The move is part of a wider strategy by Neilson Publishing Ltd (NPL) to strengthen its position as a leading supplier of wood business publications and related services in the Australasian market.

It has been a busy year for many New Zealand remanufacturers but the challenge, in the face of continuing adverse external factors, is move from being simply ‘busy’ to being profitable. To achieve this, many companies are now working together to develop new products and markets.

In view of these conditions it is not surprising that infrastructure and service development at New Zealand ports is hardly roaring ahead but reports from some of the ports indicate that the mood is slightly more optimistic than at this time last year. In Australia, there are signs that some port development is being driven by growing volumes of woodchip exports.

After recent hard times, kiln manufacturers are reporting increased levels of business - the easing dollar and a general boost in business confidence is encouraging sawmillers to open up their pocketbooks.