Forestry Conference Marks Launch of National Strategy

Media Release
28 February 2012

For Immediate Release

A New World in Wood – Forestry Conference Marks the Launch of National Strategy

After years of working without the benefit of a long-term cohesive plan, the national forest industry has melded together to form the Wood Council of New Zealand (Woodco) and bring a national strategy into action.

“The Forestwood 2012 conference marks the launch of a national strategy and will be a great leap forward for the industry,” says John Stulen, CEO of the Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA).

Lees Seymour, Chair of Woodco’s Governance Group delivers Woodco’s “Strategic Action Plan” in response to a twelve-month review of the issues confronting the industry. He will outline an aspirational growth path for the industry to embrace.

“On behalf of forest contractors – who have quite a bit of ‘skin-in-the-game’ with millions of dollars invested in specialist equipment for planting, tending and harvesting forests – we are pleased to have a direct say in where the industry is headed in the strategy we’ve all signed up to,” says Mr Stulen.

“The time is right for this conference as forest harvests will increase every year now for the next decade,” says Mr Stulen.

The ForestWood 2012 conference will provide an opportunity to get the key players of the industry talking and working together. The conference theme is – “A New World in Wood.”

Doug Ducker, President of Woodco will open ForestWood 2012. The programme will then comprise three sessions that will outline the strategic intent of our industry and the opportunities that lie ahead.

The first theme is "Strategies for Success" and will lead out with how NZ and its major trading economies are faring in tough economic times.

International key note speaker Richard Phillips of North Carolina State University will cover the international transformation of the pulp and paper industry as a major generator of energy.

The first session will also cover global changes in the forest products industry, promotion of NZ wood products and the potential for policy and regulation leadership from MAF.

The second session is all about "Seismic Shifts". International speaker Andrew Goodison of FP Innovation from Canada will talk about the four pillars that underpin the Canadian industry’s future growth path.

This session will also cover learnings from the 2009 La’Aquila earthquake in Italy and new technologies in the realm of engineered wood products and solutions

A third session will touch on “Game Breaking Changes” and will open with Bruce Easton talking about the Chinese market. And to conclude Dave Hadfield, High Performance coach for the World Champion junior All Blacks will talk about how an industry like ours might handle change, if it is to pursue an inspirational goal of taking our industry to another level.

ForestWood 2012 conference will be held in Te Papa on 21 March in Wellington. The ForestWood conference is open to all people who work in, or provide services to the NZ forest and wood products industry – to register go to www.forestwood.org.nz

--ENDS--

About Forest Industry Contractors Association (FICA)
FICA’s role is to improve profitability of forest contractors and their clients. This is achieved through professional development programmes including regional seminars, workshops and networking meetings around key forest product regions of the country.

Wood Council of New Zealand (Woodco)
Woodco brings together the key parts of the supply chain from NZ Forest Owners Association, Farm Forestry Association, Forest Industry Contractors Association, Wood Processors Association and the Pine Manufacturers Association.

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