Australian timber industry news

Zuzana Buřivalová was named the 10th winner of the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award by the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Source: Timberbiz She earned the US$100,000 prize for her work recording and analysing the soundscapes of understudied ecosystems and translating this data into actionable evidence for use by conservationists, officials and communities. “I work to give voice to tropical forest biodiversity so that it can be considered in decisions that shape its future,” Ms Buřivalová said. “This is urgent: deforestation is slowing, but tropical biodiversity loss through forest degradation, climate change and overhunting is not. Even some natural climate solutions implemented in forests result in biodiversity loss, through their sole focus on carbon.” An associate professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the principal investigator of the Sound Forest Lab, Ms Buřivalová has conducted fieldwork around the world, including Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Peru and Ecuador, where she’s pioneered the application of bioacoustics in remote tropical forests. These areas are typically avoided, since they’re hard to access and little baseline data exists, but that never stopped Ms Buřivalová, who hiked for days off trail in Madagascar to check on biodiversity in rainforest sites that were protected on paper but showed signs of degradation on satellite images. “I returned with trench foot but a strong sense of determination, because after witnessing this extreme effort, village elders finally shared what truly was the conservation problem,” she said. “I spent hundreds of hours building a sound type library for a single day of Borneo soundscape to represent every vocalizing organism. “Most bioacoustics conservation work focuses on a single taxonomic group, typically birds. I record and analyse the whole soundscape, including frogs, insects, mammals and birds together, because biodiversity cannot be reduced to the most studied species.” Ms Buřivalová also leads the Soundscape Baselines Project, an initiative to create acoustic time capsules of the world’s most intact forests as soon as possible, as well as the Conservation Effectiveness Initiative, an open platform used by organizations like the World Wildlife Fund to better understand which conservation strategies are working and which aren’t — and why. After thanking the award organizers, supporters, community and her fellow finalists and nominees, Ms Buřivalová closed her acceptance speech with a heartfelt reminder. Celebrating its 10th installment, the Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award is the first major U.S. prize dedicated to spotlighting next-generation environmental leaders who are under 40. The 2026 cycle drew 15 nominees from around the world, each submitted by a network of distinguished experts, including environmental scientists, conservationists, journalists, researchers, academics and other leaders.

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Sumitomo Forestry and industrial drone manufacturer Mazex will accelerate the spread of transport drones for forestry and promote smart forestry. Source: Timberbiz Sumitomo Forestry will introduce the new “Karusuke” series of transport drones sold by Mazex to forestry businesses through its own network, and Mazex will provide product explanations and support for introduction and operation. In the future, Sumitomo Forestry will share the knowledge it has cultivated in its own forest management and user feedback with Mazex and propose necessary functions and operational improvements. Mazex will reflect these needs in its development and enhance the practicality of the drones in forestry fields. The new “Keisuke” transport drone developed by Mazex utilizes the technology and field know-how cultivated through the “Morito” series, Japan’s first transport drone for forestry, which was jointly developed with Sumitomo Forestry. In forestry sites, it can be used not only to transport seedlings but also materials such as animal damage prevention nets and tree shelters, as well as food and drinking water. Sumitomo Forestry and Mazex have jointly developed “Morihi,” the first transport drone for forestry in Japan. Sumitomo Forestry conducted repeated demonstrations transporting a total of 40,000 seedlings on steep slopes in its company-owned forests in Shikoku, and based on these results, Mazex developed a drone that can reliably transport materials even in mountainous areas with harsh climate and terrain conditions. The “Keisuke” series is designed to be even more affordable and easier to use on-site than the “Morihi” series. The “Keisuke 25” maintains the same payload capacity as the current “Morihi 25” while reducing the price. The aircraft area has been reduced by approximately 64% compared with the “Morihi 25,” making it easier to handle on-site. It is designed to use and charge two pairs of batteries (four batteries) alternately, allowing for continuous flight with fewer batteries. Since one pair of batteries (two batteries) can be charged while the drone is flying, drone transport can be done with-out disrupting the work rhythm. Much of Japan’s post-war planted forests are reaching maturity and ready for harvesting, but the industry faces challenges such as a shortage of workers, an aging workforce, and the burden of working on steep slopes. In reforestation and forest management operations, manually transporting seedlings and materials to the forest site is burden-some. In particular, the need to repeatedly travel to dangerous locations such as those far from forest roads or on steep slopes inaccessible to vehicles poses physical and safety challenges for workers. Replacing these transport tasks with drones offers the following benefits: It can reduce the labor involved in transporting seedlings and mate-rials, thereby lessening the burden of manual labor. Reduces the risk of falls and slips during transport to steep slopes or sites with poor footing. By improving the efficiency of transportation, personnel can be concentrated on planting and maintenance work. By reducing working time, reforestation can be carried out more smoothly.

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John Deere Forestry has opened negotiations over possible temporary layoffs at its Finnish factory. Source: Forestry Journal The manufacturer is in talks with around 367 employees as it considers reducing output at its Joensuu site. According to Finland’s YLE, any layoffs would last a maximum of 90 days, with negotiations expected to take around two weeks. The company said the negotiations have been prompted by continued uncertainty and a deterioration in market conditions, which have reduced demand for forest machines and shrunk its order backlog. Plant manager Pasi Volotinen told YLE: “We are temporarily reducing production capacity. We do not intend to stop it completely.” Jock Mckie, John Deere Forestry UK managing director, said: “This year has represented one of the toughest in memory for UK contractors and this theme is also evident throughout most of Europe. “Reduced timber movements have come at a time when contractors are also burdened by excessive fuel and running costs. “The confidence and ability to renew equipment has been somewhat damaged as a result and we see this trend continuing into 2027.” John Deere’s announcement reflects wider pressures facing the forestry sector across Europe. Contractors have spent much of the past two years grappling with high fuel, finance and operating costs, while weaker demand from construction and timber markets has reduced harvesting activity in some regions. The challenging conditions have also weighed on investment in new machinery, with many businesses delaying fleet replacement plans.

