Business North July / August 2021

66 | There are five kiwi recovery projects in Northland that are community based and two which are standalone, where HFM does its own predator control. FORESTRY Northland Wood Council - Hancock Forest Management Steven Stokes M: 0274891005 E: stokeslogging@xtra.co.nz Tethered Felling Systems Log Forwarder Extraction reducing roading costs Hauler and Ground Based Extraction The industry has certainly changed with the introduction of Mechanised Processing. We currently extract and fall 90%of our volume with fully optimized heads to ensure the customer gets the best quality and most accurate log. These machines are capable to process 80 ton per hour in good wood and probably do the job of 5 men on chainsaws. Our Tether Felling System allows a felling machine to be winched up and down slopes up to 50% grade; felling, extracting and repositioning wood. Stokes Logging Ltd, formed in 2009, runs 5 Crews producing around 1500 tonnes per day. We operate multiple crews so can program our work to ensure we provide the very best configuration to complete jobs environmentally friendly, that are safe and cost effective to forest owners. We are SAFETREE certified which demonstrates our professionalism to clients. We have formed a great working relationship with China National Forestry who not only have a direct supply to China for export logs, but also have supply contracts with all of the local sawmills. Skilled staff, quality machinery, good forward planning and working for successful forest management companies has been the bedrock of success for Northland based Stokes Logging Ltd. Led by hands-on managing director Steven Stokes, the company operates a highly mechanised harvesting operation in Northland, Auckland and Taranaki. Growing up amongst the forestry industry, the opportunity to work in a Helensville woodlot gave birth to Stokes Logging Ltd in 2009. Starting with an old high track bulldozer, a digger and a crew of three keen young men, Steven has steadily evolved the business’ manpower, equipment and capability. “Our work is mainly harvesting in corporate forests but we have two crews doing private woodlots in the summer months. In total we operate six crews with one sub-contracted crew, and produce around 2100 tonnes of logs per day. Basing the business in Whangarei, and running both hauler and ground based operations Stoke Logging can offer different crew configurations to best meet the forest managers’ needs. In total, Stokes Logging employs a team of 45 including its own in-house trainer/assessor and dedicated Human Resource manager, ensuring all systems are kept up to date and the skilled forestry workers are complying with all the systems. Stokes Logging is now in its tenth year contracting to Hancock Forest Management and Steven says his business has grown through Hancocks, which provides good work and stability. “Hancock Forest Management kept us going at pretty much full capacity through the market downturns, particularly when we first went into Covid. What I like is that they have very high environmental standards with a focus on renewable resources. They adhere strictly to the standards set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and we have to meet those standards to ensure the environment is being protected.” FSC has developed a system of forest certification and product labeling that enables consumers to identify responsibly sourced wood, paper and other forest products. Stokes Logging also contracts to China Forestry Group, Olsen Forestry Management and Northland Forest Managers. Steven reflects that the industry has changed a lot with the introduction of mechanisation in all tasks by improving safety, crew performance and production. “We currently process 100% of our wood with fully optimised processing heads to ensure the customer gets the best quality and most accurate log. Our tether felling system allows a felling machine to be winched up and down slopes up to 50% grade; felling and extracting.” Stokes Logging is SAFETREE certified, demonstrating professionalism and commitment to health and safety. Meeting logging needs