| 17 T T Russell Fredric Enjoying a market niche Northpine produces a range of machine stress-graded structural Radiata pine for civil, residential and commercial construction,. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Northpine Based in the small Northland town of Waipu, Northpine is its largest employer and a multiple award-winning timber manufacturer, specialising in supplying large-dimension and non-standard beams and square posts to merchants nationwide. Director Bruce Larsen says Northpine produces a range of machine stress-graded structural Radiata pine for civil, residential and commercial construction, as well as complementary outdoor products, including decking and square posts. “Our focus is on the wood sawn, dried and treated. It’s the strong, natural look rather than engineered laminates. We gauge the pine to its final size and then treat it on site.” All Northpine products are manufactured from sustainably grown Pinus radiata sourced from northern New Zealand. Reliable academic research by Forest Research Institute (FRI, now Scion) in the 1990s shows the pine grown in Northland is denser than in other parts of the country, Bruce says. The cell walls are thicker, partly because of the warmer growing conditions in autumn and winter – consequently Northland-grown pine forms the basis for top-quality products for construction, he says. “You cannot determine timber strength or stiffness just by looking at it. That’s why Northpine has a rigorous machine stress-testing regime that is independently verified by Grade Right. Our products are also BRANZ appraised.” Northpine employs 65 staff and is deeply committed to training and retaining staff, taking pride in recognising outstanding individual and company achievements, including at least 12 Northland Forestry Awards, mostly for wood-processing excellence. The company’s senior management are degree-qualified, while employees hold a wide variety of technical qualifications specific to the industry. The plant has been operating for 25 years and typically processes 28,000 to 30,000 cubic metres of timber annually. Following the post-Covid building boom, the subsequent market correction has been more severe than expected, Bruce says. “It has been difficult. We closed our distribution yard in Silverdale for our specialist products into Auckland. We’ve looked at our processes and made changes that improved productivity and efficiency. Our management structure is also a bit leaner.” However, it has not just been about making the business leaner. Northpine’s management have also been looking at market opportunities. “On the sales side we have reactivated exporting to Australia to take some of our products. We’re providing contract processing services to other sawmilling companies, and we are knocking on doors of merchants we’ve dealt with in the past and finding new customers,” Bruce says. Another focus is looking to greater diversification into non-arsenic treated landscaping-related and retaining products. “I think we’ve set ourselves up to be tidy once we get a little bit more market normality and a little bit more construction starts in the country.” Through all the economic cycles, it is satisfying for Northpine, which was started by Keith Reay as a very modest business, to have marked 25 years. A hugely influential leader and innovator throughout a distinguished career, Keith passed away in August last year, aged 80, having made a significant contribution to the industry, both locally and nationally. “In those earlier days we probably produced maybe just 8000 cubic metres a year,” Bruce says. “Northpine has grown organically over the 25 years, and we’ve now got our niche in the market. We’re proud of what we do and of our sustained involvement in the local community. “As a large business in a small town we’ve got a responsibility to make sure we can assist the town as well as we can. Northpine has contributed well over $1 million over the years in sponsorship and local donations.” B L A D E S A T W O R K In the cutting business for over 40 years. Visit us at our new sawshop at 1 Kepa Road Ruakaka. For the right advice call 0800 425 574 sales@aslindustries.co.nz | www.aslindustries.co.nz With over 40 years experience in the industry, ASL’s team have the ability to solve any cutting issues. Many of our existing customers have been with the company for over 25 years. The experience and dedication of our team is unparalleled in the industry. We have been providing cutting-edge technology solutions for over 40 years, with an emphasis on customer care. MANGONUI HAULAGE Livestock - Logs - Ready Mix - General · Livestock · Bulk Cartage · Water · Readymix Concrete · General Cartage Kaitaia / Mangonui / Waipapa 09 406 0087 | mangonuihaulage.co.nz
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