Staff at Forico’s tree nursery gather to celebrate the tenth anniversary.
A significant milestone was reached by Forico this year, as the company marked its 10th anniversary as Tasmania’s largest private forest management company. Source: Timberbiz
Since the announcement of its formation in 2014, Forico has emerged as a leader in the Tasmanian forest industry, distinguishing itself for management of globally certified production plantation forests, conservation of extensive native vegetation areas across the north of the state, and for its people-centred employment culture.
As well as celebrating on the day with barbecues and morning teas held across five workplaces, several members of staff who have been with Forico since its beginnings spoke of the milestones which stand out.
Forico is Tasmania’s largest private forest manager, managing approximately 173,000 hectares across the state.
Its globally certified forests consist of 89,000 hectares of plantation, managed for wood fibre production, and 77,000 hectares of natural forest managed for conservation, biodiversity and cultural values.
Chief Commercial Officer Darren Davis noted the company’s ‘growth from commencement in 2014 to now being a leading asset manager and industry organisation, recognised in the communities we operate in and by other Tasmanian businesses, and by valued customers for reliability, quality and understanding that supports and responds to their business requirements.”
Forico Chief Commercial Officer Darren Davis
Notable milestones for Mr Davis were:
- Securing an in-house workforce for production capability in two wood processing facilities.
- Surrey Hills Mill recommissioning of both log yard and log infeed handling.
- Surrey Hills Mill new 144” chipper disc installation.
- FSC forest management certification in 2015.
- Acquisition of significant assets including two L90S log stackers in 2015 and again in 2024 and essential machinery for mill and loading sites, refurbishment of the wharf loading facilities at Long Reach Mill in the East Tamar Valley and installation of a 96” chipper disc and electric motor in the company’s mill at that site.
- Securing of long-term access to both Burnie and Long Reach ports and collaboration with industry partner TasPorts on an increase to the declared depth at Burnie port.
- Partnership with Woodtech Measurement Systems, Santiago, Chile in the commissioning of the innovative LogMeter for volumetric log supply to Surrey Hills Mill.
- Harvesting and replanting of over 50% of the plantation forest estate and restoration to a world-class asset.
- Completion of the asset’s acquisition in September 2023 to a prestigious global and Australian investor group.
- General Manager of Plantation Performance Darren Herd spoke of the achievement of reinstating an established forest estate to best practice management, and of innovations introduced by Forico in both plantation management and additional initiatives by which the company has sought to distinguish itself.
- Re-establishing the business, supply chains and infrastructure through recapitalisation and good commercial management to grow into a significant contributing business for the Tasmanian economy.
- Growing a brand which distinguishes itself in Environmental, Social and Governance principles as a result of community engagement and certification credentials.
- Implementation of a log-drying strategy which was transformational for the business, reducing ‘wetness’ of the company’s woodchip product and making it more competitive compared to other suppliers in Australia and internationally. The strategy involved storing and drying logs in the field, and the installation of an innovative LogMeter system at the company’s Surrey Hills Mill, cost effectively measuring log deliveries in cubic metres at the mill. The system is the only hardwood supply chain in Australia to work on a cubic metre basis.
- Achievement of carbon registration for several projects under the Clean Energy Regulator’s plantation forestry method.
- Publication and enactment of two Reconciliation Action Plans.
- First Australian forest management company to publish a Natural Capital report demonstrating how a future-focused forestry business can add additional value to a wood production asset, and establishing a benchmark in nature-based reporting at global level.
Forico continues to look for opportunities to grow revenue streams through an informed diversification agenda. The company regularly collaborates with industry peers on many initiatives, including the manufacture of wood fibre into engineered/solid wood products, unlocking estate value in natural capital, and capitalising on growing opportunities in the alternative energy and fuel sectors.
Forico General Manager, Plantation Performance, Darren Herd
“Forico has achieved something very unique and transformational in the forestry landscape of Australia,” said Mr Herd.
“This is something that we can speak to with considerable pride when engaged with peers from across the forestry sector in Australia.
“The continued interest and opportunity in the business continues to invoke in us a sense of pride and willingness to continue on the Forico journey.”
