60 | MANUFACTURING Prowood Russell Fredric Renowned nationwide for good reason Timber used for laminating is carefully selected for production and graded according to strict Prowood specifications. After starting Prowood 20 years ago with just one docking saw and a planer, John Woodman has grown the business to be a multi-million-dollar mover in the New Zealand construction industry. Prowood’s laminated products, branded as Prolam, have subsequently become renowned nationwide for their premium quality. John initially started the Motueka business contract processing, then over six months developed a laminated H5 treated veranda post that was not available elsewhere at the time. These were also used as fence posts by some, and the product provided a springboard for growth as architects and others wanted laminated posts and beams that were not available then in standard sizes. Central to the growth of the business was the development of specifying software that provided architects with a way to specify Prolam without having to go through an engineer, which was opposite to the process at the time, John says. Normally an architect would request a design and specifications from an engineer, then a bespoke beam was subsequently manufactured. “We turned it around the other way and went to an engineer and said we want to make a standard range of beams that match standard timber sizes.” The supporting documentation provided in the form of span tables and producer statements for local authorities, in addition to BRANZ Codemark certification for the H5 laminated structural post, created an easy and seamless process for Prolam’s products to be specified and accepted by councils’ nationwide. “That’s really what grew the business. We turned that to an online software program, and we were the first ones to develop a program to make specifying structural posts and beams seamless. We’ve got over 3,500 architects registered on our program now and we’ve got two developers improving it full-time.” In 2008, the business moved to a 4000 square meter building, a former pack house, in Waiwhero Road and this site continues to be Prowood’s main laminating plant. In 2017, Prowood took over a sawmill to use the existing kilns and a timber treatment plant on the other side of Motueka in Brooklyn, a strategic purchase that eliminated a bottleneck in Prowood’s pre-processing. The sawmill equipment is currently being reconditioned to be commissioned by the end of this year to be able to process about 70 cubic metres of timber a day. This, along with installing a new state of the art optimiser cross-cut saw and two CDK continuous drying kilns is a “great step forward” in Prowood’s production capabilities, John says. The business currently processes 2600 cubic metres annually and continuous improvements being implemented to its production plant will ensure it is the most efficient glulam production facility in New Zealand, he says. Timber used for laminating is carefully selected for production and graded according to strict Prowood specifications. All timber stock is kiln dried to 13% average moisture content to ensure efficient bonding in the gluing operations. The laminations are machine finger-jointed with glue and cured by state-of-the-art European press systems and controlled temperature. “We’ve got the only radio frequency glulam press in New Zealand. It’s basically like a microwave, but it uses radio frequency to cure the glue.” Prowood is a perfect example of a business which uses a low-grade product and adds value. Proud to support Prowood with quality Sharpening and Saw Supply! CENTRALISED SERVICING CONTRACT SERVICES SAW SHARPENING SERVICES 07 345 3944 sales@checkmate.co.nz N P Happy to support Prowood Nelson Packaging are specialists for sourcing and supplying your business’s packaging needs. From large commercial operations to retail and small business, Nelson Packaging can assist you. (03) 548 5459 www.nelpack.co.nz 10 Merton Place, Stoke, Nelson CONGRATULATIONS PROWOOD ON YEARS Koppers Performance Chemicals, proud suppliers of preservation technology to Prowood Koppers Performance Chemicals - the name synonymous with innovative timber treatment solutions Produced in quality managed facilities Provides lasting protection against decay and insect attack Find us at www.kopperspc.co.nz or call 0800 787 870
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