Jim Bindon
Long-standing Hyne Group CEO Jon Kleinschmidt has announced he is to retire with Big River Industries CEO Jim Bindon to take control as the next Chief Executive Officer following a hand over period in May next year. Source: Timberbiz
Mr Kleinschmidt has been with the company for 28 years, and his principal positions have been Divisional Manager, General Manager Development and Technical, CFO and, since October 2012, Chief Executive Officer.
“We are extremely grateful for everything that Jon has achieved during his long and successful career with the Hyne Group, particularly during the GFC, the bushfires, Covid and latterly in assisting the Board negotiate the transaction with James Jones & Sons Ltd in 2021/22,” Chair, Tom Bruce-Jones said.
“Jon’s knowledge of all our processes is second to none and he has been instrumental in delivering many of our major projects, commissioning production lines whilst focussing on health and safety and personnel development.
“Jon’s legacy is immense, and he has established a very strong platform of dedicated personnel and well capitalized assets.
“Jon informed the Board of his decision in June 2022, giving us plenty of notice to undertake an extensive executive search and interview process. We are absolutely delighted that Jim Bindon has accepted our offer to become our next Chief Executive Officer.
“Jim has been the CEO of Big River Industries, a company trading on the ASX and well known to the Hyne Group, since 2005. He has guided Big River through years of successful growth, and he will bring great experience and knowledge to the role, as well as identifying acquisitions and growth opportunities for us.
“We are very thankful for Jon’s ongoing support for a smooth and seamless transition until May next year at which point, we will wish him a very long, well deserved, happy, healthy and enjoyable retirement.”
Australian Forest Products Association Chief Executive Officer Ross Hampton paid tribute to Mr Kleinschmidt who served as a director on the AFPA Board from 2016 to 2022 – nominated from AFPA’s Softwood Manufacturing Chamber.
“Jon is well known to the sector and on behalf of everyone across our forest industries I congratulate Jon on his years of service, not just for his 28 years to Hyne Group, that has gone from strength to strength as a leading softwood sawmilling product provider under his leadership, but also his service to the broader sector through his time on the AFPA Board,” Mr Hampton said.
“The hallmark of Jon’s input on the AFPA Board was always forward leaning and with a willingness to confront the challenges faced by the sector, especially with regards to securing future timber resource, the bushfires and the times of peak demand following the COVID-pandemic induced building boom.
“I congratulate Jon and wish him all the best in his retirement from May next year. We also welcome Hyne Group’s incoming Chief Executive Officer Jim Bindon who will transition from his current position at Big River Industries,” he said.
