Business North March 2023

| 37 Northpine Managing Director Bruce Larsen. “For the Wilsons, sawmilling wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life.” Richard Loader Recognition well earned Northland Forestry Awards: Northpine Ltd FORESTRY Ninety productive years’ contribution to the sawmilling industry by the Wilson family was officially recognised when it was they were awarded the Forestry Family of the Year award at the 2022 Northland Forestry Awards (NFA). “The Wilson family have been involved in the sawmilling industry since 1930 starting with James (Jim) Wilson who devoted his life to timber,” says Bruce Larsen, Managing Director of Northpine, the Waipu wood processing company he co-founded in 1999 with Richard Wilson and Keith Reay. “For the Wilsons, sawmilling wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life. They have led the way, opened up doors, created employment, contributed and sponsored communities, and have been role models for many young men and women, transmitting passing on not only their passion for timber and expertise with it, but also their values and vision.” as role models that still carry on to the next generation.” Bruce, who nominated the Wilson family for the award, says Richard was part has been a key member of the senior management team and his critical decision-making in terms of strategy, processes and Health and Safety led to Northpine’s success. Richard also made a significant contribution to Northpine’s current culture and vision, while his wife Gaylene contributed to the development of the Human Resources Department in Northpine, for 12 years. HR Manager, co-owner and member of the board, Gaylene also contributed to the training culture, Health & Safety and personal development plans for employees in the sawmill. “‘Auntie’ Gaylene, as workers would call her, ensured staff members got the support they needed in different aspects of their life, from industry training and budgeting, right through to counselling.” Not surprisingly, Richard and Gaylene’s son, Darren, also developed a passion for timber, and worked for Northpine, Moxons, and Max Birt Sawmill in sales. In 2014 Darren moved to the ITM support office to become the Timber Category Manager, until an opportunity arose while at ITM to purchase his own ITM business. and He and his wife Sharon are now proud owners of Waiuku ITM. Richard and Gaylene’s son-in-law, Nathan Jacoby, joined Northpine’s family in 2008 for more than 13 years, taking on the role of Boiler/Kiln Supervisor. While at Northpine in 2017 Nathan won the Northland Forestry Industry’s individual NFA award for Wood Processing Excellence, along with the Timber Processing of the Year award. Richard and Gaylene’s nephew, Troy, is the latest Wilson to join Northpine, as a Sawmill Hand in 2016, straight out of high school. “Over the last two years particularly, Troy has matured, becoming one of the best operators in the mill with remarkable determination and assiduity in his training,” says Bruce. “He’s really knuckled down, passing a lot of the level 4 unit standards. He’s still learning and has now become part of the sawmill’s leadership team. It is for that reason that I nominated him for the 2022 Trainee of the Year at the NFAs, which he won.” Troy’s brother James, and father David, have also enjoyed successful careers in the forestry industry. Both have and have both previously won the industries industry’s Skilled Professional of the Year award. Judges in last year’s awards NFAs described James as an ‘amazing professional bushman’, humble with an incredibly high work standard and always focused on health and safety. The Wilson’s have been contributing to the local community through Northpine’s sponsorships including golf, rugby, netball, league, and Waipu primary school. Since retiring Richard and Gaylene are also trustees of Waipu 2000, a group involved with maintaining the coastal town of Waipu. A number of Jim’s grandchildren and great grandchildren have worked at Northpine at various times. · Livestock · Logs · Water · Readymix Concrete · General Cartage 09 406 0087 | mangonuihaulage.co.nz BDX DELIVER INTEGRATED ENGINEERING, MAINTENANCE AND CONTRACTING SOLUTIONS FOR NORTHLAND. 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