Australian timber industry news

The Wood Protection Association (WPA) UK has published interim findings from its 10-year field trial demonstrating the substantial performance benefits of correctly treated wood in ground contact applications. The results show a marked improvement in durability and resistance to decay when compared to untreated timber products. Source: Timberbiz In an online presentation to sponsors of the field trial in June 2025, WPA Director Neil Ryan said the majority of untreated wood posts at the two test sites have now completely failed due to fungal decay, with data suggesting an average service life of less than five years. The study – the largest independent assessment of treated wood ever carried out in the UK – also notably shows that larch posts are failing faster than any other species. “These results clearly show that UK softwood species are not fit for purpose when used in ground contact applications. They also dispel the myth that larch is durable and can be used in this way without preservative treatment,” Mr Ryan said. After 10 years, the preservative-treated posts in the trial are performing well, particularly incised spruce. Some opening of incisions and elevated moisture content has been noted, but without deterioration of the wood. Across all species and treatment types in the trial, there have been only isolated failures of treated posts. “This is not entirely unexpected after 10 years,” Mr Ryan said. “These are clearly outliers on the bell curve of preservative performance, with others in the same species and preservative group rated zero – meaning they still have no visible decay present at all.” WPA Chairman Steve Young added that these results are fantastic news for the wood treatment sector as they provide clear evidence of the huge importance of using correctly treated wood. “We will be promoting these results to the market, in the press and on social media in the weeks ahead, and we advise all WPA members to ensure they are communicating them to their customers, too. WPA is happy to develop text for any member who wishes to promote the fact that correctly treated wood can be trusted to perform,” he said. The WPA set up the field trial in 2015, in partnership with BRE and a group of industry sponsors, with the goal of helping to develop industry standards – including BS 8417 and the WPA Code of Practice, to support WPA Benchmark quality approval schemes for treated wood, and to build market confidence in preservative treated British softwood species. The trial is testing hundreds of wooden posts and stakes at two field test sites: BRE Garston, Watford, England – a London clay loam; and Birnie Wood, Elgin, Scotland – sandy loam overlying gravel deposits. After the completion of the initial 10-year term, the project has been extended for a further five years.

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A company has found a new use for forestry waste that would otherwise be burned, releasing emissions into the atmosphere. Source: Castanet Silvachar Environmental is working to turn forestry waste into biochar, a soil additive that has been used for thousands of years to help retain moisture and lock nutrients into the earth. “Biochar has a high surface area, which allows it to absorb liquid, solids and gasses disproportionate to its size, just due to its surface area and the porosity of it,” said Silvachar’s Kevin Smith. Biochar’s porosity can help in a home garden or even for large agricultural applications. “You think of how much fertilizer gets put on agricultural fields each year or multiple times a year, and realistically they’re losing up to 60% of those nutrients,” Mr Smith said. “Lost through leaching out of the rooting depth of the plant, or if it runs off the surface of the soil into creeks and rivers, causing blue-green algae blooms. “So, what biochar does is actually capture and retain those nutrients but allows the water to still flow through and filter.” Biochar is made from organic material, which is part of what differentiates it from regular charcoal. It also requires more heat to create. “Charcoal is made at a lower temperature; you can make charcoal around 250 to 300 degrees Celsius, whereas biochar starts being made around 400, 450, up to 750 degrees,” he said. “And what it’s basically doing is cooking the biomass at a high temperature in a low oxygen environment.” He said this process speeds up the decomposition of the organic material and cleans out anything else from the cells of the material, “leaving behind the scaffolding of carbon.” Since the company’s process does not involve fully burning the material, it is much lower in emissions than simply burning waste material. “I like to call it cooking,” Mr Smith said. “If you limit the amount of oxygen, then what you’re getting is basically cooking of the material until those gasses reach oxygen, then they combust. “So, it’s a very clean burn because the carbon isn’t burning just the gasses.” Silvachar uses the waste from forestry and logging operations to create the company’s biochar, what Mr Smith says helps reduce the carbon footprint of one of British Columbia’s biggest industries. “After logging, all the tops, limbs and branches and cut ends from the harvesting process gets piled, and currently they get burned,” he said. Silvachar is part of Silvatech Consulting, a forestry consulting business, and this relationship with the logging industry gets the company access to all of the biological waste material it needs. The material is taken from slash piles and ground up “wood chip style,” then put into a reactor to be cooked down into biochar. And since Silvachar’s reactor is movable, it can be taken right to where the waste is being created. “It fits in a 20-foot sea can and it can be loaded on a truck and moved within the day,” Mr Smith said. “We can move our reactor closer to the feedstock, at the valley bottom, rather than trucking the feedstock hundreds of kilometres.” Over time, Mr Smith said Silvachar plans to expand its biochar operations throughout the province to help process the waste generated by logging. “Right now, by burning it, that equates to 9% of the British Columbia’s global emissions each year,” he said. “So, there’s 5 million tons of it that gets burned and we’re looking to at least reduce that as much as we can as we expand.” Mr Smith said biochar is recognized as a carbon negative product for carbon credits, and purifies water, reduces water usage, reduces the need for fertilizers, and can increase crop yield. He said the best way to use biochar for a residential lawn is to mix it with a dry fertilizer and then spread it around like a normal fertilizer. For a home garden use, the product can be mixed into a nutrient-rich topsoil. “It is simply a soil additive which will amplify and retain the nutrients that you do add,” he said. “Once you apply it, it remains in the soil for centuries. “And you can add more fertilizer, compost or manure to your soil, and the biochar will soak that up… and have a nice, slow release during the growing season.”  

