Despite a tough market, Mt Pokaka Timber Products has experienced good growth over the last several years thanks to the versatility and production capacity of its upgraded facility. Source: Pallet Enterprise
“We have doubled our sales since 2008” said Mark Hewitt, director and owner of Mt Pokaka Timber Products in New Zealand.
“The sawmilling industry has had a tough time over the past few years but we think that we are very well positioned for the upswing.”
Mt Pokaka Timber Products produces fence pales, sawn posts, rough sawn timber, tree stakes, posts and stays, pallet cutstock, horticulture roundwood and stakes, marine posts, crate timber, mulch, woodchips and more.
A large percentage of the products it makes are treated with a wood preservative to ensure the longevity of its products.
Hewitt credited the flexibility of his facility as one of the things that makes his operation stand out. It can process a wide variety of products in terms of lengths and dimensions.
“You have to be able to adapt pretty quickly,” Hewitt said. “The last three to four years has been a time where I have had to focus hard on the management of my company.
“I am fortunate to have a small dedicated management team to assist, all of whom have been with the company for at least 10 years.”
The two biggest products that the company makes are fencing and pallet/packaging components.
“The two major product types produced at our facility are very similar. We can quickly switch over production to meet whatever customer need arises,” said Hewitt.
About 70% of the production capacity is fencing and related products compared with about 30% for pallet and crating components. Including roundwood, the total production of the facility is about 30 million board feet per year.
