56 | T T Sue Russell Nigel and Michelle Harrison have invested a lot into their Northland forestry business Wise on Wood, and carrying Assessor qualifications both are passionate advocates for the sector. Wise on Wood was established in 2015, and the following year Nigel was awarded Skilled Professional of the Year at the Northland Forestry Awards. Keeping it in the family, Michelle also won this award in 2019. Previously working with Nigel’s brother and parents logging, sawmilling, building houses, farming and general contracting, it is fair to say the couple learnt a lot about wood. When leaving the family business, sharing knowledge and making forestry profitable for land owners was their goal. “We were really fortunate back then, because we had a lot of support and encouragement. Our passion is to log woodlots, and today we have one crew we’re very committed to,” says Michelle. In 2022, at the Northland Forestry Awards, the couple’s contribution to providing career pathways for those entering the sector was recognised with them receiving the Training Company of the Year Award. The couple’s aim is to work as close to home (Okaihau) as possible, although they are prepared to range over a radius of an hour’s drive, putting in long hours as conditions allow. Satco T T Kelly Deeks Investment, innovation underpin development “We’re up to 20% cheaper than our competitors, and that’s not because we’ve cut corners, it’s because we’ve invested smartly,” FORESTRY Tokoroa-based forestry attachment manufacturer, Satco, is helping to mechanise global forestry operations, while also driving economic development in South Waikato through bold investment, innovation, and homegrown talent. Owner Warwick Batley’s journey began 35 years ago, when he and a business partner invested $50,000 each to buy existing but rundown Tokoroa engineering business Steel & Track Engineering, which specialised in forestry repairs. A fitter turner by trade, Warwick’s early experience in both machining and design laid the groundwork for what would eventually become a global brand. “Back then, we fixed whatever came in the door,” he says. “But we soon saw an opportunity with the increasing mechanisation for forestry in Tokoroa. Equipment coming in from Europe just couldn’t handle the size and density of New Zealand trees, so we decided to build our own.” That opportunity led to the creation of Satco, and Warren bought out his partner in Steel and Track. Satco initially developed log-loading grapples, before expanding into felling heads and harvesting heads, with Steel and Track continuing with forestry repairs and forestry guarding manufacture. In the early days, every dollar Steel & Track earned was poured into developing Satco products, and Warwick’s accountant advised him to abandon Satco and stick to Steel and Track. But Warwick knew Satco was the future. He soldiered on, and by 2008 Satco was ready to stand on its own. Warwick sold Steel & Track’s equipment to Satco and committed fully to manufacturing and maintaining Satco forestry attachments. “I told myself, no more jobbing or repairs. Mechanisation was the future of forestry, and I was going to focus on manufacturing quality attachments and building a reputable brand.” Around the same time, international opportunities emerged. A visit from a Chilean Caterpillar dealer sparked interest in Satco’s robust equipment for use in Chile, a country with similar forestry conditions to New Zealand’s. In 2009, Satco made its first sale there, and today Chile accounts for 50-60% of its production. Warwick now has Satco Chile, which operates two branches, and Warwick’s son Promoting forestry’s future Wise on Wood has been supplying local Northland sawmills since it first started. Wise on Wood Ethan is learning Spanish, as well as completing his apprenticeship on the floor at Satco in Tokoroa ahead of a planned relocation to Chile to learn local Spanish and tree harvester operation. Satco’s strategy has consistently focused not only on supplying developed markets with leading-edge harvesting equipment, but also developing markets where rising labour costs are forcing a move towards mechanisation, such as Ecuador, where the company recently shipped its first batch of equipment. “Our lower-tech range of attachments are able to work in developing countries that don’t have the infrastructure to support high-tech attachments, but are advanced enough to handle demanding forestry conditions,” says Warwick. Investment in automation and infrastructure has been central to Satco’s growth. The company now manufactures nearly every component in-house. Warwick’s latest investment is in Satco’s own powder coating plant, and Satco uses robot welders and the latest CNC machines to maintain quality and reduce manufacturing costs. “We’re up to 20% cheaper than our competitors, and that’s not because we’ve cut corners, it’s because we’ve invested smartly,” Warwick says. Satco also writes its own software for the control systems used to run its harvesting heads and provides full technical support, a vital service that offshore manufacturers often fail to deliver. Now debt-free and employing a growing team of skilled workers, Satco is creating a strong future not only for itself, but for Tokoroa. “We’ve got a great bunch of young guys coming through.” says Warwick. “They are the future, and we’re invested in them. They have been lucky to learn from the older Satco staff, some that have been with us for more than 30 years.” And it’s a real family affair as well, with the eldest son, nearly 22, and his fiancée, slowly taking over the crew. The goal is to provide opportunities to secure training and employment in the sector for young people from Northland, who are keen to work outdoors and be part of a sustainable industry. Their son, Harry was fortunate to have had a scheme at school where students are released one day each week to work with the crew – a very good way of introducing them to the realities of working in a forestry crew. “It would be great if more people could get involved in this to help our youth move into employment,” Nigel says. Pretty much the majority of the crew have come into the company straight from school, with all, apart from one, being under the age of 30. “That bodes well for the future of our business, and the industry generally. You have to find ways to bring the next generation on,” says Nigel. As qualified Assessors, Nigel and Michelle put their employees through NZQA qualifications, giving their staff a real sense of achievement. Another strong theme guiding how Nigel and Michelle conduct business is to support the local industry. Wise on Wood has been supplying local sawmills since it first started. Without local sawmills buying the tree growers’ wood, it is not possible to get the best for the tree growers. This is the key to their success – supporting those who support them. 0800 732 578 | realsteel.co.nz Proud to support Satco Ltd Real Steel supplies New Zealand's best and most innovative manufacturers with quality high precision steel parts.
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