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Logset has a series of new harvester heads, a new harvester crane series, and a new version of the 4F GT forwarder. Source: Timberbiz New 4.0 harvester head series: TH60, TH70, TH80, TH90 Logset is releasing four new harvester head models. TH60, TH70, TH80 and TH90 – result of years of experience across six continents. With the introduction of the TH60 up to the TH90, Logset’s head range is expanding significantly. Each model includes key updates: Bucher hydraulic valve block, offering advantages such as proportional control of the saw unit Measuring sensor repositioned above the rear feeding roller Extended frame length for increased stability Improved accessibility and optimized hose routing Reinforced tilt arch for enhanced durability Powerful top saw option (for TH80). The previous 3.0 series was first introduced in 2009 and has since undergone several updates, leading to version 3.3. New Logset H crane series After three years of dedicated development, Logset will introduce its new crane line: the Logset H series, featuring three model sizes, H245, H325 and H405. These cranes were developed based on customer feedback, focusing on power, speed and reliability. Key features of the H series include: Exceptional lifting capacity and performance across all functions Powerful hydraulic motors for smooth and powerful rotation Hydraulic cylinder-based parallel linkage offering flexible, precise movement Bold frame construction ensuring long-term durability Extended tilt angle for versatile operation. All three models are available with 10 or 11-meter reach and come equipped with the Logset Smooth crane system as standard. The H series is the perfect match for Logset harvesters and works seamlessly with the new head series, delivering the power, speed and reliability needed for successful forest operations. New 3.3 version of the 4F GT forwarder The Logset 4F GT, the last in the forwarder lineup to receive upgrades, now benefits from the 3.3 update package. In response to market demands, the bogie has been redesigned in a heavier-duty version, capable of supporting 24-inch wheels. Additional enhancements include: Over 10 cm reduction in overall machine length for improved manoeuvrability A more compact and ergonomic engine compartment. With its 140 kW (190 hp) engine, a strong Mesera crane offering 106 kNm of lifting force, and 140 kN tractive force, the 4F GT is a compact yet powerful forwarder in the 10-tonne load capacity class.

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A concert pianist, a volunteer firefighter and a female competitive motorcycle rider are just three of the 25 amazing Australian John Deere technicians who have earned their place in this year’s prestigious Technician of the Year Awards. Source: Timberbiz The fifth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards honour the essential work technicians do every day to support industries critical to Australia’s economy and rural and regional communities. The Australian finalists will travel to Brisbane in mid-September to undergo a final round of intense technical testing, where they will be judged individually on their ability to perform hands-on diagnostics and troubleshoot real-life scenarios and customer challenges. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated the finalists, acknowledging the significant impact they have made not only in their dealerships, but also across their communities and the wider industries they support. “Being a technician today is all about supporting customers and the industries that keep regional Australia strong,” Mr Chandler said. “They play a crucial role that calls for digital expertise, critical thinking, and the ability to solve complex problems. All of which keeps our customers up and running, boosting their productivity, and supporting more sustainable business practices. “All the finalists should be incredibly proud. Their dedication, strong work ethics and commitment to delivering outstanding customer service has been recognised by their dealerships and acknowledged through the first round of internal judging. “We look forward to hosting all our finalists at our headquarters in South East Queensland, where they will take on a range of challenging real-world scenarios, designed to test their diagnostic and problem-solving abilities and to determine the winners in each category.” Australian finalists will have the opportunity to compete for titles in five categories in this year’s awards including Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year, Parts Technician of the Year, Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year, Service Apprentice of the Year, and Parts Apprentice of the Year. John Deere Australia and New Zealand Customer Support Business Manager, Marko Koelln said it was rewarding to see many new contenders in this year’s lineup of finalists and several technicians returning who have progressed in their careers. The Award winners will be announced at the John Deere Technician of the Year Awards gala event on Thursday, 18 September 2025. Construction & Forestry Service Technician of the Year finalists (will compete against each other and one New Zealand finalist for the Award) Damian Aspinall, RDO Equipment, Roma, Queensland Bradley Hallett, RDO Equipment, Eastern Creek, New South Wales Johannes Offringa, AFGRI Equipment, Albany, Western Australia Cameron Wood, RDO Equipment, Mount St John, Queensland.

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Planning is underway for the ABARES Outlook 2026 national conference, 3–4 March at Hotel Realm Canberra and online. Source: Timberbiz ABARES Outlook conferences have been informing and influencing Australian agriculture’s policy agenda for more than 50 years. Next year’s conference will feature dynamic session formats, hybrid participation and the exclusive Welcome Sundowners networking function. Partners are currently being sought to sponsor one the event. These sponsorship packages are designed to deliver an excellent return on investment, while delivering your brand and messages to key stakeholders in Australia and internationally. To discuss partnership opportunities contact abaresevents@aff.gov.au

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New Zealand’s PEFC scheme has a new chair after the New Zealand Forest Certification Association (NZFCA) endorsed Mark Ross, the CEO of the Wood Processors and Manufacturers Association of NZ (WPMA) to replace Dr Julian Elder, CEO of Scion Research. Source: Timberbiz Mr Ross took over as chair on1 July 2025, with the appointment confirmed at a meeting of the NZFCA directors on 24 June. Mr Ross has served as CEO of the WPMA, New Zealand’s peak lobby for timber processors, since July 2023, where he replaced Dr Jon Tanner (also a former chair of the NZFCA). Before starting at WPMA, he held leadership positions at Animal and Plant Health NZ, Federated Farmers of NZ and the Ministry of Primary Industries. Simon Dorries, CEO of Responsible Wood (the Australian-endorsed PEFC scheme said the appointment coincides with a new joint Australian and New Zealand standard development process. This multi-year process will result in the joint Australian and New Zealand standard for Sustainable Forest Management (AS/NZS 4708) becoming “fit for purpose” with PEFC international benchmarks (PEFC ST 1003:2024) and the European Union Deforestation Regulations (EUDR), set to roll out later this year. “Our standards are globally recognised because they reflect science-based criteria developed through wide consultation. They ensure Australia’s forests remain among the most sustainably and responsibly managed in the world,”Mr Dorries said. As it stands, approximately 600,000 hectares of forest area in New Zealand are PEFC-certified, which, along with just under 17 million hectares of forests in Australia, comprise more than 294 million hectares of global forests now certified under the PEFC forest certification scheme.

