Forest Products Industry

Comact, a global leader in high-performance OEM wood-processing technologies, has announced a major equipment and technology sale to Niagara Sawmilling Company, located in Invercargill, New Zealand. This large-scale modernization project will significantly enhance Niagara’s production capabilities and strengthen operational performance.  “We are excited to move forward with this new sawmill in partnership with Comact.

The technology and expertise they bring will allow us to significantly enhance reliability, efficiency, and fiber optimization across our operations. This investment represents an important step in strengthening our mill for the long term,” said Ross Richardson, CEO of Niagara.

Executed in close collaboration with Lakeland Steel, Comact’s key partner in New Zealand and Australia, the project reflects a shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge technologies supported by strong local expertise.

This brownfield project includes the supply of an entirely new log infeed equipped with a Versa Ring Debarker. The primary breakdown will feature a Hybrid Sawline combining triple profiling, circular saws, a splitting module and a 7ft CETEC bandsaw, followed downstream by a dual-profiling CPG (canter profiler gang). Together, these elements make it the most versatile sawing line ever designed.

The mill will also include a complete trimmer line equipped with an AI-powered TrimExpert optimizer. Additionally, the new installation will be equipped with a suite of Smart Vision systems deployed throughout the process, along with full integration of the sawmill into the OPER8 industrial IoT platform.

“This project is a strong example of what our partnership with Comact is designed to deliver: world-class technologies backed by local execution. Niagara is a respected operator in New Zealand, and we are proud to support the engineering, fabrication, and installation needed,” said Cory Leatherland, General Manager of Lakeland Steel.

“Comact sincerely thanks Niagara for its trust in our people and our company,” said Simon Potvin, CEO of Comact. “Our team is fully committed to delivering this project on-time and on-budget, with the highest standards of engineering, execution, and customer support. With Comact’s global expertise combined with Lakeland Steel’s strong regional capabilities, Niagara can rely on world-class service and long-term support at every stage of the project.”

Equipment delivery is scheduled for late 2026, followed by commissioning in 2027.

ABOUT COMACT

For over 100 years, Comact has been a leading OEM in high-caliber wood processing equipment, digital technologies, cutting solutions, project services, and aftermarket support. Driven by innovation and excellence, we are dedicated to helping our customers address their most pressing operational and business challenges in today’s industry.

ABOUT LAKELAND STEEL

Lakeland Steel Ltd has over 49 years of experience in designing, fabricating, and installing custom machinery for the wood processing and material handling industries. Based in Rotorua, they deliver projects across New Zealand and Australia and export equipment worldwide..

To read previous Comact related posts click here

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