Boom or bust in the sawmill industry

Friday 11 Oct 2024

 
When a log of pinus radiata goes through the Sequal Lumber mill in Kawerau, parts of it can end up in six different countries. State of the art software at the mill scans each log for its size and shape, then cuts it precisely according to customers' orders.

In an industry overshadowed by news of forests and mills closing down, Sequal is struggling to meet growing demand and is getting ready to double production. Soaring power prices are nowhere near the biggest challenge for chief executive David Turner. It is ensuring his customers do not run out of wood when the factory shuts down for six weeks to upgrade.

"Basically 60 percent of my supply goes to about 12 companies around the world and I need to make sure that they don't run out, because once they get forced into a position where they have to find an alternative it will be difficult for us to reassert the relationship as it was."

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Source: RNZ

Editor's note: David Turner will also be a keynote speaker at next year's FIEA event, WoodTECH 2025.


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