Waipu timber company Northpine is extending its reach south into the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. The company already has a distribution centre in Silverdale, Auckland and now has a dedicated key account manager covering Waikato and Bay of Plenty with a long term plan of setting up a distribution hub in Waikato, says company director and general manager Bruce Larsen.
“There is a lot of growth happening in these regions so it is the next logical place for us to grow,” he says.
Northpine was established in 1999 by Keith Reay, Richard Wilson and Bruce Larsen from the rundown assets of the defunct Waipu Timber Company. Northpine timber products come only from sustainably managed, high density Northland pine forests.
Bruce says academic research has shown that pine grown in Northland is stronger, harder and stiffer than anywhere else in New Zealand.
There are other points of difference. The company’s products are independently verified by Grade Right and comply with New Zealand standards for structural purposes.
While Bruce says that many sawmills grade by eye, the majority of Northpine’s standard products are tested to ensure they have the correct characteristics with every piece of wood being passed through an acoustic grader to test stiffness.
A sample from each run is tested under pressure for strength. Being BRANZ Appraised means that customers can be assured Northpine products are of the highest quality, says Bruce.
“Without testing and verifying the timber, it is very difficult to tell what sort of structural performance you will achieve.”
“By choosing Northpine verified timber our customers know it is stronger, denser and stiffer for better performance and peace of mind,” says Bruce.
Constant innovation and keeping up with the latest demands for new products is key. The company’s Northbeam range is a case in point and marks a focus for Northpine on high value niche products.
The specialist Northbeam range of structural beams, square posts and joists, includes large dimension beams, H1.2 and H5 treated timber up to 7.2 metres. Northbeam is made from kiln-dried timber carefully selected to ensure it is structurally strong and dimensionally stable.
Northpine’s specialist Northbeam range of structural beams, square posts and joists, includes large dimension beams, H1.2 and H5 treated timber up to 7.2 metres.
The result is high quality timber with structural performance that is competitive with steel or engineered wood products. It is not only strong but also looks good.
Bruce says that the products are aesthetically pleasing, high value products that are generally preferred for use in exposed areas where the natural warmth and beauty of solid wood provides visual impact and unique character to a structure.
The range also provides flexibility and the opportunity to create eye-catching designs for outdoor features such as decks, gazebos, pergolas and entranceways.
Bruce Larsen: “There is a lot of growth happening in these regions so it is the next logical place for us to grow.”
In addition to these large dimension or unusual sized products, Northpine will also consider making one-off production runs for clients at its Waipu sawmill. Consistent growth means that Northpine now employs around 60 staff making it a major employer in Waipu.
This has led the company to give back and place a focus on improving the quality of local community life by helping a wide variety of activities, events and causes through donations and sponsorship to local arts, education, heritage, sport, recreation and community services.
Northpine products are primarily sold via timber and building supply merchants to clients in the upper North Island.
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Northpine extends its regional reach
Northpine timber products come only from sustainably managed, high density Northland pine forests.
