Nelson Pine Industries’ biggest wood processor celebrated its 25 anniversary last October. On October 2, 1984, a joint venture agreement was signed between the original partners, Newmans Group Ltd, Nelson. C A Odlins Ltd Wellington, and Sumitomo Forestry Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan.
Managing director Murray Sturgeon said the two original New Zealand shareholders owned the old chip mill on site at Queen Street, Richmond.
“The aim of the shareholders was to add value to the Nelson region’s Radiata Pine resource with the installation of an MDF plant,he said. “We have come a long way over the past two and half decades with the buildings now covering 8.8ha and housing three MDF lines, along with the production facilities for a veneer plant and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) plant.”
Nelson Pine Industries now employs 200 staff, (85% have been employed more than five years) and is said to be recognised world wide for the quality and consistency of its product range in MDF and LVL.
