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Auckland Office welcomes our Accounts Administrator
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We are pleased to advise that Joanne Wills joined us as Accounts Administrator to assist Administration Manager, Paula Fisher.
Many customers will already have spoken to Joanne, who has a Diploma in Accounting from the Open Polytechnic. She previously held positions in the human resources, trading, insurance and banking sectors.
With her husband & two daughters she completed the New York Marathon in November 2005.
Joanne's contact details: Telephone: 09 630 9350; email: joanne.wills@timtech.info
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 <<Joanne |
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"Commerce Commission Initiates legal action against Koppers Arch & Osmose"
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TIMBER QUEENSLANDMEDIA RELEASE
Industry Urges Media Care & Public Calm on
Treated Timber Decision
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The timber industry today urged Queenslanders not to over-react to yesterday’s decision by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) on the issue of Copper Chrome Arsenate (CCA) in treated timber.
Timber Queensland CEO, Rod McInnes, said Timber Queensland was concerned that some media reporting of the issue had been inaccurate and was likely to create undue public alarm – particularly for parents of young children.
Mr McInnes said that it was important that councils, schools and parents in Queensland understood the true extent APVMA’s actual concerns about CCA.
He said it was vital that people appreciated that the APVMA recommendations are based on the unproven possibility of a risk rather than any established danger.
“After years of investigation the APVMA report did not conclude that there is any undue health risk from CCA treated timber, even for children.” Mr McInnes said. “Instead, they found that ‘There was no compelling evidence from the available data to conclude there was likely to be an unacceptable risk to public health from exposure to arsenic from CCA treated timber.” (Page 19, Toxicological Assessment – Conclusions)
“The APVMA also confirmed that the level of arsenic in treated timber is lower than many sources found in water and food and that arsenic also occurs naturally in soils.”
“However, because of the lack of complete certainty CCA treated timber products will not be permitted in future for timber used in a small number of products — garden furniture, picnic tables, exterior seating, children’s play equipment patio and domestic decking and handrails. It is permitted for all other uses,” Mr McInnes said.
“It important that people realise that existing structures are not affected by the ban, have not been found to present an undue health risk, and the report explicitly states that no regulatory authority in the USA, Europe, Canada or New Zealand have recommended the dismantling of existing structures.”
continued page 2
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TIMBER QUEENSLAND
MEDIA RELEASE
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“Given that CCA treated timber has been used in Australia for 40 years without any public health risk being established, Timber Queensland contends that the AVPMA report has taken the precautionary principle too far in this case,” he said
“Industry is concerned about public health, and we are introducing more environmentally friendly timber preservatives as quickly as possible. In the meantime, it is important that the media covers this issue responsibly to enable a proper community response based on the actual scientific evidence.”
Ends
For further information please contact Rod McInnes on 07 3254 1989 or 0419 704 028.
17 March 2005
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New LOSP Plant
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TimTech's Mark Fortune & Ross Grant inspecting the plant during commissioning
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TimTech™ Chemicals Limited has just completed the commissioning of a new, state of the art, fully automated Sinton Engineering LOSP plant at KLC Limited, Kaingaroa near Rotorua, NZ.
The key components of the plant were manufactured by John Sinton at his Toowoomba Engineering company & shipped to NZ.
Whilst a large volume of custom treating will be carried out for local sawmillers for both the NZ & Australian markets, the bulk of the throughput is being devoted to KLC's production of TimTech AzUS™ treated lumber for the US millwork market.
Ron Eddy, TimTech's Managing Director said, "The commissioning of perhaps the most modern, technologically advanced LOSP plant in the Southern Hemisphere is a major milestone for TimTech & KLC. It is the first plant to use our new LOSP preservative, TimTech™ AzUS™. TimTech AzUS™ is the only ERMA registered, environmentally friendly LOSP preservative with all its active ingredients recognised by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The important differentiation is that TimTech AzUS™ contains IPBC, which has a powerful synergistic effect on the major actives, Tebuconazole & Propiconazole. Permethrin is also added for its effective insecticidal properties".
The Managing Director of KLC Limited, Kevin Lewis was delighted with the new plant, saying "We have large orders waiting to be despatched to our US company KLC International, which has a very strong distribution network throughout the major states".
The official opening of the new treatment facility will take place early next year.