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Students are invited to explore the region’s plantation forests and capture their favourite moments as OneFortyOne’s forest photo competition returns, with two weeks left until entries close. Source: Timberbiz This year’s annual competition features a simplified entry process, exciting local prizes, and a new opportunity for schools to get involved. OneFortyOne Corporate Affairs Manager Charlene Riley said the competition has been refreshed to support easier entry and encourage participation. “The competition has always been designed to encourage young people to discover and enjoy our region’s beautiful forests,” Ms Riley said. “This year, based on feedback from local schools, we’ve moved the competition dates to align with the school holiday period, giving everyone more time to get out into the forest and capture their favourite moments. “We’ve also made the entry process much easier. All people need to do is upload their photos, provide some contact information and tell us what they love about the forest.” Students can enter up to five photographs by simply uploading their entry through the competition’s online entry platform. This year’s major prizes will be awarded in both primary and secondary school categories, with winners receiving four $250 vouchers from their choice of participating local businesses, including: Area 51 BeArtiful Birdie Blue Blue Lake Golf Club Collins Booksellers Intersport Mount Gambier Kaboom Family Entertainment Millicent SportsPower Millicent Toy Kingdom Oatmill Cinema Spot On Fishing and Tackle   Ms Riley said the prize structure supports local businesses and encourages shared experiences. “We wanted to keep the prizes local and varied. The range of businesses involved means winning students can choose experiences and products that they can enjoy with people they care about, while also supporting our community.” A new school participation prize has also been introduced this year. Schools with at least five student entries will be eligible to win a $500 grant towards a school project. “I’d encourage students to enter landscape-oriented photos this year, as we’re hoping to create a calendar featuring some of the images from the competition,” Ms Riley said. “We’re also planning to display a selection of photographs at Mount Gambier Airport gallery over summer, so more people can enjoy the photos and stories on show and visitors can experience the beauty of our local forests as soon as they arrive in the region.” The competition attracted 120 entries last year, and OneFortyOne is hoping to surpass that number in 2026. More than 25 entries have already been received. Entries close on 26 October. For more information and to enter, visit: https://onefortyone.com/community/photo-competition To enter, visit: https://pollunit.com/polls/forestphotocomp

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New Zealand’s Tasman District Council’s Howard Forest and the neighbouring Porika Block have been sold, returning a combined NZ$6.085 million and supporting the Council’s long-term investment strategy. Source: Timberbiz The 955-hectare Howard Forest and smaller Porika Block, located between Kawatiri Junction and St Arnaud, were placed on the market earlier this year. The sale process was managed by specialist forestry real estate company Arotahi Agribusiness and attracted strong interest from buyers. Several offers were received, including bids for the combined blocks and separate bids for the Porika Block. The successful purchaser of Howard Forest was Ingka Investments Forest Assets NZ Limited, part of the Ingka Group, which owns home furnishing retailer IKEA and has extensive forestry holdings across New Zealand. The Porika Block was purchased by a family with strong historical connections to the land. Tasman District Council resolved in March 2025 to sell the Howard Forest and invest in the Di-versified Resilience Fund. The goal being to diversify risk away from forestry. Tasman District Council Chief Executive Leonie Rae says the sale is part of Council’s ongoing approach to managing its portfolio of income-producing assets. “By reducing our exposure to forestry, we are creating a more balanced investment portfolio while continuing to deliver value for ratepayers.” She says the Council’s Enterprise Team manages a range of assets held within a closed account. Income generated from these investments helps offset rates and contributes to the management of community reserves, including Rabbit Island. Leonie Rae said funds from the sale will be reinvested within the account, strengthening Council’s ability to respond to future challenges. “Having a diverse investment portfolio provides greater financial flexibility and ensures resources are available if a major event, such as a large-scale natural disaster, affects the region and local markets.” “This approach helps safeguard community assets and supports the district’s long-term financial resilience,” she said. Ingka Investments Forestland Acquisition Manager Simon Honour says Tasman District Council has managed Howard Forest well, and we intend to build on this work. “As an intergenerational investor, our core focus is production forestry – growing quality timber for domestic and international markets, including the IKEA supply chain. We’re committed to set-ting high standards in forest management, supporting healthy ecosystems, being part of the local community and creating lasting value for the many people.”

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Forest owners in Carterton District could face even steeper rate increases after the District Council admitted errors in the modelling behind its controversial rating proposal. Source: Timberbiz The New Zealand Forest Owners Association (NZFOA) says the correction shifts an even greater share of roading costs onto forestry, despite the original proposal already showing rates increases of up to 1200%. NZFOA chief operating officer Joseph Brolly says forest owners are being asked to shoulder an extraordinary financial burden, with the latest changes raising concerns about the consultation process. “Forest owners were already facing rates increases of tens of thousands of dollars a year more in some cases,” Mr Brolly says. “For a medium-sized 300-hectare forest, the proposed increase would take annual rates from NZ$8,700 to NZ$107,700 – more than 12 times the current Bill. Now the Council has acknowledged a modelling error that could make that situation even worse. “Increases of this magnitude threaten the viability of all forestry businesses and put at risk the jobs, local spending and economic activity they support in rural communities. “ Juken New Zealand chief forest officer Sean McBride says the proposed rates fail to adequately reflect the long-term nature of forestry and existing contributions to road funding from the sector. “Forestry, like any major road user, has a responsibility to contribute to maintaining local roading infrastructure, particularly during harvest. Log trucks already pay road user charges (RUC) to contribute to the wider funding of the roading network,” he said. “But forests can go decades without generating logging traffic, while owners face rates bills every year. Increases of this magnitude will make it harder to justify investing in forestry in the district.” Roger Dickie NZ Director Jeff Dickie says the implications could extend well beyond Carterton if other councils adopt similar approaches. “Forestry investors make decisions based on costs and returns over decades,” he said. “You can’t impose rates increases of this scale halfway through an investment and expect it won’t affect the outcome. “If councils across New Zealand follow Carterton’s lead, it’s going to make investors think twice about whether they invest in the fourth-largest food and fibre export earner – one that employs over 40,000 Kiwis.” Mr Brolly says errors in the Council’s modelling have led to further changes to the proposal, raising concerns about the fairness of the consultation process, with affected forest owners now having less than two weeks to respond before the 26 October deadline. “Given the scale of the proposed increases and the implications for forestry businesses, forest owners should have a fair opportunity to understand and respond to the re-vised modelling. NZFOA is calling on the Council to extend consultation before making a final decision.”

