66 | “We have the equipment and a high level of expertise in the company, which means we can do the difficult jobs safely.” FORESTRY G White Logging Innovation drives success G White Logging has a team of around 50 including four logging crews, three of which are cable-logging teams and one is a ground crew. G White Logging prides itself on its innovative approach. It’s been a cornerstone of the company’s success since it was started by Gareth White in 2012. “I like solving problems,” he admits. “We have a crew dedicated to the hard to log trees or areas left behind. “We have the equipment and a high level of expertise in the company, which means we can do the difficult jobs safely.” This has seen the crew log 94-year-old Douglas Firs located straight above the Rangitaiki River in Kaingaroa Forest. On such jobs Gareth says mechanisation is the key and the company was an early adopter of technology that would enable it to take people off the ground. For example grapple logging with haulers as opposed to someone having to attach the log manually. Gareth even built a winch assist machine, before they were readily available to purchase, so the company could more safely log on steep slopes. G White Logging has also invested in a small fleet of eight-wheel drive logging trucks used to shift wood from sites where the usual logging trucks and trailers can’t access. It saves the client having to build an expensive road or have to leave behind perfectly good logs because accessing them is too costly, says Gareth. He imported the first eight wheeler from Australia, thinking he would use it on G White Logging jobs, but now contracts this fleet out to forestry companies in another side to the business. Gareth has over 25 years experience working in the logging industry. He started when he was 15 doing ground work and worked his way up through the ranks to a foreman role. He therefore knows all the jobs he asks his Karen Phelps crew to do first hand. That’s important. “In our industry it’s good to have an understanding of everything we do. “We work in a variable environment that’s constantly changing with unique challenges and health and safety is our highest priority.” Based in Tokoroa, G White Logging has a team of around 50 including four logging crews, three of which are cable-logging teams and one is a ground crew. The company employs four full time mechanics who complete maintenance and upgrades on the fleet to ensure it is in top condition at all times so clients’ jobs can always be completed in a timely manner. The company even keeps a spare hauler so that if one unexpectedly needs work done the jobs can keep going. Gareth says this gives clients real peace of mind. Loyal clients have been another big factor in the success of G White Logging. “Good relationships with the companies we work with has been a big part of how this business has grown.” With an ageing workforce Gareth is a big proponent of bringing new blood into the industry and currently G White Logging has four apprentices. G White Logging is a member of the Forestry Industry Contractors Association. “We do a lot of training and have our own in-house trainer. “We take as many apprentices as we can and one of my main goals is to bring more young people into the industry and see them develop skills and experience.”
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