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Maeve McKenna and David Bauche are stepping into roles to support the communications, events, and membership activities of the Tasmanian Forests and Forest Products Network (TFFPN). Source: Timberbiz Ms McKenna and Mr Bauche will each dedicate one day a week to the Network, in addition to their ongoing roles with Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (Ms McKenna) and the Tasmanian Forest Products Association (Mr Bauche). Together, they will help deliver consistent communications and continue to grow our engaged, informed membership community. From sharing stories across the sector to supporting events and keeping members connected, they’ll be focused on making it easy for people to stay informed. “It’s fantastic to have Maeve and David on board to support the Network’s communications, events, and membership,” TFFPN Chair, Professor Julianne O’Reilly Wapstra, said. “Both bring deep experience and strong connections across the sector, and many of our members will already know them through their work with AFWI and TFPA. “Having two familiar and trusted voices supporting TFFPN is a benefit, and I’m excited to see the positive impact they will have.” Ms McKenna is a communications specialist with more than 12 years of experience and a passion for storytelling. Originally from Ireland and now based in Tasmania, she’s worked across digital communication, social media, and newsroom teams, with a focus on connecting with audiences in meaningful ways. Creativity and collaboration are at the heart of her approach. Mr Bauche is an experienced senior communications and government relations manager.  As well as seven years in Tasmania, he has worked in NSW, Canberra and Victoria. Prior to working in communications and government relations, Mr Bauche was a senior editor at News Corp and Rural Press and has worked as an adviser to a Federal Minister.

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Victoria’s state government has ruled out the establishment of what was proposed as the Great Forest National Park, which was to reach from Kinglake to Lake Eildon, Healesville to Mt Baw Baw. Source: Timberbiz Victorian Government Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos said at an Electrical Trades Union Victorian Branch conference last week that the Great Forest National Park proposal was not part of government policy. That park would have tripled the area of the central highlands to be protected. Minister Dimopoulos stated that the only parks that the government is currently considering is three national parks at Mount Buangor, The Pyrenees and Wombat-Lederberg, which were announced in 2021. Polling conducted by RedBridge shows four in five Victorians support the creation of new national parks, with lower-income households among the most frequent park visitors due to their affordability, safety, and accessibility. The Eminent Panel for Community Engagement (EPCE) assembled a report, which is now complete, but is has not been made public. It led conversations with the Victorian community on the Immediate Protection Areas and surrounding state forests. To date a formal statement has not been made by Mr Dimopoulos or the Victorian Government regarding this decision only Field and Game Australia (FGA) and the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) has issued any statements regarding this.

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Efforts to decarbonise freight transport are being accelerated through a State Government supported project aimed at supporting South Australia’s forest industries to reach net zero targets. Source: Timberbiz The State Government is investing $200,000 towards the Decarbonising the Freight Task – Driving to Net Zero project, a joint South Australian Forest Products Association (SAFPA) and Tabeel Trading venture. The funding, provided under the South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, supports the Malinauskas Government’s vision of decarbonising forest freight to further reduce carbon emissions across one of the hardest-to-abate sectors – heavy freight transport. The Malinauskas Government is working side by side with industry to deliver solutions and drive success in this area by delivering low emission vehicles for the Green Triangle. Forestry is already the ultimate renewable and this is yet another step the industry is taking to decarbonise its footprints. The project will include new technologies aimed at reducing reliance on diesel, with the end goal to decarbonise forestry’s freight trucks through electrification, which will deliver substantial carbon savings. The Government says the project presents an opportunity to deliver real, measurable decarbonisation outcomes. Funding will support Stage 1 of the project by developing: an evidence-based decarbonisation roadmap for South Australia’s forest freight fleet detailed cost-benefit analysis of alternative freight technologies including the modelling of emission reductions a freight logistics and charging/refuelling infrastructure blueprint policy, regulatory and investment recommendations aligned to state and national climate targets and Master Plan priorities. Subject to the findings from Stage 1 and the availability of vehicles and infrastructure, Stage 2 will see the project progress to a live demonstration phase to validate modelling results under operational forest freight conditions. The Decarbonising the Freight Task project aligns with the Master Plan’s goal of developing a clean and green circular economy. The South Australian Wood Fibre and Timber Industry Master Plan, launched in February 2024, was developed by the Forest Industries Advisory Council of South Australia (FIAC-SA) as part of a State Government election commitment to provide a vision to further grow and develop South Australia’s $3 billion forest industry.  

