As a wholly owned subsidiary of Japan’s Sumitomo Forestry Co., one of the world’s largest forestry companies, NPIL produces GoldenEdge medium density fibreboard and NelsonPine laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from Radiata Pine grown in the Nelson-Tasman region of New Zealand. Kai Kruse, chief executive officer of NPIL and an industry veteran, has enjoyed working closely with Sumitomo Forestry for two decades.
“We have formed strong synergies between Sumitomo Forestry’s extensive global network and Nelson Pine’s outstanding level of competence in manufacturing world-class engineered wood products for the building and construction industries,” Kruse said.
“Sustainability is the key to our business success and we always strive to achieve long-term goals. We plan long-term and proactively collaborate with all our stakeholders, including our staff, suppliers, customers and business partners, to ensure everyone’s success,” he explained.
NPIL’s industry-recognized reputation is based on the delivery of consistent and high-quality products, sustainable resource management, low environmental-impact practices, market-led research and continuous product development.
The company intends to contribute to Sumitomo Forestry’s W350 plan — a 350-meter high-rise wooden building, to celebrate its 350th anniversary in 2041.
“The W350 project is an opportunity for the Sumitomo Forestry family to work together, find solutions and create a structure which has never been built before,” Kruse said.
“I have the upmost respect for the senior management of Sumitomo Forestry and our friendships have strengthened over time. We share the same business ethics and passion for forest products.”
The forestry industry has seen a tremendous revival in recent years. Driven by environmental efforts toward carbon neutrality, the industry today plays a significant role. As trees grow they sequester carbon, which is then stored in wood products. Both Japan and New Zealand have committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
Research and development and innovation are central to NPIL’s high-performance timber materials, and the company works closely with Sumitomo Forestry’s Tsukuba Research Institute in Japan. The company also collaborates with the University of Canterbury and Auckland University of Technology to educate the next generation of architects and civil engineers on the benefits of timber construction.
“Wood and timber-built buildings contribute to people’s wellbeing,” said Kruse. “More people understand this today and we will deliver renewable and sustainable building materials to future generations.”