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New Forests, a global investment manager of nature-based investments and natural capital strategies, has announced its Australia New Zealand Landscapes and Forestry Fund (ANZLAFF), together with an institutional co-investment partner, has agreed to acquire the plantation forestry assets of AKD, Australia’s largest softwood sawmilling business. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Source: Timberbiz The AKD estate consists of 57 radiata pine plantations, across more than 13,000 hectares located across Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales. The acquisition represents a significant investment in Australia’s plantation forestry sector. “AKD is a high-quality business operating at significant scale within a strategically important part of Australia’s forestry and wood products supply chain,” David Shelton, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand at New Forests, said. “The acquisition of AKD’s plantation estate provides our investors with exposure to high quality, sustainably managed plantations across key forestry regions in Australia. We see strong long-term fundamentals for sustainably produced timber, supported by Australia’s growing demand for housing and renewable building materials. “We look forward to working with AKD’s management to build on the strong foundations of the plantation business and support its next phase of growth.” AKD employs more than 900 people across regional Australia. The business produces more than one million cubic metres of timber products each year, representing approximately 20–25% of Australian production. The sawmilling business will continue to be owned and operated by AKD. “This investment marks an exciting new chapter for AKD’s plantation estate. We look forward to working with New Forests to maintain a long-term connection with the estate through agreements for the supply of sawlogs and pulp log. In the meantime, we continue to invest in our people, operations and regional communities and supply high-quality Australian-grown timber to our customers,” Shane Vicary, Chief Executive Officer of AKD, said. In January 2025, New Forests announced the final close of ANZLAFF raising almost $600 million from institutional investors across Asia Pacific and Europe. Resolute Advisory acted as financial advisor to AKD. Financial terms are confidential.

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Timberlink Australia has joined The Precinct Portland as an industry partner, strengthening plans for a major advanced timber manufacturing hub in the Green Triangle. Source: Timberbiz Announced at The Precinct’s Melbourne Investor Symposium this week, the partnership brings Timberlink alongside existing partners Australian Bluegum Plantations (ABP), OneFortyOne, Raute, and WTIBeam. Project founder Tim Woods will lead the next stage as CEO. The event featured an internationally recognised line-up of speakers, including New Forests founder and plantation investment leader Dr David Brand, Raute engineered wood products specialist Roumiana Vassileva, and Professor Dan Hill, Director of the Melbourne School of Design at the University of Melbourne, who explored global investment trends, emerging manufacturing technologies and growing demand for engineered wood products and prefabricated construction solutions. The Precinct Chair Russ Hughes said the announcements marked a significant milestone in advancing the vision for a nationally significant manufacturing hub. “We are bringing together Australia’s leading forestry and manufacturing businesses to unlock new opportunities for investment, innovation and value-added timber production,” Mr Hughes said. “Tim’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping and driving this vision over the past six years linking the key parties to realise this industry transformation. He will continue to drive the development. “Timberlink’s involvement adds significant manufacturing expertise to the partners and reinforces industry confidence in the opportunity. We are committed to developing The Precinct as a major sovereign manufacturing facility, delivering building products Australia can rely on.” Victoria’s Minister for Agriculture Michaela Settle welcomed the event. “The Precinct is an exciting opportunity to create more value from Victorian-grown timber, attract new investment into our regions and support innovative building solutions that can help meet Victoria’s future housing needs,” Mr Settle said. “Initiatives like this have the potential to create skilled regional jobs, strengthen local supply chains and support the development of advanced timber products for the future.” Mr Hughes said the staged development, planned for Portland, will initially focus on hardwood processing and Glue-Laminated Timber (GLT) manufacturing, with future opportunities for Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) production and advanced component fabrication. “This is about moving beyond traditional timber processing to establish a globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem, connecting our plantation resources with Australia’s growing demand for sustainable building products and housing,” Mr Hughes said. “With a strong resource base, established infrastructure and committed industry partners, the Green Triangle is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.” Timberlink Australia CEO Paul O’Keefe praised the industry collaboration and commitment to optimising the use of the plantation resource to explore new manufacturing opportunities. “The Precinct represents an exciting opportunity to build on the Green Triangle’s existing manufacturing strengths and explore new pathways for high-value timber products and construction solutions, responding to Australia’s growing demand for mass timber construction and prefabricated building solutions,” Mr O’Keefe said. The Precinct’s initial manufacturing phase, incorporating a GLT production line, sawmill and log yard, represents a proposed investment exceeding $200 million, with the potential to create around 70 permanent operational jobs and significant additional construction employment. Mr Woods said the focus was now on completing feasibilities, progressing commercial partnerships, investment opportunities and detailed development planning. “The Precinct presents a compelling opportunity to strengthen Australia’s sovereign manufacturing capability, create skilled regional jobs in south-west Victoria and establish new markets for our plantation resources, whilst meeting Australia’s growing construction needs,” Mr Woods said. “We look forward to working closely with our industry partners, the local community, First Nations leaders and unions as we progress this significant development.” To learn more from the Investor Symposium visit www.theprecinctportland.com.au/development

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The Tasmanian Forest Products Association (TFPA) has formally lodged a submission to the House of Assembly Select Committee Inquiry into Commonwealth Decisions on Agricultural Land, advocating for a balanced approach that recognises the importance of both agriculture and forestry to Tasmania’s future prosperity. Source: Timberbiz The submission responds to growing debate surrounding the acquisition of Rushy Lagoon and associated properties and argues that Tasmania should avoid simplistic “forestry versus farming” narratives in favour of evidence-based land use decisions that support regional communities, investment and long-term economic resilience. A key message of the submission is that forestry and agriculture are not competing industries, but complementary components of Tasmania’s regional economy. Across the state, farmers, plantation growers, contractors, transport operators, processors and manufacturers often work alongside one another, supporting the same communities and supply chains. TFPA’s position is clear: Tasmania does not need to choose between agriculture and forestry. It needs both. The submission reinforces the principle of “the right tree, in the right place, at the right scale”, arguing that land-use decisions should be guided by land capability, local circumstances and sound planning processes rather than broad assumptions about particular industries. The submission draws on the recent BDO economic contribution study, which confirmed the scale and importance of Tasmania’s forestry and timber industry. According to the report, the sector contributes: $2.87 billion in total economic output; $1.47 billion in Gross State Product; $660 million in household income; and 7,590 FTE jobs across Tasmania.   Importantly, these benefits extend well beyond growing and harvesting trees. Forestry supports a broad network of regional businesses, including harvesting contractors, transport operators, sawmills, fibre processors, manufacturers and engineering services. The report also found the industry’s contribution has grown significantly over the past decade, with Gross State Product increasing by more than 42% and employment rising by more than 1,300 jobs. The submission notes that Tasmania already has a robust land-use framework in place through the State Policy on the Protection of Agricultural Land. That framework recognises plantation forestry as an agricultural use, while also placing safeguards around the establishment of plantations on prime agricultural land and allowing local planning schemes to consider impacts on regionally significant agricultural industries. TFPA argues that before introducing any additional restrictions, governments should first consider whether existing policies and planning controls are already capable of achieving the intended outcomes. A major focus of the submission is the importance of viewing plantation forestry through the broader lens of timber security, housing supply and sovereign manufacturing capability. Plantation forests underpin the supply chains that support: housing construction; sawmilling and timber manufacturing; engineered wood products; packaging and fibre processing; and thousands of regional jobs.   Because plantations are typically grown over 20 to 30-year rotations, decisions made today will influence timber availability, processing investment and manufacturing capability for decades to come. The submission argues that timber security should be considered alongside other strategic national interests such as food security, energy security and domestic manufacturing capability. Maintaining a strong plantation resource reduces Australia’s reliance on imported timber products and helps support future housing, construction and manufacturing needs. The submission strongly opposes the introduction of plantation caps, moratoriums or other blanket restrictions on plantation establishment. TFPA argues that such measures would: ignore differences in land capability; create uncertainty for long-term investment; undermine future timber supply security; discourage regional investment; and duplicate protections already available through existing planning frameworks.   Instead, TFPA supports targeted, evidence-based policies that strengthen transparency and accountability while preserving landowner choice and investment certainty. The submission calls for improved transparency around Commonwealth funding programs, foreign investment decisions and major land acquisitions, together with stronger coordination between Commonwealth and Tasmanian agencies. However, it cautions against policy responses that could unintentionally undermine regional employment, future timber supply and domestic manufacturing. Ultimately, TFPA’s message to the Committee is that Tasmania’s long-term success depends on maintaining a strong agricultural sector and a strong forest products sector. A balanced, evidence-based land-use framework will be essential to supporting regional communities, future investment, housing supply and sovereign manufacturing capability for generations to come.

