An Austrian timber manufacturing company wants to build a $32 million facility in the Asia-Pacific - and has been in Rotorua checking out the region's suitability.
KLH Massivholz GmbH managing director Mario Wagner spent five days in Rotorua visiting businesses, construction sites and sawmills. The visit was co-ordinated by Grow Rotorua and supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Mr Wagner met Rotorua MP Todd McClay, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise regional investment manager Guy Tapley and Grow Rotorua chief executive Francis Pauwels last week.
KLH manufactures large-format glued laminated timber elements that are often used worldwide as structured wall, ceiling and roofing elements. The company is looking to set up a production facility in the Asia-Pacific region - an investment of $32 million in a green field site.
Mr Wagner said one of their facility plants would hire up to 90 people.
"I got a very good overview of the forest industry, the whole supply chain and the supporting companies. All in all it was a very good overview," Mr Wagner said.
"We need machinery but we would also invest in human capital, we need educated people, building, land. I got a very good impression [of Rotorua] where all the resources which are necessarily to do timber engineer products are existing."
Mr McClay said he promoted the region and New Zealand as an ideal place to invest.
"[It's] an opportunity to show that not only is New Zealand a great place to do business but Rotorua is the heart of wood processing in New Zealand," Mr McClay said.
"I think we have a track record of working very well with the sector, we are very close to New Zealand's busiest port, which is Tauranga. So you get to be close to the source material with the trees, you also get to be very close to the export vehicle, the Port of Tauranga. We've got New Zealand's wood processing research industry here with Scion, we also have a skilled and dedicated workforce in Rotorua. I think as far as investments are concerned, in forestry, you can't go past Rotorua."
Mr Pauwels said it was great having NZTE support, with Mr Tapley accompanying Mr Wagner during his visit.
Mr Wagner returned to Austria on Saturday, taking with him a container of New Zealand radiata pine for testing to see if it would be suitable to produce the company's laminated timber product.
Who are KLH Massivholz?
* Manufacture large-format glued laminated timber
* Used worldwide in structured wall, ceiling and roofing elements
* Wanting to set up a facility in the Asia-Pacific region
* Looking to invest about $32 million for a production plant
* Could create up to 90 jobs