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Sustainable Timber Tasmania has released the annual update to its Three-Year Wood Production Plan 2025-2026 to 2027-2028 to the Tasmanian community for feedback. Source: Timberbiz The Three-Year Plan identifies forest coupes in Tasmania’s public production forests that are available across a three-year period from which a schedule of harvesting, roading and regeneration operations will be developed. The release of the plan provides the community with an opportunity to identify which forest coupes and future operations may be of interest. Inviting community feedback on the Plan is part of Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s commitment to engaging with local stakeholders. Feedback will then be considered during detailed operational planning and decision making processes. Sustainable Timber Tasmanian encourages the community to: Visit www.sttas.com.au Read the Three-Year Wood Production Plan View the Access Map to identify which forest coupes may be of interest to them Contact Sustainable Timber Tasmania with their feedback at stakeholder@sttas.com.au or (03) 6169 2800 The Three-Year Plan is developed from modelling and spatial data and includes coupe names, provisional coupe sizes (not final harvest boundaries), location coordinates, anticipated harvest type and method, and an estimation of anticipated volumes of log products for potential recovery. The Plan contains a significant amount of information, so to make it easier for people to read and understand, a spatial layer is developed and available to view on a map of Tasmania. This can be viewed on the Access Map on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at https://sttas.com.au/forests-you/access-map It’s important to understand that not all forest coupes listed in the Three-Year Plan will be harvested, and final harvesting and regeneration details for each coupe may be different from what is listed in the Plan. This is because Sustainable Timber Tasmania has not yet undertaken detailed operational planning for each coupe. The Three-Year Wood Production Plan can be accessed on Sustainable Timber Tasmania’s website at www.sttas.com.au

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One of the key themes of the recent London Climate Action Week was mobilising public and private finance to support global climate goals and transitions, particularly in the lead-up to COP30. Source: Timberbiz To further this mission, 10 leading forestry companies announced they will come together to quantify and value a set of ecosystem services with the aim of building the foundation for an investible market. These entities own or manage millions of hectares of forests in 21 countries. The 18-month project, an initiative of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC), will be supported by Value Australia (part of the Capitals Coalition) and the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). “The world must begin to increase investments with positive impacts on both climate and nature. However, if we are to attract the scale of funding required these investments must also make economic sense,” Independent Chair of the ISFC, Dr David Brand said. “The global forestry sector can deliver sustainable, renewable materials as well as positive outcomes for climate and nature. Central to this is standardising the accounting for the extensive natural capital assets managed by these companies. ISFC members wish to be at the forefront of this work and have therefore decided to come together to build out mutually supporting Natural Capital reports.” Mark Gough, Chief Executive Officer of Capitals Coalition said that the contribution that the forestry sector can make has often been undervalued. “The ISFC is stepping up to address this by working with the Capitals Coalition and TNFD to produce consistent accounts and disclosures that can reflect the true value of forestry.” Rayne van den Berg, Chief Value Officer at Value Australia which is a regional Capitals Coalition hub added that many individual companies and thought leaders have worked for years to develop frameworks and methodologies to quantify and value Natural Capital with the aim of providing better information for more informed decision-making. “This project will be a ‘game-changer’ as, for the first time, a collective of leading forestry companies will develop consistent reports for their most material ecosystem services and the approach taken to quantifying impacts and dependencies.” Tony Goldner, Chief Executive Officer of the Taskforce for Nature Related Financial Disclosures said that TNFD was pleased to support this collective effort as ISFC has been able tobring together an impressive range of forestry sector players prepared to work together for the good of nature and climate outcomes, balanced with delivering returns. “The TNFD framework, and the LEAP process, being adopted by enterprises all over the world, provides the frame of reference for this project. The missing piece of that puzzle has been the valuation of ecosystem services, which must occur if we are to pivot globally away from nature destructive investments to nature enhancing capital flows. TNFD will utilise the learnings from this project to help inform its guidance and to demonstrate the link between TNFD Nature-related assessments and Natural Capital Accounting for Valuation and presentation.”

