ITC Timber enhanced sustainability

All of ITC Timber's operations are PEFC certified which ensures GoodWood and SUPALAM product can be tracked from origin to end user.

The Company's dedication to ongoing improvements and machinery upgrades ensures better capability to meet and exceed customers' requirements.

This is demonstrated by the recent additions to the Heyfield mill in Victoria.

The finger jointing and laminating facility, a six million dollar investment launched in 2007, has recently been extended to produce finger jointed laminated flooring, architraves and window profiles.

" We can now offer the market set lengths - for example flooring is available in lengths of 4.2 metres and architraves in lengths of 5.4 metres", said Vince Hurley, Mill General Manager at ITC Timber's Heyfield site.

"All packs are end matched, creating a square-ended pack that is easier to manoeuvre at point of purchase and making life much easier for our customers.

The installation of a top of the range, end matcher and another moulder has seen ITC ramp up its delivery of dressed and appearance grade orders.

" Where previously we had to turn orders away, we now have an increased capacity and can deliver an augmented service as a result," confirmed Mr Hurley.

The finger jointing laminating line has also received a new proof grader which will come into play later this year when Supachord becomes available.

Supachord is another high performance laminated product which provides consistency and economy in roof truss manufacture.

Staircase manufacturers will welcome the new sanding technology that has been installed, enabling GoodWood staircase material to be finished with a beautiful sanded quality instead of only machine dressed timber.

Issues that occasionally can occur with timber products are internal checking (voids inside the timber) and de-lamination of laminated products.

ITC Timber acknowledges the seriousness of these defects and in order to produce the highest quality hardwood product, have invested in improved technology to combat the internal checking via non-contact ultrasound.

A new de-lamination detector has also been implemented.

ITC Timber's customers will see the benefits through increased quality assurance against defect in timber and manufactured products.

There has also been continued investment in the ITC Timber's Alexandra operations.

Increasing demand for high quality GoodWood product has seen the recent completion of $150,000 of upgrades to increase volume throughput.

This increase in demand has come from a program of joint marketing ventures, where Goodwood customers are supported by ITC in promoting both their own business and the Goodwood brand, to promote quality products from a legal, sustainable, PEFC certified supplier.

Stage Two of the planned development will see another $500,000 invested in the mill, aimed at maximizing efficient production in order to satisfy market needs.

A new Mill General Manager, Paul Hartung, has recently taken over the management of the ITC Timber Tasmanian sites at Launceston and Southwood.

Mr Hartung has 15 years experience across a number of sawmilling operations and is already focusing on improving customer service and responsiveness..

"We have a number of new initiatives in place, concentrating on product availability and time to market".

"Capital projects are also taking place at the Mowbray site with the installation of a new boiler at the Launceston site which will significantly improve our steam and drying capabilities, "said Mr Hartung.

Mr.Guy Mycroft, General Manager of ITC Timber, said the Company recognizes the necessity for sustained innovation in order to continually meet and exceed customer expectation.

"ITC Timber has a strong commitment to producing the highest quality sustainable hardwood products and is constantly looking to make improvements across all aspects of operational performance" he said.

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