New Zealand ’ s Economic Development Minister Simon Bridges and Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced NZ $ 2 million funding for a wood-processing facility which uses automation and robotics to turn low-value pine trees into high-value wood products reports Scoop . This is just one of the local initiatives announced at the release of the Tairawhiti Economic Action Plan in Gisborne .
“ Forestry is a major employer in the region and this funding
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accelerates research and development in this sector . This technology from Wood Engineering Technology Ltd ensures that even low value ‘ pulp ’ logs , or forestry blocks on remote sites , can become economically viable ,” says Mr Bridges .
WET Gisborne Ltd , a joint venture between Wood Engineering Technology Ltd and the Eastland Community Trust , is building a NZ $ 9 million prototype plant , where this technology is being developed .
It is expected that there will
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be three plants on the initial site creating 120 highly skilled jobs , and see potential opportunity in opening further plants in the more remote locations of Eastland .
“ The processing plant is being partly funded through a Callaghan Innovation growth grant and demonstrates how innovative technology can improve productivity and profitability ,” says Mr Goldsmith .
“ Delivering commercialised technology to market is a core part of Callaghan Innovation ’ s mandate , so it is pleasing to see the Gisborne
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region benefitting directly from the government ’ s investment in research and development through growth grants .” |
The Hancock Timber Resource Group has completed the acquisition of approximately 25,000 acres of timberlands in Alabama from Rayonier Inc . This transaction is a follow-on to another transaction completed in late 2016 where Hancock Timber acquired approximately 37,000 acres of timberlands in Mississippi and Alabama from Rayonier .
“ We are very pleased to secure additional high quality timberlands
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for our clients ,” said Hancock Timber Resource Group President Brent Keefer . “ These properties are located in an area of the US South with deep and diverse markets for forest products . We will be able to supply solid wood and fiber to a variety of facilities in southern Alabama , western Georgia , and northern Florida . We look forward to managing them to their highest potential .”
As with the previous
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acquisition , the timberlands are stocked with well-managed southern pine plantations and hardwoods . The timberlands will be managed by Hancock Forest Management , the organization ’ s integrated property management group . Hancock Timber has approximately 280,000 acres of timberland under management in Mississippi and Alabama , 1.8 million acres in the US South and almost 6 million acres globally . |
Hancock Timber Resource Group President Brent Keefer |