Our Present

A significant turning point in the history of the company occurred in 1994 with the appointment of our present managing director, John McNamara (pictured right) as the company’s CEO, the first time a non-family member has been appointed to the position. John has subsequently been appointed Managing Director.

Since his appointment, John has led Hyne to become a significant force in the Australian timber industry and he has gained recognition as a respected leader within the Timber Industry. In his 13 years with Hyne, John has re energised the senior executive team, which has facilitated the company’s major developments and acquisitions including:

• The acquisition of ACI’s sawmilling operations in the Mary Valley in 1996 that were then integrated with the existing Hyne Melawondi operations to become Australia’s largest Araucaria production and remanufacturing facility.
• Tumbarumba radiata sawmill was acquired from Boral Limited in 2001.
• Tuan Mill was upgraded in 2002 with the latest European technology and plant for an increased annual production capacity exceeding 700,000 cubic metres of exotic softwood sawlogs.
• Expansion of Hyne Wholesale outlets with opening of the Melbourne Branch in January 2002 and Canberra Branch in March 2002.
• An end of an era in 2003, with the sale of the Hyne Trade and Retail and Truss and Frame businesses.
• Tumbarumba sawmill was successfully upgraded in 2003/2004 with the latest North American equipment and technology to ultimately process 900,000 m3 per annum of radiata sawlogs.
• In 2005, Hyne acquired the ITI Holbrook softwood mill and treatment plant and the Queensland Tasbeam operations.
• Hyne Araucaria operation has completed significant change over the last five years to transform the mill from a solely building material focus to the optimisation of Araucaria clears for furniture and other high value decorative timber products. The latest major capital program incorporating the installation of a high speed optimising and docking production facility at Melawondi was completed in 2005.
• Hyne’s traditional hardwood businesses were sold to the Queensland Government in mid 2006. The sale resulted from a strategic decision by the Hyne board to focus the future of the business on Hyne’s fast growing and environmentally friendly softwood operations.
• Finalisation of the Canterwood export woodchip joint venture occurred in 2006.
• During the last decade Hyne has successfully created international markets for a selected range of products. These markets in Japan, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Middle East and New Zealand are now important elements of Hyne’s ongoing business.

Hyne remains a private Propriety Limited Company with the Company affairs being directed by a Board, which has adopted best practice corporate governance principles, with a non-executive Chairman, Richard Hyne, and a majority of non-executive Directors. The Executive staff, led by our Managing Director, John McNamara, is arguably the most capable timber team in Australia. Our management staff and other highly skilled Divisional staff are recognised for their expertise and experience.