| 55 T T Sue Russell $270 million investment in the future Formative work on the site new is underway, though planning for the build has been two years in the making. Laminex NZ MANUFACTURING Engineering progress Enhancing lives www.rehau.com 021 731 366 sales.nz@rehau.com Building Technology | Furniture Solutions Civil Solutions | Windows & Doors System 50 Years of RAUKANTEX FURNITURE EDGEBANDS Mike Arthur, General Manager of Laminex NZ says it’s been timely to invest $270 million to bolster capacity at its Taupo manufacturing facility. The new build, adjacent to the existing plant will bring new innovation, state of the art manufacturing technology and future proof the company’s supply capability. The factory is being built on the same footprint of the MDF plant, built adjacent to the particle board factory commissioned in 1984 which burnt down in 2006. Laminex NZ has two production facilities in New Zealand and is part of the Building Product Division of Fletcher Building, producing or distributing panel products, decorative surfaces and benchtops, including the Laminex, Melteca, Formica, Strand and Caesarstone brands. The company produces Particleboard at its Taupo plant and supplies products through its nationwide distribution and branch network. The current plant will be decommissioned to enable a smooth transfer and no disruption to manufacturing. Mike says formative work on the site new was underway, though planning for the build has been 2 years in the making. “There’s a significant amount of work to do to cost a project of this nature out. We’ve had a dedicated project team to complete due diligence. It’s a great site, well-positioned in the central North Island with good wood fibre sources,” Mike says. The Taupo facility employs 45 staff and within a couple of years will need more team members to run at full capacity. “Currently we’re in design and equipment sourcing phase and earthworks are scheduled to begin in March.” The current plant was built in 1968 and fully commissioned by 1969. Mike says the new factory will produce the new generation fibre board. The particleboard currently manufactured is used for panels, cabinetry, modular housing floors, walls and ceilings. Particleboard is sent to the company’s Hamilton plant to be pressed with low pressure laminate to make Melteca, NZ’s leading cabinetry product range used in kitchens, bathroom and commercial projects. Mike advised “We’re in an expansion mode, there’s strong demand for our products domestically and for export markets” “There’s a significant amount of work to do to cost a project of this nature out. We’ve had a dedicated project team to complete due diligence. It’s a great site, well-positioned in the central North Island with good wood fibre sources.” Once fully operational the new manufacturing plant will have the potential to produce three times the volume of the existing plant. “We’ve made sure this new site is set up to allow for strong growth and future demand.” At 20,000 square metres Laminex NZ’s Taupo facility is planned to be up and running in mid 2025. And there’s a strong environmental drive behind the design of the new factory Mike explains. “We’re thinking strongly about sustainability in terms of our waste streams and lowest carbon options for energy and lighting. “Our energy plant will utilise bio-mass and waste streams. It’s exciting to know our products will come from this sustainable energy pathway.” Throughout the project, local iwi and hapu have been consulted and Mike says they will seek to source contractors engaged in the build from Taupo and the surrounding regions. Mike and the Laminex team are confident the new manufacturing facility will add positively to Taupo’s economy and the local community.
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