Innovation & investment driving export growth for TaranakipineFriday 8 Aug 2025
“If you think of a pergola or a carport,” explains Tom Boon, CEO of Taranakipine, “they're the structural, they're outdoor. So they need to be durable. They need to be strong.” The company’s recent investment in cutting-edge technology, financed by ANZ and UDC, have included a new finger jointer, scanner, and high-performance saws. “We mill the raw timber and then put it through a moisture metre and a scanner to identify any defects,” says Boon. “These are cut out to within a millimetre of the knots, and then we finger joint the pieces back together into a solid piece of clear timber.” These re-engineered products become weatherboards, laminated beams, and posts—high-value components that often form the backbone of modern construction. Squeezing every drop of value out of each log is central to Taranakipine’s philosophy. “The timber and logs that we buy in are our single largest input cost,” Boon said. “We aim to maximise the value we get out of them by turning them into fully finished high-value products, not shavings or saw dust. If we can get a one percent gain in fibre recovery, that adds about $300,000 to our bottom line—so every millimetre counts,” he said. Taranakipine’s focus on high-value output is especially critical in the export market, which accounts for 70% of the company’s business. “The New Zealand market is very, very small,” Boon says. “So exporting is very important.” With over 30 years of exporting experience to Australia, 20 years to the U.S., and a decade to Europe, Taranakipine has a diversified and resilient international presence. But staying competitive and growing in global markets requires more than just quality products—it also demands continuous innovation. Taranakipine’s Bodyguard Wood Products are a prime example of innovation tailored to market needs. In fire-prone Southern California, building codes demand fire-rated materials. “Our Bodyguard Wood Products are fire-rated,” Boon said. “So it's absolutely about understanding what they need is and maybe being a step ahead of what others are doing by offering a different product.” More >> Source & image credit: ANZ | ||
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