The timber poles used for the
marine piling project were 350mm diameter on the small
end and 15 metres long, and produced by Croft.
Considered a specialist in marine pile productions, Croft
has supplied not only this but also many other projects
both in New Zealand and overseas.
These include the Bayswater Marina, Half Moon Bay, Gulf
Harbour on Whangaparaoa Peninsular and the Port of Tauranga.
Keeping the Pace and Meeting
Demand
(Article from the Northern Advocate 1999)
Almost 100 years ago
Croft Timber Company began as a small portable sawmilling
operation based at Opuawhanga.
Three generations later,
the mill has transformed into a major competitor in the
timber pole industry.
The move from sawn timber
and farm fencing products to the current specialist pole
operation came in 1971 when it was noticed the need for
poles was increasing with the nearest pole manufacturer
about 110 kilometres away.
It was then the decision
was made to invest in a steam conditioner and large volume
pole peeler.
It was not long before
the demand for poles increased with more and more people
building on sloping sites to make the most of available
views.
The company began to
expand and about 10 years ago a decision was made to tackle
the Auckland market.
Specialising in wholesale
supply, a branch was opened in Albany and timber merchants
began to enjoy the prompt service and competitive pricing
Croft Timber Company had to offer.
Houses were being built
on Croft poles and piles, boats being moored to Croft
marine piles, roading slips retained and power poles being
exported to Asia.
It was time for the
biggest decision yet.
Last year, the company
bought a large mill site on State Highway One at Kauri,
North of Whangarei. Previously it had been owned by Carter
Holt and before that was Managh Herman mill.
Various smaller operations,
including those at Awanui and Opuawhanga, were closed
and the machinery and expertise relocated to the new site
which at 12.5 hectares is about five times the size of
its previous base.
The largest and most
modern treatment plant in the company's history has been
installed, meeting the increasing demand for poles as
the company's reputation has grown.
