Business Rural Winter 2021

| 67 Proud history for sawmilling family Sue Russell FORESTRY » Mitchell Bros Sawmilling focus for SWC wood-machining, or for an on-the-job national standards achievement such as tree-pruning or silviculture. “It’s awesome to see them all, because it’s not just the young people learning new skills for the first time, there’s also a large number of seasoned forestry employees who are training to drive new pieces of equipment for example, or in some cases just being formally recognized for the skills that they already have. Their families come along to see them up on the stage, and we make a night of it with food and entertain- ment to celebrate what we’re doing.” Grant sees it as an important ceremony for their area of an industry that is New Zealand’s third largest export earner, just behind Sheep and Beef, with export earnings of $4.5 billion. “It’s a fantastic industry,” says Grant. “It’s a great way to work in the outdoors, but it’s also a technical industry and it’s an industry that does great things for the environment. Forests tend to stabilize land, they provide habitat for endangered species, they sequester a whole lot of carbon and provide a whole range of environmental benefits for the community like recreation. “Careers in forestry are sought after and it’s a great way to be part of a really strong industry in New Zealand and in doing so contribute to the environment, the community, and the economy. So the Southern Wood Council is really about tying all of that together for the companies that are operating in the lower South Island.” Forestry is a growth industry as the world works to move away from a fossil fuel economy, and with the recommendation in the Climate Commission Report to expand forestry around New Zealand it’s reassuring to know that Grant believes that New Zealand’s forestry is sustain- ably grown to tight environmental standards with most, if not all, of the major forest owners environmentally certified to FSC certification. Grant’s also quick to point out that none of their members are in the business of buying up production land to plant with trees following the “lock and leave carbon model” which has generated some controversy. “Straight out carbon farming is not the business model of the Southern Wood Council members,” he explains. “We’re about the financial, social and environmental aspects of our industry so when we expand it’s about expanding our produc- tive forestry businesses with everyone in mind including the environment, and the long term health of the country.” Drones being used in forestry operations. Photo supplied by Interpine. tic wholesale market mainly throughout Canterbury and the West Coast. “We produce approximately 20,000 cubic metres of sawn timber annually, of which nearly all is sold domestically,” says Scott. While their main focus is on the production of structural graded timber Mitchell Bros also produces treated timber used for landscaping and fencing products. Other onsite activities include the manufacturing of timber produce bins and pallets, kit set timber hay barns, farm fence posts and poles. It’s this wide range of products that has contributed to the company’s longevity. Brad and Scott credit the previous generations for always looking at ways to improve through the use of technology “Although the use of technology is forever emerging that has not meant we have cut staffing numbers. We still have very similar staff numbers that we had 20 years ago but we are producing nearly twice as much timber. • to page 68 Solid Independent Forestry Advice and Marketing Phone: (03) 425 9695 or 021 270 4859 Email: mort.shepherd@ventureforestry.co.nz www.ventureforestry.co.nz WWW.SOUTHPORT.CO.NZ LOGISTIC & WAREHOUSING SOLUTIONS PROUD TO SUPPORT SOUTHERN WOOD COUNCIL E stablished in 1946, Mitchell Bros Sawmill is celebrating 75 years in business. Located in Darfield, 35km West of Christchurch, brothers Tony and David along with their sons Scott and Brad all come from a proud family of sawmillers. To oper- ate for that length of time involves a strong work commitment from one generation to the next. Tony and David are the third generation of the Mitchell family to operate the business and now feel the time is right for Scott and Brad, the fourth generation, to take the business on from here. Brad and Scott have evolved specific responsi- bilities in the business, to ensure that production is seamless, staff are well looked after and orders fulfilled. Scott looks after the roundwood, timber quality control, health and safety and human resources, while Brad looks after production planning, timber preservation, timber drying and organising dispatch. Mitchell Bros buy in structural grade logs which are sourced throughout Canterbury and the West Coast. Timber and roundwood is sold to the domes- Specialist Commercial Insurance Brokers based in Christchurch offering insurance advice to all Canterbury Businesses Proudly supporting Mitchell Bros Sawmillers Contact Brian Reedy – 021 270 4422 | runacres.co.nz Darfield 03 318 8516 | Oxford 03 312 4016 www.frewstransport.co.nz • GENERAL FREIGHT • STOCK • LIME & FERTILISER • GRAIN • LOG CARTAGE • BLOWER TRUCK Mitchell Bros manufacture a number of products on site including wooden pallets and produce bins.