The Hyne Group is a collective of Australasian businesses backed by James Jones & Sons, a global leader in sawmilling with over 180 years of operation. With a legacy spanning more than 140 years, Hyne Timber, one of Australia’s largest structural timber manufacturers, is committed to sustainability, regional development, and innovation in timber. Their vertically integrated model includes plantation-to-mill operations, helping ensure their products meet the highest environmental and safety standards.
Across the building and construction industry, more businesses are being asked a simple question: where did your timber come from?
At Responsible Wood, we understand that trust in sustainability doesn’t end in the forest. That’s why chain of custody certification is a key part of the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme (RWCS), ensuring that timber and wood products remain traceable, legal, and ethical from forest to final product.
For manufacturers and suppliers, this level of transparency is essential for delivering on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments, and for Katie Fowden, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the Hyne Group, certification is more than a label. It’s part of the company’s identity.
“At the Hyne Group, we pride ourselves on our sustainability credentials with all of our log feedstock being Australian grown, plantation pine which is independently certified to the Responsible Wood sustainable forest management standard,” said Katie.
Katie Fowden, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at the Hyne Group
Managing Risk Through Transparency
For any company operating in a complex supply chain, ESG risks are real. Whether it’s exposure to illegal logging, unclear sourcing, or weak labour standards, the reputational stakes are high. That’s why certification isn’t just good practice, it’s smart business.
“We carry that chain of custody certification for all our products including our high-quality framing, glue laminated timber and cross laminated timber for the construction sector,” said Katie.
“Supply chains need to have trust in the sustainable source of their timber and our certification provides this.”
Chain of custody certification requires each business along the supply chain to be independently audited and verified. It’s a simple idea with significant impact: from forest to final product, there’s a clear, documented link that confirms the wood has come from a certified, sustainable source.
That level of assurance supports better governance in several ways:
- Regulatory compliance – Certified companies meet stringent legal and environmental standards, reducing risk and increasing buyer confidence.
- Supply chain integrity – Certification ensures timber products are traceable and not mixed with unknown or non-certified sources.
- Corporate responsibility – Independent audits provide transparency and support accountability across all operations.
For timber suppliers, this isn’t just about ESG reporting, it’s about building trust with customers and communities.
Social Responsibility That Goes Further
Sourcing responsibly also means thinking about people. A credible ESG approach should cover not just the environment, but the health, safety, and rights of workers, as well as engagement with local communities.
From forest through the chain of custody to the end user, the RWCS integrates these principles and aligns with international expectations and includes:
- Respect for Indigenous rights and integration of cultural heritage protections
- Health and safety requirements for forestry and chain of custody workers under
- Meaningful engagement with stakeholders, including local communities.
These aren’t box-ticking exercises. They’re built into the system, backed by evidence, and independently verified.
For companies like Hyne, that means knowing their operations are not only legal and efficient, but that the sourcing of forest material is socially responsible and respected in the communities where they operate.
Certification Builds Real Confidence
We know many businesses are under pressure to improve ESG performance, but without independent, third-party verification, sustainability claims are hard to justify.
Chain of custody certification helps close that gap. It allows companies to make sustainability claims with confidence, clarity, and proof.
At Responsible Wood, we see certification not as the solution, but as an important compliance tool in your sustainability journey. It gives businesses tools to manage supply chain risks, meet market expectations, and show they’re serious about their values.
Supply chains need to have trust and certification helps provide that.
Ready to Build Better?
As timber takes a bigger role in decarbonising the built environment, the demand for transparency and traceability is only growing. Chain of custody certification is a clear step forward for companies, for consumers, and for forests.
To learn more about the Hyne Group and their sustainability efforts, visit hynegroup.com
At Responsible Wood, we develop internationally accepted, fit for purpose Australian Standards ensuring that Australia’s forests, and all products sourced from them, are among the most sustainable in the world.