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A view of the whole plant with the next 2 charges on the fully automated timber traverser
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Steve Lilly, KLC's plant operator, can't believe how lucky
he is to manage such a great LOSP plant
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APVMA Update on the Status of CCA Treated Products
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The Australian Pesticides & Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) officially notified TimTech™ Chemicals of the outcome of its review of CCA. The APVMA has advised us that submissions received during the public consultation period which followed the release of the draft report did not alter the findings of the draft report.
The APVMA now requires all registrants of CCA to modify their product label to encompass the recommendations made in the APVMA’s draft report. The wording of the CCA label must outline the requirements for the continued use of CCA. The requirements made are:
• CCA chemicals must be declared as a “Restricted Chemical Product”.
• CCA product labels must be varied to advise that timber treatment facilities have to be designed and operated to meet appropriate Australian Standards (ANZEC guidelines [1996] and AS/NZS 2843.1:2000 and AS/NZ 2843.1:2000).
• Product labels are to be changed such that uses of CCA are not permitted on timber intended for use in structures such as picnic tables, decking, handrails and children’s play equipment.
• Product labels are to be varied to include more detailed instructions for application, mixing and vacuum/pressure operations, management of freshly treated timber, management of liquids, sludge or waste material containing CCA residues, protection of wildlife, fish, crustaceans and the environment, and storage and disposal.
TimTech™ has been asked to work with industry partners and the APVMA to modify CCA labels in accordance to the new requirements. Our failure to work with the APVMA on this will result in the APVMA suspending the CCA label resulting in no further supply of CCA for all applications.
The APVMA timeframe to make these changes is still to be finalised but they are currently looking at finalising the review and the changes to the labels by February 2005 which will then be followed by a transition period. The exact length and nature of the transition period has not yet been determined.
TimTech™ has made submissions to the APVMA stressing that CCA treated timber does not pose any significant health risk when used and handled correctly. We strongly objected to the recommended restrictions on the use of CCA.
We further advised that we will only vary the conditions of using CCA if we have no other choice.
Unfortunately, the APVMA do have the ability to withdraw our registration if we don’t comply.
Notwithstanding, we will continue to act in the interests of our clients to try and ensure that the APVMA handle the CCA issue responsibly.
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We are delighted to advise that Wally James will be joining TimTech™ on
1 August 2004 as Operations Manager, to run our newly built wood preservative manufacturing facility in Auckland
Wally has over 20 years chemical production experience with much of it gained over his 16 years with Koppers Hickson/Arch Ltd & more recently with Primaxa Ltd, where he was Production Manager.
His valuable knowledge and experience adds to the over 200 years industry experience already within the TimTech management team.
Wally is committed to quality and is well known to many timber Treaters as an honest, nice guy who really knows his stuff. Treaters in the North Island will be seeing quite a bit of Wally as his duties also include sales & technical servicing.
Kind regards
R C (Ron) Eddy
Managing Director |
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 <<Wally |
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TimTech™ Update
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This update is coming to you this afternoon from a dark & rainy (but mild) Auckland on the eve of the second test with England!
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Mike Brown:
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 <<Mike
 <<West |
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Many of you will already know that our colleague Mike Brown is now based in Brisbane, heading up TimTech™ Chemicals Australia with our well known Australian Director, West Hill.
Mike’s contact details are:
• Mobile - +61 (4242) 69124
• Phone/Fax - +61 (7) 349 17983
• E-Mail - mike.brown@timtech.info
• Mail - PO Box 1892, Sunnybank Hills, Brisbane QLD 4109
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Orders & Office Administration
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Our Administration Manager, Paula Fisher, is well known to many of you from her 12 years with Koppers Hickson.
Please direct your orders & enquiries to Paula
>> either by Phone: 09 630 9350; Mobile: 0274 816 522; Fax: 09 630 9352
or E-Mail: paula.fisher@timtech.info
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 <<Paula |
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Mobile Phone Numbers:
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We are switching to Vodafone & thus our mobile numbers will change from 28 June 2004. Our old mobile numbers will still be effective until 30 June.
• Ian Coldicott, Territory Manager - 021 526 340
• Ron Eddy, Managing Director - 021 940 555
• Mark Fortune, National Manager - 021 322 827
• Ross Grant, Technical Manager - 021 689 729
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TimTech™ ValueMate™ Plant Automation:
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We have just commissioned our latest ValueMate™ treatment plant automation project at Pukepine Sawmills (1998) Limited in association with Autotech Engineering Limited.
