An Alberton family business is looking to expand its operations and further cement its place as one of the main suppliers of treated pine products in the Gippsland region.
Alberton Timber and Treatment Plant, owned and operated by two generations of the Olarenshaw family, has increased production volumes five-fold in the past five years.
During a recent visit, owner Luke Olarenshaw told Member for Gippsland Darren Chester that the company could not keep up with demand and there was potential to double current production to meet client requests.
“Alberton Timer and Treatment Plant is one of the main wholesalers of treated pine posts and poles, supplying all nine Gippsland Murray Goulburn Trading stores, as well as Brown Wigg, Rodwells, Landmark and rural supply stores,” Mr Chester said.
“The company undertook a major expansion five years ago to steam dry timber, as opposed to air drying, which reduced processing time from six months to 14 days and led to increases in production.
“Now five years on, market demand is again exceeding mill capabilities and the Olarenshaws are looking to build a new mill on site and double production.”
Luke Olarenshaw who owns the business with his parents and wife Angela, said he had applied to the Federal Government’s Regional Jobs Investment Package for funding support to upgrade the mill.
“We are looking at a million dollar expansion on our current site,” Mr Olarenshaw said.
“The current mill has been constructed mainly by our family and maintained using second hand parts over the past 15 years and an upgrade at this point is a necessity.
“We know we have a ready market in Gippsland to double production and an upgraded mill would provide us with the scope to source new markets from outside of the region.”
