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Seppie’s Microsoil rc is a compact yet robust stone crusher designed for radio-controlled crawler vehicles or mini loaders with 30-80 HP. Originally developed for building mountain bike trails, this lightweight stone crusher is equally suited for creating or maintaining hard-to-reach paths. Source: Timberbiz The unit is available in working widths of 85 cm and 105 cm, making it ideal for various applications. It can crush stones up to 15 cm in size and works to a depth of up to 10 cm. The Microsoil rc is perfect for hilly terrain and mountainous regions, especially when paired with a radio-controlled crawler. Safety features include front chains and a rear rubber protection with flaps, enhancing operational safety. The skid shoes are height-adjustable for depth control, tapering to a sharp edge for clean material handling. The housing is constructed from high-strength, wear-resistant AR400 steel and is equipped with replaceable wear plates. Its robust construction and stone-crushing tools, similar to those used in larger tractor-mounted machines, ensure a long service life. The Microsoil rc is powered by a high-performance M-Boost motor with a displacement of 60-80 cm³, offering automatically regulated intake volume and 40% higher torque compared to standard engines. Carbon chain timing belts ensure efficient transmission of high torque. The fixed wide tools Super Duo Protect feature double tips and tungsten carbide inserts, while the outer tools Super Duo Protect Extreme have additional side inserts. Carbide makes the tools highly effective for breaking hard rock. For smooth operation, the fixed tools are arranged in a spiral on the rotor. (Helix Wave Technology) The rotor housing includes two crushing bars made of AR400 steel and an adjustable anvil for determining the degree of crushing. As an accessory, a movable mounting plate with side shift is available, which can be configured with a Max le radio-controlled crawler from Seppi M. This attachment allows the stone crusher to move laterally to the right and left and tilt forward and upward during operation, enabling the Microsoil rc to adapt flexibly to different terrains.

More than 175 tonnes of illegal timber bound for Asia has been seized in transit as part of a global operation to tackle timber trafficking. Source: Timberbiz Interpol and the World Customs Organization (WCO), along with police, border control and customs officials from more than 100 different countries were involved in the operation, tracing the timber from Asia via ocean freight to Indonesia and Kenya. Alongside the seized timber, investigators also recovered more than 20,000 live animals and made more than 350 arrests. In a statement, Interpol said: “Authorities also investigated online activities and found suspects using multiple profiles and linked accounts across social media platforms and marketplaces to expand their reach.” Interpol has estimated that the trade in black-market timber could be worth up to $150 billion a year (between 15% and 30% of the total value of global forest products). A 2023 report by DW Europe found that in that year 120 million tons of European timber had no official certificate of origin.

As part of its membership of The Anti-Greenwash Charter, Timber Development UK has published an updated Green Claims Policy. This is a vital part of its commitment to best practice and setting a benchmark for transparent practices in the timber industry. Source: Timberbiz As a signatory to the Charter, Timber Development UK is committed to upholding the highest standards of responsible marketing and communications practice. The purpose of the Green Claims Policy is to define the standards and practices adopted throughout the organisation to ensure green claims made about timber products/services are accurate and substantiated. This policy applies to all the forms of marketing and communications TDUK or our members may use, including television, radio, online marketing (including social media and influencer marketing), direct marketing, shopper marketing, packaging, events, trade, sales and other professional promotions and communications. “TDUK signing up to the Anti-Greenwash Charter is a crucial step in promoting transparency and integrity within the timber industry. We want to encourage the whole industry to commit to clear, honest, and evidence-based environmental claims, so that together we can help build trust with consumers, support sustainable practices, and strengthen the industry’s credibility,” Charlie Law, TDUK’s Sustainability Director, said. To ensure ongoing compliance, Timber Development UK participates in Campaign Reviews conducted by an independent third party. These reviews assess its marketing and communications campaigns against its Green Claims Policy, verifying that all claims are evidence-backed, and responsibly communicated. In addition to this policy, all marketing and communications must at all times comply with the relevant local laws and regulations. Timber Development UK commits to the standards of communication set out in The Anti Greenwash Charter, and requires all of members to abide by these standards, which are as follows: Transparency: We commit to clear communication of what sustainability benefit our product or service offers and will not conceal or omit information. Accountability: We substantiate our sustainability claims with accurate and regularly evaluated empirical evidence. We commit to sharing facts, figures and statements that can be checked. Fairness: We commit to using fair, clear and unambiguous language when providing comparisons with other products or organisations. Honesty: We will ensure we make specific statements about our organisation’s sustainability efforts and that our actions match those promises.