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Since 2021, Australian Forests & Timber News has in this annual special event focused on where the forestry industry stands featuring observations from our political leaders, industry analysts, key investors, processors, national industry leaders, forest managers and more. Today we feature the Australian Forest Products Association’s submission for Forestry Now 2026. The importance of fair trade, not just free trade Richard Hyett Acting CEO Australian Forest Products Association. Australia prides itself on a world-class forest products sector, with strict environmental regulations, extensive business compliance requirements and rigorous oversight. Unfortunately, we also assume the systems, structures and regulations in other countries will meet our standards, and then make our manufacturers pay to protect the Australian market. This is an Australian manufacturing challenge, not just about timber. Supporting sovereign manufacturing capability must be more than a slogan because the true cost of cheap goods today is a smaller local industry tomorrow. Australia’s timber supply chains are forced to compete against many imported timber products that don’t have the same requirements and are not produced under similar conditions. Illegal logging laws are a case in point as they are based on whether the timber harvest was legal where the trees were grown, not whether it would be legal in Australia. Similarly, many product certifications are based on local interpretations of high-level global criteria, not whether practices and regulations are equivalent to ours. Timber harvested in a country involved in armed conflict is not illegal under Australian law but consumers no doubt assume that the timber in the hardware store and their homes was not used to pay for war. To the extent armed conflict needs to be considered it is only in the context of the risk of the timber being illegally harvested. Sanctions can reduce the chances of Australian consumers and businesses supporting a regime engaged in war. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Federal Government imposed a 35% tariff on Russian timber imports. Practically overnight imports of timber from Russia stopped. Global environmental certification schemes FSC and PEFC also banned Russian timber from certified supply chains, in theory, providing assurance for buyers of product with an environment or chain of custody certification attached. But, under global trading rules, the country of origin is the place where a product is substantially transformed, not the country where a raw material is grown. So, it doesn’t matter what Australian sanctions are in place because they no longer apply. We estimate up to 100,000 cubic metres of timber products imported into Australia each year could include Russian sourced fibre. This could contribute to 15,000 homes. The risk is greater where products manufactured from a range of sources are blended and combined, such as Laminated Veneer Lumber and plywood. Forensic analysis company Source Certain has stated they continue to detect Russian fibre at locations around the world, often with sustainability and traceability certificates attached. Even though all these certificates were cancelled at the start of the Russian-Ukraine conflict. A timber products testing report, commissioned by the Federal Government and prepared by Source Certain, found that 50 per cent of all sampled products did not accurately record the provenance of the wood, and 63% of import samples carried private certifications that were incorrectly labelled. By the Government’s own report, this paper-based due diligence system, with no independent verification of either the paperwork or the product, is failing consumers, the community and all businesses who are working hard to do the right thing. Meanwhile those seeking to game the system, or to undercut competitors based on cutting corners, are rewarded. Nor can we fully rely on quality issues and whether an imported product meets Australian product and design standards being discovered during construction sign-off. Under resourced state and territory building regulators assess constructed buildings rather than compliance of individual building materials entering the country. Disappointingly, Australia is now an attractive destination for timber products that other modern international markets are actively trying to manage. The European Union, United States and other jurisdictions have taken swift action to prevent the rerouting of conflict timber and have imposed anti-dumping and other measures on Chinese timber products. Australia is yet to follow this global trend. This is a significant gap and, unfortunately, Australian manufacturers and workers are paying the ultimate price. Market share is being lost while local mills face rising costs, job cuts and stagnant demand. The threat to local production, local capability and local jobs is real. A playing field that favours imported timber and supports lower standards weakens our sovereign manufacturing capability and puts more regional jobs and communities at risk. Once a local sawmill is shut, there is no coming back. Just like we saw with Australia’s now defunct car manufacturing sector, once it’s gone, it’s gone! Levelling the field is not about protectionism, and it is not about domestic timber versus imported timber. It’s about ensuring competition based on an equal footing, quality product in the market and protecting its reputation, transparency of claims made, and ensuring imported product delivers the same standards as required of Australian manufacturers. Fair trade, not just free trade. FORESTRY NOW 2026 is vital reading and included in your September/October edition of Australian Forest & Timber News.

