOANA WAREHOUSING TRANSPORT The BBI Wood Products team.
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