Cameron MacDonald, EGM Strategy and Innovation. Paul Hartung, Jubilee Sawmill GM, Premier Peter Malinauskas, and Andy Giles Knopp, CEO at Jubilee Sawmill
OneFortyOne CEO Andy Giles Knopp welcomed the opportunity to host the South Australian Premier on a tour of the Jubilee Sawmill and a plantation harvesting site, and the Minister for Forest Industries at the Glencoe Nursery. Source: Timberbiz
Mr Knopp said that the newly elected Premier and Minister for Forest Industries had a great understanding of the opportunity and the potential of forest industries from seedlings through to finished timber products.
“It was an honour to have Premier Peter Malinauskas, together with Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven and their guests experience our business and discuss our commitment to the industry and the community,” he said.
Mr Knopp said he was excited and optimistic for the future with the State Government’s interest in the industry remaining strong post-election.
“We support the recent policy and budget commitments which will assist the industry to sustainably grow plantation trees and manufacture timber products that are used by Australians every day. Strong government support is a critical step for the industry’s growth,” he added.
“The ongoing collaboration between Government and industry is making a significant impact. The work undertaken by the Green Triangle Forest Industries Hub and the South Australian Forest Products Association continues to drive us forward.
“OneFortyOne’s purpose is to grow a better tomorrow, ensuring that our business makes a positive difference now and into the future. We think this aligns with the Government’s policy objectives and we look forward to working together to support a sustainable forest industry.”
OneFortyOne has invested close to $50 million into the Jubilee Sawmill since 2018, with another $11 million planned for the Drymill over the next two years as part of its modernisation program.
Jubilee Sawmill General Manager Paul Hartung said the site tour highlighted these investments and OneFortyOne’s connection to the region.
“It was great to show Premier Malinauskas, Minister Scriven and other guests through the Jubilee Sawmill, one of the largest mills in Australia. We are a significant regional employer, with over 300 people working at the mill, and it is awesome for our team to be able to showcase some of our upgrades, from the Continuous Drying Kilns through to the robotic pack wrapper,” Mr Hartung said.
“These investments ensure our mill is progressive and efficient. To make best use of wood fibre we need highly skilled current and future teams. For this reason, we focus on development and training as well as bringing younger people into the industry.”
Further investment has been committed to Glencoe Nursery, with $7 million going towards upgrades to improve efficiency, capacity, and working conditions for employees and contractors.
Nursery Manager Craig Torney said the tour was a chance for Minister Scriven to see the nursery in action at one of the busiest times of the year.
Minister for Forest Industries Clare Scriven with Nursery Manager Craig Torney
“We’ve just started despatching seedlings with the commencement of the planting season, so there was plenty of action for our guests to see,” he said.
“Earthworks for our upgrades have begun, with construction to begin later in the year.”
“In 2021 this nursery produced over 8.5 million seedlings for OneFortyOne and other forest growers. The investment will help us grow an additional 4 million container seedlings every year.
“At the end of the day the industry can only hope to meet domestic demand for timber products if we plant more trees.”