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Getting the region’s (Thunder Bay, Canada) wood products to European markets could reap benefits on both sides of the Atlantic. Source: TBnewswatch.com Five European companies, four from Sweden, one from Finland, and two companies from Quebec sent representatives to the region for an inbound investment mission, co-hosted by the Centre for Research and Innovation in the Bio-economy (CRIBE), the Thunder Bay Community Economic Development Commission, and the Northwestern Ontario Innovation Centre. “The idea is to promote the opportunities that are available in Ontario,” said Scott Jackson, CEO of CRIBE. “As we explore the transition of our forest sector, we’re looking for new technologies, new products, new markets, and that’s going to require international collaboration.” The mission included an event in Thunder Bay highlighting the region’s forest sector with an aim to strengthen this province’s supply chains with international partners. The mills in our region, Thunder Bay and Dryden, are the foundation of our forest sector and their byproducts have the potential to be converted into new, advanced, innovative products, Jackson said, such as taking wood fibres and converting them to sugars, which can be converted to advanced biochemicals, pharmaceuticals, liquid fuels, biodiesel or wood fibre insulation. These byproducts could displace fossil fuels, hit the decarbonization agenda, and at the same time create jobs and community stability, he added. “If we do this properly, we have the wood supply, look where the markets are, use the technology to bridge those two and if we do it right, we can advance a whole bunch of societal priorities at the same time,” he said. A partnership with Europe makes sense, he said, because of market demand. “The war in the Ukraine has largely brought Russian fibre offline, so there’s a fibre crunch in Europe. “So, if they can look to Ontario to say, OK, you guys have the surplus fibre, can you fill in the gaps for the products that we have? “They have a very strong decarbonization agenda there, which is really pushing their markets to look for fossil fuel alternatives, and that’s where we see a lot of low hanging fruit. Also, with the trade disputes with the US right now we’re looking to strengthen and make our, our supply chains and make them more resilient.” Victor Isaksen is CEO of Sting Bioeconomy, an accelerator for startups in Sweden. He said there is “an agreement to work together with CRIBE for startups both going to Sweden to verify the technology and Swedish startups to come here to settle, make their business here.” This international collaboration network, he said, aims to connect stakeholders in Ontario, Canada, and the Nordic countries to create stronger conditions for startups and entrepreneurs operating in the forest-based bioeconomy sector. Isaksen said this relationship began when he was here in 2019, and yearly meetings between Sweden and Ontario have meant friendships have formed. He said it’s great to be in Northern Ontario, among the abundant forests. Opening up access to European markets is a huge asset for Northern Ontario, Jackson said. Advancements on the technical and the research side have been accelerating exponentially, he said, and getting these products to a market in need of them will require collaborations like those facilitated by this event.  

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PEFC has published an amended version of its Trademarks Rules, updating requirements for the use of the PEFC trademarks and labels in response to the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive (EmpCo). Source: Timberbiz The PEFC ST 2001:2020, Second Edition, PEFC Trademarks Rules – Requirements, entered into force on 5 October 2026 and replaces PEFC ST 2001:2020, First Edition. Existing trademarks users have a two-year transition period, until 2 October 2028, to move to the revised requirements. EmpCo, which applies across the EU from 27 September 2026, introduces new requirements for how companies communicate environmental information to consumers, including through sustainability labels and environmental claims. PEFC has reviewed its system against the Directive and amended its Trademarks Rules to align the use of the PEFC trademarks with the EmpCo requirements for sustainability labels based on certification schemes. Using the PEFC trademarks in accordance with PEFC ST 2001 supports compliance with the EmpCo requirements applicable to sustainability labels. However, organisations remain responsible for ensuring that their overall consumer communication, including the context in which PEFC trademarks are presented, complies with applicable consumer protection legislation. The amendment focuses on making it clearer what the PEFC trademarks mean, what they refer to and how the organisation using them is connected to PEFC or PEFC certification. Key changes include clearer requirements for off-product use of the PEFC trademarks, including use of the PEFC initials; a requirement to include the PEFC website address with PEFC labels, with limited exceptions; and re-vised promotional messages and requirements for alternative label configurations. The amended standard also strengthens requirements to ensure that the product or activity a PEFC trademark refers to is clear. This includes new requirements for indirect on-product use where PEFC-certified material is used as part of a production process. PEFC trademarks users should familiarise themselves with the amended standard and review how they currently use the PEFC logo, labels and initials across their products and communications. For organisations communicating with consumers in the EU, this should form part of a wider review of consumer-facing communication, including packaging, websites and online shops, advertising, promotional materials and social media. Any additional environmental claims used alongside the PEFC trademarks should also be clear, specific and supported. The two-year transition period gives existing trademarks users time to move to the amended PEFC requirements.

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Tigercat Industries launches PD26 pull-through delimber, as it continues to build an end-to-end factory solution on the landing for processing, merchandising and loading. Source: Timberbiz Tigercat Industries has introduced the PD26 delimber, a durable, high-performance tree-length processing attachment designed to maximize productivity, simplify maintenance, and improve uptime in demanding forestry applications. Built around a robust open frame design that incorporates industry-first features, the PD26 combines a heavy-duty slew system, smooth feeding geometry, and service-friendly features that help operators maintain consistent production while reducing maintenance-related downtime. The PD26 uses a 50% larger main slew bearing with M20 bolted-through connections on both the inner and outer races. This, combined with heavy duty frames, eliminates the need for support rollers, providing exceptionally smooth operation without compromising strength and reliability. The main frame utilizes heavy-duty round tubing to reduce snagging and material hang-ups for smoother stem flow. Abrasion-resistant wear plates enhance durability, while sloped surfaces and an open-frame structure shed debris, minimizing material buildup. Serviceability was a key focus during development. The bolt-on fixed front knife with replaceable backing nuts simplifies servicing. The open-frame configuration enables the knives to be swung into position without interference from the frame, eliminating the need to field weld these components. All movable knife blade welds are external and fully accessible, allowing for faster maintenance and replacement. The PD26 has a 23-litre bar oil reservoir, extending operating time between refills. The reservoir filler neck is conveniently located on the left-hand side. The tank also includes an inline outlet strainer, bolted cleanout flange, and bolt-on design for easy removal when service is required. A centralized hydraulic manifold and optimized hydraulic circuit allows for function adjustments and servicing to be completed from inside the cab or safely away from moving components. Advanced hydraulics eliminates the need for an accumulator, further improving the safety and reliability of the system. The PD26 incorporates proven Tigercat Industries technology already used across its felling and processing head product lines for the saw and chain tensioner. Powered by a 63cc gear motor with dual tapered roller bearings on the output shaft, the compact Tigercat saw unit maximizes the cutting envelope. While hydraulic auto tensioning is standard, a manual tensioner is also available upon request. Integrated features include debris protection for the bar cylinder connection, a saw position flag, a chain catcher, and chain-shot guarding.

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Courageous conversations, fresh perspectives and a willingness to listen were among the defining features of Forestry Australia’s 2026 Symposium, which brought together nearly 280 delegates in Canberra last week. Source: Timberbiz Held at the Rex Hotel from 7–9 October, the symposium generated considerable enthusiasm as delegates explored how the forestry profession can strengthen community trust, learn from past experiences and engage more effectively with the broader community. Under the theme The forestry story: Strategies for improved awareness, social licence and effective engagement, the program brought together voices from within and beyond forestry, providing opportunities to learn from others, reflect on how trust is built and consider new approaches to communication and engagement. Forestry Australia Chief Executive Officer Jacquie Martin said one of the most encouraging aspects of the symposium had been the energy and enthusiasm delegates brought to the discussions. “There has been a real buzz around the symposium this week. People have been genuinely enthusiastic about the conversations taking place and the opportunity to be part of them,” Ms Martin said. “We deliberately created a program that would encourage us to reflect on how we build and maintain trust, learn from the experiences of others and consider what we might do differently. “What has been particularly encouraging is the willingness of delegates to listen, share experiences and reflect on what they’ve heard. “These are important conversations for our profession, and some require courage. We won’t always agree on everything but being willing to engage openly and respectfully is an important part of building under-standing and trust.” Ms Martin said the Symposium had highlighted the value of learning from how others communicate and connect with their communities. “As forestry professionals, we bring considerable knowledge, experience and a genuine commitment to manage, study and care for forests. But community trust isn’t something we can simply expect because of our expertise. It takes time, and it’s something we need to continue to earn through our actions, our relationships and the way we engage with others. “We’ve heard some great examples of how others communicate, tell their stories and build genuine connections. It’s given us plenty to reflect on about how we tell the forestry story and continue to build trust and understanding.” Symposium convenor and Forestry Australia director Matt de Jongh said bringing speakers from outside forestry was a deliberate and valuable part of the program. “We wanted people to hear from others who have faced similar challenges, explore different approaches and reflect on what we can learn from their experiences,” he said. “The engagement throughout the Symposium has been fantastic. It’s clear these are conversations people want to have, and there is a real appetite to take them further.” The symposium opened with a keynote address from Walkley Award-winning journalist, author and Wiradjuri man Professor Stan Grant, who spoke on When words fail us, bridging the divide. Dr Simon Longstaff AO of The Ethics Centre challenged delegates to consider what would need to be true for forestry to have trust, while Dr Amanda Cahill of The Next Economy explored the changing expectations surrounding social licence. Research presented by Giselle Stollznow of Stollznow Research provided insights into public perceptions of forestry, while speakers from farming, mining and energy shared their experiences of communicating and engaging with communities. The program also explored lessons from past forest management decisions, politics and advocacy, effective communication, and the role of First Nations knowledge, leadership and enterprise. A discussion involving participants of the Forest Congress, convened by Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), demonstrated how people with very different backgrounds and views on forest harvesting can come together for open and constructive conversations about the future of Tasmania’s forests. The value of these conversations was reinforced during the Symposium’s closing panel, with former Forestry Australia President and Australian Forest and Wood Innovations (AFWI) Chair Bob Gordon reflecting on how much the profession had evolved. “I don’t think we could have had a session like this 10 years ago,” Mr Gordon said. “There wouldn’t have been enough willingness in the room to listen to different viewpoints, to engage in a discussion outside our comfort zone.” The closing panel, chaired by retiring Forestry Australia President Dr Michelle Freeman, also considered what delegates could take from the discussions and how the profession might build on them. Forestry Australia Director Leon Holt emphasised the importance of community trust as a foundation for forest management. “We’ve got to place our trust in the community and put gaining their trust at the forefront of what we do,” Mr Holt said. “It’s actually a precursor, a prerequisite for us to be able to do anything in the forest.” Drawing on the words of forest economist Jack Westoby in 1967, he reminded delegates that “forestry is not about trees, it is about people. And it is about trees only insofar as trees can serve the needs of people.” Jenna Hammond of Private Forests Tasmania encouraged delegates to recognise the value of small steps in building community connections, while Dr Robert Waterworth of FLINTpro and AFWI reflected on the breadth of conversations the Symposium had opened up. Dr Freeman reminded delegates that forestry is “the art and science of caring for forests for all their values”, extending well beyond timber production.” Ms Martin said the symposium had reinforced the strength and diversity of the forestry profession, and the value of bringing people together to learn from one another. “Our members work across research, conservation, fire management, biodiversity, carbon, environmental services, timber production and many other areas. That breadth of experience is one of the real strengths of Forestry Australia. “What has stood out this week is how much delegates have valued the opportunity to be part of these conversations. The discussions have continued well beyond the sessions, and there’s been a genuine sense of enthusiasm about what we can take away from the experience. “The opportunity now is to build on that momentum. I hope delegates leave Canberra with new connections, ideas they can […]

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The Forestry Centre of Excellence (FCoE) has strengthened its research capability in silviculture, wood quality and genetics with the appointment of Research Fellow Dr Grace Jones. Source: Timberbiz Dr Jones brings more than a decade of international experience across New Zealand, Australia, Sweden and Ireland, with expertise spanning plantation forestry, hardwood genetics, wood-quality assessment and silvicultural systems. Across her career, Dr Jones has worked with planted and naturally regenerated forests, exotic conifers and native hardwoods, and a range of silvicultural treatments including thinning, fertiliser application and species mixtures. She has extensive experience in non-destructive testing technologies, wood-density and anatomical analysis, and has contributed to international networks focused on birch breeding and wood quality research. Dr Jones said the Mount-Gambier-based FCoE offered a rare opportunity to apply her experience in an applied, industry-focused research environment. “The Centre is an appealing place to work because the role is shaped around my experience and interests. There is strong support for early-career researchers, and even opportunities to teach and lecture, which I really enjoy. I’m learning from colleagues, getting up to speed on regional activities, and collaborating on new project proposals that match my research focus,” she said. Dr Jones began her forestry career in 2013, studying for a Bachelor of Forestry Science at the University of Canterbury while working during summer breaks as a log scaler and research assistant. Her Honours project involved measuring radiata pine silviculture and genetics trials, assessing stem size, density and acoustic velocity and sparking a long-standing interest in wood properties and non-destructive testing. Her Green Triangle connection started in 2017 when she joined OneFortyOne’s Estate Management team as a graduate forester, gaining experience across silvicultural operations before commencing her PhD in Sweden the following year. Her doctoral research formed part of the FRAS project (Future Silviculture in Southern Sweden), culminating in her 2022 thesis, Birch Stem and Wood Traits in Genetic and Silviculture Trials in Southern Sweden. Her research examined birch wood properties, silvicultural responses and genetic variation, contributing to a growing body of research into hardwood breeding and wood quality. Dr Jones subsequently moved to Ireland, joining the ContinuFOR project, which investigates the transformation of Sitka spruce plantations from clearfell systems to Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF), including the silvicultural and economic trade-offs associated with more complex, multi-aged forest structures. FCoE Director Professor Jeff Morrell said Dr Jones’s appointment added significant depth to the Centre’s research team. “Grace brings a special combination of field experience, laboratory capability and inter-national research insight. Her work across radiata pine, birch and Sitka spruce, together with her expertise in wood-quality assessment, will add significant value to our research program and our industry partnerships,” Professor Morrell said.