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A major merger and acquisition (M&A) wave, conservatively estimated to exceed €450 million ($516 million) in deal value across European sawn timber markets including over €160 million in disclosed deals plus several large undisclosed transactions and recent distressed asset acquisitions signals a fundamental shift toward market concentration that could likely reduce pricing volatility while creating new competitive dynamics favouring integrated participants and Baltic production hubs. Source: Fast Markets The European sawn timber markets are experiencing unprecedented M&A activity spanning 2024-2025 while industry leaders race to secure scale and strategic positioning. The consolidation wave spans from Stora Enso’s €137 million acquisition of Finland’s Junnikkala, adding 700,000 cubic meters of capacity, to Austrian HS Timber Group’s aggressive Baltic expansion through dual Latvian acquisitions totalling 550,000 cubic meters combined capacity. Meanwhile, regional participants like Estonia’s Combiwood are making strategic moves, acquiring AS Toftan to create a €276 million revenue entity. Distressed asset opportunities have also emerged. The collapse of Germany’s Ziegler Group in late 2024 created significant distressed acquisition opportunities. Another German company, Rettenmeier Holding AG acquired substantial portions of Ziegler’s wood processing division in January 2025, taking over operations of Ziegler Holzindustrie GmbH & Co. KG and related companies, preserving nearly 770 jobs. Separately, Kronospan acquired ZG Timber’s Sebeș plant in Romania in March 2025, safeguarding 500 local jobs and expanding Kronospan’s product portfolio to include sawn timber for the first time. This flurry of deals, concentrated within an 18-month period from 2024 through early 2025, represents the industry’s response to margin pressures, supply chain uncertainties, and the need for operational scale in increasingly challenging market conditions. “The recent M&A activity in the sawn timber industry reflects a mix of motivations: while some deals were clearly opportunistic often tied to the downturn in the sawmilling business cycle in Europe and North America – others were more strategic in nature,” Alexey Beschastnov, senior manager at StepChange Consulting, said. According to Beschastnov, the opportunistic transactions are frequently linked to low profitability, insolvency risks, or distressed asset sales, creating acquisition opportunities. “Strategic acquisitions, in contrast,” he added, “are typically independent of the cycle and driven by long-term fit, wood supply security, or vertical integration goals—as seen in recent moves by Stora Enso and Kronospan.” The current consolidation wave, in fact, builds upon a decade-long trend of M&A activity that has steadily reshaped European timber markets. Key historical transactions set the stage for today’s aggressive deal-making and (for example in the Nordics) these included Binderholz’s acquisition of Finland’s Vapo sawmills in 2016; Canada’s Canfor, which acquired 70% of the Swedish company, VIDA in 2019, and recently increased its stake to 77%; and the Austrian major HS Timber (Group), which bought Finland’s Luvian Saha in 2022. This historical activity may have established the strategic precedent for vertical integration and scale consolidation that defines the current M&A surge. The current aggressive consolidation wave can potentially alter European timber supply dynamics. Binderholz’s emergence as the continent’s largest producer with 4.5 million cubic meters capacity across 15 sawmills creates unprecedented market influence. This scale advantage becomes critical as raw material costs remain elevated relative to sawn timber prices – a margin squeeze that has defined recent market conditions. Stora Enso’s €137 million Junnikkala acquisition exemplifies the vertical integration strategy driving deals. By securing 1.7 million cubic meters of additional wood procurement annually, Stora Enso insulates itself from log supply volatility while generating €15 million in synergies. (Incidentally, Stora is also reported to be considering a project to build what could be Finland’s largest sawmill in Imatra in southeast Finland). For traders, the vertical integration trend suggests tighter control over upstream supply chains, potentially reducing spot market availability of both logs and finished products. The distressed acquisitions add another dimension: opportunistic buyers like Kronospan are using market disruption to enter new product segments, while established participants like Rettenmeier consolidate their positions during competitor weakness. HS Timber Group’s dual Latvian acquisitions (Vika Wood and Kurekss) adding 550,000 cubic meters combined capacity signals Baltic states becoming Europe’s new production frontier. These facilities offer competitive labour costs, modern infrastructure, and crucially, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)/Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certification meeting EU sustainability mandates. The strategic positioning could prove significant for European buyers. While Baltic mills face similar raw material cost pressures as other European regions, they have competitive advantages through modern, efficient facilities built or upgraded since the 1990s and strategic access to quality regional timber resources. Their geographic positioning provides optimal logistics for serving both European and global export markets spanning 30+ countries. For producers outside the Baltic region, this geographic shift could create competitive pressure. Mills in higher-cost jurisdictions must either consolidate for scale efficiencies or risk margin squeezes as Baltic capacity expands market share. The consolidation wave can help reduce extreme price volatility that has characterized recent sawn timber markets, although such volatility is also caused by shifts in global market dynamics. Larger, integrated players possess greater financial resources to weather demand fluctuations without panic selling. But this stability comes with trade-offs Fewer independent mills could mean reduced competition for log purchases, potentially moderating raw material price spikes that have been squeezing margins in several markets, notably in Finland and Sweden, where high log prices still prevail. Conversely, downstream buyers face fewer supplier options, particularly for specialized products or large-volume contracts. The timing proves strategic given that North American mill closures have continued to reshape supply dynamics in global markets. While significant mill closures have occurred across the US West and British Columbia – with over 1.7 billion board feet of capacity permanently or indefinitely shut since 2022, this has been partially offset by substantial new capacity additions in the US South. Since 2015, the US South has added approximately 8.0 billion board feet of new Southern Yellow Pine sawmill capacity, with companies announcing an additional 4.5 billion board feet to come online by 2024. But this regional shift from high-cost western regions to the more cost-competitive US South can still create opportunities for European consolidated participants […]

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Waratah Forestry Equipment recently introduced the new H427 harvester head at FOREXPO 2025 in Mimizan, France. Built for extreme forestry conditions, the H427 delivers strong performance, durability and precision for harvesting large timber on steep and rugged terrain. Designed for today’s demanding forestry jobs, Waratah’s H427 is a powerhouse built to handle big wood with confidence and control. Source: Timberbiz “The H427 is purpose-built to meet the demands of high-production harvesting in larger timber conditions,” said Brent Fisher, product marketing manager for Waratah. “Its design enhances operational efficiency, ensures long-term durability and simplifies maintenance, supporting reliable performance in the forest.” Featuring a top saw, strong frame and optional HD tilt frame, the H427 delivers reliable performance and productivity. Its high feed force and 760 mm (29.9 in.) maximum cut capacity make it ideal for harvesting large-diameter timber. Updated measuring systems improve length and diameter accuracy for efficient, high-output processing. With an operating weight from 1680 kg (3,704 lb.), the H427 offers agility with the durability and stability needed for the most demanding applications. Its efficient, powerful control valve and optimized four-roller feed arm geometry ensure consistent productivity on wheeled and tracked carriers. The four-knife delimbing system delivers consistent, clean results, while simplified service access and a streamlined design help reduce downtime in the field. The durable H427 offers long-lasting reliability in high-impact forestry applications. As with all Waratah products, the H427 comes with easily accessible support for dealers and customers, as well as genuine Waratah parts with an industry-leading warranty. The Waratah H427 will be available to customers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Brazil and Latin America starting in early 2026.  

