Case Study - Ta Ann Tasmania (TAS)

Ta Ann Tasmania, winner of the 2008 Emerging Exporter Award Sponsored by AusIndustry

Ta Ann Tasmania has developed an innovative concept that has created a new market for Tasmanian eucalypt wood. Ta Ann Tasmania exports rotary peeled veneer manufactured from regrowth and plantation eucalypt logs supplied by Forestry Tasmania.

Prior to the development of international markets for rotary eucalypt veneer, these logs were only suitable for wood chipping. Ta Ann uses this low quality wood to make high value eucalypt products using a state-of-the-art peeling process.

The strength and durability of Tasmanian eucalypts is a competitive advantage, creating niche sales in overseas markets, particularly flooring ply in Japan.

International demand for Tasmanian eucalypts, established in the late 1990s and early 2000s by research and technological breakthroughs by Forestry Tasmania, has been built on by Ta Ann Tasmania conducting peeling trials and developing new products.

Ta Ann has an international competitive advantage by using logs from a long term sustainable resource to produce strong and durable veneer for high value plywood products. The products meet international requirements in regard to forest management sustainability and product tracking through a Chain-of-Custody certification that is recognised by PEFC, the largest certification system in the world.

Ta Ann Tasmania has built a new mill, which includes sophisticated peeling equipment, in regional Tasmania for a new export product. As a result, high levels of product recovery and low levels of waste have been achieved from low quality logs. A second mill is currently being commissioned.

The future direction of exports will focus on Malaysia, Japan and China. The range of ply products using Tasmanian eucalypt veneer will increase and will include shipping container flooring, Laminated Veneer Lumber and new decorative floor products.