Hyne Timber recently welcomed Justin Clancy MP to its Tumbarumba Mill where the mill optimisation project is currently underway.
The Tumbarumba Mill Optimisation Project is co-funded by the NSW Government as part of the NSW Bushfire Industry Recovery Package and includes various upgrades, new technology and efficiency gains throughout the mill.
Site manager Gary Evans said the mill faced a long future of sourcing logs from further afield with high freight costs so gaining efficiencies at the site was essential.
“Most recently, as part of the site improvements with the support of the NSW Government, we have installed and commissioned a new and upgraded Quad Roll Log Turner.
“In short, trees are natural and usually not dead straight. This machine is the latest, high-speed, high precision log scan and log rotation system to help us process those logs in the most efficient way to get the highest recovery.”
This unique equipment was purchased from USNR in Canada to complement the rest of the sawline and presented a unique opportunity to engage local suppliers to assist with the install as opposed to flying in the Canadian suppliers with the current COVID overseas travel restrictions.
“Using local skills and trades saw approximately $50,000 diverted to local suppliers including electrical, civil, hydraulics and fabrication from communities such as Gundagai, Albury, Wagga Wagga and Tumbarumba.
“We had to remove part of the mill roof to crane in the Log Turner, which was also no mean feat, requiring two cranes, lots of planning and careful mid-air transfer to avoid a sprinkler main line, work which was successfully undertaken by local crane suppliers and operators.
“The equipment was up and running immediately, fully functional and we are already seeing the performance improvements,” Evans said.
Hyne Timber is committed to its Tumbarumba operations and is pleased to be partnering with the NSW Government to accelerate investment to remain at the forefront of sawmilling technology.
“I was really pleased to see the new installations at Hyne Tumbarumba last week,” said Justin Clancy MP, Member for Albury.
“These improvements are with the latest in sawmilling technology. And along with the NSW government assisting Hyne obtain further timber supply from Walcha, they help secure the viability of the mill. After many challenges following the bushfires, this offers a positive way forward.”
The successful installation of the Quad Roll Log Turner sees Hyne Timber currently ahead of schedule in delivering its milestones for the NSW Bushfire Industry Recovery Package.
The total Tumbarumba Mill Optimisation Project cost is $5,979,043 with $2,989,522 support committed from the NSW Government.
The Tumbarumba Mill currently has several vacancies, and the community is encouraged to come and join this dynamic, people focused company, delivering much needed, sustainably sourced timber for the construction sector.
Image: (Left) Quad Roll Log Turner being craned in. (Right) Justin Clancy MP and Hyne's Gary Evans explaining the new Quad Roll Log Turner.
