Innovation to increase profitability of steep terrain harvesting in New Zealand

Authors: Keith Raymond
Publication: New Zealand Journal of Forestry, Volume N.Z.J.For. 2012, Issue N.Z.J.For. 57(2) 2012, pp 19-23, Aug 2012
Publisher: New Zealand Institute of Forestry

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Abstract: There are several challenges to improved profitability of forestry and innovative solutions are needed to reduce the cost of steep terrain forest harvesting, as Keith Raymond, Harvesting and Logistics Theme Leader at Future Forests Research Ltd explains. Introduction Different Perspectives of a Problem A Forest Manager went up in a hot air balloon to survey the forest and after a while he realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a guy with a hi-viz vest and a yellow helmet below and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised to meet someone half an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am”. The man below looked at his GPS and replied, “You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 10 metres above the ground. You are at 38 degrees, 20 minutes, 16 seconds South latitude and Longitude 176 degrees 20 minutes and 5 seconds East longitude”. “You must be a Forest Engineer,” said the balloonist. “I am,” replied the man, “How did you know?” “Well,” said the Forest Manager, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is, I am still lost. You haven’t been much help.” The logger responded, “You must be a Manager”. “How did you know?” replied the balloonist. “Well,” he said, “you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You have made a promise, which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault!”

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