42 | FORESTRY Forest Management NZ: 50th Anniversary T T Richard Loader FMNZ celebrates 50 year milestone FMNZ provides the entire suite of forest management operations. T T Paul’s passion - page 44 Family owned and operated Forest Management (NZ) Ltd is celebrating fifty years of operation, specialising in all aspects of forest management from establishment right through to harvest. Originally founded by Geoff Reddington as Waverley Logging and working in local woodlots, by the late ‘80s the business had evolved to forest management, and changed its name to Geoff Reddington Ltd. The company also became involved in syndicated forest investments, which came to the attention of local businessmen Roger Dickie who recognised an opportunity to offer syndicated forest investments to a greater proportion of the population including mum and dad investors, engaging Geoff to establish a number of forests. During the mid ‘90s Steve Bell, the current CEO, and Sally Sisson, Special Projects, both commenced their careers with FMNZ and were key to the early establishment of the forests. Another long-standing employee, Nathan Wallace commenced in 1996 and is now the Gisborne/Wairoa Regional Forest Manager. By the mid ‘90s the trees were entering the pruning phase and by the late ‘90s the business transitioned to Roger’s company, Forest Management NZ Ltd (FMNZ). Today, FMNZ has about 45,000 hectares (net stock) of forest under management. While the majority is pinus radiata, there is an increasing area of alternative species such as Douglas fir, Cypress, Redwood, Eucalyptus, Japanese Cedar and native trees being established. Forests under FMNZ stewardship are located in Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Whanganui/Taranaki Region, Wairarapa, Central Otago and Te Kuiti, and are owned by a mix of investment partnerships, private forest owners and overseas investors. While a branch office is maintained in Waverley, where the FMNZ journey began, as forests became more established on the East Coast the Head Office was located in Napier, with a branch in Gisborne. More recently, a branch has been opened in Masterton, and this year a branch was established in Te Kuiti, after FMNZ was awarded a harvesting contract there. General Manager- Forestry, Rory Bennison, who joined the business in 2000, says FMNZ commenced harvesting woodlots in 2012, while harvesting of the first RDNZ Partnership investment properties (Roger Dickie) commenced in 2015. “From 4000t in our first harvest month in 2012, at our peak we were harvesting 110,000t a month. We average 70,000t - 80,000t per month, but are looking at growing that volume again. This year, we’re aiming to harvest 1.2 million tonnes, though previous years has been lower, however that’s influenced by the markets. Because we’re looking after clients who might be one-time investors it’s about maximising their investment returns. So, it’s a juggling act that influences the volume we harvest.” FMNZ provides the entire suite of forest management operations. From land preparation, forest establishment, silviculture, spraying, pruning and thinning operations to harvest planning and management including the sale of logs both export and domestic, to maximise the returns for the investor/owners. “We also provide management of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for our clients, which is quite a big thing within the industry at the moment. Within all forestry activities, we plan and organise all the work that is required. “The work is carried out by a contractor workforce, and our job as forest managers is to organise those operations and ensure they are being carried out correctly. We work closely with our contractors to ensure they’re doing the best they can, and that we’re getting the best for our clients — that’s the balancing act. “When the markets are tough it’s about working with the contractors around what sorts of harvest volumes we can reduce down to that keeps both sides going. When the markets return, we increase volumes back up to 100% again as quickly as possible.” Over the years FMNZ has established trusted and valued relationships with its contractors, some of whom have been part of the FMMZ journey for many years. “One of our silviculture contractors, Ron Middleton started with us in 1999, and the son of one of our planting contractors who was involved in the early forest planting still works for us.” FMNZ currently employs over 30 staff with a diverse range of roles from harvest managers, ETS specialists, financial, business and administration, senior and entry level foresters, engineering, woodflow, logistics and marketing, GIS/mapping, health and safety, an environmental manager and a consents coordinator. To bring new blood into the business, FMNZ works closely with Canterbury University and Waiariki Institute of Technology to take on interns during their holidays, with the goal of developing their practical skills, assessing their industry strengths and creating interest in the company. “This year we have three University of Canterbury interns, two are doing the Forest Science degree, and the other is doing the Forest Engineering degree. “Sometimes we also have overseas students who come in for a brief time to get an understanding of how New Zealand forestry works, and we learn a bit off them as well.” Always looking at what emerging technologies are beneficial to its operations, FMNZ has adopted drone and AI technology, though Rory says there will always be a place for human knowledge and boots on the ground. “Harvesting techniques have also changed dramatically to reduce the number of people on the ground or in dangerous situations, utilising things like tethers, winch assist machinery, and grapple swing yarders.” Whether it is supporting fund raisers and events, providing talks to schools about career pathways in forestry, or getting behind programmes like the Wood is Good Programme, community engagement, especially with the remote communities has always been important to FMNZ. “As a business that operates in rural communities, our transparency as a company has been a key measure of success. It’s also the ability to get the job done, and to keep that balanced approach between the clients need for a return, and the contractors needs for on-going work.”
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