The Innovatek WoodTECH 2026 conference series, held in Rotorua, New Zealand (18–19 June) and Brisbane, Australia (23–24 June), explored the transition towards automated sawmilling and lumber manufacturing technologies for the forest and wood processing sectors.

More than 25 international speakers from Europe and North America presented practical case studies to sellout audiences, demonstrating how AI, automation and advanced manufacturing technologies are being adopted across the Southern Hemisphere’s sawmilling industry. The pace of investment was highlighted by Niagara Sawmilling’s recent announcement of a NZ$115 million sawmill development at Invercargill, incorporating some of the latest wood processing technologies available.

A powerhouse of global expertise

The exhibition floor was a major drawcard at both events, featuring a record number of specialist wood technology suppliers. Close to 500 delegates attended the conference series, with the comprehensive expo giving mill managers and operations leaders the opportunity to compare firsthand the latest advancements from companies including Finnos, Comact, HewSaw, DO2 and SiCam Systems. The presence of more than 25 international speakers helped bridge the gap between global innovation and local operational reality.

From human-led to data-driven

The 2026 programme was themed ‘Automation, AI & Action’, reflecting the industry’s rapid transformation. Sessions focused on the transition towards increasingly autonomous manufacturing, with technologies designed to maximise production, improve recovery and reduce manual intervention through advanced scanning, robotics, AI and integrated control systems.

Key technology presenters & sessions

World-first autonomous wood manufacturing operation: Tony Johnston, Executive Director of Wood Engineering Technology (WET), outlined his company’s journey from concept to commercial production of optimised engineered lumber. His team has developed and patented a world-first manufacturing system, now operating at its largely autonomous production facility in Gisborne.

Global wood manufacturing perspectives: Representatives from European technology leaders LINCK and Springer demonstrated how modern sawmills are achieving higher throughput with fewer operators, highlighting the evolution towards the “one operator, maximum output” model.

Engineering tomorrow’s timber resource: Forest & Wood Products Australia (FWPA) outlined strategies to strengthen timber’s position within the built environment, highlighting the important role engineered wood products will play in reducing construction emissions. This was complemented by Griffith University research demonstrating how younger plantation-grown blue gum—traditionally destined for pulp production—can instead be converted into high-performance laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and glued laminated timber (GLT), expanding the future structural timber resource.

Operational excellence: François Barton shared practical insights into maintaining safety, engagement and operational performance as manufacturing environments become increasingly automated. Drawing on a case study from ASX-listed drilling contractor Mitchell Services, he explained the company’s “4-Ds” framework—Dumb, Difficult, Dangerous and Different—which empowers frontline workers and leaders to identify operational risks before incidents occur.

Precision timber recovery & AI: Nick Barrett, President of SiCam Systems, and Jyri Smagin, CEO of Finnos Oy, presented case studies showing how AI-powered scanning, optimisation and closed-loop size control are reducing waste, improving recovery and lowering maintenance costs. Nick’s extensive experience with quality control systems continues to make his presentations a popular feature of Innovatek’s events in both New Zealand and Australia.

Robotics: Patrick Sasseville, CEO of DO2, showcased the latest developments in robotic systems that combine advanced vision technology with intelligent control systems for planer mills. His company’s solutions are being adopted by wood manufacturers around the world to improve productivity and consistency.

Workforce resilience: Lance Burdett provided practical strategies for maintaining focus, resilience and decision-making in increasingly complex manufacturing environments. A former lead crisis negotiator with the New Zealand Police, Lance drew on more than two decades of frontline experience to explain how understanding the brain’s response to stress can help individuals better manage conflict and improve workplace performance.

Applied technologies based on local log conditions: Nik Moore (Tui Technology) and Brian Russell (Contempo Lab) presented local case studies demonstrating how AI solutions can be validated against experienced timber graders using real production data. Their presentation highlighted the importance of combining artificial intelligence with decades of human expertise to ensure automated quality assessments accurately reflect the characteristics of local species such as radiata pine.

Biochar production: Melissa Rebbeck, Business Development Manager at Metamorf Engineering, presented Australian case studies demonstrating how wood manufacturers are turning wood waste into value through pyrolysis technology. By producing biochar, renewable energy and carbon removal credits from manufacturing residues, these systems generated significant interest among sawmillers looking to improve both sustainability and profitability.

Government support: The conference concluded with a workshop hosted by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service and the Bioeconomy Science Institute, providing processors with practical guidance on innovation funding pathways and commercialising new technologies. The session, led by Joe Murray Cullen alongside Henri Bailleres from the Bioeconomy Science Institute, highlighted opportunities to accelerate investment and industry collaboration.

Looking ahead

Across both countries, WoodTECH 2026 reinforced that the timber industry is entering a new phase of digital transformation. While machinery continues to advance, the greatest opportunities now lie in integrating data, automation and engineering expertise to create smarter, more resilient manufacturing operations.

For delegates, the message was clear: future competitiveness will increasingly depend not only on investing in new equipment, but also on developing intelligent, connected mills capable of improving recovery, optimising production and consistently delivering higher performance.

The biennial WoodTECH conference series was organised and delivered by the Innovatek team, publishers of Friday Offcuts, Australasia’s leading weekly forest and wood industry news service.