THE Green Triangle forestry sector is continuing to build its reputation as a national leader in processing and sustainability amid “unprecedented” investment flowing into the industry.
The tens of millions of dollars being poured in the sector was highlighted at the Green Triangle Timber Industry Awards, which celebrated the innovation and achievements of the $1b-plus sector.
OneFortyOne – the largest forestry company in the region – clinched the Supreme Timber Industry Award for its rolling infrastructure projects at its prominent Jubilee Sawmill processing site.
The sawmill – which processes a staggering 750,000 cubic metres across the 65ha site – underpins 300 people directly and more than 1000 indirectly.
OFO Jubilee sawmill general manager Paul Hartung said the investment already made and in the pipeline across the regional sector was “unprecedented”.
“We as an industry has never seen such investment – there is a lot of confidence in the region’s forestry sector,” Mr Hartung said.
He said this investment was underpinning long term sustainability of the regional sector, including thousands of jobs.
Regarding the company’s accolade, Mr Hartung said he was “really pumped” the site had received this acknowledgement following a $20m investment at the site.
He said another $20m in upgrades were also earmarked for the processing facility next year.
“We are really pleased the Jubilee sawmill has been recognised for all the work that had been done over the past two years under the ownership of OFO,” the mill manager said at the site yesterday.
The investment had also secured the site as one of Australia’s largest sawmilling operations.
“We are clearly the largest sawmill in South Australia and the second largest in the nation,” Mr Hartung said.
“On efficiency and productivity, we would be equal to the top two in Australia, which is giving us a platform to compete internationally,” he said.
This meant the sawmill’s product could compete with imports in the domestic market.
“The employees have been amazing through all the projects we have done on site, which had been under constant change in recent years,” Mr Hartung said.
“We are very fortunate to have such a great workforce.”
He said the award also reflected the site’s projects that had driven major environmental and efficiency outcomes.
These projects had seen a 60pc reduction in air pollutant emissions and increased efficiencies through the sorter stacker project.
Importantly, he said the site was also at the forefront of sustainability.
“All of the sawdust and off-cuts are converted into energy that dries our timber and the bark goes to BioGo, which then goes into pot plants and garden mulch,” the site manager added.
“The shaving goes to Borg that makes particleboard, which is used for kitchens and cupboards.
“We do not want to see any white wood go to landfill – we want to see all that fibre have a place.”
Despite rolling projects, Mr Hartung said the Jubilee sawmill had “not skipped a beat”.
“The site was back to its full operational peak within weeks of those projects being completed,” he said.
He said the new sorter stacker system had resulted in significant efficiencies being achieved.
“We can now sort the product better so we can get more recovery from the fibre, which then allows for more efficiencies in our kiln and drier process,” Mr Hartung said.
“Every area on site has benefited from that project.”
Mr Hartung said the next round of infrastructure improvements included a multi-million dollar state-of-the-art grading system.
The construction of two continuous drying kilns will also kick off next year, which will drive efficiencies and slash power costs.
