Responsible Wood Catches Up with ASH
Certified timber is more than just a label; it’s a commitment to responsible sourcing, sustainability, and innovation in the built environment.
Our Sustainability Manager, Matt de Jongh, recently caught up with Daniel Wright, National Business Development Manager at Australian Sustainable Hardwoods (ASH), to talk about how they are leading the way in sustainable and innovative hardwood solutions.
ASH, based in Heyfield, Victoria, is no stranger to adapting to change. As Australia’s largest hardwood manufacturer, they’ve been at the forefront of engineered timber products, including mass timber, stair components, flooring, and architectural joinery. But it’s their ability to pivot and innovate that sets them apart.
Adapting to a Changing Timber Landscape
In the wake of Victoria’s exit from native forest harvesting, ASH has undergone a significant shift in its supply chain. Once entirely reliant on Victorian regrowth hardwood, the company has transitioned to a mix of plantation-grown Tasmanian hardwood – previously destined for pulp, and a blonde coloured imported American Red Oak, which they’ve branded as Glacial Oak.
ASH isn’t just about hardwood flooring and joinery; they’re also making waves in mass timber construction. With a push towards sustainable, low-carbon building solutions, they’ve been heavily involved in supplying glue-laminated beams (GLT) and columns for some of Australia’s most ambitious timber projects.
In a recent interview with global timber news platform Wood Central, Daniel shared,
“We’re easily the largest post-and-beam manufacturer of mass timber in Australia. And we’ve been investing in the future—our latest Hundegger K2i robotic CNC machine is a game-changer for precision-cut timber fabrication.”
ASH have since purchased their fourth Hundegger CNC, bringing them unrivalled robotic mass timber processing ability in Australia.
He continued,
“Sustainability isn’t just about where the timber comes from, it’s also about how we use it. Every log that comes through our facility needs to be used to its highest value application, ensuring we minimise waste and maximise long-term carbon storage in the built environment.”
Certified Timber in the Built Environment
One of ASH’s flagship projects includes T3 Collingwood, a stunning 15-storey mass timber office building in Melbourne. Using a combination of GLT beams and columns, ASH helped create a structure that’s not only visually impressive but also significantly reduces embodied carbon compared to traditional steel and concrete builds.
T3 Collingwood (Image Credit: Tom Blachford via Australian Insitute of Architects)
Why It Matters
For Responsible Wood and PEFC-certified businesses, ASH’s story is a testament to the innovation required to stay ahead of the game within Australia’s timber industry. Companies like ASH are proving that with the right approach, certification can play a key role in brand building as a part of the the circular economy, carbon reduction, and the future of sustainable construction story.
As the industry continues to evolve, businesses like ASH show how certification not only supports sustainability but also drives market confidence and product innovation in Australia’s timber sector.