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Comact, a leader in OEM high-calibre wood processing equipment, has formed a new strategic partnership with Lakeland Steel, based in Rotorua, New Zealand. This partnership marks an important step in Comact’s global growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to better serving customers across New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific. Source: Timberbiz As part of this new strategic partnership, Lakeland Steel will represent Comact in New Zealand, Australia, and the South Pacific, strengthening its local presence and ability to serve customers in the region. Founded in 1976, Lakeland Steel (also operating as Lakeland Engineered Projects) is recognized as a partner for innovative sawmill solutions in the region. Its team offers end-to-end engineering services from headquarters in Rotorua, supported by a state-of-the-art 3,200 m2 workshop, CNC equipment, heavy lifting gear, and a specialized 500 m2 paint and blasting facility. Together, Comact and Lakeland Steel are already delivering results. The teams are currently working on a major project for Red Stag Timber in Rotorua, involving the sale and installation of a Comact double fork stacker, a MoCo stacker, and all associated equipment and automation required to rebuild the outfeed line at the planer mill. The project is scheduled for delivery during the upcoming Christmas holiday period. The partnership reflects Comact’s long-term vision of supporting sawmills worldwide with cutting-edge solutions and local expertise. With this alliance, customers in New Zealand and Australia can expect faster access to Comact’s technologies, more localized service, and a strong foundation for future projects. Beyond sales representation, Lakeland will also support Comact projects by providing localized services, including engineering, drafting, manufacturing, fabrication, installation, maintenance, and repair, ensuring responsive, high-quality execution aligned with Comact’s standards. “This partnership brings together two organizations with deep expertise and a shared focus on customer success,” said Simon Potvin, CEO of Comact. “Lakeland Steel’s strong regional presence and technical capabilities make them an ideal partner as we expand our footprint in Australasia.”

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The Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Industry employs about 34,700 workers in South Australia, accounting for 3.66% of the state’s workforce. Forestry and logging plantations in South Australia cover more than 168,000 hectares. The industry employs about 5,200 full-time workers and is forecast to grow by about 10% over the coming years, contributing $210 million in additional income and creating 1,500 jobs. Source: Timberbiz The industry supports a thriving number of downstream businesses including sawmills, wood processing, paper and pulp manufacturing, furniture and cabinet making and construction. However, the industry faces significant challenges such as environmental concerns, climate change, regulatory pressures, and labour shortages. Key policies and strategic plans that govern the sector: The 2025-26 SafeWork SA campaign will focus on the forestry and logging industry, and its downstream businesses, including: Sawmills and Wood Processing. These businesses convert logs into lumber and other wood products. Paper and Pulp Manufacturing. Utilising wood fibres to produce paper products. Between July 2015 and September 2024, there were 480 workers’ compensation claims, mostly from the logging sector. The main injury mechanisms were body stressing and falls, trips and slips – accounted for 59% of the injuries in these claims. Common injuries included traumatic joint/ligament and muscle/tendon injuries, wounds, lacerations and amputations. The majority of claimants were machine operators and drivers. There were 3,313 workers’ compensation claims for downstream industries during the same period, with the highest claims in log sawmilling and wooden structure fitting. Common injuries included body stressing and being hit by moving objects. Significant occupations at the time of injury included cabinetmakers, paper and pulp mill workers, and sawmill or timber yard workers. The 12-month campaign beginning in July 2025 and will target businesses with a history of high workers’ compensation claims. It will include worksite inspections and audits to identify non-compliance and assist in educating the businesses on their Work Health & Safety (WHS) duty of care to meet their statutory obligations SafeWork SA’s 2025-26 forestry and logging industry compliance campaign will focus on the following common logging industry WHS risks: Falling Objects: Trees and Branches: Workers are at risk of being struck by falling trees or branches during felling operations. Machinery-Related Accidents: Chainsaws and Heavy Equipment: Injuries can occur from the use of chainsaws, feller bunchers, harvesters, and other heavy machinery. Falls and Slips: Rough Terrain – workers often operate on uneven, slippery, or steep terrain, increasing the risk of falls. Falls from Heights: Workers falling from plant such as trucks while loading/unloading Transport and Handling Accidents: Accidents can happen during the transportation and handling of timber, involving trucks and other heavy vehicles. Environmental Factors: Weather Conditions – extreme temperatures, wet conditions, and delayed emergency response times can pose significant risk. Exposure to Noise and Vibration: Prolonged exposure to loud machinery and vibrations can lead to hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders. Manual Handling: Heavy Loads – workers often carry heavy loads, which can lead to musculoskeletal injuries such as back strains and sprains. Fatigue: Long Hours – extended working hours and physically demanding tasks can result in fatigue, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Chemical Exposure: Pesticides and Fuels: Exposure to chemicals used in forestry operations, such as pesticides and fuels, can pose health risks. Fire Hazards: Bushfires – the risk of bushfires is a significant concern, especially during dry seasons. Working Alone: Isolation – workers often operate in remote areas, which can delay emergency response in case of an accident. SafeWork SA’s 2025-26 forestry and logging industry compliance campaign will focus on the following common down-stream industry WHS risks: Manual handling Safe use of plant, including adequate guarding Inspection and testing of electrical equipment Appropriate lock out provisions on items of plant Emergency procedures Traffic management Maintenance of plant Training and supervision PPE High-risk work licences are required for a number of tasks including crane and hoist operation, forklift operation and scaffolding work. These licences are used widely across several industries including manufacturing, agriculture, forestry and fishing and transport and warehousing. SafeWork SA’s 2025-26 compliance campaigns will include audits aim to ensure that high-risk work (HRW) is being carried out safely and competently. The audits will focus on verifying that workers hold a valid HRW licence relevant to the tasks they perform and that employers have systems in place to sight, verify, and record these licences.

