Why become a member?
The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation is about 100 years of service to the timber industry
Download the membership application form (PDF)
The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation has had many proud achievements in its 100 year history but most importantly it has fostered a special fraternity of committed members and a culture of cooperation, mutual encouragement and friendship.
Not all the benefits of membership of the Federation are immediately recognizable. A lot goes on "behind the scenes" which is not obviously apparent at times.
But it is suprising how regularly issues which have huge ramifications for the industry seem to emerge. Somebody has to deal with this business! And on every occasion the NZTIF has "put its hand up" to address these issues and achieve the best possible results for its members and the industry as a whole. What the NZTIF asks for in return is broad member support; not just in moments of crisis but over the long term.
Leadership
This is perhaps the greatest benefit offered. Over the years the culture of the NZTIF has encouraged the commitment of the industry's most experienced people. To have so many high caliber people, all which hands on success through all facets of the business, on the board giving their time voluntarily to the industry is a tremendous benefit which many companies have chosen to honour by becoming members.
Information Sharing
Timberfed News – A widely read and well respected newsletter full of news, information, statistics and viewpoints. Constant networking through our office in the exchange of critical market based information.
Regional Meetings – Throughout New Zealand to create opportunities for members to meet and express their views about issues of the day and also to network with industry colleagues.
Conferences – These also give the opportunity for Federation members to get together in both a business and social environment. The programmes are always designed to cover major issues and topics that will bring greatest benefit to all participants. Federation members always benefit from a discount on registration fees to attend conferences and other occasions where a fee is charged.
Price Surveys – Are produced quarterly covering domestic and export markets including log prices. These are not price lists; nevertheless they provide a good database for members to work off.
Other information sharing – Occasionally teleconferences are convened to allow participants to discuss specific issues of the day.
Publications – such as the Timber Design Guide for designers of large buildings and conversion tables for members.
Export activities – Include regular meetings with customer groups to exchange views and agree on any joint activities to enhance sales of New Zealand timber in those markets, examples are our regular meetings with Australian importers and US customers.
Technical & Regulatory issues
The increase in regulations enforced on the industry and the impact they are having on business has been a strong focus of the NZTIF over the last few years.
A prime example of the NZTIF's work in this field was in the recent controversial changes to the regulations on the strength and stiffness of timber. These changes, engineered by elements of industry with vested interests, were blocked as a result of NZTIF activity but could have placed producers of visually graded structural timber at serious risk of severe market loss. In response the Federation has developed an independent verification programme for structural timber that will prevent the wholesale downgrade of visually graded structural lumber and also provide a check on machine stress graded lumber.
Government
New regulatory and technical changes are always coming onto our radar and we keep our members informed of potential issues which they may face in the future. Channels of communication are maintained with Ministers, MP's and government officials to ensure they are kept up to date with members concerns. The NZTIF is your “fireman” or lobbyist in Wellington where so often what seems like a small matter to politicians can cripple individual businesses.
Services
The Federation has been instrumental in:
- Setting up a group sawmill chip supply consortium for the benefit of participants
- Developing a manual for timber grading and packaging of timber
- Initiating export activities the latest of which is the 100% New Zealand Pine promotion
- Developing a wood processing machinery expo.
- Establishing a venture capital fund for developing new products.