TAFE Queensland and Manufacturing Skills Queensland (MSQ) have partnered to deliver the Industry Trainer Program, a key initiative in MSQ’s Annual Training Plan for 2024-25. Source: Timberbiz This collaboration will address critical skills gaps in the manufacturing sector by empowering experienced trade and professionally qualified staff and leaders to effectively transfer skills and knowledge. The Industry Trainer Program is a fully funded, accredited skill set designed to deliver essential skills in workplace-based learning. The program will assist manufacturers to retain critical skills and knowledge in their workplaces, enable effective succession planning and showcase career pathways in training and assessment. MSQ Chief Executive Rebecca Andrews, said the program will be particularly beneficial for emerging leaders, supervisors, and recently promoted employees in manufacturing. “This initiative addresses the industry-wide challenge of retaining skills and knowledge in manufacturing businesses. By developing workplace trainers, we’re facilitating knowledge transfer and preserving critical in-house skills, which are fundamental to a manufacturer’s capabilities. “This program is a strategic investment in our workforce, ensuring that valuable expertise is not lost. It aligns perfectly with our mission to future-proof Queensland’s manufacturing industry by cultivating a skilled and adaptable workforce. The program is part of MSQ’s $1.36 million Annual Training Plan investment in the “Training and skills” priority area. The skill set, delivered by TAFE Queensland comprises critical units to support knowledge transfer. TAFE Queensland General Manager of the South West Region, Kate Venables, said the partnership was an example of how the organisation is partnering with industry to train the state’s workforce in the skills required now and into the future. “We are constantly shaping our training products and our delivery modes to ensure our training meets current and future employment demands. Through partnerships like with Manufacturing Skills Queensland, TAFE Queensland can continue to assist employers to innovate and grow their businesses,” said Ms Venables. Available to all eligible manufacturing industry employees, the Industry Trainer Program aims to enhance teaching and supervisory skills, ensuring employees are well-equipped to efficiently and effectively train others in the workplace. Participants will undertake a self-directed, six-week online course with two optional one-hour virtual sessions each week with topics on how to present, communications skills and facilitating learning a variety of work contexts. The Queensland Manufacturing industry generated $26.8 billion of value add in 2023-2024 accounting for 5.20% of Gross State Product. MSQ encourages the manufacturing workforce in Queensland to take advantage of this exciting professional development opportunity. Enrolments are open with classes commencing every week from mid-February 2025. For more information or to register your interest visit www.tafeqld.edu.au/msq

Next month’s ABARES Outlook 2025 conference will be a unique event for the Australian agriculture industry, offering an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in cross-cutting conversations around agriculture’s productivity, sustainability, and the possibilities that are ahead. Source: Timberbiz Themed ‘Insights for Action: Fostering Growth in a Changing World,’ the conference will bring together influential Australian and international speakers, including industry leaders, government representatives, and experts, to discuss the future of agriculture in the face of global shifts. Taking place at Hotel Realm Canberra and online on 4-5 March 2025, the conference will feature 12 engaging sessions, designed to foster knowledge exchange, debate, and deliver actionable insights. Participants will explore key issues such as uncertainty around the future of trade, sustainable productivity and net zero, the evolving role of data, Indigenous agricultural enterprise, farm input security, capital investment, workforce and more. ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville will deliver the Economic Outlook for Australian agriculture on opening morning. “The effects of climate change, resource scarcity, geopolitical instability, and changing market conditions mean we need to seriously consider our responsiveness and adaptability,” Dr Greenville said. “Understanding economic trends and productivity hurdles is essential for developing resilient agriculture, fishery and forestry sectors and supply chains.” Dr Greenville said this year also marks 80 years since ABARES was first established a research organisation. “ABARES has a rich history and a wealth of expertise in applied economic and scientific research used to provide timely input to industry and government decision-making,” Dr Greenville said. “Insights from ABARES will be shared at the conference alongside expert views from industry, government and academia to highlight some of challenges, evolving needs and solutions for the sector.” For those unable to attend in person, the conference will be streamed online, allowing a broader audience of industry stakeholders to participate remotely. Registration is now open for both in-person and online participation as well as for the exclusive Welcome Sundowners networking function starting 5pm on 4 March. There is still time to explore sponsorship options and be a part of the event. For more details about the program, speakers and registration, here.

Recent pulp and paper mill closure announcements in New Zealand are set to be replaced by more positive news of exciting moves for using log harvests. Several startups are in development to use forest resources for higher value export products both locally and overseas according to forest technology director, John Stulen. Source: Timberbiz “Industry leaders from across the forestry supply chain are getting behind a new initiative to support new technologies and processes for extracting high value chemicals from logs and other forestry byproducts from sawmills,” Mr Stulen said. Local entrepreneurs are already developing new products from sustainable resources: Making graphite using CarbonScape technology produces high-quality, sustainable bio graphite from renewable materials for greener lithium-ion batteries. An international forest company Stora Enso is now backing them. Another success story is AgriSea. They are creating the world’s first commercial seaweed nanocellulose facility. Nanocellulose is a high value material with tensile strength stronger than steel and a coefficient of expansion less than glass making it a very high-performance material in many applications. Port Blakely New Zealand Essential Oils (PBNZEO), is a global leader in sustainable essential oil production, is among the first essential oil producers worldwide NZ Bio Forestry is a multi-national company that focuses on transforming plantation forestry biomass into biofuels, bio-chemicals and innovative materials. “To bring our industry innovators together we are pleased to announce a new conference called Forest Bioeconomy Innovations. It will run on 20-21 May 2025 in Rotorua. We are bringing international startup leaders together with forest and wood technology innovators to supercharge new processes to complement and eventually replace pulp and paper mills to some degree,” Mr Stulen said. “We are also working closely with officials and the Minister at MPI/Te Uru Rakau, Scion’s bioeconomy experts and key industry leaders to showcase sustainable and potential bioeconomy export products from New Zealand’s vast forest resources.” For more information visit https://innovatek.co.nz/hubs/forest-bioeconomy/

There are less than two weeks remaining to apply for the Round 10 of Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative, a game-changing grants program supporting industry-driven projects that provide tangible improvements to heavy vehicle safety and reduce the risk of road trauma across Australia. Source: Timberbiz The Australian Government has committed $4.2 million in grants to Round 10 of the program, with any business or association involved in the heavy vehicle industry looking to address a safety gap or issue encouraged to apply. Submissions will close at 5pm AEST 17 February 2025. The application form and project guidelines, which detail eligibility and the submission process, are available at www.nhvr.gov.au/hvsi National Heavy Vehicle Regulator Interim CEO Janelle van de Velde said the HVSI program is an invaluable opportunity for organisations, businesses and innovators within the heavy vehicle industry and wider supply chain, to contribute to making Australia’s roads safer for all road users. “Tragically, we saw far too many lives lost on Australian roads last year, so it’s crucial we continue funding innovative projects that increase compliance and deliver safety benefits for the heavy vehicle industry and wider community,” Ms van de Velde said. “Through previous rounds of the HVSI, we’ve been able to get crucial road safety programs off the ground, including a program that will equip 50 heavy vehicles with new, high-quality Automated External Defibrillators and increase knowledge and confidence of truck drivers to provide bystander first aid.” Ms van de Velde said the NHVR is looking to support initiatives that address one of the key themes of safer drivers, safer vehicles or safer road user environment. “If you have a project, program, or campaign that will make a difference, I encourage you to submit an application. “Whether it’s cutting-edge technology, driver education, or evidence-based material development – this funding is set to help you make a real impact. “I look forward to seeing the meaningful change this next round brings to road safety across Australia.”  

Nine fire specialists from Forestry Corporation have deployed to Victorian fire fronts as part of an interstate NSW firefighting contingency. Source: Timberbiz Victoria is currently experiencing significant bushfire activity near Horsham with large fires burning in the Grampians and Little Desert National Parks. NSW fire agencies have assisted through the deployment of firefighters and Incident Management Team personnel. Four Forestry Corporation staff members responded on Saturday, 1 February and a further five Forestry Corporation fire specialists deployed on Thursday, 6 February. “While we have had fires in NSW and the threat especially in the south and the west is not over yet, it is important to share resources around the country when we can,” Forestry Corporation’s Senior Manager Fire and Natural Hazards Rebel Talbert said. “Our firefighters are highly skilled and experienced in Australian bushland firefighting and are always ready to lend a hand in regional NSW or further afield.” Group Leader Gary Miller from Wauchope deployed for seven days as an Operations Officer in the IMT at Ararat. “We were there to give the local Victorian IMT personnel some time off as they have been fighting fires and overseeing the fire management since December with major efforts involved in the containment of the fires in the Grampians,” Mr Miller said. “It was great to assist our colleagues in Victoria, a great learning experience in training on the Victorian fire systems and a good opportunity to share fire knowledge across the multi-agency IMT.” Mr Miller was deployed to Victoria alongside firefighters Hannah Mangnall and Bronson Lovett from Wauchope and Daniel Macaree and James Martin from Maitland. A second firefighting field crew has started their seven-day deployment. This deployment is made up of Aden Hitchcock from Dorrigo, David McLaughlin from Coffs Harbour, Paul Douglas from Wauchope and Daniel Carey from Taree. Forestry Corporation’s nine personnel have deployed as part of the 200-strong NSW deployment alongside NSW Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife, Fire and Rescue NSW and State Emergency Services personnel.

