Sawmill manufacturer enjoying breakthrough in Europe, Africa

A Rotorua sawmill manufacturer has carved its way into the lucrative European and African forestry markets after displaying its machinery at the world's largest forestry convention in Germany.

Peterson Portable Sawmills marketing manager Rosie Coward said the company had secured a swag of contracts at the annual Ligna Forestry and Wood Industries World Fair in Hanover, Germany.

"It was the first time Peterson had taken its wares to Ligna and the first time a Peterson Mill had been shown in mainland Europe, so we were very excited with the results," Ms Coward said.

Peterson has orders to ship 16 sawmills to South Africa, and has secured a new distributor for the German market.

"We also had around 95 inquiries about our sawmills from people wanting to buy or distribute them," she said.

The secret of the company's success was its highly developed circular saw technology, Ms Coward said.

Circular saws have traditionally been perceived by the milling industry as inferior to band saws because they create more wastage while cutting.

However, Peterson has developed a much thinner circular blade to minimise waste, she said, noting circular saws cost two-thirds less than bandsaws and needed less maintenance.

Owner Carl Peterson said like most of the country's forestry and milling sector, the company had been hit hard by the rise in the exchange rate with the United States.

However, this loss of potential income had been offset by the successful foray into the European markets.

The company employs 19 people.

Caption: Peterson Portable Sawmills' technical sales and support manager Chris Browne with some of the company's overseas-bound wares.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)