Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins
VAFI recently hosted an industry tour for Dr Rachel Carling-Jenkins, Member for Western Metropolitan and Upper House Cross-bencher. The objective of the day was to showcase the forest and wood products industry in Victoria, and meet members of the communities that rely on forestry. Source: VAFI, TimberBiz
“With the help of VicForests and Powelltown Sawmill, we were able to paint a vivid picture of our industry, from the forest coupe to the forest to primary and secondary processing,” said VAFI CEO Tim Johnston.
“As part of this visit we also met with a local furniture manufacturer. Michael Hayes has been making furniture for over 14 years and he provided all of us with a greater understanding of what the local demand for timber is at the moment – and it’s not always for Australian timber.
“Does this mean the demand for local timber is just not there? Or does it mean industry needs to take a look at how it is promoting local resource and how it reacts to market demand?
“We should be encouraging businesses to grow and process what the market wants. We also need to work on getting these products to market quicker. This will mean looking at different processes and a better integration across the whole supply chain (between manufacturer, processor, etc).
“Notwithstanding its diversity and complexity, the forest and wood products industry needs to be seen and recognised as one supply chain, each component supporting and complementing the others, both up and down the supply chain,” said Tim.
“A successful and sustainable industry requires an holistic supply chain strategy, together with a collaborative vision and business buy-in that covers strategic, tactical and operational drivers.
“In the past the industry has often been quite segmented by resource, product and geography. If the industry is going to be strong, viable and have a secure future, this thinking needs to change,” Tim said.