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Forestry Australia, in partnership with ForestWorks, has launched its Mentoring Program for Women in the Industry. CEO Jacquie Martin said the program is a transformative nine-month pilot initiative designed to empower women in the forest and forest products sectors. Source: Timberbiz “We are now calling for expressions of interest from both mentors and mentees to join this groundbreaking program, funded by ForestWorks through the Australian Government’s Forestry Workforce Training Program (FWTP),” Ms Martin said. “Mentoring fosters’ personal and professional growth by building trust-based relationships that support goal setting, confidence, and leadership readiness. “For women in male-dominated industries like forestry, mentoring provides critical support to overcome systemic barriers, access career opportunities, and build a strong, inclusive community that champions growth and connection.” The program will connect 25 mentor–mentee pairs, carefully matched based on shared interests, goals, and communication styles. Participants will engage in monthly one-on-one sessions (virtual or in-person), quarterly webinars, and peer support groups, exploring key themes such as: Defining your career path Establishing goals Time management for life Confidence, self-advocacy, and self-belief Work-life integration and wellbeing Building networks and connections Strategic influence and leadership. Mentors will receive training on effective, inclusive mentoring practices, while mentees are encouraged to invest approximately one hour per month for meetings, plus six hours for preparation, goal setting, and development activities. The program is designed to boost confidence, foster professional growth, and support women in navigating both career and personal commitments. “This initiative is about creating lasting change,” Ms Martin said. “Participants will connect with role models, strengthen their leadership and career pathways, and build peer networks that endure beyond the program. “We’re committed to fostering a supportive community that empowers women to thrive in the forestry industry.” Following the pilot, Forestry Australia will provide ForestWorks with the program’s framework, resources, learnings, and webinars, ensuring long-term accessibility and impact for the broader industry. The program is open to women working in the forest and forest product industries who are seeking support to grow their careers, develop leadership skills, and build strong professional networks. The program welcomes expressions of interest from women, men and non-binary individuals who are committed allies of women in the industry. Mentors will be selected based on their experience, values, and willingness to support and uplift the next generation of women leaders in forestry. To apply or learn more visit https://www.forestry.org.au/mentoring-program-for-women/ or contact PD@forestry.org.au by Friday 4 July. For further information: Becher Townshend 0418 370 661.  

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The FTMA State Seminars have solidified their place as an integral event in the fabricator calendar, bringing together fabricators, expert speakers, and valued partners. Source: Timberbiz State Seminars have been run in SA, NSW & QLD in collaboration with three principal partners, Mitek, Multinail and Pryda, who have all run their own morning sessions. The morning nail plate sessions were an opportunity for fabricators to engage directly with nail plate companies – Multinail, MiTek, and Pryda, and fellow fabricators and showcasing the latest developments in software, services, and machinery, providing crucial insights to enhance fabricators’ operations. With dedicated time to explore innovative advancements, attendees gained knowledge essential to staying competitive and efficient. After lunch, the FTMA State Seminars kicked off and for three hours, delegates not only had the opportunity of listening to the speakers but also participating in workshops to provide crucial feedback on key industry initiatives. Tim Woods presented on fabrication’s critical role in solving Australia’s housing supply crisis. Mr Woods and Jim Houghton recently completed a major study for the Australian industry, funded, supported and launched by Forest & Wood Products Australia. The More Houses Sooner – Finding the Australian Dream report provides clear clues and scenarios that show a pathway for fabricators and the timber supply chain and explains why that is vital to Australia’s future prosperity. Members were surprised when they realised it has been 40 years since we have been able to build enough homes for Australians. We used to build roughly 60 homes for every 100 Australians; this has now dropped to only 23 homes for every 100 persons. Timber Systems Design Training has been a training package that has been decades in the making, and members were keen to see a first draft of the online training. Andrew Jones showed career videos he had received, but more are needed – time lapse of building sites, or simple images that depict the industry. Mr Jones was blown away with how open the fabricators were, including those who invited him to their plants to take as many photos and videos as possible. The TSD Online training is due before the end of 2025. Louise Wallis presented on the AFWI projects, including the Future Framing Initiative. There are more than 11 projects specifically focused on the lightweight timber frame and truss sector, and FTMA is pleased to be working with the universities and researchers on these projects. Andrew Kidd, Chair of the Frame & truss National Safety Council presented on the benefits of the safety council while addressing key safety issues. Mr Kidd outlined that the objectives of the Frame & Truss National Safety Council, which has more than 120 years of experience. Nail Plate engineers presented on the breakdown of what warranties actually mean. Fabricators are always asking what their obligations are when it comes to warranties. Engineers from MiTek, Multinail and Pryda explained the obligations for builders, fabricators and nail plate companies, and produced a table for easy identification. The State Seminar for Victoria is set for 5 August at RACV Healesville, and the WA State Seminar is booked in for 28 August 2025 at Crown Perth. For more information visit https://ftmanews.com/

