Waste reduction backed
Govt loan for equipment to cut waste going to landfill
“This place is booming. Lots going on. This is the fourth time I’m in Levin to launch something,” said Economic and Regional Development Minister Stuart Nash.
He was at Techlam on Wednesday morning to present them with a $1.75m loan to buy equipment that will help reduce how much cut-off timber goes to landfill after production.
Techlam specialises in instructural engineered timber products, which are stronger than steel, and are used in many building projects around the country as well as overseas, both residential and commercial.
Used in both long span and curved design, the laminated timber performs well in fires as it does not deform like steel does and stands up to chlorine and high humidity, so it is also used in swimming pools.
It is low maintenance and looks amazing.
Techlam has spent the money on a new acoustic grading line, a chop saw line for deflecting and a new finger jointer.
The new machinery will increase productivity by 30 per cent and reduce byproduct going to landfill by 25 per cent.
More staff will be employed and skills already available within the company improved.
Some jobs require engineering skills, other carpentry skills or the ability to read and understand plans.
Techlam employs apprentices and has industry-training programmes in place for new and existing roles.
On the same morning another company was included in the funding
– Plentyful in Rangitikei, which creates sustainable plastic products and will get $2m to develop a manufacturing facility.
The money will be spend not only on construction of a building, but also on mixing and holding tanks and other specialised equipment.
“There are many products that can be made more sustainably,” said Nash.
“These two companies are at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in their industries.”
He said the funding will help companies export and also create more skilled jobs locally.
Techlams’ manging director Brett Hamilton is also the chair of the GetGo programme’s reference group, so is keen to employ locals.
The money is coming, in the form of loans, from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund.