New technology for exports

Press, 28 April 1981, Page 21

New technology for exports

Now Zealand’s export earnings from timber will receive a significant fillip with the commissioning in Auckland of a finger-jointing machine incorporating the latest in processing technology Because it is able to join short lengths of specially graded timber, the machine at Manukau Timber Company, Ltd. answers the national call to make better use of timber resources and add value to export production. After jointing, the timber is machine-dressed and profiled in readiness for packaging and export. “We can now recover grades of timber that would normally have been sold unprocessed and get better prices overseas without denying local builders the grades needed to sustain the domestic construction sector." said the company's managing director,. Mr Colin Mason. He .said that export earnings from the machine were expected to exceed $750,000 annuallv.

Manukau Timber already exports mouldings, panelling and other interior finishing materials to Australia and the United States, and semi- |

processed timber to Japan. The new machine will enable the company to produce dressed components to the precise specifications of the overseas customer — with a consequent boost in both individual commodity prices and total export earnings. The Industrial fingerjointer which has cost $300,000 installed, was inspected by Manukau Timber

executives at the maker's plant in Dallas. Texas and compared with large jointers produced in other countries. With a capacity of 20 cubic metres of timber a day, the finger-jointer will process mainly low’-grade radiata pine from Manukau's own

Mamaku and other NorthIsland mills. New equipment, including an automatic log carriage, has already been installed at Mamaku to boost raw material supply for the Auckland factory. New dehumidifying type kilns currently ’ under construction will add further value to the timber on overseas markets. “Our market research overseas has revealed that

there is a growing demand — and a big future — for processed timber from New Zealand, with Europe holding considerable potential.” said Mr Mason. "As well as added value, profiled timber offers a better and more economic use of our timber resource, significant freight savings, and new job opportunities for New Zealanders."