International Panel & Lumber, New Zealand - Increasing veneer recovery and reliability with a modernized peeling line

MAKING WOOD MATTER

Summary

International Panel & Lumber (IPL), a long-standing plywood and veneer producer in New Zealand, faced aging equipment that limited reliability and efficiency. By modernizing their peeling line with Raute’s Block Centering Analyzer R7 and dual spindle technology, IPL improved veneer recovery, reduced waste, and increased overall productivity – all within budget and timeline.

International Panel & Lumber (IPL)

IPL is a well-established plywood and veneer manufacturer operating for over 50 years on New Zealand’s South Island. Their production uses renewable plantation-grown radiata pine and serves both industrial and appearance-grade markets.
Founded
1965
Location
Greymouth, New Zealand
Export markets
Australia, the Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asia
Raute Partner Since
2017

Challenge

Before partnering with Raute, IPL faced several operational challenges that threatened reliability and efficiency on its peeling line. Despite producing high-quality veneer, aging equipment and outdated technology were limiting productivity and increasing waste.

Key challenges included:

  • Aging equipment and reliability issues
    IPL’s peeling line relied on a COE M760 charger and M249 lathe from the 1970s. The lathe spindles were damaged and cracked, creating an urgent need for replacement to avoid costly downtime.
  • Inefficient log centering and optimization
    The mechanical yoke assembly in the charger caused significant veneer loss, producing random and fish-tail veneer instead of full sheets – this reduced recovery and increased waste.
  • Risk of production disruption during upgrades
    IPL needed modernization without interrupting sales or exceeding its limited shutdown window, requiring precise planning and coordination.
  • Budget constraints for a small production plant
    Overcapitalizing was not an option. IPL needed a cost-effective solution that delivered measurable improvements without straining resources.
  • Pressure to improve productivity and yield
    The goal was not only to restore reliability but also to increase efficiency, reduce waste, and keep the dryer consistently full for higher capacity.

Want to learn how IPL modernized its peeling line and boosted productivity while staying on budget?