LOCATION
Rotorua, New Zealand
PRODUCTS
CUBIC Switchboards | Terasaki ACBs & MCBs | Socomec Isolators | Power Factor Correction | Allen-Bradley PLCs | Rockwell Automation Software
The Introduction
As New Zealand’s largest sawmill, Red Stag Timber focusses on producing high-quality timber products for the residential construction markets in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Island regions. An independent, privately owned company based in Rotorua (approximately three hours south of Auckland), Red Stag Timber has earnt itself a global reputation for delivering quality structural lumber products, as well as producing landscaping, industrial and furniture lumber grades. While achieving this reputation is one thing, ensuring they uphold this quality that has become synonymous with their operation is another and requires the continual commitment to upgrade production facilities.
The overview
With that in mind, the company recently embarked on a project that saw the construction of a new sawmill line that implemented cutting-edge technology and brought together the local expertise and market understanding of KCS Switchboards and NHP Electrical Engineering Products.
The first step for the electrical component of the project was to install four power distribution centers which would be used to supply power to the motor control centers that would form Stage Two of the expansion. When it came to selecting a Switchboard Builder to partner with for this project, the decision for Red Stag Timber came down to a criteria that closely aligned with the key pillars of their own operation: quality products, local expertise and a commitment to excellence and continual improvement. Following a rigorous tender process a decision was made to enlist the support of KCS – a local CUBIC accredited switchboard builder operating out of Tauranga since 2011.
“A few years ago Red Stag Timber contacted us regarding an out of the blue breakdown and we were able to help them out within their urgent timeframe. A few months later they needed an ACB swapped out and again, our locality meant we could service their requirements in a timely fashion. It was this proven history paired with our commitment to quality switchboard builds that got us selected for Stage One developments of the recent line upgrade,” said Carl Waghorn, Director and Owner of KCS Switchboards.
“The original Stage One developments were for the power distribution centres and CUBIC was a product that Red Stag had expressed interest in. Once they understood our capabilities around the CUBIC product, the internal components and the quality of our workmanship we became a natural fit for the project,” Mr. Waghorn continued.
As the exclusive distributors of the CUBIC range in New Zealand, NHP’s relationship with KCS began early in the company’s history dating back to hosting the KCS accredited training when they first took on the CUBIC range. While the CUBIC range helped forge this relationship, KCS’s commitment to a high end offering saw them also begin using a range of switchgear components from NHP including Terasaki ACBs and MCBs as well as Socomec isolators and power factor correction equipment – all of which are supported by local stockholdings and expertise and all of which were present in MCCs that were used in the Red Stag project.
The Solution
Following the successful delivery of the Stage One works, KCS were also chosen to deliver Stage Two developments which saw the Red Stag Timber plant further optimise their operation from log to finished lumber. Utilitising Rockwell Automation PLCs, Variable Speed Drives and software from NHP, the fully automated site now boasts New Zealand’s fastest planer with both mechanical and optical grading systems to ensure every piece of timber conforms to the highest standard.
“Since successfully completing the Stage Two works, KCS have worked closely with Red Stag to optimise their site’s Power Factor. We’re extremely proud to be involved with this project and deliver it in the manner in which we did. Having a local partner like NHP to help throughout the process certainly made a difference for us,” Mr. Waghorn continued.
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