This is the first treatment plant in New Zealand to use the latest generation PLC with a Windows® based PC control & reporting system, giving top floor control & reporting over this ground floor operation.
The ValueMate™ automation protocol was developed by TimTech & Autotech specifically for New Zealand treating standards and is supported locally, unlike other automation packages adapted & supported from America.
TimTech’s ValueMate™ will turn treating operations into solid, bottom-line contributors to the total enterprise. Cutting costs and increasing speed-to-market, while improving agility and enhancing total operational efficiencies along the way.
Phone Ross Grant on 09 630 9350 or e-mail: ross.grant@timtech.info for further information.
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Smooth transition post CCA in North America
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But it wasn’t all plain sailing for many timber treatment plants
INDUSTRY in North America is reporting a relatively smooth transition to timber treatment alternatives.
Five months into the phase-out of CCA, many treaters say it is business as usual with most claiming bigger margins on their higher costs, says a Random Lengths report. Another surprise has been the growing demand for lumber treated with borate for interior applications, the cost being much less than CCA or the substitutes ACQ and copper azole.
The recent American Wood Preservers Association Centennial Conference in Vancouver was a good forum for learning about the transition. Observations by New Zealand delegates, reported in TimberFed News, provide interesting and timely information for the Australian industry.
The voluntary decision by industry in the US to remove CCA treated timber in residential applications has passed the transition date of December 31, 2003. So how smooth was the transition process from CCA to new alternative treatments such as ACQ and copper azole?
Reports from US and Canada suggest that the transition was reasonably smooth from CCA although Canada was unable to treat with ACQ or CCA in some industrial applications due to delays in registration for ACQ and copper azole treatment. Some retailers are now reporting an increase in sales with some CCA treated wood from 2003 still available in limited amounts.
Retailers have also taken this opportunity to better inform the public about treated timber with in-store bulletins a crucial and integral part of the transition. Nearly all customers are converted now.
Some treaters say ACQ and Copper Azole penetrate better than CCA making timber conditioning easier. While upgrading a treatment plant is a huge undertaking it has given companies an opportunity to address long overdue maintenance issues that have previously been overlooked.
On the negative side, some new problems such as moulds, sludge deposits, checking and water quality issues affecting retention loadings have emerged while commissioning treatment plants to sustain the new treatment.
The first three issues were eventually overcome with the introduction of mouldicides and water repellents. These minimised the effects of mould and checking and made up for the absence of chrome which worked as an inhibiter against mould and photo stabilised timber against UV. The installation of water filters appears to have ironed out the sludge deposits and retention issues.
The conversion of treatment plants to take new chemicals was eventually a very rushed process as treaters were furiously treating timber with CCA (demand based) before the cut off deadline of December 31 last year.
But, say the reports, the elevated levels of copper were always going to be an Achilles heel for the industry, causing corrosion. Corrosion coupon inserts were required in treatment plants tanks and cylinders with reports stating no corrosion after 12 months, so signs are promising that the plant may have a longer future than anticipated.
Fixings appear to be going through a trial and error period. A standard has been set for fasteners and fixings with studies showing stainless steel and hot dip galvanised being the best performers. Most other fixings require a physical barrier. Treaters appear to be emerging from the transition with their business intact. All agreed that in-store information and bulletins are crucial and required in abundance especially with regard to fixing and end use. It was also agreed that through the commissioning and transition period, third party verification was essential in effecting good treatment practice and maintaining effective durability requirements for the purpose being served.
Meanwhile comments for the preliminary risk assessment for wood preservatives containing arsenic and/or chromium reregistration eligibility decision have closed.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has received requests to retain utility poles, marine uses and fence railings with consideration given to these uses with handling information on labels. When considering marine use, the EPA was concerned about diversion i.e. marine pier boards may eventually end up in playgrounds or decks.
Indications are that the above ground uses will be retained with a negative decision likely for retaining walls, sill plates and skirt boards.
The EPA is expected to make its final decision by the end of June 2004. Inspectors are now examining treaters’ records for use and distribution with penalties being imposed for non compliance.
Courtesy of Jim Bowden, Editor Timberman
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For more information please contact TimTech on info@timtech.info
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