Business North July / August 2021

| 69 FORESTRY Northland Forest Managers Forestry management company NFM does everything from land preparation, planting, growing the forest, through to harvesting and marketing the logs for both carbon and traditional forests. supply a small sawmill near Marsden Point called ETC with logs. We also supply Carter Holt Harvey’s LVL Mill in Marsden Point. The rest is transported to Northport for export to China.” Through all the various forestry operations NFM employs about 15 different forestry-con- tracting companies, each with six to eight people to a team, on average. Neil says the relationship between NFM and contractor is one built on mutual trust and respect, working together to achieve the best outcome, for the client. “As a forest owner and forest manager we understand what the client goes through in terms of having to prepare, plant and look after the land and get trees to harvest. “At harvest stage we live and breath that every day, so we understand what a client has to deal with, whether they are either small or large scale. We’re passionate about what we do and try to provide some of that passion and skill to the respective people we work with.” Reflecting on the significance of Northland’s forestry industry Neil says the region harvests around three to four million tonnes each year and employs hundreds of people directly, let alone indirectly. “The flow on effect for the Northland econo- my and its contribution to the local GDP is significant. “For logging contractors there is the crew on the ground each day, plus the servicing of machinery and hydraulic hoses. “Then there is the fleet of logging trucks to cart all the logs plus the servicing of them. Sil- viculture teams have chainsaws, vehicles and other equipment that needs to be serviced and maintained. “With any logging operation you have cart- age, road building, replanting and then there’s a small army of people at the port, let alone those working in the mills.” Ralph HELICOPTERS LTD Schultz Complete agricultural andcommercial helicopter service TRANSPORTING NORTHLAND WIDE - THE SMART CHOICE FOR LOG TRANSPORT PH. 021 245 4835 TRANSPORT SOLUTIONS LTD WHANGAREI MARSDEN