Separated by World War 1, two brothers nonetheless shared the same dream – to start producing lumber after the war. While one was sadly killed in action, the dream lived on and Sutherland Co was born over a Century ago in 1920 in the Happy Valley Tuatapere.
The mill moved a number of times, with a second mill set up in The Catlins until the family made the move to Cheviot to start the milling of Pine timber. Finally in 1956 it was moved to its current site in Kaiapoi where it has developed in leaps and bounds over the years, milling, drying and treating on site.
Currently producing 120 cubic meters of timber per day, the mill cuts New Zealand Radiata Pine and Douglas Fir to produce structural framing for the domestic building market, with an annual output of 20, 000 m3. All logs are sourced locally throughout the south island using local contractors.
To read more, get your copy of the October 2022 issue of NZ Logger, on sale 3 October. Check the link on this page to subscribe to either a printed or digital copy (or both).
