Leading force in timber industry

Press, 15 May 1981, Page 9

Leading force in timber industry

Manufacturers of structural timber today are emerging as a leading force in the New Zealand timber industry. It is a new development, and the force behind it is SETMA, which was formed in the early 1970 s to coordinate the activities of

structural timber manufacturing companies throughout New Zealand, and to provide an information service to architects, engineers, the Government and other interested parties on new developments and other activities in their sector of the timber industry. The move was well-timed, for structural timber was facing strong competition from alternative building materials such as steel and pre-stressed concrete.

Initially, just 20 companies were involved. Today there are nearly 60, representing most New Zealand companies involved in manufacturing glue-laminated beams, gangnail trusses and fingerjointed timber. SETMA believes, however, that a number of companies eligible for membership have not yet joined the association. It hopes any South Island companies in this category will do so soon. The chairman of SETMA (Mr B. C. Wyllie) said the organisation’s main activities involved research and education, and setting industry standards. One of SETMA’s biggest achievements to date was its contribution to setting standards for glue-laminated timber and finger-jointing. “Without SETMA, it almost certainly would not have happened,” Mr Wyllie said. “Importantly, everyone benefits from these developments, in particular our customers.” i Promoting awareness of i structural engineered timber i through education and publi- i city programmes had been :

another priority, Mr Wyllie said. He noted that students at the Auckland University School of Engineering, now spent, as part of their course, some four weeks studying subjects related to timber engineering. Formerly, it was a week. The organisation also was responsible for bringing about an amendment to the Fire Code allowing timber buildings to go up four storeys, instead of two. SETMA also has sponsored seminars, study tours, and award presentations to spread the word on its range of products and services. It has invited several American and Canadian authorities to New Zealand to address university students and seminars 'on the advantages of using structural timber as opposed to alternative building materials. The potential for the structural engineered timber industry in New Zealand exceeded the potential of many other industries, Mr Wyllie said.