The City Forests plant at Milburn yesterday held a quiet, yet significant, celebration as it officially opened a third drying kiln in a move it claims will increase production by 50% and has already created eight jobs.
Wood-processing manager John Speirs said the kiln cost about $500,000, but other money was spent on earthworks and associated construction work.
The kiln sends air of up to 90degC circulating around timber for about 36 hours to help completely dry it before it is processed.
Mr Speirs said the kiln began operating about a month ago and was already proving of great benefit. It was well on the way to reaching the target of lifting production levels a further 50%.
Workers at the 31-staff plant usually work longer shifts from Monday to Thursday and then finish at 1.30pm on Fridays, but they were allowed to wind up an hour earlier yesterday to join managers and invited guests at the opening ceremony and for refreshments.
City Forests was officially opened in October 2006.
Its website said it owned 16,100ha of forests and supplied logs to up to 14 sawmills from Christchurch to Southland.
The city council's holdings company annual report revealed the Milburn operation returned a $1.42 million surplus in the 2008 year.