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Meridian Energy in New Zealand is celebrating more than 676 hectares (about 800 rugby fields) of trees planted and more than 13,000 invasive pests removed through its Forever Forests program and has committed a further NZ$2.5m to grow the next stage. Source: Timberbiz Since 2019, the NZ$16m program has been supporting the establishment and protection of permanent forest in the Emissions Trading Scheme, helping offset Meridian’s operational emissions while also restoring and protecting landscapes to provide environmental benefits for Aotearoa. “What makes me really proud is that this isn’t a short-term initiative. It’s the beginning of the next chapter,” Meridian Chief Executive Mike Roan said. “The next phase of Forever Forests will take what we’ve learned and build an even stronger program to deliver lasting benefits for Aotearoa. “The forests established and pests removed through this program will continue storing carbon, providing habitat and sup-porting healthier ecosystems long into the future.” The program has helped develop new approaches to native forest restoration, including successful seeding trials using innovative techniques with drone and drill seeding. Forever Forests 2.0 will have a stronger focus on biodiversity outcomes by investigating opportunities on Meridian-owned land, more potential partnerships with tangata whenua, further native seeding projects, and opportunities to expand existing forests. Unlike the original program, which used exotic species to get the ‘carbon engine’ started before eventually being replaced by natives, the next phase will have a greater emphasis on native forest establishment from the outset. “The first phase showed that native forest restoration can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes when the right sites, partnerships and techniques come together,” Mr Roan said. “Now we’re turbocharging the program so it can deliver even more great results. That means more trees seeded and planted, more pests removed, across a much bigger area.” Meridian has committed NZ$2.5 million to establish Forever Forests 2.0 during FY27, with detailed planning already underway to identify future sites, planting areas and additional biodiversity opportunities.  

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The Tasmanian Timber Promotion Board and Bennett Agency have won an Effie in the Long-Term Effects – Product category at the 2026 Australian Effie Awards, presented at a gala dinner in Sydney last week. Source: Timberbiz The Effies recognise marketing that delivers measurable business results. This year’s program drew a record 144 finalists, the largest field in its history, with 32 agencies recognised. Original Tasmanian Timber was one of only two winners in its category, alongside work for national brands including Uber Eats, McDonald’s and Telstra across the program. When the campaign launched eight years ago, Tasmanian Oak was a commodity timber with little brand recognition. Funded by a voluntary levy from Tasmanian timber producers and matched by the Tasmanian Government, the campaign built a distinctive brand around four ideas: Australian, beautiful, sustainable and available. The results, tracked through independent brand research since 2018: Awareness among timber specifiers rose from 79% to 99% Consideration rose from 71% to 96% The share who use Tasmanian Oak most often more than doubled, from 21% to 55% The price of Tasmanian Oak standard grade flooring rose 66% over five years, ahead of Blackbutt (46%) and Spotted Gum (37%) (Indufor Timber Market Survey) The uplift in industry value is estimated at 94 times the annual marketing spend   The campaign held its ground through significant headwinds, including the end of Victorian native forest harvesting, which created a perception that Australian hardwood was no longer available. A dedicated Availability campaign turned that around: by 2025, “easily available/consistent supply” was Tasmanian Oak’s highest-scoring attribute against the competitive set. The Effie is the campaign’s seventh national award. “The Effies reward one thing: proof that marketing worked,” Claire Bennett, founder of Bennett Agency and Program Manager, Tasmanian Timber, said. “This campaign is proof that patient, consistent brand building works for a Tasmanian industry just as it does for the biggest brands in the country. “Eight years ago, Tasmanian Oak had little brand awareness. Today it’s the timber specifiers think of first, use most, and are prepared to pay more for,” she said. “That’s a credit to the contributors who backed a long-term vision, and to the Tasmanian Government for matching their commitment.” Carmen Windsor, Chair of the Tasmanian Timber campaign Steering Committee, said the award recognised the commitment of Tasmania’s timber producers, who chose to invest together in the brand of our timber rather than compete on price alone. She said the results showed that investment had paid back many times over for the whole industry.

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Queensland’s forest and timber industry could generate greater value from existing resources through technology adoption, advanced manufacturing and next-generation engineered wood products, according to new technical reports released by the South & Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub. Source: Timberbiz The reports identify practical opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen domestic manufacturing capability and increase value recovery across the forestry and wood products supply chain. The findings draw on research examining new harvesting technologies, advanced manufacturing systems and engineered wood product development, highlighting pathways to improve competitiveness and support future industry growth. “Queensland’s forestry and wood products industry has significant opportunities to improve productivity and create greater value from the resources we already have available,” said Kerry Fullarton, South & Central Queensland Regional Forestry Hub Manager. “The studies are helping identify practical ways technology and innovation can strengthen industry competitiveness and support future growth.” Research examining forest operations found businesses continue to face challenges associated with resource characterisation, difficult terrain, transport and scheduling inefficiencies, and workforce constraints. These issues can affect operational productivity and reduce value recovery from available forestry resources. The studies identified a range of emerging technologies that could help address these challenges, including remote sensing tools, improved inventory systems and digital technologies that support more effective planning and operational decision-making. “The opportunities identified aren’t simply about adopting new technology for technology’s sake,” said Mrs Fullarton. “They are about helping businesses improve efficiency, make better use of resources and strengthen operational performance across the supply chain.” A separate investigation into timber processing technologies found future competitive-ness will increasingly depend on industry’s ability to improve productivity and maximise value from available resources. The study identified opportunities associated with technology adoption, advanced manufacturing and value-adding across the forestry and wood processing sector. Advanced manufacturing was highlighted as an important pathway for creating higher-value products, strengthening domestic capability and improving industry competitiveness. “Innovation is helping shift the conversation from simply producing timber and wood products to creating greater value from every resource that enters the manufacturing process,” Mrs Fullarton said. “That creates opportunities for regional businesses, investment and long-term industry growth.” Technical reports into adhesive technologies used in engineered wood products found innovation will also play an important role in future product development. The study highlighted the critical role adhesives play in product strength, durability, performance and service life, while also identifying opportunities to support manufacturing innovation and improved utilisation of Queensland forestry and wood resources. Engineered wood products continue to create new opportunities for timber applications across construction and manufacturing markets, supporting the development of higher value products and new market opportunities. “Engineered wood products demonstrate how innovation can unlock entirely new opportunities for timber,” Mrs Fullarton said “As technology evolves, there are increasing opportunities to strengthen manufacturing capability, create new products and expand timber’s role in future construction and building systems.” Collectively, the Hub’s technical reports demonstrates how innovation can support productivity growth, improve resource utilisation, strengthen domestic manufacturing and help position Queensland’s forestry and wood products industry for future success. “The common theme across all of this work is that innovation is becoming increasingly important to future competitiveness,” Mrs Fullarton said. “Whether it’s harvesting systems, manufacturing processes or advanced timber and wood products, innovation is helping unlock the next generation of opportunities for Queensland’s forestry and wood products industry.”

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The Australian Forest Products Association has appointed Shona Gawel as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from January 2027. Source: Timberbiz Ms Gawel joins AFPA following a highly successful tenure as Chief Executive Officer of GrainGrowers, where she led major strategic transformations, significantly elevated the organisation’s national advocacy profile, and delivered substantial value for members across Australia’s agricultural sector. With extensive leadership experience spanning member-based organisations, national advocacy, and the public sector, Ms Gawel brings a proven track record of influencing public policy, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and driving sustainable organisational growth. During her time at GrainGrowers, Ms Gawel successfully steered the organisation through complex policy environments ranging from supply chain resilience and sustainability frameworks to workforce participation initiatives while building trusted relationships across governments, regulators, and industry stakeholders. Holding tertiary qualifications in business and communications, Ms Gawel has developed a reputation for leading high-performing teams through periods of growth and change. “We are delighted to welcome Shona as national CEO of AFPA,” AFPA Chair John McKillop said. “She is a trusted leader with an exceptional track record working with members, government and key stakeholders to improve industry outcomes at a national level. Her guidance will be invaluable as AFPA continues to advance the sustainable growth and interests of Australia’s forest products sector.” Ms Gawel said the forest products industry was central to Australia’s housing, climate, and regional economic agenda. “I am thrilled to be joining AFPA at such a critical time and look forward to working alongside members, industry partners, and governments to ensure a strong, sustainable, and unified voice for the sector,” she said. AFPA warmly welcomes Ms Gawel to the leadership team as the association embarks on its next phase of growth and strategic advocacy. She will commence in the role in January, and the AFPA looks forward to introducing her to members and stakeholders during the first quarter of 2027.

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SPEC Toolbox, the multi-supplier design platform used by thousands of structural engineers to design mass timber buildings, has today released version 3.0, the biggest release in the platform’s history. Source: Timberbiz It is a complete rebuild of how engineers design with mass timber and the products that connect it, so they can design mass timber in one place, and every calculation behind it is still deterministic. Mass timber is scaling globally and the product ecosystem around it, connectors, fasteners, fire, acoustics and engineered wood, is scaling with it. The engineering workflow has not kept pace. Supplier data is scattered, many brands ships their own tools, and designing in timber is often harder work than designing the same building in concrete or steel. Built for the engineer to keep coming back. SPEC Toolbox is obsessed with user experience. More than once the team has put a huge effort into a calculator only to find engineers could not make their way to it, and the effort was wasted. 3.0 puts navigation at the centre. Inputs sit top left, a live preview bottom left and outputs on the right, on one screen. Every output follows the same calculation logic, referenced to the clause, never a black box. If a check is failing the engineer clicks it and lands on it, with the inputs sitting beside it, so the fix is one more click. Ten calculators are on the new standard at launch, including CLT floors, CLT walls, columns, shear walls, screws and panel to panel connections, with the rest of the app following over the coming months. CLT panel to panel connections are now one calculator, so half lap, spline and butt joint are compared in a second. Shear walls run side by side, with connection type, dimensions and bracket suppliers compared next to each other in Europe and multi-storey walls configurable in the United States. CLT Floor moves between new, emerging and existing codes with a click, and the fire view returns the full fire design calculation straight away. Every supplier in the category. Side by side. Live. Since the beginning, SPEC Toolbox has integrated the supply chain’s product data to the specific ETA, ICC or evaluation report of each supplier: the tested values for each product, not generic ones. Minimum edge distances and spacings, withdrawal parameters, head pull-through, yield moment, and the timber densities and thicknesses the product has actually been tested in. Until now, comparing the best option meant clicking around to get there. The new Database View shows every certified product in the category live, ranked by utilisation against the engineer’s actual design. Around 20,000 screws are on the platform. An engineer who needs a partially threaded screw in the 100 to 130 mm range filters by head type, length and thread, and every screw that fits is ranked by utilisation on that check. Change a load and the order changes. Pick one and it writes straight into the calculation. The best design and the most cost-effective one are usually not the same screw, and now both are visible in the one place. In a market where general AI is abundant, structured supply chain data is the scarce part. Frontier AI, inside the engineer’s workflow, never producing a number. Frontier AI models can now reason over an engineering problem, and 3.0 brings that capability into mass timber engineering for the first time, as part of a better experience rather than a separate tool. SPEC Intelligence is live in 3.0, starting with screw connections. Asked to fix a failing check, it identifies the governing constraint and clause, proposes the smallest change that resolves it, and the calculation engine re-runs to prove the result. In one example, a connection failing on geometry at 140 per cent, with edge spacing below the EN 1995-1-1 clause 8.7.2 minimum, resolves by moving from eight screws at 35 mm to six at 60 mm: geometry returns to 87 per cent, axial to 55 per cent, and cost falls by 9 per cent. The AI advises that the verified engine computes, and the engineer remains the signatory. No number an engineer sees is produced by the model. “We’ve rebuilt the user experience for the entire app end to end. We’re hoping that with a better experience, more engineers will keep coming back to timber,” said Adam Jones, founder and CEO of SPEC Toolbox. “Making it easy is our mission, and that’s what 3.0 is about. The core workflows redesigned, every supplier in the category side by side, and an intelligence layer that helps engineers decide faster while our verified calculation engines do what they have always done. This is the biggest step we have taken since founding the company.” SPEC Toolbox is used by 7,500-plus registered engineers across four regions: Australia and New Zealand, Europe and the UK, the United States and Canada. More than a thousand North American engineers have designed on the platform. It carries certified product data from 40-plus supplier partners. SPEC Toolbox 3.0 is live from Wednesday 14 October 2026. Every calculator is free for engineers in every category and every region, as it has always been, and the platform is funded by its supplier partners. Pro adds design automation, the full Database View comparison and more SPEC Intelligence credits. SPEC Intelligence credits are included for every engineer, and existing projects and calculations carry over.

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