New Zealand and Australia will host a major forest investment and market outlook conference series Forest Investment and Market Outlook 2014. Source: Timberbiz
The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) is running the event in Auckland on 9–10 April 2014 and Melbourne on 14–15 April 2014.
This latest conference will focus on strengthening ties between the equity investment, finance and forest products industries in Australasia and globally.
The event is in its third year and popular with forest company CEOs and financial sector leaders for its insight.
One keynote speaker is Kevin Mason, managing director and senior analyst of ERA Forest Products Research, a Canadian based independent research firm that covers the global forest products sector.
“We focus first and foremost on understanding the commodity side of the market,” said Mason, “As trends in the underlying commodities far outweigh managerial abilities, or the lack of.”
Mason and his team have a reputation being able to predict bankruptcy in the North American forest products industry, as well as highlighting some of the best upside returns as well.
Another keynote speaker is Gary Myers, managing partner at TimberLink LLC .
“Institutional investors with longer investment horizons and more efficient capital have successfully migrated into this asset class for diverse reasons,” said Myers.
His company monitors timber investment management organisations’ (TIMO) performance and tracks their investment strategies on behalf of current and prospective clients.
TimberLink has advised clients from nine different countries with investments totaling over $10 billion in commercial forestland around the word.
TimberLink is not a TIMO and does not raise capital or manage property.
“Our recent survey of TIMOs indicates that private investments in timberland approach US$50 billion on a global basis,” said Myers. But he said that investors are not entirely satisfied with the present TIMO model.
“Certain new pressure points are emerging that challenge the traditional TIMO approach to investing,” said Myers.
“Recent trends where TIMOs offer funds only may be in contrast with some larger investors who want more control over investment decisions and influence on management through separate accounts.”
This conference series has a focus on China and other key wood products markets of importance to New Zealand and Australia.
In New Zealand to register call 0800 34 22 69 for express service.
In Australia to register call 1800 126 398 for express service.
