The SAWA delegation’s first working day in New Zealand began at Nelson Pine Industries Ltd (NPIL) – one of the country’s leading manufacturers of engineered wood products.
The delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Kai Kruse, CEO, together with the Nelson Pine management delegation, who introduced an overview of MDF and LVL production activities, as well as exemplary application projects.
The visit to the Nelson Pine production line was truly a highlight of the journey. The MDF and LVL manufacturing systems are almost fully automated, operating on an impressive scale and to high technical standards – a clear demonstration of New Zealand’s advanced wood technology capability.
At noon, the SAWA delegation met and exchanged ideas with prominent experts in the field:
Andy Van Houtte, Director – Structural Engineer, Potius Building Systems Limited
Jeremy Smith, Design Director, Irving Smith Architects
Samuel Leslie, Technical Sales Manager, Red Stag Timber Solutions
An engaging lunch filled with open and inspiring conversations about the development trends of structural timber construction rounded off a fulfilling first working day for the SAWA delegation in Nelson.
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The Nelson region provides the perfect environment for sustainable forestry, where our log suppliers manage plantations of radiata pine. NPIL uses the wood to make two high performance building materials – Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) – that slots right into our high-tech age. Using a sustainable resource, we can supply the material to construct multi-story buildings out of LVL, and fill them with panels, floors and furniture made of MDF.
GoldenEdge® MDF and NelsonPine® LVL are recognised as leading brands in New Zealand and in worldwide export markets. This parallel status is based on the strategy of consistent, high-quality products delivered to key markets by reliable and frequent shipping services.
NPIL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sumitomo Forestry Company Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan. The Sumitomo Group was established in Japan in 1691, in the field of mineral exploration. The Sumitomo Forestry Company Ltd. (SFC) was formed in 1948 and is now one of Japan’s largest forestry-based companies. SFC markets NPIL’s MDF and LVL in Japan and other Asian countries. The Japanese emphasis on quality and service meant these core values became intrinsically woven into the culture at NPIL.
