| 67 Deadman Logging FORESTRY Dedicated to efficient forestry harvesting As the demand for firewood grew, so did the need for raw materials. T T Bernadette Cooney Ohakune logging contractors, Deadman Logging are experienced and competent operators and an inter-generational family business driven by a dedication to efficient forestry harvesting. An experienced ground-based harvesting crew specialising in woodlot harvesting across Ruapehu and the Central Plateau. Ben Deadman, a seasoned logger with over a decade of experience, runs the operation alongside his brother Sam. Together, they carry on the legacy that their father, Mike, began many years ago. “Originally dad was a market gardener growing carrots,” says Ben, “shifting gears to firewood when I was in college.” As the demand for firewood grew, so did the need for raw materials, leading the family into logging. Ben qualified as a diesel mechanic and soon found himself working forestry, where his mechanical skills proved invaluable. “Today, it’s two separate businesses with my brother Sam and I, running the logging contracting and my other brother Luke helping dad with the other business, Deadman Firewood Merchants, which supplies Ohakune with firewood,” says Ben. Contracted by forestry owners to fell and extract plantation species including Pinus Radiata, Macrocarpa, Eucalyptus Gum and Douglas Fir, Deadman Logging are a Safe Tree certified business which means they must adhere to and be audited on strict safety protocols. Ensuring that every machine operator is well-trained and certified, and every piece of equipment is in top condition. “It’s an extremely high level of health and safety requirements in forestry and we have an exemplary record as evidenced by our certification.” says Ben. Technology in the logging industry has advanced rapidly he says contributing to their ability to extract 20 to 25 truck and trailer loads of logs each week. What once required a team of workers with chainsaws can now be done by a single mechanised processing head which can fell trees, measure them out and cut them and sort them all in one go. “It’s a game-changer that has increased efficiencies tenfold for loggers. It takes away three other guys easily,” says Ben. Once harvested, the logs are processed and sorted, with the highest quality wood heading to mills in Taupo, while the rest is taken to ports in preparation for export often to markets in China. Particularly since the sudden closure of Tangiwai and Karioi timber mills by Winstone Pulp International due to soaring electricity prices. “For the last three years we supplied logs to Tangawai, so when they had to shut, we had a lot of logs with nowhere to go,” says Ben. “We had to switch to recutting them to different grades and obtaining an export quota at about half the amount we usually do each month, just to keep ticking over,” says Ben. Deadman Logging’s association with Cashmore Contracting Ltd of Whanganui, who operate forestry harvesting and management service, Logs Direct, has been crucial to their success. This partnership provides them with logging contracts for forestry blocks throughout the Central Plateau. “They’ll contract us to harvest forestry blocks and transport them to the mill or the port, so it’s an important working relationship that we value highly,” says Ben. Clients appreciate the honest, transparent and ‘no nonsense’ approach o ered by Logs Direct. Drawing onmore than 45 years of industry experience, owner Robert Cashmore’s hands-on knowledge of the coalface gives him unique insight into every aspect of forestry operations. This practical understanding has shaped the company's approach to forest management and harvesting services across the North Island resulting in huge bene it for our customers. "We're a one stop shop for forestry owners and investors andwhat sets us apart is our upfront approach. We tell it like it is, and our clients appreciate that honesty,” says Robert. Forest owners are sick of hidden surprises he adds “Logs Direct aims to provide the best return to clients whilemeeting all regulations to the highest level and our many years of experience in the ield helps us to do just that.” Operating out of Whanganui, Logs Direct has built its reputation on providing comprehensive services includingmechanical harvesting, hauler logging, road construction and forest management and consulting. The company also o ers expertise in emissions trading scheme and land use consulting. "Forest owners can rest assured that we can manage all required compliance and operational audits on their behalf," says Robert. "We take compliance seriously, with all third-party contractors required tomeet our strict health and safety and environmental policies. We use third party health and safety and environmental inspectors. In environmentally sensitive areas we develop detailed restoration plans and strive to exceed the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry (NES PF).” This commitment to standards extends to building long-term relationships with trusted Logs Direct’s no nonsense approach logging crews. The company's partnership with Ohakune's Deadman Logging Contractors exempli ies this approach. "Consistently good quality and dependability is what we get with Deadman Logging and that's key to continued collaboration," says Robert. Logs Direct sells clients' logs to customers who will pay the highest net price. Unlike others in the industry, it deliberately avoids ixed supply agreements that can lead to suboptimal pricing. This lexible approach allows the company to maximise returns for forest owners by accessing both export and domesticmarkets. Logs Direct has grown from its origins at the coalface with Cashmore Contracting, a small harvesting and road-building operation, which today acts as a sister company and includes a leet of 20 diggers, plus bulldozers, trucks, and loaders, alongside two quarries in the North Island. Since its inception Logs Direct has expanded to become one of New Zealand's only independent full-service forest management companies. With extensive commercial logging and forestry roading experience the company continues to build on its reputation for straightforward, reliable service. It operates in conjunction with Cashmore Contracting, which provides forest harvesting, civil earthworks and aggregate supply services to forestry and rural clients. For Robert, Logs Direct’s success comes down to combining common sense systems with specialist expertise. "We bring together modern harvesting techniques with professional forest management services," he says. "But at heart, we're still guided by the same principles of honest, transparent dealing that have served us well since inception." 021 072 1099 robertcashmore@outlook.com 453 Heads Road, Castlecliff, Whanganui L O G S D I R E C T P35 16/3 LD
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