Whiteland Milling owner and sawmill Manager Neil Whiteland
Demand for WA native timber continues to be strong for Busselton’s Whiteland Milling, so strong that the family business is seeking new employees to join the team. Source: Timberbiz
Established in 1981, Whiteland Milling began as a Sheoak sawmill producing furniture-grade timber and roofing shingles on a four-person manual bench.
These days, the sawmill operates multiple automatic benches, a twin breakdown saw, 13 drying kilns and a value adding processing facility which produces timber flooring, decking, furniture components, mouldings and other pre-dressed products.
They process local Jarrah, Marri, Karri, Blackbutt and Sheoak, sourced sustainably through contracts with the Forest Products Commission (FPC).
Marri boards processed by Whiteland Milling
To keep up with the demand, the Whiteland family recently built another sawmill specifically for processing Karri, installed two new drying kilns and invested in new machinery – with the total investment close to one million dollars.
Owner and sawmill manager Neil Whiteland said the business employs 35 people, but sourcing reliable local labour continued to be a challenge for them.
“We have a large client base and supply to a diverse range of markets, including China, South Korea, Vietnam, Victoria, New South Wales and Perth,” Mr Whiteland said.
“We even still do the Sheoak shingles, used for Heritage buildings. We also do local orders – so if someone calls up and wants a small order for timber decking or something specific, we are happy to help.
“The demand for WA timber is there, one of our biggest challenges is finding labour. We have jobs, we just need willing workers.”
Neil has run the sawmill for 40 years while his son, Marc, a qualified cabinet maker, manages the nearby processing facility and has done for 17 years.
Whiteland Milling Processing Plant Manager Marc Whiteland
The business prides itself on its commitment to quality and minimising waste, with all residue sawdust, firewood and bark sold for commercial or domestic use.
