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KiwiRail is reaping the benefits of an innovative growth strategy for its NZ forestry business designed to make the best use of its wagon fleet . Its financial result released this week shows an 8 % revenue increase in its overall forestry business in just the six months to December . That is being driven by strong growth in the volume of logs .
“ We have been working closely with the industry to maximise our ability to meet the wall of wood now coming on stream , as the result of the large volume of trees planted in early 1990s ,” says KiwiRail Chief Executive Peter Reidy .
“ Our log wagon fleet has grown by 40 % since 2011 . We have some very clever thinkers on our team and have been able to do this in an innovative and cost-efficient way by converting wagons retired from our
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container fleet .” “ This is happening as fast as possible , and we are running trains up to seven days a week in all our key forestry routes . However current demand is so strong we could be doing more .”
“ There are more than 130 additional log wagon conversions coming on stream over the next six months , which will allow us to meet further demand this year ; and a further 200 wagon conversions are planned for the 2019 financial year ”.
“ In the Bay of Plenty alone KiwiRail runs 60 forestry trains each week to the Port of Tauranga , from Murupara-Kawerau and Kinleith . Those trains are taking the equivalent of up to 340 trucks a day off eastern Bay of Plenty roads ”.
“ KiwiRail is continuing to work
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with the industry to identify further opportunities to take more logs off the road and onto rail . We have already worked successfully with industry to develop log hubs in key locations on the network where local forests are not directly served by rail ”.
“ This sees significant volumes of logs now moving to Napier Port and CentrePort from log hubs in Masterton , Whanganui and Palmerston North , rather than travelling by road . Consolidating volumes and running to export ports by train is a cost-effective option for forestry owners / harvesters .”
“ Rail also generates 66 % fewer carbon emissions compared to heavy trucks for every tonne of freight moved ”.
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Peter Reidy , Chief Executive , KiwiRail |
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Finnish forest machine manufacturer Logset Oy and Brazilian heavy equipment dealer PESA ( Paraná Equipamentos S / A ) have signed a dealership agreement . Under the terms of the agreement , PESA will sell Logset machines , parts and services for the products manufactured by Logset . PESA ’ s territory of action covers the Southern Brazilian states of Paraná , Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul .
Through Logset forest machines , PESA gains technology
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leadership in CTL systems . Logset machines fit perfectly to PESA ’ s CAT machine range .
“ We ’ ve wanted to improve our presence in Brazil for some time , and the talks we had with PESA developed smoothly into an agreement . The Brazilian forestry is expanding fast .
The Southern Brazilian states are rich in pine , which suits Logset ’ s harvester heads perfectly . For the Southern eucalyptus areas , the Logset TH65 Euca is the perfect match with excellent debarking
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results . PESA is a partner with an existing customer base , capable and motivated personnel , and excellent resources , including their own rental fleet , for starting a successful collaboration with Logset . We were convinced by their product support capability , and their CAT machines fit well as base machines for our TH heads .
I believe that Brazil will become an even more important market for Logset ,” says Tapio Nikkanen , Chairman of the board .
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Tapio Nikkanen , Chairman |
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Tilhill Forestry has appointed Julian Hollingdale to the role of District Manager for their North Highland District office based in Inverness .
He spent 7 years in Southern England within the Forestry and Landscaping businesses before moving to join the forestry team in Inverness in late 2010 . Hollingdale
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is also a professional member of the ICF since 2013 and an ICF assessor since 2016 .
Tilhill Forestry firmly believe that in order to effectively grow the business they must grow their talent internally . In order to support staff , the Company run a Management Development
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Programme that equips both new graduate recruits and senior managers with the skill sets required to run a successful forestry and timber harvesting company . Hollingdale ’ s appointment is a good example of this philosophy .
His comprehensive experience
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across a range of disciplines and locations within Tilhill , together with the inheritance of a strong District team , will allow the Company ’ s North Highland office to expand further taking advantage of the opportunities that the large and varied geographical area provides . |