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Rayonier has announced the completion of the previously announced sale of entities holding its 77% interest in the New Zealand joint venture to a special purpose vehicle owned by an investment fund managed by The Rohatyn Group (TRG), a global asset manager specializing in emerging markets and real assets, for a purchase price of US$710 million. Source: Timberbiz Net proceeds to Rayonier, after adjusting for estimated net debt, working capital, transaction costs, and other closing adjustments, are expected to be US$699 million. Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States. On 30  June 2025, the company completed the previously announced sale of the entirety of its New Zealand assets. “We have now completed roughly US$1.45 billion of dispositions since introducing our asset disposition and capital structure realignment plan in November 2023, significantly exceeding the original $1 billion target,” said Mark McHugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rayonier. “The success of this plan has allowed us to achieve our new leverage target in a manner that has been accretive to both CAD* and NAV per share, as well as better position Rayonier to create long-term value for our shareholders going forward. “We want to extend our gratitude to the team in New Zealand, which has done an outstanding job in managing these highly productive assets, and we are pleased to transfer the stewardship of this business to TRG, a well-regarded manager of forestry assets in the region.” Rayonier continues to anticipate using at least 50% of the proceeds to reduce leverage and/or return capital to shareholders through special dividends and share repurchases. Remaining proceeds are expected to be deployed opportunistically to fund other capital allocation priorities, including additional share buybacks and/or potential reinvestment into synergistic acquisitions. Rayonier continues to expect a special dividend for 2025 of US$1.00 to US$1.40 per share, which will be paid in a combination of cash and shares (details to be announced later this year). During the second quarter, Rayonier repurchased ~1.5 million shares for ~$35 million in total. As of June 30, 2025, the company had ~US$262 million remaining under its current share repurchase authorization. Rayonier had previously reclassified its New Zealand business to discontinued operations on its consolidated financial statements, and the updated financial outlook provided in conjunction with the company’s first quarter results on April 30 excluded contributions from the New Zealand business.  

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The Australian Forest Products Association (AFPA) has welcomed the Albanese Government announcement of a review into Australia’s gas market regulations to ensure ‘they’re fit for purpose and deliver in the national interest’, as timber and wood-fibre processors and manufacturers continue to battle high energy and other input costs, Chief Executive Officer of AFPA, Diana Hallam said. Source: Timberbiz “The rising cost of gas and electricity is a major risk to our processing and manufacturing supply chain with several major businesses on the brink as a result. “We welcome this gas market review announced by Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen and Resources Minister Madeleine King and encourage it to work towards sufficient and more affordable gas supply going forward,” Ms Hallam said. The gas market review will examine the impact of: The Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) The Gas Market Code Heads of Agreement with major east coast gas exporters. The review will also consider the role of market bodies and investment that aims to boost supply and put downward pressure on prices. “Australian forestry and forest products businesses are the nation’s 6th largest manufacturing sector and affordable gas and electricity is essential to make production trees into the range of sustainable and renewable everyday products we create – from timber house-frames to cardboard boxes,” Ms Hallam said. “In addition to energy, logistics and insurance costs are also rising – meaning some businesses are being forced to consider whether they continue manufacturing at all. Over the first term of the Albanese Government energy costs for a number of our members more than doubled – further increases of this magnitude are simply not sustainable. “Our sector is responsible for injecting $24 billion into the economy annually. We directly employ 80,000 people and indirectly employ another 100,000 on top. Many of these jobs are the lifeblood of regional centres. It’s vital to maintain the scale and integration of our sector – if the cost of one element in the supply chain becomes too difficult it will have a huge ripple impact across the rest of the sector. “The Albanese Government must support manufacturing, and the gas market review is a good step to examine the impact of what is a major input cost, placing considerable pressure on our industry.”  

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The Forest Stewardship Council Australia and New Zealand has launched the first public consultation on the revised FSC Forest Stewardship Standard for Australia. The public consultation marks an important milestone in the revision process initiated by FSC ANZ to ensure the FSS continues to promote best-practice responsible forest management and remains fit for purpose. Source: Timberbiz “The Board considers the Forest Stewardship Standard to be the keystone of everything FSC ANZ does as an organisation, locking the whole together,” new chair James Felton-Taylor said. “We are grateful for the incredible work the SDG has put into developing this first draft. We encourage everyone with a passion for responsible forestry to take part in the public consultation.” The consultation is open from 1 July to 31 August 2025. All stakeholders are invited to review the draft and provide feedback via the FSC Public Consultation Platform. To support stakeholder understanding and engagement, FSC ANZ will host two identical webinars presenting an overview of the revision process and the main proposed changes to the Standard: 29 July, 18:00 – 19:30 PM AEST – go to https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/1bb8afa5-1b62-4480-92d3-8f171ed61965@124e69db-ef65-496b-96a9-5d56bec1d291 to register 1 August, 10:00 – 11:30 AM AEST – go to https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6ed9666f-4fa4-48b1-bd63-81d7223b235f@124e69db-ef65-496b-96a9-5d56bec1d291 to register Members of the Standards Development Group (SDG), who drafted the revised version of the FSS, will attend both webinars. The webinars will not be recorded. Some of the most significant proposed changes include: Stricter controls on the use of highly hazardous pesticides Stronger safeguards for workers’ rights The introduction of the Indigenous Cultural Landscapes concept New cultural empathy requirements for specific forestry roles. Feedback from the consultation will be compiled by FSC ANZ and submitted to the SDG to inform the development of the second draft, scheduled for consultation in 2026. A public consultation report and the SDG’s formal responses to the feedback received will be shared in the second round of consultation. The SDG encourages all interested stakeholders to provide feedback on this first draft of the revised standard. It welcomes feedback that can help improve the draft and encourages stakeholders to be as constructive as possible in their feedback. Input that suggests how specific changes can be improved is especially welcome. If you have any questions contact Stefan Jensen, Senior Policy Manager at FSC ANZ and SDG facilitator: s.jensen@au.fsc.org For more information about the revision process, go to https://anz.fsc.org/forest-management-certification/revision-of-fsc-std-aus-01-2018-en-national-forest-stewardship Take part in the consultation go to https://consultation-platform.fsc.org/en/consultations/take/c3b2e63e12551

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