The State Government in Victoria says it is helping to create more jobs in former forestry towns, increasing employment and delivering a boost to the local economy. Source: Timberbiz, photo Four Peaks Pastoral Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced $50,000 for Four Peaks Pastoral Pty Ltd to expand its business and employ former forestry workers as part of Round 1 of the Forestry Transition Fund. The business utilises the local skilled workforce to provide farmers and producers around Omeo, Swifts Creek and surrounding district with agricultural services. Business owner Stewart Moroney started the business after seeing a need for workers with unique skill sets to supplement the agricultural workforce in peak periods. Four Peaks provides a range of agricultural services, including fencing, shearing, pest control and harvest support. The grant will enable Four Peaks to purchase equipment including tool kits, portable livestock handling equipment and a vehicle mounted spray system. The business will employ full time farm support workers with general skill sets for the initial start-up phase, with a preference to employ workers previously employed in the native timber industry. Round 2 of the Forestry Transition Fund is now open. Proposal must support job creation and business development in communities impacted by the end of native timber harvesting. A $20,000 employment incentive payment for the employment of ex-native timber workers is also available. Applications for Round 2 will close on 31 October 2025. For more information visit www.deeca.vic.gov.au/forestry or call 1800 318 182.

The Millari Group Australia is set to start producing LVL, plywood, and timber for the Australian Timber Industry after recently agreeing to acquire the 25-ha Juken Gisborne facilities in New Zealand, to be rebranded as Millari NZ. Settlement is currently expected to occur later this month. Source: Timberbiz The Gisborne manufacturing facility is located on the North Island of New Zealand and specialises in producing LVL, plywood and structural Radiata pine products. With a perfect mix of engineered products and solid pine framing, the mill will be an asset best suited to ease the burden on businesses in Australia, which have been forced to rely on imported products due to the lack of local manufacturing. True Blue Timber, which has been supplying high-quality and reliable imported products to Australia’s leading wholesalers, will now be driving local LVL and timber production for the Australian industry with the Millari NZ facilities. With a significant investment over the next three years to increase the current capacities, Millari NZ plans to establish direct LVL, plywood and sawmill production for the Australian industry, including LVL E14, E13, E10, and LVL Formwork; structural and non-structural plywood panels and MGP and F-graded Radiaita pine, and H2, H3 and H4-treated pine. Millari NZ will ship LVL, plywood and sawmill products with AS/NZS standards directly to Australia’s Eastern Coast, significantly decreasing Australia’s timber industry’s dependence on imports from Europe and Asia. “Our Millari NZ facility in Gisborne will be on track to increase the output capacity of LVL, plywood and timber production over the next few years as we invest in new machinery and technology for the 35,000m2 factory,” owner and CEO Ryan Yari said. “With these exciting facilities alongside our True Blue Timber operations, we will continue to offer the Australian industry a reputable and reliable ongoing source of high-quality EWP (engineered wood products) and timber products and deliver them directly with quick turnarounds.” The Millari NZ Gisborne facility was closed in March 2024 and will re-open in the coming months, providing jobs and opportunities to the Gisborne community of 38,000 people. “JNL Gisborne has been the cornerstone of the community for many years, and it will be Millari Group’s pleasure to restore it to its former glory,” Mr Yari said. “The Millari Group team is excited about the new challenge ahead and looks forward to being a part of the Gisborne community for many years to come.” Millari Group Australia includes True Blue Timber, True Blue LVL, and True Blue Plywood, and Millari NZ supplies FSC 100% timber products to Australia’s leading timber and hardware retailers. For more information visit https://truebluetimber.com.au/