Range of wood and paper processing work available

Wood and paper product manufacturing in the Nelson-Tasman region includes work in:

• sawmilling plants, which employ around 630 people
• fabricated wood manufacturing, which includes making products such as medium density fibreboard (MDF), particle or chip board (320 employees)
• construction of timber and structural components for buildings, which includes prefabricated buildings or roof trusses (210 employees)
• wood product manufacturers, which make products such as wooden containers and pallets (40 employees)
• paper product manufacturing businesses (30 employees).

Job opportunities varied

Jobs in these areas are varied, and include roles such as;

• sawmill operators, timber graders and timber machinists
• saw doctors, who sharpen and maintain saws and blades
• pulp and paper production workers and machine operators
• sawmill managers
• production management and general management roles.

Job numbers increasing over the last decade

Over the last decade employment in wood and paper product manufacturing in the Nelson-Tasman region has increases from around 990 to over 1,200 people. The main areas of growth in job numbers have been in:

• structural component manufacturing
• log sawmilling.

Together they added 250 new jobs to the industry.

Some business closures, but overall growth in numbers

Overall the number of businesses in the region has also grown over that time, from 76 to 86. New businesses include 12 new wooden structural component manufacturing businesses.

However, there have also been several business closures, including six sawmilling operations shutting down. Factors such as competition from cheaper products made in China and the down-turn in the building industry in the United States have played a role in these closures. This is because the majority of products from the Nelson-Tasman region are for export.

Increased logging may lead to future growth

While some industry commentators feel some small to medium sized sawmills may close in the future, this may be countered by forestry and logging activities in the region, which are forecast to increase by 43% over the next 10 years.

Three main sawmill employers

Major sawmills in the region include:

• Carter Holt Harvey Timber in Eves Valley, which employs around 270 people
• Waimea Sawmillers in Tahunanui, which exports to Australian and Pacific Rim markets
• South Pine (Nelson) in Stoke, which exports 60% of its product to Australia, Asia and America.

Wood product manufacturers world leaders

The biggest employer in fabricated wood manufacturing is Nelson Pine Industries, which manufactures medium density fibreboard (MDF). This company was once the world’s largest MDF producer, and exports to Australia, America and countries throughout Asia, Europe.

There are two main solid wood manufacturers in the region:

• Hunters (1998) Limited, which manufactures goods such as laminated posts, fascia, weatherboard and laminated beams
• Golden Downs Panel Limited, which procures laminated panels.

The majority of jobs in the wood and paper product manufacturing industry in the Nelson-Tasman region are found in the Nelson-Stoke area, and the Eves Valley area near Richmond.